Chuck Hawley

Generally, yes, but we recommend that ocean swimmers consider walking up the beach towards Dominical. It's about 15 minutes away, and there are generally life guards (Salvavidas) who are very capable swimmers. Our beach is gorgeous, but the water can be rough unless you are a strong ocean swimmer.

The first time we visited Dominical, we did not have a car for the two weeks, and found that it was fine to rely on either taxis, friends, or tour operators. We have several options for getting from San Jose to Dominical (you can search online for a number of services), but in the end we've chosen to rent a car each time we visit. The roads are, for the most part, good, and the drivers are pleasant and not aggressive. Jennifer, our caretaker, can arrange for either cars or taxis, but you're better off reserving from one of the rental agencies near the airport. We've used Toyota Rentacar several times, as well as the normal US and Canadian firms. You may be able to save money on insurance by using a credit card with rental car insurance as one of the benefits.

We have beds for seven, and we really like to hold to this number except in pre-arranged instances. While there are couches which could be used for kids in a pinch, we don't recommend them for more than a single night. If you have another family that wants to join you for a night or two, we recommend Roca Verde, which is just up the highway, or Villas Rio Mar, or one of the other homes on our property.

Generally, yes, but there is a pool immediately outside of the living room and dining room, so parents of toddlers must be careful. The doors leading to the pool area can be locked, obviously. There's also a staircase to the second floor which is not easily baby-proofed. Obviously parents of toddlers will know the hazards to look for and will plan accordingly.

On the positive side, there's a wonderful flat beach which, at low tide, stretches 100 meters towards the ocean. The beach has little crabs and seabirds and all sorts of tide pool opportunities for kids.

There are also many tours which are appropriate for kids from 6 and up. We've taken our children on the Nayuca Waterfall trip, bird watching on the Rio Sierpe, and even gone kayaking with the slightly older kids.

Yes, in the three bedrooms. We find that it's nice to turn on the A/C when it's humid and still, but we generally leave it off and leave the windows open. Electricity is very expensive, so we prefer to use the natural ventilation whenever possible. There are 7 ceiling fans as well, which provide air movement on quiet days.

There are many tour operators in Dominical, and it's easy and convenient to reserve a trip by horseback to the waterfalls, or zip-lining, or river rafting. Jennifer, our caretaker, can also arrange trips for your, or reservations for restaurants (although that's seldom necessary). We have found the tour operators to be honest, professional, and a pleasure to deal with.

Costa Rican law prohibits construction within 50 meters (165 feet) of the mid-tide line on the coasts. This is to prevent homes and commercial buildings right on the beach, and it is enforced. Our home is technically 55 meters from the mid-tide line, which is as close as is legal. We have the benefit of tall primary jungle trees surrounding the home, so it's like being in the jungle with an ocean view. From the terrace, it is about 30 seconds to get to the beach. We describe the beach as semi-private, not because we don't want people to use it, but because it's very seldom that anyone is there.

We wanted a place where our kids could walk to the beach without having to use a car, and without crossing the highway. We found this unique piece of property in 2004, and then went through several years of getting permits, building plans, finding a contractor, and so forth. We also found two partners, the Miles and Bernardis, who own the adjacent homes (which are also available if you've got a big group).

While it has been challenging to build in the Maritime Zone, the results have been worth it. We love our proximity to the beach and the town of Dominical.