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| Details | |
|---|---|
| Bedrooms | 4 |
| Bathrooms | 5 |
| Sleeps | 12 |
| Villa | |
| Suitability |
|---|
| Pet Friendly |
| Smoking Allowed |
| Suitable for Elderly |
| FlipKey traveler rating |
| 18 reviews |
| Stayed here? Write a review. |
Get the real scoop!
All reviews are written by verified travelers
Details
| Rental type | Villa |
| Minimum Stay | 3 nights |
| Living space | 7500 square feet |
| Bedrooms | 4 Total |
| Bathrooms | 5 Total |
| Sleeps | 12 |
| Suitability |
Pet friendlyYes Smoking allowedYes Suitable for childrenAsk Suitable for the elderlyYes Wheelchair accessibleAsk |
Description from the owner
Casa Elsa is an exclusive luxury vacation rental home located in the Manuel Antonio - Quepos area of Costa Rica and is often described as "an orgy of whimsical modern architecture." With over 7500 square feet of tropical paradise combined with the luxury and amenities of even the most discriminating holidaymaker.
Casa Elsa is situated on a beach road between Manuel Antonio National Park and the town of Quepos, on the Costa Rican Pacific coast.
The villa offers an open concept of the design and flamboyant layout of the private and communal spaces that allows you to enjoy the full richness and uniqueness of the Costa Rican jungle a...Read more
Amenities
Location
$500 off any 7 nights April 1- May 31!
Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
(Property location is approximate) ?
What's Nearby:
Additional Location Information
The villa is situated between Manuel Antonio National Park and the town of Quepos, on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. The house seats on a quiet side road, 10 minutes walk to the beach.
What is Manuel Antonio National Park?
One of Costa Rica's premier tourist destinations, Manuel Antonio National Park combines natural primary and secondary forests, exuberant wildlife, and pristine beaches in one amazing location on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, only seven kilometers south of Quepos.
How do you get to Quepos?
You can travel to Quepos by car or on regularly scheduled flights. Both Nature Air and Sansa fly from San Jose to Quepos . The flight from San Jose takes about 20 minutes. It is a beautiful two and a half hour drive by car from San Jose.
What type of Activities are available in the area?
Rain Forest Exploration: There are many tours of the rain forest available in the area; from Canopy Safaris to hiking. We are happy to help arrange any activities you might want to enjoy while staying at Casa Elsa.
The villa is so open to the rainforest, will bugs be a problem?
The villa is situated so that there is a constant light breeze. There are very few stinging or biting bugs and virtually no mosquitoes. For those most susceptible, sunset can bring out a few bugs for an hour. Most visitors will not have any problems.
What should I bring with me?
Good hiking sandals are important for walks to the beach. A first aid kit is provided. Bring a flashlight for walking at night. Cool cotton clothing is comfortable in all seasons, it is always hot/warm on the Pacific coast.
Do the animals come into the house?
The monkeys travel through the rainforest every day. And most days they will visit Casa Elsa. They may walk on the railings and around the pool. It is important not to feed or touch the monkeys as this can cause them serious harm. Do not leave fruit on the counters as this is very tempting for them. If you do not wish them around, just clap your hands and they will scamper back into the rain forest.
Five Reasons Not to Feed the Monkeys:
1. Monkeys are highly susceptible to diseases from human hands. They can die from bacteria transferred off your hand that has no ill effect on you.
2. Migration to human-populated areas to be fed increases the risk of dog attacks and road accidents.
3. Irregular feeding leads to an aggressive behavior towards humans and other species.
4. Contrary to the stereotype, bananas are not the preferred food of monkeys in the wild. Bananas, especially those containing pesticides, can be upsetting to the monkeys' delicate digestive system and cause serious dental problems that can lead to eventual death.
5. Feeding creates a dangerous dependency on humans that diminishes the monkeys survival abilities.
Rates
Rates shown in $ USD (change)
| Date | Weeknight | Weekend Night | Weekly | Monthly | Minimum Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate Summary | $750 | $750 | $4,900 - $8,900 | $16,000 | 3 nights |
| Dec. 17 2012 - Jan. 8 2013 | - | - | $8,900 | - | 7 nights |
| Jan. 5 2013 - Dec. 14 2013 | $750 | $750 | $4,900 | $16,000 | 3 nights |
| All Other Dates | $750 | $750 | $4,900 | $16,000 | 3 nights |
| Can't find rates for your travel dates? Contact the owner | |||||
Additional notes from owner
Along with the final payment, a security
deposit is due. This will be returned to you within one month after any extra charges (i.e. transportation costs) or accidental damages to the property. The listed security deposit is: $500 USD
Availability
AvailableUnavailable Last updated: May 22, 2013 ◀▶
What Past Guests Are Saying
Overall Rating
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Elan
AirdrieCasa Elsa was amazing!
Left on 05/08/2013 for a stay in January 2013
The house is great with an amazing jungle view, awesome pool and the bedrooms are comfortable with air conditioning. If you like nature, the monkeys and howlers in the morning and night will keep you entertained. Susan, the concierge is amazing and very helpful with all your tours. The beach is a short 10 minute walk down the hill which is so nice that you don't have to take a taxi. Use the chef services (Deseree), she makes yummy food!
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marjack
COFantastic and memorable setting for an amazing family vacation!
Left on 03/27/2013 for a stay in February 2013
When our family of 8 (ages 8 - 73) first entered this spacious, simply unique home and its beautiful and spectacular setting, we knew we were in for a wonderful "outdoor" living experience. The well-equipped kitchen allowed us to prepare meals (we stopped to shop at the large, well-supplied supermarket in Jaco) and dine al fresco as we delighted in watching the 3 types of monkeys in the lush forest all around us. The grandchildren (ages 8 & 11) as well as the adults couldn't have been happier with the refreshing and well-maintained infinity pool. We also "hiked" to the beach where some of our family enjoyed snorkeling (trail to the right) as well as the more populated beach (trail to the left) and would take the bus back up the hill, followed by a short walk to Casa Elsa. Susan, the concierge, was friendly, promptly responded to our requests and very well informed about the area. The house staff, Petronilla and Carlos, do a great job as well. We enjoyed our excursion to Manual antonio Reserve where our guide (hired him just outside the park) pointed out flora and fauna of interest. Also had a blast ziplining at Mid World (must do "Superman"). Cafe Milagro (short walk up the hill) has great coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner. The only disappointment we had was that we had to leave at the end of the week...however, we all hope to return again!
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Alissa K
Salt Lake City, UTOne of a kind place to stay
Left on 03/24/2013 for a stay in February 2013
My husband and I were so excited for our first trip to Costa Rica and was excited to see the house we rented with seven of our friends. We all had high expectations for this house because the pictures all looked amazing. We were not disappointed. I think the house was better than we all expected. The bedrooms and bathrooms were awesome. Thankfully each had their own air conditioner. We spent a lot of time in the infinity pool which was welcomed from the very hot, beautiful beach nearby. We stayed in February which seemed like a perfect time to be there. There was an amazing beach just a 30 minute walk from the house.
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happy sloth
torontobreathtaking
Left on 08/05/2011 for a stay in July 2011
Casa Elsa is a work of art in a rainforest. Anywhere you sit in the house you see beauty -- in the art of the house, or in the art of the rainforest and its trees and animals. Its several levels all offer wonderful views of the sloths and three kinds of monkeys that swing by most days to put on a show. The nights are soft but loud with cicadas, especially in the rain. The house is a cab ride (or a walk and bus ride) to Quepos, the little town that serves up souvenirs and groceries and decent dining to the locals and tourists. That Manual antonio, the forest preserve managed by charming park rangers, is another brief cab ride is a big bonus and we really enjoyed our knowledgeable guide who shared his joy and pride in the park and found all kinds of animals for us. Casa Elsa is lovely place to truly bond with nature and relax in extreme comfort.
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Traveler
Falcon Heights, MNFantastic
Left on 07/22/2011 for a stay in July 2011
Fantastic, unbelievable. Throughout my stay I couldn't stop gushing about the wonderful outdoor experience while technically being indoors.The unique architecture of Casa Elsa allows you to experience the wonders of the rain forest with all the comforts of home.You forget that there are no outside walls(except the entry) until the playful monkeys pay a visit to your balcony or the pool.The interior decorating is subtle and tastefully quiet so it does not interfere with your feeling of being one with nature. The bedrooms have 4 walls with air-conditioning, we never needed it, but opening the floor to ceiling glass sliding doors invites the outdoors in and the soothing sounds of cicadas and birds, and monkeys lull you to sleep. It's surprising that there are no mosquitoes, which makes the stay even nicer. The colorful walls in the open bathroom, in each room, has no shower curtain or doors and a fantastic rain shower head. The staff are wonderful;Carlos keeps Casa Elsa in tip top condition and Petronells keeps it spotless. Heather, the concierge, is terrific in helping you with activities, restaurants or shopping. The beach is just a short walk away and Manuel antonio Park is also close by. There are numerous eating places in the area or you can cook in the fully equipped kitchen. After a walk at the beach or a day of zip lining a dip in the pool with the sound of birds and monkey chattering, is a wonderful way to end a perfect day. If you are coming to Costa Rico, Casa Elsa is an experience not be missed.
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A. Carvalho
toronto, CanadaMind blasting experience!!!
Left on 01/28/2011 for a stay in September 2010
Hands down the best place ive ever been. The house is beyond anything ive ever experienced with its open concept rooms and breath taking views. If your with your family or your with your friends this is by far the best place you can stay in Costa Rica. i am 100% going back as soon as work allows, and i recommend this place to anyone and everyone who likes to finer things in life!
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megan
toronto, ontario, canadaabsolute heaven!
Left on 01/20/2011 for a stay in February 2009
the gorgeous pictures you see of casa elsa don't even do it justice - you have to see it to believe it - the house is absolutely spectacular!
there were 8 of us staying for a week and the entire time all of us couldn't stop talking about this perfect place - we still do and we were there almost 2 years ago!
casa elsa is huge - privacy is not an issue!
all bedrooms have an ensuite and are superbly located downstairs from the living areas.
each bedroom also has a private balcony!
you are blown away from the second you walk through the amazing, massive front door - the view is out of this world!
you are literally living in pure luxury surrounded by jungle (lots of wildlife!) with a spectacular view of the ocean.
the kitchen is fully equipped w/ everything and anything you could possibly need/want - including a swimming pool! it's just incredible!
the diningroom and livingroom are stunning.
the lay out of the house is perfect - the owner/designer thought of everything!
the staff are great - there for you when you need them, but very discreet.
carlos and petronella made our stay even better.
okay - enough about the house - i could go on and on!
the location is ideal.
short walk to the beautiful beach and adorable town.
everybody is really friendly and you always feel very safe.
nice restaurants and bars, a supermarket etc.
we went out a couple of times and had so much fun!
for 3 dinners we hired a chef, who did all the shopping, cooking and clean up - what a treat!
there are tons of local attractions and activities.
some of us took full advantage and they came back w/ wonderful stories of their adventures.
others had a hard time leaving the house - it really is that amazing!
casa elsa is absolute heaven.
if you are planning a trip to this area, you must stay at casa elsa - it will exceed all of your expectations!
we can't wait to go back!
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P h i l s k i
Toronto OntarioA Week Lasting Dream
Left on 01/20/2011 for a stay in September 2010
I think its important to know that my stay here was during the off season. Although much of the town is at rest or vacationing themselves during this time of the year, it creates a perfect window to embrace its secludedness. I do want to visit again and experience Manuel antonio in full motion, but I definitely enjoyed the kind of V.I.P. exclusive undertone.
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Enkay
TorontoAmazingly comfortable, beautiful, and relaxing
Left on 01/19/2011 for a stay in September 2010
My friends and I were lucky enough to spend a week at Casa Elsa in the fall of 2010. This was an unforgettable experience, I can't imagine a better accommodation for a vacation in Costa Rica, or anywhere for that matter. The space was amazing - beautiful with so much room. The open concept of the entire place is so perfect for the setting of a Costa Rican jungle. The pool next to the kitchen overlooking the jungle and coast is a real treat. The staff were very helpful and made our stay all the more comfortable. An amazing beach is just down the road but when it rains Casa Elsa makes up for it with its brilliance.
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Relaxed Vacationer
Falcon Heights, MN 55113We enjoyed total relaxation and escape from the snow and ice in
Left on 01/12/2011 for a stay in March 2010
In one day we left Minnesota ice and frigid temps to the amazing world of the Costa Rican rain forest. Casa Elsa was just what we needed! It is open with a contemporary treehouse feel and high enough for the breezes to temper the tropical sun. We appreciated its spacious and luxurious style and accommodation without it being "cute": the architecture seemed to invite the monkeys, sloths, tropical birds, butterflies and gorgeous views of the ocean to be the natural accessories of the setting.
Our days in Costa Rica were wonderfully warm and we spent most of our days walking to the beach for a leisurely breakfast, shopping for groceries at the market in Quepos, returning for our own "aqua fitness" in the infinity pool, reading, watching movies or snoozing in the afternoon, and then enjoying a glass of wine while preparing dinner in the fully equipped kitchen each evening. We returned to Minnesota refreshed, relaxed, (and even a little more "buff" with all the healthy eating and walking!), and convinced more than ever that Casa Elsa is our absolute favorite destination in Costa Rica.
(We enjoyed the zip lines, white water rafting, the national park, and several night spots, etc. on previous trips.)
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MK
Torontoa superb family vacation, luxury surrounded by jungle
Left on 01/11/2011 for a stay in August 2010
This wonderful house is so comfortable for an extended family. We enjoyed the public spaces, the dining area, the kitchen, the pool and the terrace, all of which were open to the jungle and the animals who popped by daily. And when we wanted privacy we retreated to our fully air conditioned and spacious bedrooms.
Service was available on short notice from our concierge and staff, the house was equipped with everything we needed, the beaches, restaurants and shopping ultra convenient, just a walk or a phone call away.
It is not always easy to travel with 3 families but our stay at Casa Elsa was probably the easiest of the many trips we have taken. Lots to see and do. We all had a great time and found that we didn't even need to rent a car. -
Nina L
New YorkParadise!
Left on 01/10/2011 for a stay in December 2009
The house is beautiful, comfortable and spacious, exceptionally clean and well run. It offers the most spectacular experience of the natural environment with glorious views everywhere in the house. Close to the beach and local shopping. This was a truly magnificent vacation in every way.
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oldjohn
white bear lake, mnCasa Elsa - What a Delightful Vacation Property
Left on 01/07/2011 for a stay in August 2007
We had a ball! Casa Elsa is totally unique in design, and the street side view gives the visitor no hint of the visual delights on the other side of the huge entry door. Our group of 8 adults feared that a single "house" might feel a bit confining, but once inside the multi-level structure, which is situated on a steep, forested slope, all such fears were banished. The wide open design (only the air conditioned bedrooms are fully enclosed), provides ample space for any group activities such as meals and parties, as well as plenty of spots for individuals to enjoy reading or just relaxing. We particularly enjoyed the horizon pool and spacious patio - both just off the kitchen - for sunning and taking in the beautiful views out over the forest to the ocean.
Breezes kept us comfortable even on the hottest days, and surprisingly there were no annoying bugs. But other animal life was much in evidence - daily visits from several species of monkeys, beautiful moths and butterflies, 3-toed sloths in trees just off the veranda, and a variety of birds.
We also enjoyed easy walks to the beach (which adjoins a National Park), local restaurants, and a tropical butterfly preserve. The Casa is only a short ride from shopping and other local amenities, which include a nearby zip-line operation. It was a real thrill to fly through the rain forest canopy harnessed to a pulley on a high wire!
Throughout our stay we had great on-site service from Carlos for any maintenance or facilities needs, Petronella for daily cleaning, and the local concierge for any additional assistance that might be needed. I would recommend Casa Elsa to any group wanting to vacation in a picturesque area with excellent accomodations that invite them to be as active or laid back as they wish.
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The Van Dusen Family
Brighton, Ontario CANADAFantastic
Left on 01/06/2011 for a stay in April 2008
My husband and I were traveling with our 2 adult sons. The last family vacation was when the boys were much younger. Our challenge this time was to have enough space to give the four of us privacy yet provide the opportunity to come together for great family time. Casa Elsa more then met the challenge. We wanted for nothing either in amenities or service (the staff were friendly and helpful). We loved the infinity pool, the rain shower heads in the bathrooms, the BBQ on the deck and "living" in the jungle where we enjoyed the comical monkeys. Add wonderful weather, swimming in the nearby ocean and the friendly people of Costa Rica. The result - a great vacation. We'd love to do it again.
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Rick T
Toronto, CanadaA truely amazing experience!
Left on 01/06/2011 for a stay in February 2009
My wife, son and I had the pleasure of visiting Casa Elsa. I had only seen a few pictures.. and when we arrived at the white face, and huge wooden door of the villa - I wasn't sure what to expect. Opening that door put all of the pictures into perspective..
You are directly in the rainforest once you step inside! You can hear an abundance of animals, see the ocean and the blue sky. We had families of monkeys walking through or by daily. They keep their distance - but still managed to steal one of our tomatoes (capuchins are sneaky). We did see a few little cool lizards by the patio, and some amazing birds that you only see in the zoo were always nearby.
The house is stunning - and very clean and never too hot - due to a nice constant seabreeze. The bedrooms do close off with large glass doors for night, and are airconditioned and have private bathrooms with amazing rain shower heads. The main living areas are completely open - in concept - and to the rainforest. I have never seen anything like this in my life! I took close to 200 pics of just the architecture and the amazing floors. As for the house crew - Carlos kept everything running smooth, and Patronella kept everything spotless!
As for getting around - it was a piece of cake. A short walk to the beach, and the other direction, to the markets and restaurants. There is also a very nice cigar shop in Quepos that had fresh hand rolled costa rican tobacco. A total must if you are a cigar smoker! We took both the local taxis and local bus service. Both were great, and very safe!
The beaches here are sparkling clean - like Cuba. The water was warm and calm while we were there. Although - we spent alot of time in the amazing infinity pool in Casa Elsa which overlooked the forest and the ocean.
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Sparx
Toronto, Ontario, CanadaAmazing Rainforest Oasis
Left on 01/06/2011 for a stay in February 2008
We had a fantastic trip to Casa Elsa in February. The open layout worked very well for all of us, including our then two year old.
It was thrilling to see different types of monkeys every day - congo/howler monkeys, and squirrel/titi monkeys as well as capuchin monkeys. They were daring but not intrusive, and were amazing to see and hear. Our son loved all the wildlife, especially the monkeys, but also lizards, frogs, sloths and butterflies. A pleasant surprise was that there were no biting bugs, even at night.
Weather was hot and sunny every day, the days in Feb are long so the sun came up early. The house was cool during the day & night. We were lucky to have 5 minutes of rain on our last day, which was a nice reprieve.
We felt very safe the entire trip, and had no issues of any kind.
The beach was stunning and much larger than we had expected. The sand was fine and nice to walk on.
Location is fantastic - the house is close to the beach, local shops and a National Park. We walked, took the bus and cabs to different areas, including the beach, cafés and restaurants. Nothing was more than a 10 minute ride away, and lots of places were within walking distance. Anything we needed or wanted was available, the shopping was excellent. We went grocery shopping several times and everything was super fresh and delicious. We also visited the two markets which were huge.
Petronella, the cleaning lady, was fantastic. She did a wonderful job and was extremely pleasant. She went about cleaning quietly and was unobtrusive.
Carlos was most helpful and answered any questions we had for him.
Our son loved the pool as did we. We spent lots of time swimming, cooling off, and relaxing in it. The view of the cost & ocean from the pool was nothing short of spectacular. We hope to visit again soon! -
savageman
TorontoParadise Found
Left on 01/06/2011 for a stay in January 2010
Ever had a recurring holiday? That vacation escape that was so ideal, you fleet back to it in your mind just to get away from your daily grind? Casa Elsa is that 'go to' getaway for us. Wether it be for 2 weeks or 2 minutes, this destination offers an extremely well equipped tropical home loaded with style, featuring great views and ammenities for these two discerning adults. Close to all the attractions of Quepos and Manuel antonio, discovering the surrounding area is a delight, however, the house itself, has all the support and services we need for a private escape and rejuvination.
Get there and create your own Zen.
No disappointments quaranteed. -
FirstClass
AmsterdamPhenomenal luxury in the middle of the jungle
Left on 01/06/2011 for a stay in September 2010
We had an incredible time staying at Casa Elsa. The house itself is stunningly beautiful, and we greatly enjoyed taking a swim each morning in the infinity pool, gazing out at the rainforest.
The rainforest comes right into the house, as the house is wide open at the back. We loved the feeling of being integrated into the jungle. Despite the fact that the house is very open on the jungle side, the cover of the foliage provides privacy, and on-site security covers the safety angle, so everything has been thought of.
The monkeys make their daily visits and are hilarious to watch. We got loads of great photos and videos of their antics.
The location is fantastic and we spent a lot of time down at the two local beaches, which are picturesque and clean. If you don't feel like using the kitchen to cook, there are plenty of restaurants in the area, and most of them will deliver, too. Be sure to visit Manuel antonio National Park, which is very close by and a wonderful way to spend a day.
There's lots to do nearby (especially if you're a bit sporty -- surfing, rafting, hiking, scuba, horseback riding, you name it) but the house is so comfortable and gorgeous you will probably also be content to just hang out there and enjoy the pool and the sounds of the rainforest.
Service is second to none with a housekeeper, on-site security, and a personal concierge (who is there to help at any time, but also stays out of your hair if you want).
If you book Casa Elsa, you're in for a real treat and a very memorable holiday.
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