CASITAS DEL RIO - Simple, Chic, Affordable Shelter
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| Details | |
|---|---|
| Bedrooms | 1 |
| Bathrooms | 1 |
| Sleeps | 2 |
| Cabin | |
| Suitability |
|---|
| No Pets |
| Smoking Allowed |
| Not Suitable for Children |
| Suitable for Elderly |
| FlipKey traveler rating |
| 15 reviews |
| Stayed here? Write a review. |
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Details
| Rental type | Cabin |
| Minimum Stay | 2 nights |
| Living space | 400 square feet |
| Bedrooms |
1 Total
Show Details ►
|
| Bathrooms |
1 Total
Show Details ►
|
| Sleeps | 2 |
| Suitability |
Pet friendlyNo Smoking allowedYes Suitable for childrenNo Suitable for the elderlyYes Wheelchair accessibleNo |
| Theme | Adventure, Romantic, Wilderness, Away from it all, River, Waterfront |
Description from the owner
Casitas del Rio - "little houses" on the river. Our 3 individual guest houses are nestled among the trees in a private hidden cove along the Morete River, one of the cleanest and most pristine rivers in Costa Rica.
LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION ! Conveniently located only 1 kilometer off the Costanera highway, our location allows quick and easy access to beaches, grocery stores, restaurants, banks, and adventures. The small town of Uvita and the lovely beaches of Playa Ballena, Playa Colonia, and Playa Hermosa are a 5 minute drive from your casita. Dominical, the popular surf town with its funky bohemian beach bar vibe, is a 15 minute driv...Read more
Amenities
Location
CASITAS DEL RIO - Simple, Chic, Affordable Shelter
Uvita, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
What's Nearby:
Additional Location Information
Our location is near the town of Uvita, situated in a hidden river cove between the Talamanca mountains and the Pacific ocean, 400 Meters East of the Costanera Highway, below the Whales and Dolphins Hotel. We are right on the south bank of the Morete River.
Our area offers stunning mountain and coastal scenery, adventure tours, hiking, kayaking, zip-lining, whale and dolphin tours, bird-watching, horse- back riding, hidden watefalls and swimming holes, deserted beaches, surfing, ATV tours, and more! We are 5 minutes away from a small town with restaurants, banks, and grocery stores, yet you feel far away from it all in our private river cove surrounded by primary forest.
We highly recommend you rent a 4 wheel drive vehicle to reach our accomodations and to explore our area. There are several shuttle and transportation options available to transport you from San Jose to Uvita, where you can pick up your pre-arranged rental vehicle. Or you may drive yourself by rental car from San Jose to Uvita. Find out more detailed "getting here" infomation on our website.
Location Type Away from it all, River, Waterfront
Rates
Rates shown in $ USD (change)
| Date | Weeknight | Weekend Night | Weekly | Monthly | Minimum Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate Summary | $75 - $85 | $75 - $85 | $475 - $525 | $1,500 | 2 nights |
| Jan. 5 2013 - Aug. 31 2013 high season rate |
$85 | $85 | $525 | $1,500 | 2 nights |
| Sep. 1 2013 - Nov. 30 2013 low season rate |
$75 | $75 | $475 | $1,500 | 2 nights |
| All Other Dates | $85 | $85 | $525 | $1,500 | 2 nights |
| Can't find rates for your travel dates? Contact the owner | |||||
Rental fees
- Tax rate - 13% of rental - Tax
Additional notes from owner
We have 3 casitas. Each casita sleeps 2 people maximum. We can accomodate up to 6 guests in the 3 casitas. Our accomodations are perfect for singles, couples, a family, and good friends who don't mind sharing a queen bed. The per night rate is the same whether single or double occupancy.
Availability
AvailableUnavailable Last updated: May 09, 2013 ◀▶
What Past Guests Are Saying
Overall Rating
ExcellentVery Good
Average
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Brion C
Miami, Floridaabsolutely beautiful
Left on 03/20/2013 for a stay in March 2013
We had a great 5 nights at Casitas del Rio and would recommend it to anyone traveling to the southern Pacific Coast. The Casitas are perfect and the scenery with the river running right next to the Casitas is picture perfect. Great restaurants, beaches are close by. Would definitely stay there again.
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Mindy
Phoenix, azMost amazing place we have stayed!
Left on 03/07/2013 for a stay in February 2013
We loved Casitas del Rio! Very clean and beautiful. We could hear the river and the wildlife, including howler monkeys, toucans and scarlet macaws, from inside the casita. We felt very safe there, a home away from home. Karen and axel's hospitality can't be beat!
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Smolders
RIjen, The NetherlandsVery nice place to stay!
Left on 03/03/2013 for a stay in January 2013
In January 2013 we stayed as guests in Casitas del Rio for three days. We had a great time.
There are hardly words to describe how nice it was to stay there. The cabins were very clean and were nicely decorated. You simply must see it for yourself!
Axel was such a nice person. He told us about flowers, birds and other animals.
It was a pity we did not get to meet Karen; she was in Miami at the time.
If we ever have the opportunity to go to Costa Rica again, we would definitely visit the Casitas.
Axel and Karen, thank you for your hospitality.
Hans and Monique Smolders, the Netherlands
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Kelly and Robin
Coconut Grove, FlJust another day in paradise
Left on 02/22/2013 for a stay in February 2013
Omg! We loved everything about it. The location is just ten minutes from shopping, multiple restaurants and bars, and beaches. The river is right out front and is an inviting way to cool off. The waterfalls is a short hike up the river. Be ready for the howler monkeys to wake you at 5 am - which is okay since the sun comes up just after 5:30 and goes down before 6 pm. It gets dark in the jungle so early to bed, early to rise is the norm. The cottages are very well designed for couples - new and clean. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and offer a wide variety of visiting butterflys and birds. Karen and axel are gracious hosts and their local knowledge helps you make the most of your stay. One suggestion: Don't overbook your acitivities as the Casitas and the river make you want to just sit and enjoy nature off the grid.
Loved it!Response from Axel and Karen - 02/22/2013
Owner
Dearest Kelly and Robin,
We thank you so very much for staying with us, and for the lovely review. The delightful river pool that you starting building is the most popular place to hang out now! See you very soon.
Warm Regards,
Karen and Axel -
LeeDenver
Bristol, UKGarden of Eden
Left on 02/13/2013 for a stay in January 2013
Casitas del Rio is unlike anywhere else I've ever stayed. The three casitas (small houses) are set in an idyllic tropical garden and are only separated from primary rainforest by a rocky river that gently winds it's way from the top of the mountains down to the Pacific Ocean. It's located less than 5 minutes up into the hills from the Costanero (Highway 34), but feels like a world away from modern life.
If you are after a hotel with an ocean view and an infinity pool to watch the sun going down, then don't read on - this place has none of those and isn't for you. But if you want a secluded, private slice of stunning wilderness to recharge your batteries and watch the local wildlife go about it's business then this should hit the spot. My partner and I booked for 4 nights and ended up staying for nearly two weeks, it was that special to us.
The hosts axel and Karen are kind, helpful and sociable but will ensure your privacy should you wish - they built the place themselves and the casitas are less than a year old at the time of writing. They are open-plan with excellent facilities for self-catering and are well thought-out, stylish, spacious and spotlessly clean. Axel and Karen also landscaped the fantastic 1.5 acre garden with rock sculptures, fruit trees and colourful flora. If you fancy cooking outdoors, there's a good-sized barbecue in prime spot right by the river.
What really gives this place the added wow factor is the local wildlife you can observe from the casita's porch. At sunrise, the white-faced capuchin monkeys emerge for breakfast in the trees opposite, then toucans are likely to turn up, sometimes followed by scarlet macaws. And if the toucans and macaws are there at the same time then the fierce, feathery battle for territory is a noisy spectacle. The howler monkeys' presence is always felt with their barked dawn chorus and they, too, can sometimes be seen in the treetops. If this isn't enough, the garden is always aflutter with hummingbirds, blue morphos, kestrels and tanagers, amongst others - all serenely adding to the charm.
As you're virtually in the jungle, it can get very hot and humid here without much of a sea breeze so the river, Rio Morete, is perfect for a quick dip to cool off in it's clear, clean water. If you fancy a 10 minute rocky scramble upstream, there's a natural swimming pool next to a secluded waterfall where you can bask in the forest's splendour in total privacy. All this wilderness and you're only minutes from the beaches and amenities of Uvita.
As you can tell, we loved the place and it is amazing value for money. If you want something unique, try Casitas del Rio.Response from Axel and Karen - 02/14/2013
Owner
Dear Beverly and Alex,
We enjoyed your stay here at our Casitas del Rio as much as you did, and we certainly miss your energetic and positive presence. Thank you for your lovely comments. The river awaits your return! Come back soon.
Karen and Axel -
Pilar Dailinger
Malibu, CaliforniaSerenity at Las Casitas
Left on 02/11/2013 for a stay in January 2013
My husband and I rented a casita for 3 weeks, it went by too fast. Everyday we saw wild animals and exotic birds such as Toucans and Red Macaws, the river in itself is tranquil to gaze at and to frolic in. We hiked to the nearby waterfalls and went swimming in their pools and lagoons. The accommodations are perfect for either a single or double occupancy. Karen and axel are great host with loads of information on nearby tours and restaurants. The casitas are very clean and chic, we give this beautiful spot 5 stars.
Response from Axel and Karen - 02/11/2013
Owner
Dear Pilar and Tim,
We are very happy you enjoyed your stay with us and truly appreciate your lovely review. Come back to visit us soon!
Karen and Axel -
JS
MontréalHome sweet home ... away from home.
Left on 01/17/2013 for a stay in December 2012
We stayed at the Casitas for 3 days over the New Year Holiday and truly wished we could have stayed more. I know ... Just like we were, you're looking for that perfect spot right on the beach but I'm telling you, after a few hours sweating at the beach with no way to cool down 'cause the ocean is sooo warm, we were really longing for the casita and its sweet little river all for ourselves. Also, if you're looking for that romantic waterfall like the one you've seen in the books, look no further. All the ones we managed to find were incredibly crowded. Then we found out the perfect one was only a 15 minutes walk up river. The casitas themselves are brand new, tastefully designed and crafted. There's only three of them and the whole setting breathes quietness. The mini-kitchen is perfect for cooking simple meals and when you stay there, you just feel like having diner on the porch. Across the river is property of el Rancho La Merced and all virgin forest. We woke up with white face capuchins fooling around in the big three just across the river. Also wished I discovered that earlier but if you go, go have a walk in the trails there. Next to a guided hike, you can't ask for more. Axel and Karen are fantastic hosts and have a bunch of great tips for you while you stay there. What? I have to mention one negative point so I sound credible? Allright, allright: Wifi is not yet in the casitas. Or not the one we were in anyway. Had to walk 100 feet and sit in the grass by the river so I could Skype the family on New Year day. Being in one full meter of snow, there were really distracted by the sound of the river and jungle in the background. Bummer! ;)
Response from Axel and Karen - 01/25/2013
Owner
Thank you for your feedback regarding the wifi in the guest casitas. The issue will be resolved effective Feb 1, 2013.
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Taraneh_and_Emily
Davis, CaliforniaBeatiful cabin, great hosts!
Left on 01/13/2013 for a stay in December 2012
We were so happy with our choice to stay here - Karen and axel were great hosts, sharing cold beers and coconuts with us, giving us excellent advice on less-known local attractions and providing wildllife guidebooks for us to borrow, and generally were more like welcoming friends than business owners.
The casitas are very nice inside; simple, but containing everything you need, and beautifully designed. It was lovely to leave the curtains open and wake up to the sunrise to see the capuchins and toucans outside. At the end of a day hiking or on the beach, we were always happy to come home and dunk in the river (cool and refreshing) - and we even spotted an endangered river otter once! -
Leo & Claire
Windsor, ON, CAGreat Value/Charming/Peaceful
Left on 12/25/2012 for a stay in November 2012
We spent 7 wonderful days at Casitas del Rio during our visit to Costa Rica. The casitas were a great choice - very cool, very clean, and very tranquil. Beds were super comfortable and the kitchenette had everything we needed for our week long stay. Drinking coffee each morning surrounded by beautiful gardens while looking out on the river and watching the diving cormorants and low flying egrets was nature at its best. Loved our quiet morning hikes up the scenic mountain road where we saw toucans and blue Morpho butterflies along the way. The location was perfect - just a few minutes to the grocery stores, restaurants, tours, and beach.
The owners, Axel & Karen, went out of their way to answer our questions and make sure we had everything we needed. Thank you for a great get-away and an incredible step into nature!!
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Jennifer S.
Ocean Grove, NJRelaxing in nature
Left on 12/21/2012 for a stay in September 2012
We spent a week at Casitas del Rio in Sept. 2012, and we have already booked our trip back! The Casitas are nestled in a magical little valley along the Morete River, just a few minutes from the town of Uvita and several beaches. Unlike other accommodations in the area, there is no teeth rattling drive up a steep dirt road to get to these Casitas, and yet you would never know how close to town and the main road you are. The only sounds you hear are the river and abundant nature all around you. And if it gets too hot, cocktails sitting on the rocks in the river are in order.
After a day of surfing, snorkeling, whale watching, zip-lining, horseback riding-or any of the other varied activities the area offers- you can return to your Casita porch and enjoy the nature show. A highlight of one of our evenings there was a visit from Mr. Sloth, climbing up a nearby tree.
Axel and Karen (and Wilson and Betty) are top-notch hosts, full of local knowledge and good advice for local dining and entertainment. The Casitas are super luxurious, and include a cute little kitchenette and everything you need to cook a light meal. After staying in several rentals in the area, we have found our home away from home in Uvita.
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Dean & Diane
Reno, NevadaLike coming home !
Left on 08/19/2012 for a stay in July 2012
Absolutely wonderful! That is the only way to describe our stay at the Casitas Del Rio. The hospitality of the owners, Karen and axel, far exceeded anything we ever expected. On a scale of 1-5 , they are a 10! The casita was cool and comfortable, very well decorated, and conviently located near the beautiful beach and jungle tours. Every morning we would have our coffee on the casita porch, and without fail we would see things that were delightful. For example: toucans , howler monkeys, an anteater that came casually strolling by, and the beautiful Morete river. We highly recommend the Casitas Del Rio!
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RCVP
Washington DC, District of ColumbiaBottom line -- great location, accommodations and hosts!
Left on 08/08/2012 for a stay in July 2012
When booking for travel, I have often benefited from the reviews of others but have never returned the favor...until now. I will preface my review by saying that I had a wonderful visit and have nothing bad to say about my time at the Casitas del Rio or in Uvita. I tried to think of constructive criticism but am at a loss -- it was all great. I really enjoyed it and hope this review will explain.
I (male, mid-30s) had been traveling solo south down Costa Rica's Pacific Coast for a couple of weeks prior to reaching Uvita. My lodging was all booked with the last week intended to be spent at Manuel antonio before driving to the Caribbean Coast for the last days in country. After a few days in Manuel antonio, I quickly decided that was enough (I was able to check out the entire beautiful park there in 2.5hrs), the tourist scene/vibe wasn't for me and thought of heading further south. I made arrangements for a couple of nights in Dominical. After a nice stay at this small surf town, I wanted a change of scenery and decided to head a little further south. I came across the listing for the casitas and liked the idea of staying in the hills next to a river but still having the beaches nearby. With a quick email to Karen and little notice, I was able to book my stay at Casitas and drove on down the next day. Here's my take.
The Casitas: A short drive to Marino Ballena National Park, area beaches and town of Uvita. There are three newly constructed casitas, all positioned to face the Morete (aka Higueron) River which is about 30ft away. Perfect location along the river. I could hear the moving water while indoors. I am a big fan of a/c but I didn't feel the need to turn it on at all during my stay (in late July). Each casita has a small porch overlooking the river. I stayed at the one closest to the owners' home. I had more than enough privacy. There was a couple in the last casita but I never noticed them. I liked the modern amenities (nice bathroom w/ hot water shower, ceiling fan, kitchenette with all the necessary items and refrigerator). And they did a good job with interior design. It was nice to be comfortable in such a beautiful setting. I think this place would be perfect for couples, or a single traveler like me, or perhaps even a group of friends or family could use all three for some special occasion, wedding, retreat, etc. I think a stay of a few nights to a week would be just right. There are screens on the windows but the bugs weren't bad. I was able to connect to their wi-fi while in the casita. I liked the black-out blinds, especially if one is looking to sleep in, which I didn't (so much to see, so little time!). Overall, a very comfortable stay.
The area: The town of Uvita is small - a nice place to escape and check out nature without a tourist scene. There’s a good bakery & a decent restaurant with a local vibe (ex-pats, gringos and ticos) not too far from the casitas. Nearby Marino Ballena National Park is really beautiful. I didn't do any whale watching but just enjoyed visiting the park, its beaches and swimming. I like that there is marine park close by where dolphins and whales are found and where there is a spit of sand connected to the coast in the shape of a whale's tail -- how perfect! The grounds of the casitas have papaya, almond and banana trees, coffee plants and others. To get to the casita's it's best to have a vehicle with four wheel drive. I had no trouble getting up and down the hills in a 4X4 SUV rental. This shouldn't be a surprise as most tourists/travelers get the clue that if you are driving throughout the country, you should get a four wheel drive rental. You may not need it the majority of places but when you do, you do. The location of the casitas offer you the option to check out surf town Dominical to the north and some cool points south like Corcovado which looks liked it could be visited in a day trip.
The Owners: While the accommodations are great, I think the stay gets all the stars/an a+ because of the owners -- good people. Axel and Karen really helped make everything a breeze. First, I was impressed with their responsiveness. Because my plans had changed quickly, I didn't give them much notice but they were able to accommodate my reservation. I communicated with Karen first who was in the states traveling for work. Axel, her husband, was on the ground managing the property and was available via phone and email. Karen sent me helpful directions to the property and sent me a link to their website that had more info. I didn't have to drive far from Dominical so they let me check in earlier than most places. Upon arrival, I met axel. He immediately offered me a beverage -- a coconut water (coconut from property). I unloaded my stuff and noticed the personal touch in the casita -- a couple of complimentary water bottles and beers in the fridge along with a plate of fruit collected from trees on-site. And axel helped throughout my stay. He suggested a nice walk/hike upriver to check out a waterfall (which I did enjoy). He also offered to show me a nice view of the coast and of the "whale's tail" from a hill overlooking the national park. If your thing is to ride horses near the river or atvs, Axel could set you up. I came across a couple on horseback near the river and it looked like fun. I also mentioned in passing my love for pastries, fresh bread, panaderias, etc and axel was nice enough to bring back a couple of empanadas from the local bakery after his run into town. Totally unexpected and beyond the call. A really good guy. He also showed me his favorite restaurant. Good ceviche. While he was very responsive and a blast to hang out with, if your preference is to go it alone and be anonymous, I got the impression that that is fine, too. I think he just sincerely wants his guests to enjoy their stay. It worked for me because after weeks of traveling alone, it was fun to have good conversation with someone who understands the surrounding area and Costa Rica as a whole. And with a background in horticulture, Axel also was a great resource for information on area plant life. While we were about one of trees on-site, I was able to watch toucans fly by. There are also macaws that hang out in the trees on the property. And Karen and axel really did their homework on the directions. The detailed notes explaining the route to and from the casitas came in handy on my way back to the airport (to pick up a friend en route to the Caribbean side).
Bottom line, I would come back in a heartbeat -- for the area, the accommodations and the hosts -
jeff coomer
Fort Myers, FLPeaceful Getaway
Left on 07/12/2012 for a stay in February 2012
Great accomadations,loved the location and decor. The sound of the water on the river made sleeping great.
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Jeff Coomer and Lya Martina
miamiexcellent
Left on 07/04/2012 for a stay in February 2012
Axel and karen,
We truly enjoyed our stay at your Casitas. The casita had everything we needed and was beautifully decorated. The nature setting and the wonderful river was calming. A great place to relax! We hope to return again soon! Thanks to both of you!
Jeff and Lya -
david garrett
lexington, kyGreat stay! fun visit!! amazing place!!!
Left on 07/03/2012 for a stay in February 2012
Axel and Karen, Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality upon my visit to Casitas Del Rio. I thoroghly enjoyed the stay. The casitas are quite comfortable, the bathrooms and showers are especially appreciated. Sharing your local knowledge was really nice, y'all know where to go for the view, and excitement. I wish y'all nothing but good fortune and success, and will recommend staying with you folks to anyone traveling to Costa Rica. All-in-all a fantastic stay. Thanks again, David Garrett, Lexington, KY. (home of the 2012 Ncaa basketball National Champs!)
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