We were recommended this place by a local who suggested this place because it was near a hike that he thought we should check out. The picture of a stream was not reassuring, I was skeptical about what we'd find. This place was gorgeous! We were arrived late at night (around 11pm) and were promptly helped by the staff. They assisted us with check in and helped us figure out or travel plans and checked the weather for us, despite the late hour. After we settled in we spent some time admiring the gorgeous starry skies above and fell asleep to the chirping sounds of the jungle. When we woke up, we partook in a delicious homemade breakfast, including amazing pineapple grown right on the farm! The staff was again warm and welcoming and woke up early to help direct us to the trail we had planned to take. I had great fun breakfasting next to the farm, taking in the early morning views and hiking through the fields! We really appreciated Nick's help directing us where we wanted to go and helping us get back in the afternoon. This was hands down my favorite place we stayed our whole vacation. A little out of the way, but so worth it. Thanks so much for an amazing experience!!

This place is GORGEOUS! So many beautiful scenic views! It is in a secluded off the beaten path kind of area. It was quiet and just what we were needing after a great hike through their national forest and waterfalls! The food there was SO good it is extra but not very expensive and so worth it! The room we stayed in was very clean and the family was very kind! This place is a secret gem that I hope more people come and appreciate! Wow! Thank you Javier!

Unbelievably beautiful. You have to stay a few days to appreciate it. And to get to see at least one pair of the mated mccaws that live nearby. The 2 air B and B rooms are lovely. Very clean and a few things for cooking for yourself. Xavier is super friendly.... if you need something else ask! Often there are volunteers staying in the 'barracks' working in the farm. Only 2 women when I was there, but super excited to share what they're learning. It's A really nice family farm-but just that. A family farm that is growing. Not an established, sell to the public farm. Sustainable though! Great place to take some hikes, read and lay In Hammocks and listen to crickets & toads! Loved it!

This was an amazing place for a secluded and beautiful trip. It's a short walk to a hike in the park where I rarely saw another person, but did see dart frogs and beautiful waterfalls. Javier was helpful and welcoming, even when I arrived very late at night! Definitely my favorite place I stayed in Costa Rica, and I would love to visit again. It might be helpful to pick up some food on the way, because there aren't any stores nearby, but there is a very friendly soda about ten minutes away that serves up delicious local food.

Excellent pour découvrir la culture biologique. La chute vaut la peine du 30 minutes de marche. Belle petite famille accueillante.

We absolutely adored our stay at villas mastatal because of its authenticity and the amazing view son the surrounding landscape! There is a lot of eco places in cosa Rica but I felt this place was far more real than others and really devoted to Making à peaceful place for enjoying nature. The host Javier and his family has so much merit to have transform this place in such an oasis of fruit, vegetables and the permaculture garden is very well thought. If you are looking for a peaceful stay, surrounded by nature with still some local activities such as waterfall, treck, cacao visits and to learn about organic farming, it's definitely the place to go. I could not recommend more this place and we will definitely come back soon! Thanks again for this great time and such great food Javier and Rachel.

Wir waren 5 Nächte bei Axel und es war wunderschön! Der Ausblick, die Weite, die Ruhe, die Vögel und Axel als sehr hilfsbereiter, zuvorkommender, freundlicher Gastgeber- es war eine Freude. Einziges Manko: Gerade als wir da waren fing es nach langer Dürre erstmals an zu regnen und die Mücken waren sehr zahlreich vertreten. Ansonsten: Wer keine Scheu vor Ameisen und Spinnen hat sollte unbedingt vorbei schauen und staunen, staunen, staunen...:-)

Axel was a kind, thoughtful, and attentive host. He made sure we had everything we needed to make our stay comfortable, and even baked us some bread. His stories of pioneering his own little piece of Costa Rica are wonderful, as are the views from his "Birdhouse in the Sky". Thank you for sharing your Costa Rica with us Axel!

Had a great time at the bird house. Axel was amazing. He was always there to answer questions and help. He worked out a deal with us to be our transportation. He even lined up a few soccer games with some locals for our son and his friend. They had a blast. The house is very modern and the view is one of those things that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Axel was a wonderful host and neighbor. He had complete knowledge of the environment and has a gift for teaching about the history of the beautiful mountain getaway. The views from the entire property are breathtaking! The drive to get there is an experience we shall always remember. Its truly a 4 wheel drive adventure but well worth the effort. Bring with you all you think you'll need because the "corner store" is a long ways down the mountain. The Birdhouse is beautiful and the pictures don't come close to describing the panoramic beauty. It is well maintained and very clean and comfortable. We enjoyed the absolute quite and peaceful calmness and look forward to coming back next year.

Axel is very nice guy who did everything in his power to make us feel welcomed. We enjoyed his gorgeous breakfasts and could count on his organizing skills and knowledge of the area to make some trips. The view of the lodge is just breathtakingly beautiful. Overall a great experience!

The Birdhouse lies at the intersection of "the road less traveled", architectural splendor, and super friendly, interesting host. My daughter and I loved our stay here. It's wonderful to unplug and rejuvenate one's spirit in such an idyllic, remote setting. We can see why Axel fell in love with the region and feel lucky to have spent some time here with Axel, amid his architectural dreams realized. Note: While there are transportation options, I'd recommend renting a 4x4 for your stay. Also, be sure to shop for food in San Jose or Puriscal if you want a complete kitchen for your stay. We shopped in Salitrales, which worked out fine for us, though we had a pretty simple diet for the week (beans, rice, chicken, eggs, milk, etc.) Regarding bugs, perhaps a few mosquito bites, but it's not bad at all. At least, not during dry season. And Axel has a mosquito net for use if you need it. Finally, if you don't like long stretches of bumpy dirt roads or remote settings, the Birdhouse may not be for you.

We had a great time spending a week in the Birdhouse and enjoying the outstanding view along with the nature and wildlife Axel's property had to offer. We felt very safe on the property and felt welcomed by all the Ticos in the area. Renting a 4x4 vehicle is highly recommended as we used our 4 wheel drive often. There are lots of fruits and herbs on the property to consume and cook with. The kitchen has everything you need and more. Axel is a great host and very personable. My boyfriend and I enjoyed spending time with him learning about Costa Rica. This was an amazing trip!

We really enjoyed our stay at Axel's! The place is very serene, peaceful, and quiet. The location is very remote (which we enjoyed) but if you're planning multiple day trips into the city, it can be quite a bit of a ride. If you're planning to stay here, do yourself a favor and leave a day for relaxation. The views are stunning and it's easy to relax for a full day. We're really glad we stayed here and absolutely enjoyed the scenery. On our first night, we saw two Scarlet Macaw's! Axel was a great host and very accommodating.

Javier and Raquel were great hosts! The location is rustic but beautiful and all were friendly!

Villa Mastatal was an enchanted place. it is a bit secluded, but it's a great get away to enjoy nature and wildlife. the sustainable farm was interesting and the hosts were more than accommodating. we were also able to hike the forest trail to see frogs and dip into swimming holes. there is a very neat waterfall on the grounds as well!

This place was absolutely gorgeous! The views of the rainforest, the night sky and the real farm surrounding us were more than we could have asked for. The staff was friendly and warm, definitely check this place out !!

Great place, stunning location & lovely hosts. No running water due to pipe being burst but other than that great.

If you're into "glamping", you'll love staying at "Pavilion in the Sky". This quaint but remote home is perfect for those who love to be in and with nature at the same time. Axel's property has breath-taking views, a variety of wildlife and much more! He is a wonderful host and very accommodating. Our flight arrived late in SJO and he waited up until 1 AM for us to arrive so he could drive us up the mountain the last few kilometers (4X4 is a must). Axel entertained us, provided restaurant and destination recommendations and taught us so much about Costa Rica through great conversations during our stay. If you're looking for a more authentic and immersed stay in the country, Axel's place should be your pick!

Als je van rust, dieren en prachtige uitzichten houdt moet je echt naar deze plek gaan. SUPER!

Nous somme retournés pour une deuxième année d'affilée, dans ce lieu enchanteur, pour quelqu'un qui aime contempler la montagne et observer les oiseaux, dans une tranquillité absolue !!!!! Les ornithologues seront comblés, par une observation spectaculaire d'oiseaux, surplombant la canopée, directement à partir de la terrasse !!!!!! L'année dernière, nous habitions la ''birdhouse'', qui est beaucoup plus luxueuse mais comme elle n'étais pas disponible cette année, nous avons habité dans le chalet de montagne, qui est plus rustique mais très propre et aménagé avec goût. La vue est splendide, sur la vallée et la montagne, tant de l'intérieur que de l'extérieur, en raison de la fenestration très généreuse !!!!!!!!!!! Bien que ce soit relativement difficile d'accès, c'est un endroit idéal pour du grand repos et de la marche en montagne, dans les nombreux chemins de la propriété, qui est située dans une jungle magnifique !!!!!!!!! Il faut cependant prévoir tout ce qui est nécessaire à la durée totale du séjour, puisqu'aucun restaurant ou commerce n'est à proximité. Il faut absolument un véhicule 4X4 pour s'y rendre. Axel est un hôte discret et efficace, toujours prêt à rendre service !!!!!!!! Nous avons adoré nos deux séjours à cet endroit et nous y retournerions avec plaisir,

Wir hatten uns bereits vor unserem Urlaub dafür entschieden, auf unserer Fahrt in den Süden Costa Ricas einen Zwischenstopp bei Axel einzulegen, da wir den Weg durch das zentralere Hochland und nicht entlang der touristischeren Küste nehmen wollten... Besser hätte der Urlaub wohl kaum starten können :) Die beiden Unterkünfte von Axel sowie sein eigenes Haus liegen weit abseits von jeglichem Tourismus mitten in der Natur und verfügen über einen Ausblick, der unsere Erwartungen weit übertroffen hat. Außerdem sind sie mit allem ausgestattet, was man braucht und so sauber, wie man es von dieser Art rustikalen Unterkunft erwarten kann. Einen entsprechenden Mietwagen mit 4x4 sollte man aber definitiv am Start haben, da der Weg durch die Berge sehr steinig und holprig und Axels Auffahrt dann doch sehr steil ist. Highlight sind auf jeden Fall die morgen- und abendlichen Vogelsichtungen - Tukane, Aras, Kolibris und vieles mehr, alles direkt von der Terrasse aus! Axel selbst war darüber hinaus ein top Gastgeber! Er hat uns sogar noch mit selbstgebackenem Brot, Kuchen und allerlei an Lebensmitteln ausgeholfen, da wir nicht alles dabei hatten (kauft spätestens in Puriscal alles, was ihr braucht - danach kommen auch keine Obststände mehr und der Weg ist zu weit, um mal eben kurz Einkaufen zu fahren). Ansonsten ist er einfach nur mega lässig und verkörpert (trotz seiner deutschen Herkunft) den Costa Ricanischen Lifestyle voll und ganz ... Pura Vida!

Beautiful rustic cabin in secluded location yet surrounded by other not-far-away cabins. Excellent place to disconnect from city life (weak phone signal) and to see nature from (and at) your breakfast table. Be ready for a close encounter with exotic birds, over-sized bugs and the sound of a creek close by. Bring light sweater n hiking boots to hike on trails. We didn't suffer mosquitoes which was a nice surprise! Hosts were very kind, helpful and friendly.

Tres agreable séjour. Nous vous conseillons un 4x4 pour l'accès et un peu d'espagnol pour la communication. Nous n'avons malheureusement pas pu rencontrer esteban mais nous avons été très bien acceuilli au coeur des montagnes et de la nature!!! Baignade bien appréciée dans la piscine.

Excelente servicio, quedamos muy contentos con la cabaña. En los alrededores hay trillos, pozas y cascadas!

Un lugar muy tranquilo, accesible y cómodo. Perfecto para descansar y estar en contacto con la naturaleza. Recomendado!

This exactly what we were looking for, a little cabin lost in nature. The farm is amazingly beautiful, there's a river nearby and a hiking trial leading to a look out. They even gave us fishing gear and baits so we could fish Tilapia in the pond. What a lovely place and lovely people, highly recommended!

La maison de Nicky est magnifique ! Nous avons beaucoup apprécié. La vue est à couper le souffle ! Prendre un petit café matinal à admirer les montagnes fut particulièrement agréable ! Il est par contre indispensable d'avoir une voiture, pour bien profiter du coin.

This house has an amazing view and was very private. We enjoyed our time at Casa de Linda. The caretakers took great care of us and made sure we had everything that we needed.

"What a wonderful host! What an amazing house! What spectacular views! We cannot say enough about our magical time staying here, including the toucans that visited us for our morning coffee."

Wow! Such a beautiful home! Nicky's home in Costa Rica was perfect for us.! About an hr from San Jose and about 2hrs to Jaco beach! The views at Nicky's home are amazing.. sure there are bugs and wildlife all around but that's to be expected. We have no complaints! Wish we knew more Spanish to speak among the locals. Be prepared to recycle all of your waste! All the recycling containers are in the carport.. would love to come back again!

Merci pour les réponses rapides de la part de Nicki. Un gros merci à Porfirio et à Marlen (voisins) qui nous ont accueillis chaleureusement, ils nous ont donnés de bons conseils et ont été généreux avec nous! La vue de cette maison est à couper le souffle! Il est important de savoir que les activités à faire sont souvent à une ou deux heures de route (Poas, Iguana chocolate, San José, Jaco). La piscine près de la maison est agréable, mais achalandée. Nous avons adoré notre séjour dans cette maison spacieuse!

Casa de Linda is a tranquil retreat in the mountains with breathtaking views! We did not meet Nicky, but he was always quick to respond to questions or concerns. We very much enjoyed our stay and would recommend it to any family or group looking for a more quiet getaway in Costa Rica. There isn't much to do in the immediate area as the closest town, Puriscal, is about a 20 minute drive. We highly recommend going to La Iguana Chocolate for a tour but be warned that the road there is largely unpaved.

We had such a beautiful, relaxing experience at Casa De Linda. The view was absolutely breathtaking, literally getting to live in the clouds; watching Hawks fly past; and even seeing out to the ocean on a clear day. The perfect place to unwind and get back to nature. They had a binder full of very informative information about the house, town and local tobacco & coffee farms. Hope to get to come back again soon.

We stayed a month and know this property well. Nicky was a welcoming, helpful host who replied promptly to questions, and he has a couple people on the ground in the neigbourhood to provide assistance. Especially wonderful were an older couple who periodically watered the gardens and worked around the yard--warm and chatty local residents. The guy who arrived daily to feed and water four cows was nice enough, but busy. We did have issues with the accuracy of the listing, however. The house is huge, wide open for fantastic views of mountainsides all the way to the Pacific far, far away. The yard is very big with a slope full of citrus trees and lots of gorgeous plants and large trees that attract delightful bird life like a flock of chuckaluckas, orioles, tanagers and wrens with lovely songs. The kitchen is nearly perfectly equipped. The 2 identical bedrooms have bigger floor space than some houses. The dining/living room is enormous and comfortable. The bathroom is large and well equipped, but the shower has low pressure. The pump is weak and rather noisy. The patio is large so you can always sit in shade. The patio furniture is old, wobbly and needs replacing. THERE IS NO BBQ as was described in the listing, though that may have changed. There were many, many power failures (dozens) in a month. Many happened during 3 days of very strong winds. Some are a few seconds, others a few hours. There's a backup battery that beeps annoyingly when the power fails, so sleep in one bedroom is impossible when that happens. Best TIPS about enjoying the house: At dusk, either close all windows and doors or turn off all lights because the night bugs come into the house in number and things that eat them follow. This house desperately needs screens on at least some windows to catch the night air. Rent a car in San Jose, especially for a long term stay. The biggest issue with accuracy was convenience of location. The listing says there are buses to catch and there's a pool a short walk away. Therefore, we did not rent a car. Big mistake. While there are buses, the nearest to town (Puriscal) is a 1 km walk uphill and it goes every hour on the half hour 25 mins to town. The "short walk" to the pool (a nice little natural springs cool water pool with restaurant & OK cheap food and lovely hosts) is 2 kms downhill in the blazing sun on asphalt. (No one is going to walk back up that steep mountainside.) As for catching the bus to the Pacific, forget it. It runs once daily over 40 kms of narrow, dangerous rough gravel road albeit with spectacular scenery but you can't return the same day or even find a reliable bus schedule. If you have a car and want quiet, privacy, comfort (almost luxury) and scenery in a relatively remote place, this is the place.

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If you are looking for modern, comfortable accommodations in a jungle setting with stunning views then this may be the place for you. My husband, myself and our teenage son spent 2 glorious months (January and February) in this home. It is out of the way but that is part of the reason we chose this place. Most people would want to have a vehicle to make getting around easier but we did it without a vehicle and managed to get groceries, etc. by taking the bus which stops just beyond the gate to the development. We were provided a golf cart at no extra cost which is very convenient for getting to the pool and to the gate as it is a bit of an uphill walk. The bus comes a few times a day and it is a 45 minute ride through mountain roads to the town of Puriscal. Puriscal has 2 major grocery stores to choose from and a couple of smaller ones. The Saturday market was also a good place to shop for produce. We also enjoyed buying from the vendors selling produce on the street. There is also a Pulperia just outside the gates to the development owned by Don Francisco. He is a good source of information regarding bus times. He carries some produce, eggs, and dried goods. Sometimes he has milk from his own cow for sale. We also took the bus to Manuel Antonio and spent three days there. The bus ride is about 3 hours to Quepos with a short transfer to Manuel Antonio. This is a different bus from the one going into Puriscal and travels in the opposite direction. It only comes by twice a day. If you enjoy walking, there are several hikes to choose from. There are trails which lead through the jungle right outside your door. We followed a couple of them down to a creek and even found a waterfall as we made our way up the creek. Go prepared with long socks and pants for the jungle hikes and start early to beat the heat. There are also several roads to hike along. Many with amazing views of the mountains and valleys in the area. Ask about the "airplane" hike which begins not far from the gate. It has the ultimate views. Be aware that these roads do not have sidewalks and have numerous curves. Be aware of vehicles coming around the corners. After our hikes we loved enjoying the community pool and hot tub. They are very well maintained and a great place to meet some of the residents and renters in the development. They are a very friendly bunch who are more than willing to provide information. We were lucky enough to attend some social gatherings during our stay and made some great friends. Hot tubs after dark were especially enjoyable. You will see and hear nature sounds at all times of the day. The cicada sounds took a little getting used...

Fabulous!! Our weekend at Casa del Sol was just amazing and refreshing! We live in another part of Costa Rica and were looking for a get away, someplace apart from our normal routine. This house totally fit the bill! Out in the middle of the lovely mountains, no traffic noise, just the bugs and birds singing. The pool and hot tub were amazing! They are both heated (unusual here in Costa Rica) The house itself was lovely, well equipped and very nicely furnished. The use of the golf cart was so fun and a great way to get to the pool and back. We will be back for sure!

Casa Del Sol is nested on the top of a high ridge looking down the valley towards the Pacific Ocean. It is possible to just spend the day looking out over this view from the extensive patio complete with barbecue. Rheal had made sure that there was coffee ready to fire up upon our arrival.

Rheal's place exceeded all of our expectations, it is an excellent place to spend a quiet stay surrounded by nature and peace, beautiful view. The house pictures don't do it justice, it is amazing in person, beautifully designed, it has everything you could possibly need. Everyone we interacted with was amazingly welcoming. Rheal made sure we had everything we needed and more, we cannot thank him enough for everything, he is the best host! On a side note, if you are a coffee drinker you have to try his coffee and if you like meat...please try his ribs!

très bon accueil chez la famille de Esteban, ensemble conforme à la description, assez proche du centre de Puriscal (possibilités de bus) un splendide jardin avec des plantes variées un environnement calme et verdoyant, avec de belles nuits dans le calme et un peu de fraicheur

Our stay with Roberto was great. We only stayed for one night (before heading to the airport) but wish we stayed longer. The views were great - saw a bunch of toucans. The breakfast was also the best we had while in Costa Rica - they used to own a restaurant.

Just back from a super relaxing 5 days with Bob and Patsy! They are wonderful hosts. Quick email responses. Bob was even able to pick me up at the airport. The property is stunningly beautiful, meals were exceptional and they took really good care of my needs. Patsy is really talented at massage, I really recommend you book a treatment. Highly recommended bed and breakfast. I can't wait to come back !

After a long trip we felt very welcomed bij Bob and Patsy. They had prepared us a great dinner and the morning after a very nice breakfast. We went horseback riding for a small hour before we had to leave again. But we could have easily stayed for longer in this great finca with these lovely people. We'll be sure to visit next time we're in CR!

Roberto and Patsy were incredible hosts and we're very patient with us. We arrived exhausted after getting lost after a long travel. Patsy picked us up when we couldn't find her property and helped is with travel arrangements. The rooms were comfortable, clean, and the shower has hot water. The property is amazing and we recommend staying for more than one night. Patsy made us a delicious dinner and breakfast the next morning; she is quite the chef! We went on an amazing horseback ride before we had to take the bus to San Jose. It was only $1.50ish, so if you don't have a rental car, take the bus. I wish we had more time there

When considering your next trip to Costa Rica, consider staying with Roberto and Patsy at Finca Las Alturas. The central location of Puriscal lets you move about the country easily on sight seeing day trips or extended weekends. The home is lovely, with many fun things to do during your stay...including horse riding, hiking, swimming in a beautiful pool, bird watching and soaking up the sunshine. Patsy makes the most incredible meals which always includes lively conversation. The value of your stay here can't be beat...perfect hosts, safe, clean and comfortable sleeping arrangements with an eye for making your stay in Costa Rica enjoyable. I hope to return every year.

Ellos son encantadores ! Es fácil llegar aunque parece que no. El lugar es muy muy lindo, aunque necesitas auto para llegar. Es más grande de lo que parece y es muy relajado ! Totalmente recomendable

El lugar es increíble, fácil acceso y total contacto con la naturaleza. Sin duda alguna volvería a rentar ésta casa. Fui con mi madre y mis tres hermanos. Todos quedamos muy satisfechos y con ganas de volver.

The view is spectacular! If you need a place to get away into nature, this is it!

This is an impressively big house, well kept and comfortably furnished. The site is located on a ridge between two steep stream valleys that converge in front. Even for Costa Rica the scenery is stunning. Breakfast on the deck is a bit of heaven; looking across the green hills to the sierra in the distance there is the gentle sound of little waterfalls with birds calling and flying by. Across the valley the neighbor might be picking coffee in the cool of the morning. The nearby towns are full of little stores where you can buy everything you need. This isn't tourist country, very little English is spoken but the locals go out of their way to be helpful. This would be a great place to brush up your Spanish. The climate is perfect, warm sunny days and cool nights.

Una vista espectacular de las montañas de Puriscal, clima perfecto ni frío ni caliente, con brisa fresca por las tardes. La casa es preciosa, muy bien equipada, limpia y muy amplia. Alejandro nos esperó aunque llegamos hora y media más tarde de lo que habíamos dicho y estuvo atento a cualquier solicitud. Es un lugar completamente aislado de la civilización, pero a la vez queda a 5 minutos en carro del centro de Barbacoas donde se encuentra todo lo necesario. En la mañana nos visitaron varios pájaros en los diferentes balcones de la casa.