Casa Bellavia: Balinese Ocean-View Masterpiece on 25 Acres, Huge Pool, Fire Pit

Casa Bellavia isn’t simply a luxury vacation rental home—it’s a work of art. The villa and its location are a blend of architectural masterpiece with natural beauty. Set upon 25 acres of pristine rainforest, the property enjoys total privacy and also security. It is part of the exclusive Guapil Tropical Estates—an off-the-beaten-path, luxury gated community surrounded by three, giant, private reserves.

The villa is truly Balinese—in fact, designed by arenowned Balinese architect and constructed in Bali before being deconstructed, shipped to Costa Rica, and carefully reconstructed in this magnificent location. Every detail of Casa Bellavia—from the hardwood beams, ceilings and floors, hand-crafted panels and custom-made furniture, to the myriad of decorations—was created in Indonesia and imported to Costa Rica.

It is the perfect blend of Bali and Costa Rica: A long, paved driveway leads up to the covered parking area, and already the immaculate quality and maintenance of the property becomes apparent. Colorful gardens line the driveway, and a 15-foot-tall carved stone monolith watches over the entrance. An elegant, covered walkway leads through flowering planters to the front double-doors, with a wide bridge passing over a 100-foot water feature with two backlit glass fountains.

Upon entering the eyes are drawn to the details—the attention to detail is unparalleled, both in architecture and in art. Our caretakers, Harold and Marilyn, are waiting with refreshments, and cool hand towels to help take the edge off the tropical heat. They are some of the most genuine people around, and live in a small casita at the entrance to the property, providing both assistance and additional security.

The home is designed with an open floor plan and high ceilings to be opened to the elements. From the chef’s kitchen, the dining and living areas come together to form a vaulted great room, bringing light, air and sound in through high windows and sliding doors. At night the lighting is soft and dimmable, lending a romantic air to the villa.

One is drawn quickly outside by the ocean views. Covered sitting areas and tables give way to a spacious sunning deck, at the center of which is a sunken fire pit. In the evenings—especially just after sunset—it is divine to enjoy a glass of wine while looking out over the dancing flames, over the huge pool glowing with emerald light, into the deep blue of the Pacific ocean beyond…
To the right is another sublime space—the pavilion. With perhaps the best vantage of the entire property, it is the perfect place to lounge around and read a book, get a relaxing massage, or simply gaze out over the views.

There are three bedrooms in total, each as luxurious and well-appointed as the last. Each has its own large private bathroom, walk in closet, living area and covered patio. Curiously, while they are all spacious and elegant—they all have queen beds. Why, you ask

To be closer to your partner, of course.

The master sits adjacent to the main living area, with high rattan and wooden ceilings, sliding doors that open to the pool area. There is a sitting area and desk, along with a refreshment bar and expresso machine. Carved-panel doors lead to a huge master bathroom. The master bath is centered around a jacuzzi tub but also has 2 showers: an indoor, glass shower and an outdoor garden shower. There is also a steam room, for those of you who feel like the Costa Rican humidity is too dry and cool.

A walkway of ‘floating’ pavestones leads across yet another water feature to the two guest rooms. Each guest bedroom has a queen bed, sitting area, desk, closet and private bathroom with a spacious shower. Each guest room also has a private, outdoor covered patio with a unique space to get away.

Back to nature! Set upon 25 acres or rainforest, amid literally thousands of acres of private reserves—Casa Bellavia has its share of wildlife. There is almost no wildlife in Costa Rica that you can’t see from the property: monkeys, sloths, deer, toucans, parrots, humpback whales (yes, you can sometimes see them in-season), and more. A private trail leads down to a yoga platform built just above the confluence of 2 streams—an amazingly serene place to sip coffee in the morning and watch the wildlife. From there the trail continues down to a 45-foot waterfall, at the base of which is a boulder adorned with an ancient, human petroglyph!

The location of Casa Bellavia within Guapil Tropical Estates is also ideal for the explorer and nature lover. A 5 minute drive to the south takes you to Dominical, a fun, Bohemian surf town with some good eats. The next 30 miles of coast are reputed to be some of the most beautiful coastline in the world—‘Where the mountains meet the sea…’, lending the area to tons of great views, beaches, and waterfalls. Within a 45-minute drive are both Manuel Antonio and Marino Ballena national parks, the world-famous Nauyaca waterfalls, Quepos and the Pez Vela marina, the Quepos hospital and Quepos domestic airport.

Casa Bellavia is for people who love nature and privacy, who like being off the beaten path, who appreciate beauty in architecture and art, and want to experience the best that Costa Rica has to offer.