☆☆the Tranquility Of Casa De Zen☆☆Costa Rica At It's Finest☆☆

If I had to use one word to sum up this VRBO home, it would be PARADISE. The home is very well-appointed, with magnificent views of the ocean. We spent much time in the infinity edge pool, gazing at the beautiful view. The home featured two large bedrooms as well as two large bathrooms, (en suite), a half bath and even a wonderful outdoor shower, (we never used the indoor showers). The kitchen was well appointed and had everything one needs to prepare any meal. The landscape is perfect and the lighted pool and uplighting on the landscape at night were nothing short of stunning. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the owners who took the time to answer any questions and to show us around their beautiful home. If you seek relaxation, Casa de Zen is what you want for your Costa Rican vacation!

Casa de Zen is a true gem. I spent 9 unforgettable days there with my wife and 2 children, aged 12 and 15. The house is very spacious and well equipped, including remarkably reliable WiFi and a wonderful grill. But the best of all is the location -- ensconced in the mountain overlooking the ocean and tail-shaped Playa Uvita. The view is spectacular. Enjoying it while surrounded by nature, including toucans and morphos, while relaxing in the pool, is simply a miracle. I don’t think the pictures here do justice to the beauty of the house and its surroundings. Besides, the whole area is extraordinarily beautiful, with plenty of beaches and places to visit, including Corcovado National Park and Caño Island. I'm Costa Rican and I can say that this is probably the most beautiful stretch of coastline in the country. Both Dominical and Uvita (about 25m drives in both cases) offer plenty of options to buy supplies of all kinds. Bob and Ellen are wonderful, warm and helpful hosts, so good in fact that we celebrated New Year's Eve with them. One note of caution, though: the drive up the mountain from the main road is not easy. It takes 15-20 minutes to go up or down on a tricky gravel road, and this was during the dry season. A tall 4x4 vehicle is a must. The good thing is that the place is so beautiful that you may decide to spend entire days at the house without going anywhere. We shall return to Casa de Zen, a magical place!

We spent 2 months at this house hosted by Ellen and Bob who are so gracious and accommodating. They live in the casita and their presence was very advantageous as Bob was able to be a huge help with our flat tire for example. Or when we lost power or other jungle issues because you are truly in the jungle! As the washer and dryer are not in the house and only in the casita, there is laundry service courtesy of Ellen. I have not been near a washing machine or dryer for 2 months. Quite liberating! The house itself is quite spacious with a bedroom on either side which is great for privacy. The pool is great and the breezes are amazing. The ride up on a very bumpy road is 16 minutes long and don’t even think of not getting a 4x4! You will not get up that mountain without it. But the view is gorgeous and well worth the bumpy ride!!

We loved every moment of our stay. Our plans were to pretty much stay put.... why go anywhere when you can wake to howler monkeys, enjoy the sunrise, watch hummingbirds flit from bush to vine, swim in the most beautiful pool with a water feature, and be visited by coatis, agoutis and toucans almost every day. Other than a trip to the store and a visit to Whale's Tale, we were totally thrilled just to be here! The owner is a fabulous landscape architect and it is evident everywhere you look.

We came to Casa de Zen for our 20th wedding anniversary, hoping for a much-needed break from the rat race, stress and general mayhem of the last couple of years. We could not have chosen better. The house is beyond gorgeous, and is complete with all the essentials plus the extra touches to make it special. The many porches and decks provide access to the unbelievable view of Bahia Ballena - we were there in the rainy season, but enjoyed watching the clouds over the ocean with the decks providing shelter - we were able to enjoy both rain and shine due to the thoughtful design of the house inside and out. It was our first trip to Costa Rica, which our gracious (and fun!) hosts Bob and Ellen were aware of, and they made an effort to point out wildlife as it came by (they stay in a nearby casita). Their presence was welcome, not intrusive, and they truly give you peace and privacy while being a ready resource for all things in the area including restaurants, sites to see, etc. We were thrilled to see white-faced monkeys, coati, a toucan and even a sloth - all in their natural habitat in nearby trees. The landscaping is beautiful and blends with the area, giving you a feel of living in the rainforest while having modern luxuries. The plunge pool was cool and refreshing, the fountain adding another pleasant layer of sound - the whole auditory experience was like one week-long relaxation tape! Dining in the area we found to be outstanding with a wide variety of cuisines available in nearby Uvita and Dominical. Fair warning that the road from the highway to the house REQUIRES A 4-WHEEL DRIVE vehicle - don't poo-poo this. It's very bumpy, rutted, and narrow, so forewarned is forearmed. As long as you take your time climbing up, you'll be fine. While it was only the two of us at this lovely home, it would be ideal for two couples as both bedrooms have ensuite baths and are at opposite ends of the home - plus with all the outdoor living spaces you can have separate space as well. I could rave on and on about this special home - and it IS a home that Bob and Ellen have felt compelled to share with the world. If you are considering Costa Rica and are looking for a retreat from the world, this may just be your place. Pura Vida!

We had an incredible time! The house was absolutely stunning! Our host were equally amazing and helpful with anything and everything we could ask for. We will absolutely be coming back to stay at this beautiful home again! We had nothing but good vibes the entire time we were there. We had an absolute wonderful time unwinding and decompressing by the beautiful infinity pool overlooking the whales tail. We can’t say enough about this beautifully landscaped home. It is breathtaking to stand back and look at! Thanks to Bob and Ellen we had an amazing stay! Awesome experience!!

Bottom line: if you want to be One With The Costa Rican Rainforest, this is it. We’ve been to CR 3x now but this was our first in Dominical/Uvita. All of our stays have been well- researched and pretty darn sweet. But there’s only one Casa De Zen. Top 4 Things We Adored -- Bird & Animal Sightings: Oh, where to begin. We are animal lovers and brought big & little monoscopes and a respectable camera. It paid off. Sometimes without looking you’d see Crested Guans helicopter in…or catch a family of Howlers in one of the flagship trees by the pool. We spotted toucans, aracaris [but more rare], coatis galore, and many other birds. Easy, plentiful sightings. Others were a bit more elusive [e.g. the charming woodrail bird that Ellen named Clacker], which was also fun to try and spot. I almost hated to do my daily run for fear I would miss something! My fiancé would later show me on his camera what animal or bird I missed. Turns out I myself would spot a pack of 8 capuchins on my way back from a run right near their entrance gate…so it evened out. -- Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Home: The finishes, materials and craftsmanship were so cozy and well-appointed. The pics don’t do several of the rooms justice. My fiancé hardly ever wanted to use the 2nd bedroom shower, for he would rather keep it dry so he could watch animals/birds in the all-glass enclosure that faced yet ANOTHER beautiful landscape nook. Bob and Ellen are proud of their decorative accessories and artwork, too, which we found so heartwarming. (If we wanted modern decor, plenty of great places abound. We didn’t.) -- Perch Position: 1,700 glorious feet of elevation. That made the vista breathtaking. The lush rainforest, rolling hills & valleys, and sheer depth was our fav of any of our prior trips. This elevation also kept bugs at bay, a huge bonus. -- Owner Charm: Bob and Ellen were such lovely, spirited hosts. Yet they took cues from us and never invaded privacy. We chose to go out w/ them several times during our 10-day trip. Several of those nights were also with their wonderful friends that lived in the greater area. (Hello to all of you!) It was one of the highlights of our stay. Attention VRBO Mktg Dept: if you ever need single hero image that embodies the vista & lushness of renting in the CR rainforest, you just found it with this gem. Thank you, Bob and Ellen! We are happy to call you our friends now.

We so enjoyed our stay and plan on coming back. What a treat of tranquility and artistry. this home is like a jewel box.

Beautiful home and property! The photos don’t do it justice. It is perfect for two couples or a small family! I could have stayed in the Pool the whole trip! It is 20 minutes up the mountain in the jungle, so be prepared when you turn off the Highway. 4x4 vehicle is definitely required for this part of Costa Rica!! Bob and Ellen were great hosts! It might have be helpful to have them meet you at the security gate if you arrive in the dark. We would absolutely return to this house for another stay!

Let me begin with, this was our first trip to beautiful Costa Rica. After much research and plenty of blog reviews, we decided on the area of Dominical and Uvita and found this beautiful home, Casa de Zen nestled high on the hill side of the mountain. This home was as advertised and the pictures don't even begin to do it enough justice. If you are looking to truly unplug, relax and listen to the sounds of the jungle, then this is the spot for you. We traveled here with our two boys and they enjoyed every minute of this magical place. From seeing families of howler and capuchin monkeys, toucans, and humming birds galore, the jungle was always bursting with activity. Now back to the house. It comes well equipped with any utensil needed to prepare all meals, which we did for most of our trip. Our boys especially loved the pool, they woke up every morning and started the day with a swim. Bob and Ellen were the perfect hosts and were available at a moments notice. We could not have asked for a better vacation and cannot wait to visit again. Thank you Bob and Ellen for sharing your slice of paradise with us. The Watson Family!