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VRconnection#1657
Casa Mirage, Delightful Oceanfront Villa! Great for Kids. 5 bed, 5 bath Playa Grande villa sleeps 1-14
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"Nous avons passé une merveilleuse semaine en famille, avec 7 adultes et 7 enfants. La maison n’aurait pu être plus idéalement située et plus adéquate. Nous avons eu le bonheur d’avoir les services de la cuisinière, Kimberley, pour presque tous nos repas et cela a grandement contribué à la magie du séjour. La cuisine était excellente et il était merveilleux de pouvoir profiter pleinement du coucher du soleil au lieu de faire la cuisine. Le ménage est fait 3 fois par semaine et le lavage peut être fait au coût de 5$ le panier. Il y a toujours un gardien sur place et le jardiner nettoie chaque jour. Nous avons fait affaire avec Youarecostarica et Mariana Fonseca pour organiser des cours de surf, louer du matériel et organiser un tour sur la mangrove. Nous avons été très satisfaits. Plusieurs petits restaurants autour était charmants. Des vacances de rêve, sur une plage de rêve dans une super maison." - Emmanuelle A., Montreal, 03/23/2020 (inquire/book)

"We loved our five nights at Casa Mirage on Playa Grande. The location was unbelievable, the house was beautiful and the staff were lovely. We had Kimberly cook us three meals, and they were all delicious! The house was perfect for our two families and we enjoyed every sunset and evening starry sky. We'd return there in a heartbeat!" - Amy H., 03/07/2020 (inquire/book)

"We stayed here in January. It was my husband, myself and our 3 children. Way more room that we needed. Each room is an individual room with it's own bathroom with a courtyard in the center. From the photos of the property you may think you are completely secluded. But you are on a road with other homes. But you never know they are there. I liked that. Was a little nervous we would be in the middle of nowhere. The beach is spectacular. The surf amazing. The sunsets are like something out of a movie every night. There are small surf shops, restaurants and grocery stores all very close by. We went to Tamarindo a couple of times. Around 1/2 hours away. Lots of activity, shops, bars, restaurants there. Just a little tricky driving at night the first time. We chartered a private boat in Flamingo for a day. Again, short 1/2 hour drive. I would highly recommend this! Kimberly made dinner for us on our arrival night. Great call! Mariana and Marco delivered surfboards to us one day. They were available at all times for anything we needed. We went to the local market on Wednesday night. It was so cool. Items for sale, great food. So authentic. We had drinks and lunch at Rip Jack Inn. You could walk there. It was really good! The staff worked meticulously keeping the place clean the whole week. The staff did a load of laundry for us once and cleaned once. We loved it here and hope to be back someday!" - Patricia k., 01/15/2020 (inquire/book)

"We loved our stay in Playa Grande. It was right on the most beautiful beach with the loveliest sand. Our family had a ball surfing, boogie boarding and walking the beach and for the little ones playing in the wading and swimming pools. We were a little uneasy about the safety aspect, having heard of all the thefts in the area, however we were warned to always lock up and comforted by the fact that there was a night watchman on duty. We appreciated being able to use the services of Kimberly, the wonderful cook and the very friendly staff.There was lots of space to accommodate our family of 13. Overall a very memorable vacation. Julie was always very prompt to answer any questions we had. Thank you!" - Kathleen C., 01/07/2020 (inquire/book)

"We traveled to Costa Rica for 2 weeks and ended our trip with a week long stay here on the beach. We could not ask for a better location and the property manager Mariana and her company \" - Lori Ann S., Clinton, New York, 01/06/2020 (inquire/book)

"This house was pretty much as close to perfect as you can get. 3 couple groups stayed for about a week and we had a wonderful time. We didn’t have a car and made it through just fine. A few places to eat are within walking distance in addition to a surf shop to rent boards. Grocery delivery is an option. The homeowner Julie was very responsive and helpful. We will DEFINITELY be back. Everyone's positive reviews on this house are on point so read those, and I will leave some constructive criticism instead. The address provided by VRBO gave some folks problems when entering through customs. The check-in process wasn’t outlined before arrival so we just kind of winged it but luckily Kimberley was there to give us keys. We were under the impression we would have access to washer/dryer, but it was in a locked room that only housekeeping was allowed access to. Housekeeping only came once and did one load of towels and one load of clothing. Recommend changing this policy (perhaps a coin operated laundry to help with maintenance costs, or advertising W/D availability differently). There were rolling blackouts of electricity but not a big deal, usually back on within an hour or so, but this is to be expected for those familiar with CR. There ended up being a small earthquake during our stay which knocked out power for about 8 hours. There were no flashlights or anything to help aid us in the hours of darkness. I feel that should be remedied just from purely a safety standard. There were safes in the house, but it was “new” and no one had the code/key to share with us, so we couldn’t use it. Marianela had stated she would arrange for a few boards to be delivered to the house the day of our arrival so we could surf right away and I knew we wouldn’t have a car to pick them up. There were no boards when we arrived, I sent her an email but didn’t hear back by the next morning so we walked to ‘You are Costa Rica’ surf shop and rented them ourselves. One of the shop owners drove us back to the house with 4 boards. He was so awesome. I didn’t hear from Marianela the whole trip which felt weird but really wasn’t the end of the world. Please note that these little hiccups didn’t make our trip even slightly miserable, but really more of the “that’s kind of annoying”. I feel that things like this are to be expected on every trip anywhere in the world and by no means should any of this be a deterrent for anyone to rent this home." - Lisa S., 12/16/2019 (inquire/book)

"Thanks to all the place , the food and people was great. We got steal while sleeping, security on site must be improved" - Maryse s., 11/23/2019 (inquire/book)

"We absolutely love the Casa Mirage. It has everything you could want in a group beach vacation and more! The pool is perfect for evenings or for those guests that might be timid of the ocean. And the beach there is perfect for kids and experienced surfers alike. Kimberly and her aunt made us a fabulous dinner one night and the whole staff took great care of us and the house the whole stay. Thank you so much!" - Michael M., 11/12/2019 (inquire/book)

"We had a wonderful time at Playa Grande! We were originally booked at Casa Mirage, but Julie contacted us and asked if we minded being upgraded to Villa Olivia next door. Villa Olivia was perfect for our extended family of 6 adults and 2 kids. Casa Mirage would have equally served our needs. The access to beach is a rare find and the pool was small but perfect for us! We had plenty of room to all be together as a group and enough space to spread out for a little quiet time. Kimberly and Sandra prepared delicious meals for us each night and 2 breakfasts as well. It was so nice to not have to spend our vacation prepping for meals. The staff around the house were very friendly and helpful. The only issue we had was the floors on the patio and inside get very slippery when wet, so use caution. We would absolutely stay here again, in fact, my kids are already planning our next trip! Thanks Julie and the staff for sharing a beautiful corner of the country!!" - J O., 09/16/2019 (inquire/book)

"Great beachfront property!" - Juan Manuel O., 09/09/2019 (inquire/book)

"Great place for multi family vacation. Great surfing. Great beach. Great property. Great grounds keepers. We will be back" - Matt N., 08/23/2019 (inquire/book)

"-Floors very slipper during rainy season inside and outside -Didn’t need to contact Marianella so not sure how to rate her properly -Check in/out process was strange due to no one being there during either -Didn’t know how to leave a tip because a cleaning lady was there Saturday and our stay wasn’t over until Monday, but we weren’t sure if that was Kimberly because we weren’t introduced -Overall House was cleaned very well and maintained nicely. Everyone enjoyed their time despite rain and bugs!" - Valerie k., 08/23/2019 (inquire/book)

"We stayed 3 nights in Casa Mirage with another family in late May. The house was great and the cook was phenomenal!" - Alan C., 06/07/2019 (inquire/book)

"Estuvimos en casa mirage 10 dias, un grupo grande, adultos y niños, la pasamos muy bien y disfrutamos mucho... excelente ubicacion y la playa hermosa!" - Arlene C., Costa Rica, 05/15/2019 (inquire/book)

"Casa Mirage was a great oceanfront getaway in Playa Grande for our group of 11 people - we had 6 adults and 5 kids ranging from ages 8 to 16. We had an excellent time at the house - having a pool for the kids was a great plus. The layout of the rooms was very conducive to everyone having their own private rooms and bathrooms. The staff did an excellent job of keeping the property clean during the week. I highly recommend hiring Kimberly as a cook one night - she made us an EXCELLENT meal. The house is very much as advertised in the property pictures and other positive reviews. And it's right on a very quiet portion of the beach - literally the only other people around are at the houses nearby or surfers catching some of the excellent surf. We had no issues at all during our stay - everything worked great, the staff was great, and the property manager was very responsive to emails. I would definitely recommend this property to anyone staying in Playa Grande." - Robert R., 03/26/2019 (inquire/book)

"Casa Mirage fit our needs for 10 people really well. The layout was perfect for the old adults and the young adults as far as sleeping arrangements with the bedrooms provided. The only problem we had was the 1st bedroom on the left as you entered the courtyard had a really bad cigarette and smoke odor. We had to air it out and spray it with air freshener every day so the party using it could sleep at night. Other than that it was an enjoyable experience. Thanks Tom Kaley" - Tom K., 03/06/2019 (inquire/book)

"Everything was fabulous. The location is impossible to beat. The staff who work on the property were wonderful. We hired Kimberly to prepare meals for us several nights. It was delicious. We mentioned that a few things needed attention (a faulty coffee pot and shower head) and they were both replaced by the next morning. We were a party of 5 couples and everyone raved about how fantastic this house was. We were so well attended to, the house is spacious and those sunsets were amazing. I can’t say enough good things about our experience with this property." - Lisa F., 03/03/2019 (inquire/book)

"We had a great stay at Casa Mirage. The travel from USA to LIR was easy. Everyone we encountered was so incredibly genuine with their hospitality and kindness. The house was great. The location was awesome. Tamarindo is nearby for hustle and bustle if you want it or just kick back and relax and this beautiful location. Epic surf everyday. Julie was a great host and answered all my questions promptly. We hope to come again soon." - Allison d., 02/05/2019 (inquire/book)

"We had a great stay at this house. It is on the beach, and Playa Grande has good surf. Not too crowded, warm water. The downstairs rooms are private, good because we had 2 separate families. I would definitely come back and stay again." - Ryan M., 09/02/2018 (inquire/book)

"We rented Casa Mirage for a family of 10 getaway. From the moment we booked Julie the owner and Marianela the grounds keeper were in touch and happy to answer all of our questions. The house is perfect for large groups as all the rooms open up to a court yard with a kitchen and bathroom as a common area. This gave everyone plenty of personal space as well as was quiet for those that like to sleep in or take naps. The a/c's were ice cold, beds comfortable, and all rooms were a good size. They also all had their own keys and safes for valuables. Kimberly is a great cook, she cooked for us every night! Ask her for the fried cheese, YUM! All the grounds keepers were friendly, and helpful. Not to mention, the house is in a preserve so the beach is basically private. We loved every single thing about this house! Thank you Casa Mirage and all the people that made our trip so absolutely amazing!!!" - Tessa S., 08/13/2018 (inquire/book)

"The house was fine. The location was incredible! Marianela was a little tough to get a hold of, but was helpful once we did. Kimberly is a great cook!" - Jeremy L., Alpine, UT, 06/25/2018 (inquire/book)

"The pictures don't lie! They give a great overview of the house and the location. We had an incredible week with all our family. The rooms distribution is great for any kind of group, while being together in the same house, there was still place for some privacy for everybody when needed. The location is unbeatable, just in front of Playa Grande, for me one of the best overall spots in Guanacaste. We can only recommend using this property if thinking of having a great time with friends or if you have a big family." - Jorge S., 06/14/2018 (inquire/book)

"Our group of three families has been doing a tropical trip in February for about 10 years. This is, hands down, the nicest house we've stayed at in. the layout of the house is ideal--plenty of bedrooms and privacy between them, living areas open to the ocean, lots of outdoor seating. We also found Julie Gordon very easy to work with--she did everything she could to make the arrangements for our stay straight-forward and she was clear and honest about all of the house details. The house was in great shape, all of the plumbing, electrical, fridge etc worked and was well maintained. The house is nicely private--a good distance from the neighbors--and the beach is perfect. After all these years, we found the best!" - Liz V., 12/20/2017 (inquire/book)

"Our group of 3 couples was totally excited and thrilled as we toured our home for the week! As trip planner, my husband and I were given the master bedroom, but all the bedrooms were lovely. We appreciated the staff that was there to ensure our comfort and security. No worries, just beauty and relaxation for the entire week!" - Anonymous, Chicago area, 11/05/2017 (inquire/book)

"Mi familia disfrutó de una estancia espectacular en Casa Mirage. la casa cuenta con todas las comodidades, una espectacular vista al mar y una atención excelente por parte de las personas a cargo, Marianela, Urbano, Kimberly y su esposo. Altamente recomendada" - Pawer B., Alajuela/ Costa Rica, 09/20/2017 (inquire/book)

"This was truly a week in paradise, I only wish we had booked a longer stay! The house was perfect for our 2 families of 4, everyone had their own space but the house also offers plenty of room for us all to eat together, or lounge on the patio or yard. Beach access is right out the back door, to a long, wide uncrowded beach. Sunsets up on top of the \" - Blythe H., Auburn, CA, 08/15/2014 (inquire/book)

"I have traveled many places staying in homes from minimalist to luxury and I have to say there were some disappointments with this home. This house has Positives and Negatives. The positives first: My family stayed here and truly enjoyed the beautiful playa grande beach. The scenery was amazing. The back yard was wonderful with immediate beach access and comfortable hammocks to lounge in. We spent most of our time surfing. We loved the outdoor shower. The staff caring for the home were very friendly people. The owner Julie is wonderful and easy to work with. The Negatives: I discovered within a few days stay that the pillow I slept on was covered in black mold which caused me to get a respiratory infection. I am still sick from the mold 1 month later and very disappointed that little care was used to ensure clean and healthy bedding. After a few days Tons of Frogs decided to mate in the small wading pool in the back yard which was fun to experience all those frogs (I do enjoy nature) however the pool was never cleaned during out 2 week stay and was not useable. There were limited pots and pans as well as kitchen tools knives and baking dishes. I would not call this kitchen well equipped. It’s adequate for very minimal cooking. Luckily we brought our own kitchen knives to cook with. Bath towels and sheets were stained and appeared dirty. The couches in the home were not as pictured in the ad. There was only 1 small couch which did not provide enough seating for everyone to relax in the house. Also the couch was a bit dirty. Overall this could be a wonderful vacation home if it were better maintained, clean, and offered more seating and a better equipped kitchen. The images of the home in the ad look like it was well cared for at one time. We will miss playa grande beach." - Elizabeth W., Firestone, CO, 06/27/2012 (inquire/book)

"Hi Julie! Our stay at Casa Mirage was amazing!! Kimberly and the many nannies who helped us out were fantastic, and your property is the nicest place we've ever stayed in Costa Rica. We will be back in years to come for sure!" - David, Berkely, CA, 05/10/12 (inquire/book)

"We had a wonderfully relaxed time. A perfect location right on the beach with ample beds for our crew. Marianela was most solicitous and eveything we needed was right there (or a few blocks away at the Surf Shop. Would recommend highly for anyone to recharge their battreies from the February grumpiness that New England winters drive us to." - Peter Britton, So. Hamilton,MA, 04/15/2010 (inquire/book)

"It's difficult to not sound corny about this amazing place. Suffice it to say it is a \" - VRBORORG289806, -, 04/15/2010 (inquire/book)

"We absolutely had the best time staying in Casa Mirage. We could not have asked for more. It exceeded our expectations from what they told us to expect. The house was perfect for our 6 couples (each had their own room) and having the beach just footsteps away was incredible. The little pool, the hammocks, the lawn chairs, and the area to play games made the outside as enjoyable as the inside of the house. We appreciated the security of the night watchman as well as the kind ladies who cleaned the house. They were very helpful and thorough and the property was well maintained. Kimberly was a great cook. There were also some good restaurants close by. I would definitely recommend this home to anyone who wants to stay at an incredible beachfront property. Thank you to the owners who are willing to share their own bit of heaven with us." - Marcia B., Redmond, WA, 04/15/2010 (inquire/book)

"We absolutely had the best time staying in Casa Mirage. We could not have asked for more. It exceeded our expectations from what they told us to expect. The house was perfect for our 6 couples (each had their own room) and having the beach just footsteps away was incredible. The little pool, the hammocks, the lawn chairs, and the area to play games made the outside as enjoyable as the inside of the house. We appreciated the security of the night watchman as well as the kind ladies who cleaned the house. They were very helpful and thorough and the property was well maintained. Kimberly was a great cook. There were also some good restaurants close by. I would definitely recommend this home to anyone who wants to stay at an incredible beachfront property. Thank you to the owners who are willing to share their own bit of heaven with us. " - Marcia Bean, Redmond, WA, 04/14/10 (inquire/book)

"It's difficult to not sound corny about this amazing place. Suffice it to say it is a "secret spot" for many of us who go there over and over again. I never return soon enough or stay long enough and always leave too soon. Pura vida!!!" - Anonymous, 04/11/10 (inquire/book)

"We had a wonderfully relaxed time. A perfect location right on the beach with ample beds for our crew. Marianela was most solicitous and eveything we needed was right there (or a few blocks away at the Surf Shop. Would recommend highly for anyone to recharge their battreies from the February grumpiness that New England winters drive us to." - Peter Britton, So. Hamilton,MA, 03/29/10 (inquire/book)

"Four families (20 people) rented Villa Olivia and Casa Mirage over Spring Break 2009. The houses were wonderful and all that we hoped they would be: close together, clean, well-stocked, safe, and sit directly on one of the most beautiful stretches of beach you'll ever find. We took in a zip line tour, horse back riding, snorkeling off a rented sailboat, surfing lessons, hiking by the volcano We did it all! Kimberly was a great cook for our large crowd. Corinne and Ian at Los Frijoles were fun party planners for our group. Great restaurants within walking distance or a short drive away. Fantastic weather. Muchas Gracias." - Judy S., Iowa City, Iowa, 03/12/2010 (inquire/book)

" NOTE: This message has been autoforwarded by VRConnection. Click here to access this transaction Hi Julie, Thanks for checking up with us - we had a really great time and you've got a beautiful villa there!  We will definitely recommend your place to anyone we know who's looking to rent in the area, and hopefully we'll be back some time too. Take care, " - Mark and Patty, Toronto, ON, 02/20/10 (inquire/book)

"Hi Julie, We had a fantastic time, I will ask my wife to post some comments (since she is better with words then I am). I am looking forward to visit again, only I hope I can go 2 weeks myself next time (or 3). I read in the guest book in the house that your family supports local causes, so I would like to donate the deposit check as a contribution. Kind regards and thanks again! " - Johan, Chicago, IL, 01/17/10 (inquire/book)

"Truly, we all enjoyed the most wonderful stay at your home!!! Casa Mirage was absolutely perfect J and everything you portrayed it to be and so much more! Marianela was a wonderful help with everything  . . . . she greeted us when we arrived and got us off and running with a plan of what to see and do.. . . . Kimberly was an angel(her children and momma too!) – always willing to do whatever we asked and her cooking . . . well you know better than anyone, we were blessed!!! Truly, we felt right at home. Casa Mirage was the most wonderful fit for our family – breathtaking setting, quite, peaceful and low keyed, long walks on the beach in the morning and late afternoon. The hammocks were a real hit – soooo relaxing! And of course, the children surfed all day! Rip Jack’s was also great for yoga and the local surf shop (your suggestion) – of course, right on the mark! Needless to say we are in withdrawal and sadly missing your beautiful sunsets, our great family dinners and Kimberly’s smile and magical disposition! Hopefully, we will be blessed with some time to make a return visit next year if you all will have us J! We were sorry not to overlapped with you and your mother, that would have been great fun! Until we speak again, be well and enjoy the rest of your Summer and thank you for sharing your little slice of paradise with us!!! Please extend our love to all in Costa Rica, we certainly hope that you also enjoyed a great visit back home ~   " - Linherr and All the Hollings, CT, 08/13/09 (inquire/book)

"Truly, we all enjoyed the most wonderful stay at your home!!! Casa Mirage was absolutely perfect J and everything you portrayed it to be and so much more! Marianela was a wonderful help with everything  . . . . she greeted us when we arrived and got us off and running with a plan of what to see and do.. . . . Kimberly was an angel(her children and momma too!) – always willing to do whatever we asked and her cooking . . . well you know better than anyone, we were blessed!!! Truly, we felt right at home. Casa Mirage was the most wonderful fit for our family – breathtaking setting, quite, peaceful and low keyed, long walks on the beach in the morning and late afternoon. The hammocks were a real hit – soooo relaxing! And of course, the children surfed all day! Rip Jack’s was also great for yoga and the local surf shop (your suggestion) – of course, right on the mark! Needless to say we are in withdrawal and sadly missing your beautiful sunsets, our great family dinners and Kimberly’s smile and magical disposition! Hopefully, we will be blessed with some time to make a return visit next year if you all will have us J! We were sorry not to overlapped with you and your mother, that would have been great fun! Until we speak again, be well and enjoy the rest of your Summer and thank you for sharing your little slice of paradise with us!!! Please extend our love to all in Costa Rica, we certainly hope that you also enjoyed a great visit back home ~   " - Linherr and All the Hollings, CT, 06/13/09 (inquire/book)

"Four families (20 people) rented Villa Olivia and Casa Mirage over Spring Break 2009. The houses were wonderful and all that we hoped they would be: close together, clean, well-stocked, safe, and sit directly on one of the most beautiful stretches of beach you'll ever find. We took in a zip line tour, horse back riding, snorkeling off a rented sailboat, surfing lessons, hiking by the volcano We did it all! Kimberly was a great cook for our large crowd. Corinne and Ian at Los Frijoles were fun party planners for our group. Great restaurants within walking distance or a short drive away. Fantastic weather. Muchas Gracias." - Judy Swift, Iowa City, Iowa, 03/27/09 (inquire/book)

"Casa Mirage...another great trip to paradise! This is about our 5th trip to Costa Rica and every time it gets better. We really enjoyed our stay at Casa Mirage and the Playa Grande area. Three of us surfed everyday in front of the villa; the surf was excellent our entire stay [9 Days]. Highlight of the trip was watching a nest of leatherback turtles hatching and heading to the sea directly in front of the villa. Where else in the world can you see something like this? The calm and beauty of sunrise in the morning enjoying a cup of Costa Rican coffee and the beautiful sunsets in the evening...Pura Vida! Dinners were great and highly recommended at Kiki's, Rip Jack's & Bula Bula. Tatiana at Frijoles Locos was very helpful in setting up our horseback riding & fishing with Capt. Randy Wilson on Talking Fish. Capt. Randy is a great host, the fishing was excellent...we caught plenty of dinner. Thank you very much Julie, we had a great time and look forward to returning. Steve, Karen, Miranda & Justin" - Anonymous, Kemah, TX, 03/17/2009 (inquire/book)

"In Nov. '08, we had the pleasure of staying at Casa Mirage with a group of friends & it was everything we had hoped it would be. The house was comfortable & the beach was spectacular. We also went on some wild adventures with Jacamar Tours. Thanks, Dr. Lewis, for introducing us to Julie & finding us an incredible place to stay in Playa Grande." - HAC182140, Goleta, Ca, 03/17/2009 (inquire/book)

"Wonderful place. Highly recommended. Nice house. Nice people. Extraordinary beach and setting. Paul" - Anonymous, Washington, D.C., 03/17/2009 (inquire/book)

"Location, location, location! We stayed at casa mirage for two weeks and enjoyed every minute of it. The booking process was easy as was the arrival. We were a few families so the house was big enough to offer every one enough space if they needed it and there was lots of common space. We just parked ourselves under the trees overlooking the beach and let the kids run around, perfect, everyone was happy!" - Alison C., Ontario/Canada, 03/17/2009 (inquire/book)

"Location, location, location! We stayed at casa mirage for two weeks and enjoyed every minute of it. The booking process was easy as was the arrival. We were a few families so the house was big enough to offer every one enough space if they needed it and there was lots of common space. We just parked ourselves under the trees overlooking the beach and let the kids run around, perfect, everyone was happy!" - The Maybury and gang, Ontario/Canada, 03/03/09 (inquire/book)

"Wonderful place. Highly recommended. Nice house. Nice people. Extraordinary beach and setting. Paul" - Anonymous, Washington, D.C., 01/11/09 (inquire/book)

"In Nov. '08, we had the pleasure of staying at Casa Mirage with a group of friends & it was everything we had hoped it would be. The house was comfortable & the beach was spectacular. We also went on some wild adventures with Jacamar Tours. Thanks, Dr. Lewis, for introducing us to Julie & finding us an incredible place to stay in Playa Grande." - Jan & Reilly Pollard, Goleta, Ca, 01/02/09 (inquire/book)

"Thanks for everything. It was a great trip. We are already talking about coming back next year, maybe in March. Playa Grande has come a long way since we were last there, 2 years ago. We were able to alternate between Kike's, Rip Jack and the Sushi Bar, so we only went into Tamarindo once for dinner. Corynne was a great help. She essentially acts as a concierge and makes things infinitely more enjoyable. Also, the weather was the best of the three times we've been down. The only day it rained in Playa Grande was the day we went to Rincon de la Vieja, where the weather was good." - HAC145095, Austin, Texas, 07/29/2008 (inquire/book)

"Casa Mirage...another great trip to paradise! This is about our 5th trip to Costa Rica and every time it gets better. We really enjoyed our stay at Casa Mirage and the Playa Grande area. Three of us surfed everyday in front of the villa; the surf was excellent our entire stay [9 Days]. Highlight of the trip was watching a nest of leatherback turtles hatching and heading to the sea directly in front of the villa. Where else in the world can you see something like this? The calm and beauty of sunrise in the morning enjoying a cup of Costa Rican coffee and the beautiful sunsets in the evening...Pura Vida! Dinners were great and highly recommended at Kiki's, Rip Jack's & Bula Bula. Tatiana at Frijoles Locos was very helpful in setting up our horseback riding & fishing with Capt. Randy Wilson on Talking Fish. Capt. Randy is a great host, the fishing was excellent...we caught plenty of dinner. Thank you very much Julie, we had a great time and look forward to returning. Steve, Karen, Miranda & Justin " - Steve Garcia, Kemah, TX, 06/30/08 (inquire/book)

"Thanks for everything. It was a great trip. We are already talking about coming back next year, maybe in March. Playa Grande has come a long way since we were last there, 2 years ago. We were able to alternate between Kike's, Rip Jack and the Sushi Bar, so we only went into Tamarindo once for dinner. Corynne was a great help. She essentially acts as a concierge and makes things infinitely more enjoyable. Also, the weather was the best of the three times we've been down. The only day it rained in Playa Grande was the day we went to Rincon de la Vieja, where the weather was good. " - Clayton Hoover, Austin, Texas, 06/13/08 (inquire/book)

"Casa Mirage is a wonderful place to stay and enjoy Playa Grande. We went Zip lining, hiking, toured the estuary, surfed, fished and spent the rest of our time in the hammocks. Perfect vacation and the house was a perfect place from which to do it all. Marianela was really helpful. Shirley made us a great dinner one night." - Anonymous, Manhattan Beach, CA, 04/13/2008 (inquire/book)

"Casa Mirage is a wonderful place to stay and enjoy Playa Grande. We went Zip lining, hiking, toured the estuary, surfed, fished and spent the rest of our time in the hammocks. Perfect vacation and the house was a perfect place from which to do it all. Marianela was really helpful. Shirley made us a great dinner one night." - Bill and Chris Kitto, Manhattan Beach, CA, 04/11/08 (inquire/book)

"3/1/08 My family and I had a great time at Casa Mirage. Surf was good, weather perfect. Watch for people coming and going unannounced. Some air conditioners need some TLC or replacing. Dont leave anything open at night. Marianela, Shirley and Jose are all very nice. The house is also nice although getting a little tired. All in all a nice vacation." - HAC127706, North Hampton, NH, 03/06/2008 (inquire/book)

"What a fabulous week we had in Costa Rica. The moment we opened the door to Casa Mirage, we felt like we had entered Paradise!! The house was perfect, the beach awesome and the sunsets magical (although that could have been the mango daiquiries!). We spent a lot of time on the beach with the surf boards and body boards we rented. We also ziplined, rented quads for a three hour ride, water water rafted, had massages, snorkeled and took a 4 1/2 sunset cruise on the Blue Dolphin. There's so much more we wanted to do - but the hammocks frequently called our names. What a beautiful house and fantastic location. Thanks for the best family vacation we've ever had - and we've had many!!" - HAC127454, Brewster, NY, 03/04/2008 (inquire/book)

"3/1/08 My family and I had a great time at Casa Mirage. Surf was good, weather perfect. Watch for people coming and going unannounced. Some air conditioners need some TLC or replacing. Dont leave anything open at night. Marianela, Shirley and Jose are all very nice. The house is also nice although getting a little tired. All in all a nice vacation." - Michael Gnecco, North Hampton, NH, 03/04/08 (inquire/book)

"What a fabulous week we had in Costa Rica. The moment we opened the door to Casa Mirage, we felt like we had entered Paradise!! The house was perfect, the beach awesome and the sunsets magical (although that could have been the mango daiquiries!). We spent a lot of time on the beach with the surf boards and body boards we rented. We also ziplined, rented quads for a three hour ride, water water rafted, had massages, snorkeled and took a 4 1/2 sunset cruise on the Blue Dolphin. There's so much more we wanted to do - but the hammocks frequently called our names. What a beautiful house and fantastic location. Thanks for the best family vacation we've ever had - and we've had many!!" - Barb Vercollone, Brewster, NY, 03/02/08 (inquire/book)

"My friends and I stayed in the beautiful Casa Mirage for a week in February '07 and had an amazing time. The property was perfect and we have many fond memories of the trip! The 13 of us were very comfortable in the house and attached apartment. They afforded us ample private space to ourselves in addition to the well utilized common areas. Being directly on the beach didn't hurt either! A wonderful spot for a vacation. Pura Vida!" - Sue Jackson_HAC120664, Boston, Mass., 01/16/2008 (inquire/book)

"My friends and I stayed in the beautiful Casa Mirage for a week in February '07 and had an amazing time. The property was perfect and we have many fond memories of the trip! The 13 of us were very comfortable in the house and attached apartment. They afforded us ample private space to ourselves in addition to the well utilized common areas. Being directly on the beach didn't hurt either! A wonderful spot for a vacation. Pura Vida!" - Sue Jackson, Boston, Mass., 01/14/08 (inquire/book)

"Our stay at Casa Mirage and Villa Olivia over Christmas was fabulous, Julie and your entire staff where helpful and gracious. Our family group felt as if we were right at home in one of the most beautiful seashore areas in Costa Rica. The fact that the beach is protected at night for the Leatherback turtles gave us a sense of well being knowing that our presence minimized the impact we might have on their habitat. Thanks for a woderful stay. We will return ! Steven \" - Benny_HAC119277, Sedona, AZ, 01/07/2008 (inquire/book)

"Our stay at Casa Mirage and Villa Olivia over Christmas was fabulous, Julie and your entire staff where helpful and gracious. Our family group felt as if we were right at home in one of the most beautiful seashore areas in Costa Rica. The fact that the beach is protected at night for the Leatherback turtles gave us a sense of well being knowing that our presence minimized the impact we might have on their habitat. Thanks for a woderful stay. We will return ! Steven "Benny" Benedict" - Benny, Sedona, AZ, 01/05/08 (inquire/book)

"A wonderful stay for the third year in a row. Playa Grande is great place for families and surfers. Do we like the waves, the beach, or the houses better? Impossible to know!" - Sara_HAC115729, New York, NY, 12/01/2007 (inquire/book)

"This was our third consecutive Thanksgiving at Mirage and Olivia, and the experience was once again magical. The surfing, the weather, the tow headed kids running to the beach and back 5 times a day - what more could we ask for? The ladies cooked up fantastic meals and we were very well cared for. These houses are on a truly spectacular spot in this world and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there." - John Britton, New York, NY, 11/30/2007 (inquire/book)

"A wonderful stay for the third year in a row. Playa Grande is great place for families and surfers. Do we like the waves, the beach, or the houses better? Impossible to know!" - Sara, New York, NY, 11/29/07 (inquire/book)

"This was our third consecutive Thanksgiving at Mirage and Olivia, and the experience was once again magical. The surfing, the weather, the tow headed kids running to the beach and back 5 times a day - what more could we ask for? The ladies cooked up fantastic meals and we were very well cared for. These houses are on a truly spectacular spot in this world and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there." - John Britton, New York, NY, 11/28/07 (inquire/book)

"We just returned home form a week at Casa Mirage and Villa Olivia and I wanted to thank you so very much for a WONDERFUL vacation. The houses could not have been more perfect for our group, four families with 8 adults and 8 teenagers. Playa Grande beach is spectacular and the surf was perfect. The kids and parents all said it was one of their all time best vacations. Marianela was wonderful and arranged some great tours for everone. The kids favorites were ATVs and Witche's Rock canopy. Our boat tour and Costa Rican lunch in Ortega was a great experience. Costa Rica is truly a beautiful country with wonderful people and your homes in Playa Grande were the perfect place to relax and enjoy our adventure! Many thanks to you and all the staff!" - Kay_HAC94501, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 07/12/2007 (inquire/book)

"We just returned home form a week at Casa Mirage and Villa Olivia and I wanted to thank you so very much for a WONDERFUL vacation. The houses could not have been more perfect for our group, four families with 8 adults and 8 teenagers. Playa Grande beach is spectacular and the surf was perfect. The kids and parents all said it was one of their all time best vacations. Marianela was wonderful and arranged some great tours for everone. The kids favorites were ATVs and Witche's Rock canopy. Our boat tour and Costa Rican lunch in Ortega was a great experience. Costa Rica is truly a beautiful country with wonderful people and your homes in Playa Grande were the perfect place to relax and enjoy our adventure! Many thanks to you and all the staff!" - Kay, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 07/10/07 (inquire/book)

"We (3 families) spent a wonderful week at Casa Mirage -- the perfect antedote to a hectic Washington, DC existence. The highlights: surfing, swimming, reading, sleeping. One day of golf near Playa Conchal (expensive at $175 a round). Two good tennis courts available in Tamarindo. Canapy Tours are a must in Cost Rica. The house is very comfortable and accommodates 13 nicely. Bring your own music (ipod and speakers) and your own games. No TV, thank goodness. The 5 mile walk along the beach to and from Tamrindo each day is all the exercise you need. We eat at the house almost every night, with the housekeeper, preparing dinner for 13 of us nightly. She did an admirable job with the local seafood. Enjoy the house and view, stay off the roads (which are horrendous), keep an eye on your valuables (petty thieves have been known to wander these parts), head up to Playa Conchal for lunch at the Happy Snapper. After dinner drinks at Rip Jacks (the end of the street). Very relaxing vacation. Our seven teenagers loved it... as did the 6 adults." - HAC71838, Washington, DC, 01/04/2007 (inquire/book)

"Hi Julie, and Marianela, I wanted to let you know I heard from the Haneys last evening and they are having a wonderful time at the villas. The properties are exactly what they were looking for, Shirley is a wonderful cook, and Marianela, they said that you are just an absolute treat. Thank you both so very much for helping to make their holidays away from home so memorable. Lori Joyal Assistant to the Haneys" - Haney Family, Cape Cod, MA, 01/04/07 (inquire/book)

"We (3 families) spent a wonderful week at Casa Mirage -- the perfect antedote to a hectic Washington, DC existence. The highlights: surfing, swimming, reading, sleeping. One day of golf near Playa Conchal (expensive at $175 a round). Two good tennis courts available in Tamarindo. Canapy Tours are a must in Cost Rica. The house is very comfortable and accommodates 13 nicely. Bring your own music (ipod and speakers) and your own games. No TV, thank goodness. The 5 mile walk along the beach to and from Tamrindo each day is all the exercise you need. We eat at the house almost every night, with the housekeeper, preparing dinner for 13 of us nightly. She did an admirable job with the local seafood. Enjoy the house and view, stay off the roads (which are horrendous), keep an eye on your valuables (petty thieves have been known to wander these parts), head up to Playa Conchal for lunch at the Happy Snapper. After dinner drinks at Rip Jacks (the end of the street). Very relaxing vacation. Our seven teenagers loved it... as did the 6 adults." - Anonymous, Washington, DC, 01/02/07 (inquire/book)

"We came from the rainforest of Arenal volcano, the less time spent in cars in Costa Rica the better. The surf was excellent, the food very good (we hired Shirley to cook for us every night). Snorkeling was poor, the walk to Tamarindo and back every morning (5 miles or more) was a great way to start the day. We had a great week but be sure to lock up your belongings... people stroll around. Excellent weather A great way for the "Baker's Dozen" to spend X-mas. Happy New Year." - , Nashville, TN, 01/01/07 (inquire/book)

"Thank you Julie once again!..Always love staying at either of the Villas and never have a worry with the great staff you have down there!..Nothing like some great waves with little crowd and town only 20 minutes away to have some fun and shop,but then to retreat to the great quiteness and relaxation of the Villas.. Frank(naturalsurftechnique)" - Anonymous, santa monica,calif., 12/06/2006 (inquire/book)

"Thank you Julie once again!..Always love staying at either of the Villas and never have a worry with the great staff you have down there!..Nothing like some great waves with little crowd and town only 20 minutes away to have some fun and shop,but then to retreat to the great quiteness and relaxation of the Villas.. Frank(naturalsurftechnique)" - Frank Caronna, santa monica,calif., 12/04/06 (inquire/book)

"I stayed at Casa Mirage on my first trip to Costa Rica. That was 11 yrs ago. I now rent the villa on most of my visits. It's my favorite place in Costa to stay, surf, relax & enjoy! I bought property in Costa last year because I enjoyed the villa & lifestyle so much." - Robert B., 11/30/2006 (inquire/book)

"Casa Mirage is a deightful vacation experience. The easy access to the sand beach in front is an inducement to spend hours on the beach. Fishing although I did not enjoy a lot of success was a challenge and enjoyable sport. The Costa Ricans lived up to their reputation of friendliness and were always willing to share their knowledge on how to successfully pursue my endeavors. I wish I had more time to visit more often. I have now been three times and will return as soon as I am able." - Vrbo Traveler, oL8g2qWeYRFzk+vmYcP5RlOgjq1RMChXskhcTQ==, 11/28/2006 (inquire/book)

"I stayed at Casa Mirage on my first trip to Costa Rica. That was 11 yrs ago. I now rent the villa on most of my visits. It's my favorite place in Costa to stay, surf, relax & enjoy! I bought property in Costa last year because I enjoyed the villa & lifestyle so much." - Heidi Sargeant, Huntington Beach, CA, 11/28/06 (inquire/book)

"Casa Mirage is a deightful vacation experience. The easy access to the sand beach in front is an inducement to spend hours on the beach. Fishing although I did not enjoy a lot of success was a challenge and enjoyable sport. The Costa Ricans lived up to their reputation of friendliness and were always willing to share their knowledge on how to successfully pursue my endeavors. I wish I had more time to visit more often. I have now been three times and will return as soon as I am able." - Silvio Di Loreto, Santa Barbara CA, 11/26/06 (inquire/book)

"Thank you! What a lovely place to refresh the body and renew the spirit. Pura Vida." - Smiths, South Carolina & Edmonton Alberta, 02/02/06 (inquire/book)

"We flew from Boston to Atlanta to Liberia and traveled by van to this beautiful spot on the ocean. The weather was perfect every day. Favorite moments were spent in the ocean, with family and gazing at the moon and stars at night." - The Byders, Cumberland, Maine, 01/10/06 (inquire/book)

"This place is beautiful! The surfing is great. There is a lot of stuff to do from ziplining to fishing. Don't go fishing in Playa Flamingo. the only thing you'll see is one fish and a few turtles for $250. Go to the zipline in Monteverde- it was one of the best experiences of my life! BBQ was a big part of our experience at the Casa Mirage. The people are very friendly. Since we are from AZ we are not used to the humidity here, but it's a beautiful place. WE LOVE IT HERE. Pura Vida." - The Ryan Family & Griffis Group, Flagstaff, AZ, 07/12/05 (inquire/book)

"This place is Magical. Pura Vida, Baby!" - The Midtown Crew, Memphis, TN, 07/07/05 (inquire/book)

"Unfortunately we go super small waves the entire trip, but there is NO Denying that the people, culture, beach, and all around vibe of CR and Playa Grande is awesome. Too bad more of US and the places we visit aren't this killer! I want to thank whoever made this trip possible and wish the next group better surf. Hope to be back soon and retain the mellow state of mind accomplished at this crib. Looking forward to a return for some "therapy."" - Shea's, , 02/20/05 (inquire/book)

"Hey! Costa Rica has been a blast! This Casa Mirage house is awesome! It is my 4th time in Costa Rica because we come down every Christmas! We got to see a huge sea turtle for the first time, but got ran off by the turtle people! We hope future guests have a blast. Pura Vida." - Dowst Family, Gainesville, FL, 01/02/05 (inquire/book)

"Hi everybody! We had so much fun surfing, resting, relaxing, and eating! The food was delicious and the maids cleaned awesome! We always had something to do whether it was laying in the hammocks, or chasing around our little cousin! Adios." - Megan, Daytona, FL, 01/02/05 (inquire/book)

"We also found paradise here! Unfortunately only for a few days.. because we were on a round trip through the country. As we have found it at other places in the world (Asaia, Africa, and sometime Australia, too.) you only find it at places not yet too "developed". that means with nature not yet destroyed... so let us all thin about activities which results they will have. I hope this place here will keep it's beauty and peace for a long time!! We already regret having to return to Germany soon in winter with snow and ice, temperatures below 0. So you who follow us Enjoy!! Enjoy 'Pura Vida'" - , Munich, Germany, 11/24/04 (inquire/book)

"Wow, this week in Casa Mirage was awesome from the buenos olas of the day to the good night it was a shining day with great boogie boarding waves. I had a super time." - Elena, , 07/12/04 (inquire/book)

"Playa Grande es una de las mejores playas del pais. Pasamos un tiempo muy bonito y expero poder volver en algun momento...La casa muy linda y comoda... Buenos Tiempos." - Cristy, , 06/09/04 (inquire/book)

"One week in Playa Grande and I'm close to pro. There's not a wave I can't conquer. Playa Grande was a blast, got to see some old friends and meet some new ones. Thanks for the board. Charlie, Michelle, Paul, Marcy, Mike, Brian, Gary, Lindsey." - ' The Crew' - The Richards, Deerfield Beach, FL, 06/06/04 (inquire/book)

"We Came, We Saw, We Surfed. Witches Rock is like a Cartoon!" - Scott, Todd, Jeff, , San Diego, Ca, 05/30/04 (inquire/book)

"I couldn't think of a better place to be on my birthday... Thank you! Gracias!" - Christine and J.J., , 04/18/04 (inquire/book)

"Friends, waves, Imperial cerveza, saving leatherback turtles. All in a days vacation..." - , 03/21/04 (inquire/book)

"Yet again, another stellar Costa trip- this time with both good friends and family. After many awesome trips to this "Rich Coast" we still call Costa Rica a second home. How perfect life would be in America if we all lived 'pura vida'!" - Ken & Bonnie Mango, Neptune Beach, FL, 03/21/04 (inquire/book)

"My 4th trip to Casa Mirage and Costa Rica. This house is always the great getaway and my most relaxing trip of the year. I caught my 1st barrel in 3-4' surf and rescued 5 baby leatherback turtles from an osprey. Brought 4 newbies with the group and totally enjoyed everything about this trip. Thanx." - Heidi, Huntington Beach, CA, 03/20/04 (inquire/book)

"Wow, it's so great to be here. Costa Rica, I never thought I would come to a great place like this. I love the weather, the people, the surf, it's kickass. It's the second day and I feel like I've been here for 2 weeks. I don't want to go home. This has bee the most fun ever. I don't think I'm going to go home. I wish I could stay here forever. I hope everybody has a great time." - Elizabeth, Jacksonville, FL, 03/17/04 (inquire/book)

"I fricken love this place! Pura Vida ( I don't know what it means)." - , 02/20/04 (inquire/book)

"Have been here since January 1. Costa Rica is beautiful. We got the opportunity of a lifetime. Our group helped save a baby leatherback turtle from being eaten by birds. We set them lose at sunset and watched the 10 survivors make there way to the water. We laughed, lived and loved." - St. Denis, Kensington, MD, 01/08/04 (inquire/book)

"This place kicks ass. I am from San Franciscso where I surf every weekend and the water is cold as hell and the waves are not big. But here the water is great and waves are nice. I am not sure what the date is and I don't give a ____. Pura Vida." - , San Francisco, CA, 11/12/03 (inquire/book)

"We feel blessed to have found such an enchanting corner of CR and had a comfortable stay in this home. Having an uncrowded 'Break' outfront didn't hurt. Thank you owners for opening up your wonderful home for us to share= We hope to be back next year!" - Mors Family, Pismo Beach, CA, 07/29/03 (inquire/book)

"We came and blew it up. The waves were perfect (Almost). Only rained on us twice for minutes. Good fun like always. Pura Vida." - The Henton's and Holly Macaya, CA, 07/26/03 (inquire/book)

"I just wanted to say that I came here for 6 days and it has been 3 weeks. Pura Vida." - Jeff, , 06/13/03 (inquire/book)

"This is the most beautiful place I have ever been! Thanks for opening your house to us and letting us enjoy the beauty and grace of Costa Rica. It is hard to say goodbye. Bueno Suerte and many thanks." - D. Waugh, , 06/07/03 (inquire/book)

"Today is our last day and all I can say is it's sad to leave such a beautiful place. Our time was relaxed, wonderful, and the people of this country are among the best in the world. , They may not have much but they are so wealthy with their hospitality, friendliness, generosity, acceptance, beautiful country and beautiful people. May Costa Rica stay the same. Muchos Gracias." - Suzzane Diaz Westmore, , 06/01/03 (inquire/book)

"As I sit, watching the livest crew trickle in from the rabid waves and palling sun, I am struck by the seeming brevity of this trip. The first two days seemed as if they would never end. By midweek, the time was disappearing faster than a quarter in a Charlestonian beggar's hand, faster than Frodo wearing the Ring of Power, faster than... well, just plain fast. The hipiest crew, the sickiest location, the sweetest Guaro, the trip of a lifetime. As we prepared to re-enter the hectic life of Charleston, I can only pray that I will have another change like this again. You know what Jack Burton always says at a time like this? O'l Jack says "Aw, what the helll." Truly this is the Rich Coast. " - SBH, Charleston, 03/08/03 (inquire/book)

"It's around 11:30 am and I have been awake for 6 hours. The morning greeted us with calm and small surf. The coastline is so amazing here in the Playa Grande vicinity and whenever the waves go flat, it is impossible to be disatisfied with where you are. The hilly dry terrain of March is breathtaking, the seabreeze is always across your face and there isn't even the thought of the states. Miles away what seems like galaxies, the US is busy pumping out its new dollar while we sit in ponderance over the natural beauty of our world- and simply enjoy eachother's company. I thank you for allowing me to rest in this paradise for a little while and I thank you for providing me with the opportunity to see life in Costa Rica." - , 03/03/03 (inquire/book)