The Southern Zone of Costa Rica

The Southern Zone
of Costa Rica
A Vacation Insiders Guide
THOUGHTS FROM THE EDITOR
FOR THE ADVENTURE IN YOUR SOUL...
From the moment I heard about
the secret beach I was hooked and
couldn't wait to start creating this guide
with our latest insider - Ellen Samiec! This
is what a true insider is all about - letting
us in on a few hidden gems!
Having never been to Costa
Rica, let alone the Southern Zone, I was
intrigued by what else Ellen had up her
sleeve... and she did not disappoint! Take
ten minutes to read this guide - if you
have any hint of adventure in your soul
you'll be on the first plane out!
Restaurants that most die hard
foodies would salivate over; the wonder
of the Whales Tail; horseback riding to
Nauyaca Falls; heck, even a Tarzan swing
through the jungle! This is back to nature.
But not gentle hills and lakes - this is the wild end of the spectrum!
Once you've taken in all the possibilities head over to Ellen's
suggestions on where to stay. If you're lucky enough to bag a vacancy
at her place you'll have the treat of returning home from a day of
adventure to pure paradise.
Ellen owns a 3 bedroom villa in the jungle, with a private pool
overlooking the area's best beaches. So good it's claimed TripAdvisor's
Top Vacation Rental in Ojochal for 2013. But don't stress if she's
booked up - the beauty of having a real insider like Ellen is that she can
recommend some fantastic alternatives.
All that remains to say is... pour yourself a drink, get reading,
and have kayak.com fired up for that plane ticket!
E: [email protected]
W: www.vacationinsiders.com
MEET YOUR INSIDER
ELLEN SAMIEC...
On our 7th anniversary, over dinner, we envisioned our
dream home, where we would like to retire someday. We easily
agreed on the layout and that it would be in nature overlooking
water and surrounded by trees. As to the location, well I was
thinking on a lake and my husband wanted the ocean!
Six weeks later, at a conference, we met a man who, with his wife, had
bought the side of a mountain in Costa Rica 10 years prior and was now developing
it. Somehow I knew immediately this was our place, especially as I had been to
Costa Rica with a girlfriend in the early 90’s and loved it! So we went and visited a
few potential lots. I remember ours clearly - it was a hot December day, but with a
cooling ocean breeze and an ocean view to die for - I knew it would be our home!
We visited many times, staying in various homes in the area, both for the
experience and to bring the best to designing our home. We designed the villa with
the help of an architect to take advantage of the natural breezes and truly embrace
outdoor living and the stunning ocean view.
“The spacious poolside terrace is one of our favorite features.
French doors open onto a shaded outdoor living area, separate
sun-drenched deck and stunning ocean views”
Contact Ellen:
Simply click any of the
buttons below to find out
more about Ellen's vacation
rental in Costa Rica...
Alternatively feel free
to call Ellen direct on
+1.416.767.2279
And to make it all reality we found an excellent builder, a fellow Canadian,
with 20 years experience building custom homes back in Canada. We were fortunate
to be his 8th and last custom home in the area before he started his golf course
homes project.
The spacious poolside terrace is one of our favorite features. French doors
open onto a shaded outdoor living area, separate sun-drenched deck and stunning
ocean views. With plenty of lounge chairs and natural breezes, it’s a restful place to
savor your morning coffee, sunbathe, or get caught up in a good book.
All the while, you’ll be awed by the hummingbirds, scarlet macaws, and
incredible blue butterflies. When you’re ready for a dip, the private pool boasts
scenic views of the Whale’s Tail and the coastline up to Manuel Antonio National
Park. The estate is gated and completely private, surrounded by jungle; there are no
neighbors in sight!
We value our privacy and love the luxury of the private pool whether we are
swimming in it, floating on it, lounging beside it or looking over it at the ocean view.
It makes for a very intimate setting which is also wonderful to experience and share
with good friends.
While we are not ready to live here full time, we do take pride in sharing our
home and enjoy helping guests feel a little of the magic that we've experienced here
over the years!
What the
Reviews Say:
ELLEN’S REAL SOUTHERN ZONE...
Like many of the world travelers who come to live
here, Ojochal has captured our hearts. It's a remarkably
unique community with so much to offer. Canadian,
American and European expatriates have joined with
the local villagers (“Ticos”) in creating a cooperative,
culturally-rich neighborhood that values self-reliance
and community spirit among friends and neighbors.
Swing at the end for the truly adventurous!), snorkeling,
whale watching or sport fishing.
During our early visits, when our villa was being
built, we met friendly, welcoming locals and wonderful
neighbors, fellow adventurers who had travelled the
world and chosen to settle here, and were introduced to
the hidden gems (more of those throughout this guide!).
This is the typical culture around these parts!
You can visit Manuel Antonio National Park or the
Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park to explore
the most pristine rainforest in Costa Rica.
The south Pacific coast is renowned for its
dramatic landscapes where the mountains meet the
ocean. Here you will find a series of beaches to explore
and enjoy, each with its own unique character. The one
you don’t want to miss, Playa Ventana, is the best and
most secluded, yet only 10 minutes from Villa Mariposa.
We like to think of it as our private beach because there
have been so many times we have had it to ourselves.
OK, so sometimes it gets pretty busy... you may have
“crowds” of as many as a dozen people in the afternoon!!
The area had been isolated for years until the
new highway was completed. The development is more
controlled than in the northern part which has had a
great influx of tourists over the years. You can easily take
advantage of the nearby series of beaches each with its
own unique character, hiking trails through the jungle,
go birdwatching, zip lining (with an optional Tarzan
I highly recommend horseback riding to Nauyaca
Falls and a swim in the jungle pool at the base. You can
even climb up the waterfall with a rope and dive into the
natural pool!
We adore great food and it’s wonderful to be
living minutes away from Ojochal, which is becoming the
culinary center of Costa Rica. We're able to experience
dining out at 5 star French, Mediterranean and Indonesian
restaurants in the jungle! Exotica is a perfect example - a
small exquisite restaurant down a dirt road through the
jungle serving a gourmet dining experience worthy of our
experiences in Paris (you must meet Lucy and Bob - let
them know you are guests of Ellen and Bernie).
And then there's the fresh fish... on Fridays the
fisherman brings his cooler with fresh fish to the main
entrance of Ojochal and sets up near the bar or variety
store around 9AM. Get there by 9:30 for the great tuna
steaks which you can bring home and cook on the
BBQ, whilst enjoying your favorite chilled beverage! On
Saturdays the fisherman is at the Uvita farmers market
which is 20 minutes from the villa, north of Ojochal.
All of this adds up to something which I would call
the Real Southern Zone!
5 EXPERIENCES YOU CANNOT MISS...
1
Visit the Secret Beach...
2
Horseback to Nauyaca Falls...
3
High Adventure...
4
Swim With the Fishes...
5
The Whales Tail...
With so many beaches you don’t want to miss the best and most
secluded - our hidden beach Ventanas. Just 10 minutes from Villa
Mariposa. This is a picturesque sandy beach, studded with palm trees in
a small bay formed by the mountain rolling into the ocean on each side.
Playa Ventana, which means Windows Beach, is named for the caverns
carved into the mountainside that look into the ocean. At low tide, walk
through tunnels to the ocean! After playing in the surf and exploring
the caves, you can rinse yourself off in the fresh-water lagoon near the
middle of the beach. When you get here I'll tell you how to find it!!
I highly recommend this wonderful day trip for the whole family. It takes
you on horseback to the magnificent Nauyaca Falls where you can swim
in natural pools surrounded by tropical jungle or jump from the falls into
the natural pool. You ride through the lush jungle to Don Lulo’s home
for a delicious and typical Costa Rican breakfast. You can get up close to
the tame toucans and macaws for great photo ops. After exploring and
enjoying the falls you will return to Don Lulo’s for a wonderful lunch.
We have done a number of canopy tours and the Osa Canopy Tour is
the most adventurous, and the people who run it are great. The high
jungle setting on the side of a mountain is wonderful for gliding over
the tops of trees with huge vistas. You'll experience nature on the high
platforms and thrills in the air. For the truly adventurous, along with the
zip-lines, there is an amazing "Tarzan" swing. They also offer a separate
Waterfall Repelling Tour with 3 waterfalls, with one over 250 feet high!
The Caño Island National Reserve is an hour's boat ride away, offering
some of the best snorkeling & scuba diving in Costa Rica. Snorkeling we
have seen coral reefs, colorful marine life including stingrays, dolphins,
sea turtles. Others have even seen sharks! Then enjoy lunch and relaxing
on the beach. Skin Diver magazine rated this site as among the best in
the world and one of the newest hot spots for adventure diving. We
highly recommend Mystic Dive, run by our neighbors, to take you there.
Let Cumarie know we sent you!
Playa Uvita is another hidden beach, but not in the way you expect.
At low tide you can walk the Whales Tail, a sandbar which becomes
visible and looks like a whale's tail, disappearing at high tide. Quite the
experience to walk out on the tail, with the ocean lapping up both sides,
then turn around and get a great view of the coastline. Just check the
tide tables. You can even see the Whales Tail from Villa Mariposa!
3 FOODIE EXPERIENCES NOT TO MISS...
1
Exotica Restaurant...
2
Citrus Restaurant...
3
Ylang Ylang Restaurant...
Exotica Restaurant: A culinary experience not to be missed is dinner
at Exotica Restaurant. Hidden in the village of Ojochal, down a jungle
road, we highly recommend this fabulous restaurant that serves a
fusion of international fare with a French accent. This is a 5-star foodie
experience to please even the most discerning of world travelers. This
is one of the best culinary experiences I have had in Costa Rica and
abroad. The ambiance is magical and you will be enchanted by Lucy,
your very gracious hostess. Be sure to make reservations in the high
season. It is a small restaurant and fills up quickly.
Another hidden jewel in Southern Pacific Costa Rica, Citrus Restaurant
is tucked away off the road in Ojochal on a river bank. This sophisticated
restaurant is immediately inviting, with its upscale decor and garden
patio with twinkling lights in the trees by the river. A diverse menu
of Mediterranean Fusion cuisine with Moroccan inspired dishes is all
tempting. Marcella and Sylvain are wonderful hosts with very friendly
and attentive staff. While not the least expensive, it is worth it. You will
not be disappointed!
Yet another hidden gem in the southern zone of Costa Rica, Ylang Ylang
Restaurant is perched on a ridge above the Pacific Ocean. This small
exquisite open air restaurant offers a lovely ocean view. It is worth going
early to watch the sunset from this vantage point. This intimate setting
is a remarkable place to experience authentic Indonesian cuisine. Our
guests have said it is the best Indonesian food they have eaten outside
of Indonesia. If you have never had Indonesian food you are in store for
a unique and spicy experience prepared by a talented chief Caroline,
who was born in Jakarta.
Ellen's Best of the Rest
The Best Shrimp Ceviche...
Croissants For Breakfast...
Beach Club Sunday Brunch...
For a tropical delicacy, fabulous
fish marinated in lime juice, stop
at Ceviche Piñuela, a roadside
restaurant run by a local Tico
family, located north of Ojochal
near the entrance to Playa
Piñuela on the coastal highway.
The shrimp ceviche is the best I've
ever had!
A very authentic French bakery
just inside the highway entrance
to Ojochal owned by Philippe
and Mireille from Southern
France, offers excellent pastries,
sandwiches and bread plus a nice
bistro atmosphere in which to
enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee and
fresh baked croissant.
Restaurant Villa Leonor at Ballena
Beach Club offers a Sunday BBQ
brunch that draws both locals and
visitors. The owner Cliff makes you
feel right at home. I recommend
you combine brunch there any
day of the week with a trip to their
beach. The food is excellent, try
the ribs or the fresh seafood!
ELLENS’S TIPS ON WHERE TO STAY...
Costa Rica's Southern Zone has a number of options depending on your needs. Below is Ellen's very
own vacation rental, along with a couple of other suggestions that she has. Plus see some of Ellen's
practical tips below to help you begin planning your stay!
Ellen’s Very Own...
An award winning 3 bedroom villa overlooking the gorgeous
Ventanas Beach and Pacific Ocean. With its private pool, gorgeous
ocean views and upscale amenities, it is TripAdvisor’s Top Vacation
Rental for Ojochal in 2013! An ideal jungle base from which to
explore the spectacular southern Pacific coastline!
Visit Ellen’s Website to Find Out More…
Ellen Suggests...
A good alternative if I'm booked, it's just down the road from my
place and it’s also very private and spacious, perfect for family
gatherings or an escape with a group of friends. Jay is also an
amazing owner!
Visit Jay’s Website to Find Out More…
Ellen Suggests...
For shorter stays or, if you cannot find room at either Jay's or
mine, the hotel Lookout at Playa Tortuga is a great option. It’s not
a luxury hotel but has great TripAdvisor reviews and I myself have
stayed there and would recommend it.
Visit the Lookout Website to Find Out More...
The Practical Stuff...
Getting Here...
You can fly into the international
airport in San Jose and drive the 3
- 3 1/2 hours (not including stops
for the amazing views!). Or take a
private VIP shuttle from San Jose
Airport. You could even take a
30 minute scenic morning flight
over the mountains and along the
coast to Palmar Sur airstrip. From
there we can arrange to have a
4x4 rental waiting for you and
then drive the 25 minutes to Villa
Mariposa. Be sure to rent a 4x4 for
access to the villa and beaches!
Local Currency...
Costa Rica's currency is the colón
(colónes plural). Refer to Travelex
or any other foreign currency
websites for the latest rates. The
locals will not take big bills so
don’t let the currency exchanges
give you anything bigger than
¢10,000. Visa Credit Cards are
widely
accepted.
However,
Amex and MasterCard are more
problematic and not generally
accepted. Do NOT bring travelers
cheques/checks. They do not
work well here!
Weather Conditions...
Close to the equator, we have
consistent temps year round.
High Season runs Dec – Apr, with
beach-perfect weather. But North
American summers are also a
great time to visit. Running May –
Aug is the Green Season, a favorite
time for locals and travelers in the
know. Magical and energizing,
it’s gloriously sunny most of the
day with short afternoon rains
that freshen the air and add to
the lushness of plant life and
encourage active wildlife!
THE VACATION INSIDER PHILOSOPHY
PUT THE GUIDEBOOK DOWN...
Guidebooks are a great overview but your vacation insider is a local specialist so put the guidebook down and ask your insider!
If you’re an accommodation owner and would like to participate in the
Insider Guide series we’d love to hear from you!
Email: [email protected] or Web: www.vacationinsiders.com
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