If you’re going to rent a place in Costa Rica that’s on the beach, make sure it’s actually on the beach! Villa Central, one of three gorgeous villas in Caballitos del Mar, is as close to the beach as you can legally build in Costa Rica, yet the jungle and gardens that surround it provide privacy and intimacy with proximity. Villa Central has a gorgeous tiled pool that wraps around the expansive terrace, and it’s where you’ll spend most of your time. The space If you’re going to rent a place in Costa Rica that’s on the beach, make sure it’s actually on the beach! Villa Central, one of three gorgeous villas in Caballitos del Mar, is as close to the beach as you can legally build in Costa Rica, yet the jungle and gardens that surround it provide privacy and intimacy with proximity. Villa Central has a gorgeous tiled pool that wraps around the expansive terrace, and it’s where you’ll spend most of your time. Outdoor dining allows you to hear the ocean and smell the salt spray regardless of the water, with large eaves if it rains, and an overhead fan for comfort. The kitchen is close at hand through large sliding glass doors, so the chef doesn’t feel left out of the conversation, or the views. The three large bedrooms all have A/C and two have ensuite bathrooms, but you’ll end up opening the screened windows so you can let the sound of the ocean lull you to bed. The upstairs bedrooms even have private balconies where you can watch the waves and check the tide. All linens and towels, for pool and bath, are included. There’s also a large living room, and dining area downstairs, surrounded by native plants, palm trees, and some primary forest trees that are 100’ tall. One of the reasons the south Pacific coast is so popular is the town of Dominical, a quiet surf town with great restaurants and convenient stores. Villa Central is only 5 minutes away from Dominical by car, or when the tide is out, it’s a gorgeous 20 minute stroll on the beach. Known for having great surfing, Dominical also has a broad beach that extends out 100 yards or so during low tide. Walk to breakfast, or grab a drink at sunset, without having to get in a car to get someplace. There’s only one type of tourism in Costa Rica, and that’s ecotourism. Villa Central is truly central to the wide variety of excursions that allow you to explore this renowned area. North about 45 minutes is Manuel Antonio National Park, and south about an hour is the gateway to Corcovado and the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse places on earth. The concierge service at our property manager’s office can hook your family up with horseback rides to waterfalls, ziplining, birdwatching safaris, kayak torus of mangroves and sea caves, and river rafting. It’s all good, and it’s only a phone call away. Villa Central is one of three identical villas on the same property, so if you have a large family (or a class reunion), you can rent two or three villas at the same time for up to 25 people. No one gets shortchanged since the villas are identical and all have gorgeous pools. Contact yougethere com for more information on renting more than one villa. Caballitos del Mar and the three villas are about 3 hours from Juan Santamaria Int’l Airport in Alajuela (San Jose), and renting a car is easy. All roads are paved and you won’t need a big four wheel drive to navigate mountain roads: the driving is straightforward and any rental car can handle it. There’s a lovely Tico couple that lives on the property, and they can provide light housekeeping services, and they keep the pools and gardens in primo condition. Villa Central: convenient to the things you want most, and secluded for privacy. The perfect combination of Pura Vida. Guest access This is a complete, standalone home. While the driveway is shared with two other homes, it is has its own garage, grill, pool, and path to the beach. The homes are reasonably close together but have landscaping for privacy. Other things to note This area (and the entire country) is known for eco-tourism. We've been on many excursions and we've loved them all. Whitewater rafting, horseback riding, ziplines, etc. Half-days run around $45 and full days run around $100. We find that spending a day at the villa, followed by a day of exploration and excursions, is a nice way to find out more about this terrific country and its people. From the Osa Peninsula, to Manuel Antonio National Park, to local waterfalls and tropical hikes, there's a lot to do and it's all eco-friendly.