Come to our beautiful vacation home Casa Dulce, a super cool open-air rancho located on Playa Pan Dulce (the best sand beach in the area) in Matapalo on the scenic Osa Peninsula. Enjoy our private two-acre preserve, bring your family, friends or that special someone to slow down, take your life at a different pace, and see how much clearer everything is when you step back into the peace, quiet and privacy of what feels like another world. Please read about the access to the upstairs loft. Casa Dulce is a two-story loft, with two bedrooms up stairs. You are renting the entire home so enjoy. Downstairs, you will find the living room, kitchen, bedroom and the most magical pool deck and front porch. The upstairs loft is accessed by a super sturdy built-in ladder. For young toddlers, this is probably not the ideal set-up. If this situation causes concern, please check out Casa Madera, which is our jungle house. Casa Madera is on the Monkey Highway and is a one-story layout. Ideal for young kids! Life at Casa Dulce - Casa Dulce is our beach house…a stone’s throw from Playa Pan Dulce. Casa Dulce’s OPEN-AIR Ranch design offers the best of both worlds. You’ll feel like you’re outside even when you’re preparing a meal or possibly serving up beverages. We are OFF-GRID and if you’re new to this lifestyle, here’s a few tips. Our electricity is captured from the sun and we only collect a finite amount each day. With this said, it is up to you to conserve, possibly like never before. This means turning lights on only when you need it. ALWAYS TURN LIGHTS OFF when leaving a room. Staying cool at night… my recommendation is a quick dip in the plunge pool or a cool shower before going to bed. Each bed has a private fan. These fans should be used for initial cooling and should be turned off after you’ve cooled down. That’s where the plunge pool comes in handy. Showering (with hot water) is a little tricky. For whatever reason, the tankless water heaters in Costa Rica are super finicky. Here’s the biggest tip yet. Be patient! Turn on the HOT all the way and address temperature with the cold. If/when you lose the HOT…shut off everything and repeat. You’ll get it! Enjoy your stay at Casa Dulce! While spending a lot of time at Vista Dulce (Casa Dulce and Casa Madera), I actually live in Texas. When I am at the beach, I will be available but will certainly not be intrusive. I will give you all the peace and privacy that you have come all this way to enjoy. When I am not there, Erick and Teresa (our caretakers) will take complete care of your questions and needs. I am always availble, just an email away, for questions or concerns. Cabo Matapalo is a totally magical community with strictly "MOM and POP" operations. There are NO major hotels, only quaint private residencies just waiting for your next visit. There are three places in which to dine out. Lapa Rios, Encanta la Vida and Martina's Bar and Grill. Lapa Rios is a 5-star ecolodge and requires resevations. Encanta la Vida is a fabulous ecolodge and also requires reservations. Martina's Bar and Grill is a super unique dining experience...Martina does not take reservations. Just show up and have the time of your life, enjoying fabulous food, music and dancing (if you're so inclined). Two waterfalls within walking distance provide for great day treks. The endless miles of open beach are ready to be explored. Water shoes are recommended. The wildlife in and around Matapalo will totally blow you away. You may never need to go to the national park to see all of the wildlife that is assessible right in your own front yard. Three modes of transporation include: Rent car - while not a necessity, a rent car is a fabulous luxury, providing peace of mind in the case you need to get to town in a hurry. Taxi - a taxi ride out to Matapalo is around $50-$60 Colectivo - our local transportation system, runs twice per day to and from Puerto Jimenez. The cost is affordable, but there is certainly a lack of comfort as you will be riding in the back of a large truck with a covered bed. Getting out to Matapalo! Be sure to stock up in town on everything you will want or need. There are NO STORES after leaving Puerto Jimenez. I shop at BM, which is across the street from the only gas station in town. Heading out...head south, out of town on the road between BM and the gas station. Matapalo is 18 bumpy kilometers from town. The first bridge you come to is in really bad shape...use caution when crossing this bridge. In the old days, there were many rivers to forge without bridges. Now, all rivers/streams have bridges. After you have traveled approximately 16 kilometers from town, you will cross over the first new bridge, (this bridge will look different and will have railing) start looking for Martina's Bar and Grill on your left (1/3 kilometer after the first new bridge). Martina's is a must on Friday night when the local Artesians gather to sell their wares. Many unique items will be for sale. Don't miss Barbara's homemade icecream. The food and drinks at Martina's are fabulous. After passing over the second new bridge, start looking for our local bus stop on our left (1/3 kilometer). PsychoTours sign on front. Fifty (50) meters passed the bus stop, locate a small sign for Encanta la Vida. Turn down left into Matapalo and pass through the stone columns. We are the first driveway/gate on your left. Erick and Teresa (our caretakers) live near the gate entrance. Erick's What's App phone number will be provided after you confirm your reservation. Erick and/or Teresa will greet you at the gate and help you get settled in. Casa Dulce is located at the bottom of the driveway. You will pass our other house, Casa Madera, on the right. You may rent both houses if you have a large enough group. The houses are far enough apart to provide complete privacy, but are close enough to walk back and forth to visit friends or family. Let me know if you need anything else. Pura Vida Rick Hardy SURFBOARDS- We do have some older surfboards that available for complimentary use. If you prefer a board that is in better shape, you may rent a surfboard for $25/day or $100/trip with a $100 ding deposit. KAYAKS - We have two kayaks that are available for complimentary use. Just be cautious...don't take the kayaks out unless the waters are extremely calm. PING PONG - We have a super fun "concrete" ping pong table in the front yard. Bring your "game face" and enjoy endless fun for all members of the family. HORSESHOES - We have a regulation horseshoe court in the front yard. From beginners to experts, horseshoes can be fun for the entire family. FISHING FROM THE BEACH - If you're interested in this, please ask the owner for information on his favorite lure which can be ordered online from H&H Lure. Tons of fun, and who knows, maybe you'll catch dinner.