Villas Macondo
in Tamarindo, Guanacaste

Villas Macondo is one of the most charming and relaxing places of Playa Tamarindo - not only because of the colorful rooms/apartments (each with private bathroom, terrace, hammock, safety box, fan or a/c, kitchen and the pool) but also for the friendly and helpful owners. Quiet and close to the beach and center - a great place tochill out!

http://www.villasmacondo.com/

Cabinas Playa Cacao
Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica

Description

Six individual thatch-roofed bungalows conveniently located inside the Wildlife Refuge of Golfito with an unparalleled 300º view of the surrounding rainforest mountain range & peaceful gulf waters. You can experience relaxation at its best in our wonderful hammocks and/or swim, hike or take advantage of the many trips we offer (including inshore & offshore sportsfishing & no frills fishing) to rarely explored areas. Each cabin can sleep up to 3 people comfortably & is built of cement, mangle, bamboo, ceramic tile & river stones. Cabins feature high quality beds, private bathrooms w/ hot water showers, fans, potable water, electricity & kitchenettes. A fully equipped open-air-ocean-view kitchen, dining & BBQ area is available to guests at all time. There are two restaurants on the beach if you prefer not to cook. Two cement piers are used to access the boats but guests may lay in the sun, dive into the water during high tide, or sit and feed the various fish swimming below. We provide daily maid service and also offer a personalized shopping service (for groceries, medicines or anything you request) from town for just a small tip for the boy who carries out the errand. Guests can use paddleboats & kayaks for free.

Nearby Attractions

We can arrange Sportfishing, no frills fishing, trips to Casa Orquideas Botanical Garden, Playa Zancudo and Puerto Jimenez (where you can arrange ground transportation to visit Corcovado National Park).

How to get there: Take a water taxi from the Dique in Golfito (tell the taxi driver to take you there) to Playa Cacao -- CONEJO boats. The ride is about 5 minutes. You can fly, drive or take a bus to Golfito from San Jose.

Amenities

Policies

Payment Options: Traveler's Check, Cash
Check in 12 noon check out 11 a.m. Rates do not include 16.39% sales & tourism tax required by Costa Rican law. Add $10.00 (plus 16.39% tax) per night per additional guest. Confirm reservation 2 days prior to proposed visit. Visitors of guests are only allowed on the property if the guest is with them.

Cancellations and Refunds

Cancel your reservation by fax, phone or e-mail. 50% deposit required at time of reservation. Deposits are non-refundable.

Deposits

50% non-refundable deposit must be sent via Western Union or Moneygram or send a US$ account personal check to Karla Arias in San Jose, Costa Rica (check must be sent UPS, FEDEX, DHL or Express Mail). Send e-mail or fax stating name of sender, where the transfer was sent from, date, amount & confirmation or money control number.

Individual Bungalow 0 bedrooms, 1.0 bathrooms, sleeps 2

Description:Each individual bungalow can sleep up to 3 people comfortably -- one double or two singles or individual pull out beds -- usually we can accommodate requests but we can't always guarantee. We charge $10 per person over 2. These bungalows are open quarters with no bedrooms. There is one bathroom with hot water.

On The Spot Recommendations

Overall Rating:	Outstanding

My husband and I just returned from our Costa Rican vacation where we stayed at the Cabinas. I believe this to be an ideal location for relaxation; no phones and no television! The property is beautiful, the cabinas charming and well kept, and Isabel is fabulous! I would not hesitate to stay at the Cabinas again, in fact we are planning a trip again in November. I could continue to write however if anyone has any specific questions or even concerns about booking this location please do not hesitate to contact me. Be prepared however because it will be a glowing recommendation!

Service:	10 - best
Value:	10 - best
Attractiveness:	10 - best
Overall Rating:	10 - best

This was truely a place to relax. Isabel was the perfect hostess. It is the kind of place where you can go and bring limited clothes. Extremely casual and definitely peaceful.

Service:	10 - best
Value:	10 - best
Attractiveness:	10 - best
Overall Rating:	10 - best

I learned of Cabinas Playa Cacao when I booked myself into the owner's daughter's guest house, Kaps Place, in San Jose. Just the pictures on the web site made me especially anxious to arrive there after a week of business in the capital city. My four days spent there were idyllic. When I first arrived by water taxi, after a short flight from San Jose to Golfito, I was greeted by Isabel at the dock. As the only guest for the few days I was there, I had the luxury of Isabel's friendliness and hospitality to myself. Sitting around the table in the open air kitchen protected from the weather by the thatched roof, while looking out over the gulf, we talked and ate (kitchen is always available to guests), and nodded or chatted with locals and tourists if they happened to pass by. My cabina was closest to the beach, and I could walk out, take a swim, borrow one of the kayaks, or lie in the hammock reading or writing, and breathing in the hot sultry air. My cabina consisted of a large room, with a comfortable bed, and a table and chairs, complete with a private bath and shower. Several of the cabinas also have kitchen facilities. I took one of the walks recommended by Isabel through the jungle up to a commanding view of the gulf below. In the morning I was often awakened by howler monkeys passing through the trees behind us. There were other opportunities for hiking or hiring a boat for sightseeing and/or sportfishing, but I gave myself over to the gentle rhythm and sound of the jungle surrounding the gulf, and had one of the most relaxing vacations in a long while. What a great opportunity to take advantage of this lovely property. I would recommend it highly to anyone who wants to experience and appreciate nature's diversity and beauty within an extraordinary setting.

Service:	9 - outstanding
Value:	8 - great
Attractiveness:	8 - great
Overall Rating:	9 - outstanding

A group of us stayed the Cabinas Playa Cacao over the millenium New Year. The accomodations were wonderful. Staying in thatched huts added a sense of adventure for those of us used to sleeping in hotel rooms. The rooms were clean and comfortable and the grounds were immaculate. Our hosts could not have been more gracious and accomodating. We had the time of our lives there and the Cabinas are a definate for our "revisit" list.

Service:	9 - outstanding
Value:	9 - outstanding
Attractiveness:	10 - best
Overall Rating:	9 - outstanding

We happened upon a website for Playa Cacao by accident when looking at travelling to Costa Rica. Not having ever been there, we were enchanted by the prospect of the cabinas on the water. And we were pleasantly surprised to find the cabinas and Isabelle (owner of Playa Cacao) to be as wonderful as expected. If travelling to the southern part of Costa Rica, one couldn't find a lovelier spot. The view was beautiful and awe inspiring. The water was calm and warm. Should you go, you definitely need to take the hike into the jungle nearby and the river/caiman boat tour. Fantastic. It was like the movies - I kid you not. The restaurant nearby served wonderful arroz con pollo and the fresh fish - well, I can only tell you that my husband had that dish four times during the week! We were in the water every minute we could be as we were not used to the heat. So, having the boat and kayaks to take served the purpose of fun and cooling us down. We also went to Golfito during the start of the rainy season and was doused daily with heavy rains in the afternoons or early evenings. This was not a negative thing. Rather it was something we started to look forward to each day. Altho' the raindrops were HUGE, they don't stop you from swimming or doing other things. And the rain offered welcome relief from the heat. All in all, we had a wonderful time and would recommend the Cabinas Playa Cacao to all. Isabelle and Karla are so helpful! We stayed with Karla in San Jose at Kaps Place, had her arrange our air to Golfito as well as rides to and from the airport. It made everything so easy! PS - while in Golfito, be sure to also do the hike by the airport to see the waterfall!!!