As others have said, the pics are accurate. So are the animals, and so is the "setting." While each visitor deserves his/her own opinion, anyone who was not enchanted by this property or its setting really doesn't belong anywhere but in a resort or a hotel room.
Itza is everything you could expect in a hostess/concierge. She was at our disposal all day and all night, doing what we asked of her without being "underfoot." If you asked her to come an hang out with you for a few hours a day, she'd probably do that, too.
Considering the openness of the main floor, the proximity of sand and jungle, the home was clean and appropriate. It is beautifully-decorated and very comfortable. A home this large in a country like Costa Rica is a leap-of-faith in itself. The environment is hard on appliances and services, and in the few respects that we were affected, Itza (and the people who work with her) resolved our concerns immediately or made sure we were accomodated. All things considered, what more could you ask of a hostess/owner?
Itza did her very best for us regardless of our wishes, and made every effort to see that our needs were always met. Her recommendations (side trips, etc.) were fantastic (go sailing for a morning or a day--you'll love it). Her advice regarding "where" to buy grocies was great. She'd have done more for us if we'd have asked.
The home is a bit off the beaten path but, if you're going to the trouble of getting deep into Costa Rica, why not see some "reality" while you're there? It's no different than staying in a high-end home in the Colorado mountains, as long as you're outside a gated community or a resort; your going to get some "real" with you fairytale vacation. Getting used to the home's location is quite necessary; getting around is something you'll need to get the hang of if you're going to have any fun in this part of the country, and learning your way from the house down to Quepos or the Manuel Antonio beach from the house is a good start.
The home is well-protected and safe. The restaurants were, on the whole, fantastic. There are great souvenir shops in either of the towns below the home's location. The beaches were good, fun and interesting.
More important to us (a party of nine) than a "perfect" house is was the degree to which we were "accomodated," and Itza and her staff were truly perfect in this respect--the first reason I'd go back.
Thank you, Itza, for everything.
