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Reviews of Steps away from beautiful Penca Beach

Steps away from beautiful Penca Beach
Potrero, Guanacaste

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 114 out of 115 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 115 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 115 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 115 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 115 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tracey S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Property
We stayed at a resort for a work event the first half of the trip and wanted a less touristy area for the second half. We got exactly what we wanted with this property! Penca Beach was a short walk to the end of the street and many restaurants at the other end. We enjoyed the back porch and loved listening to the wildlife.The owners and caretaker were very quick to communicate, yet we felt like we had the property to ourselves most of the time. What a wonderful visit. Would definitely recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 21 May 2024
Thank you for your thoughtful review. We are very happy that the property met your expectations and that you enjoyed the house, Penca Beach and the neighborhood.

10/10 Excellent

Meg L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Family Vacation
We had an incredible time during our stay! We had everything we needed and the proximity to the beach was fantastic. Our hosts were extremely helpful when we had a questions. The property was well maintained, and loved the back screened in porch. We would love to come back!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Mar 2024
We are so happy that you enjoyed your stay and would love to have you back again!

10/10 Excellent

Gordon P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful and relaxing
A tranquil oasis with beautiful house and grounds. Melissa was a lovely host who made herself available to answer any questions and even arranged our transportation to and from the airport. This is an ideally located property with respect to proximity to the beautiful beach and the quaint town. First class
Stayed 10 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ekaterina g., Parker, CO

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing stay
We are very happy with our stay at Penca Beach guesthouse! Hosts went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and comfortable at their property. Lots of useful tips about local shops, restaurants and activities. After exploring the other beach towns we were so glad we chose Potrero, it was more authentic and not so busy yet had everything we were looking for - nice beach, farmers markets, decent local and international restaurants. Thank you Melissa for your hospitality!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Mar 2024
Thank you so much. I greatly appreciated having you here!

10/10 Excellent

Christy R., HAMMOND

Liked: Cleanliness
Slice of Paradise
We wanted our first trip to Costa Rica away from the super touristy areas, this fit the bill. The house is nestled in the trees with monkeys and iguanas to watch almost daily. It is 150 yards from Playa Penca(a wonderful quiet beach) and close to restaurants, farmers markets, and small grocery stores. The house is well appointed with everything we needed for a week. Very clean with comfortable beds. Michelle and Richard were always available and quick to respond. The week was "Pura Vida".
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristen R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely stay in Penca
The location was great! We walked the 2-3 minutes down to beach access driveway to Penca Beach and were shocked we had the beach mostly to ourselves. Don’t miss the sunset from the beach, it was STUNNING! The property and home were well cared for. We enjoyed seeing giant iguanas and birdwatching from the home’s screen porch. No monkeys were visiting while we stayed, but we loved all the wildlife we did see. The owners and caretaker were very attentive and helpful, and the small tech issue we had, was worked out quickly. We enjoyed the local restaurants, and found it easy to take quick trips to Playa Flamingo and Playa Conchal from this lovely home. Would love to come back soon! Thank you
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Feb 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience. It was very nice to have you here!

10/10 Excellent

Mandy D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful vacation!
Such a lovely stay. Tucked away is beautiful Penca Beach, you can hear the waves from the back porch. We loved the porch area, having coffe in the mornings listening to all the different birds and the monkeys. Everything we needed was within walking distance. Melissa was so kind and so helpful with anything we needed. We were so comfortable here. The house is beautiful and fully furnished. All you need to bring is your clothes. She even hooked us up with a local driver to explore the area. We loved our stay here and will recommend this property again and again . Thank you Melissa!
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Feb 2024
Thank you Mandy! I am so happy that you two enjoyed your stay.

10/10 Excellent

Gus S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic vacation
Our first time in Costa Rica and it's hard to imagine how it could have been better. Great location, welcoming and helpful hosts, comfortable living and so much to see! Thank you, Melissa and Richard, for helping make our stay so enjoyable. Hope to see you again!
Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Feb 2024
We sincerely hope to see you again too! Thank you for taking the time to leave a thoughtful review.

10/10 Excellent

Maggie S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect, stress-free retreat!
The location is perfect-easy walk to Playas Penca, Potrero and Prieta. The home is charming and elegant but very comfortable. We had everything we needed. Well equipped to cook in, but also within walking distance of restaurants, sodas and groceries. Melissa and Richard were perfect hosts - non-intrusive yet always available. Definitely rated 11 out of 10!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Jan 2024
We greatly appreciate your comments & are very glad that you enjoyed a stress-free retreat on our property. :)

10/10 Excellent

Mel D.

Liked: Cleanliness
What a treat
My only regret is not staying here longer. Thank you so much Melissa for such a great time at your home. You have thought of everything to make it just like home. The screened in room was a bonus to listen to monkeys galore and the beautiful sounds of the jungle. That beach! I am longing to be in that water right now. Location is awesome and very close to restaurants, the mercado and bonafide Italian gelato. yum. What a special place you have there. Hope to see you again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Jan 2024
What a gracious and thoughtful review. Thank you.

10/10 Excellent

Tina B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing
This place is absolutely perfect! Has everything you need, clean, great location for beaches, restaurants, grocery stores, and other attractions/towns. Loved the back patio to drink coffee in the morning watching the iguanas. Melissa and Richard are truly amazing people!! Very attentive and helpful! Responded very quickly to all needs. Very resourceful as well! We did the Gamefisher II charter with them as well and their crew were amazing! Went over and beyond to make sure we had a great time catching mahi mahi and a sailfish. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 10 nights in Jan 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Jan 2024
Thank you for your review, Tina! It was a pleasure to have your family here. We will look forward to seeing you again. Namaste

10/10 Excellent

Eline S., Houston, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic beach house
The location is amazing, only 1 minute walk from a beautiful (swimming) beach. The house is well equipped and very spacious. We really enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Jan 2024
Thank you for staying. We appreciate your time rating us and sharing your comments with prospective guests.

10/10 Excellent

John M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect!
Melissa has curated a wonderful oasis, right next to a beautiful beach. Can't recommend this place enough. She was also very helpful with providing local recommendations as well. Thanks for making our vacation great!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Jan 2024
Smile. I like to think of our property as an oasis too. Thank you John. It was nice having you here.

10/10 Excellent

Rich W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very pleasant time
Nice hosts, nice property, nice location. I'd stay here again. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Jan 2024
We appreciate you staying and hope that you will stay again. Thank you for your review!

10/10 Excellent

John T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful property
There were so many beautiful, green trees on the grounds. They hosted the howlers, who woke us up every morning as the sun rose. We liked that the very nice beach was 150 yards away, and easy to go back and forth multiple times a day if needed. We can’t compliment Melissa enough: She was kind, helpful, and generous. When our A/C broke she had it repaired without delay.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patrick N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful
Very beautiful property, a one minute walk to a quiet beach. My wife and I witnessed a turtle hatching on the beach! We would recommend this place to anyone, Melissa and her husband were wonderful hosts.
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Dec 2023
It was a pleasure to have you! Thank you for leaving a review. Watching a turtle hatch is a magical experience. So happy you enjoyed your stay.

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Heaven on earth
Melissa is by far the best hostess! We felt welcomed from the moment we arrived. The home was clean, stocked with anything and everything we could need. She assisted us with setting up a great day of fishing with a superb charter and checked in to ensure things were going well. When she heard I was having allergy issues she directed us to a local pharmacy and even called ahead to let Dr Lily know we were coming. The beautiful beach was steps away from the well-kept, fenced in landscaped yard. We will most definitely be returning to stay here again and will strongly encourage our family and friends to choose Melissa’s home as their VRBO location as well.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Sept 2023
It was so nice having you stay and I am very grateful for your detailed review for future guests. I look forward to hosting your family and friends!

10/10 Excellent

Amy W., Ottawa

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful experience!
Our family of 4 stayed here for 10 days in August. We loved the property and its close proximity to a beautiful and quiet beach, pretty towns, and a wide range of activities. Melissa and Richard were very warm and welcoming and they went above and beyond with great recommendations and to ensure we had all we needed during our stay. We hope to return one day! And we would highly recommend this as a great home base for exploring Costa Rica.
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Aug 2023
Truly a pleasure having you all here. Thank you for your warm review. We are so glad that you enjoyed your stay and your travel adventures here in Costa Rica.

10/10 Excellent

Serge F., New York

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay
Melissa is a wonderful host. Everything that you need were provided. The place is great just a few steps from the local secured beach. Communication with Melissa was excellent , she was responding very quickly on any question that we had. We recommended her for your next vacation.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 5 June 2023
We appreciate your comments very much. It was great having you here!

10/10 Excellent

Louis-Philippe L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect
Great property, great location! The beach is amazing! Hous has everything you can need and very comfortable. Thanks to our hosts! Going in my faves!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 1 May 2023
Thank you for your review! It was a pleasure to host you. Hope to have you back again sometime.

10/10 Excellent

Ben R., Sacramento, CA

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic all around
Great unit. So glad we stayed here. All other reviews are accurate and the unit was exactly as shown and listed on VRBO. Very clean, spacious, everything worked. Beach chairs, towels, boogie board, cooler, laundry, etc. Howler monkeys out the window during morning coffee. Very short walk to fantastic beach, great restaurants, etc. This was our final stop of a 2 week trip and it was the perfect tranquilo way to wrap things up and being go-go-go for 9-10 days. Highly recommend and would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Apr 2023
So happy that you enjoyed your stay with us! Thank you for the review for future guests and for us to know that we are providing everything that you expected.

10/10 Excellent

Matthew E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing! Stay here.
The property was safe, convenient, comfortable, and well appointed. It was perfect for a family of 5. The air conditioning was appreciated with outdoor temps in the mid 90’s. The beach had soft sand, crystal clear water, and fun waves to play in.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Apr 2023
It was a pleasure to host you! Thank you for staying and for leaving a nice review for other travelers.

10/10 Excellent

Radha R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great house
We loved staying at this house. It was a beautiful property, with an expansive, well stocked kitchen. Air conditioning in both bedrooms and the main living room -not something we anticipated needing, but it was very nice during hot days. We loved the location which felt more local than more touristy areas. The only downsides were lack of dishwasher detergent and lack of laundry detergent. The owner put so much thought and care into this place, with beach towels, goggles, hand soap, shampoo. It seemed silly not to provide guests with dishwasher detergent or laundry detergent, just to make the stay 5/5. Otherwise this was a great property. We walked to Playa penca each evening for sunset. Within 10 minute drive to more popular areas.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar 2023
Thank you for your thoughtful review. We are pleased that you enjoyed the house and location. Soap for laundry and the dishwasher are normally provided. Apparently the supply ran out and my housekeeper neglected to replace them. I wish you had messaged me during your stay so that I might have resolved the issue for a 5/5. :)

10/10 Excellent

Richard W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Potrero
Such a gorgeous property. Quaint, in lovely gardens, with a feeling of space, tranquility and nature. Staying at Melissa and Richard’s guest house has been the highlight of our CR holiday. So close to beautiful Penca beach, close to the lovely Carpe Diem Cafe , local Gelateria ( amazing) and local restaurants. We couldn’t have chosen a better place and location. Beautiful sunsets, long beach walks ( on local Potrero beach) peaceful morning coffee watching the humming birds all made this stay fabulous. We also went deep sea fishing with Salty Adventures in Flamingo. Truly spectacular with Tuna and Mahi Mahi. Great boats, crew and Capt Todd. Awesome. Would we come back…… Absolutely, we wish we’d stayed longer….😀😘
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Renee B., Andover. MN

Liked: Cleanliness
Melissa was very timely with her responses. It was clean and just as described.
We felt a part of the local community here and was walkable to the beach and restaurants.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 20 Mar 2023
We are very glad that you were happy with your experience staying at Casa Cancion de las Olas and appreciate your taking the time to send a review! Thank you for staying with us.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely!
The location is a little remote, but it's quiet, quaint, and close to beautiful Penca Beach—THE place to watch stunning sunsets!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Mar 2023
Thank you for your review.

10/10 Excellent

Lynn G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wedding anniversary / first trip to Costa Rica
Great location and friendly small town. Very close to many nice beaches. Exactly what the description of property stated. Owner / host was very friendly and accommodating. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Mar 2023
Thank you for taking the time to give fellow travelers your review. It was a pleasure to have you.

10/10 Excellent

Tamara B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Clean Contemporary Beach House
Beautiful property, beautiful house, clean, well-appointed, nice screened-in porch for relaxing, excellent communication from host, steps away from the beach, gorgeous sunsets, steps away from several good places to eat (especially Carpe Diem for breakfast/lunch and the Pizzeteria for dinners). There didn't seem to be any paths or trails nearby to explore with no car but walking on both Penca and Potrero beaches was lovely. Note: Bed mattresses extra firm.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Feb 2023
Thank you for your thoughtful review for future travelers. I am so glad that you enjoyed the house, beach walks, the Cafe Carpe Diem and Pizzateria.

10/10 Excellent

dan k.

Liked: Cleanliness
Costa Rica
We have rented from Melissa for 3 times. It is a great experience
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Feb 2023
Thank you Dan. We hope to have you back again next February!

10/10 Excellent

Howard F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Away from the crowds
Occasional dog barking but no more than is common with vrbo home rentals No need for a car Walk to a beautiful uncrowded beach , restaurants, and groceries Owner is nearby if any problems Highly recommend if you want an out of the way beach vacation and a vacation from your car
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Feb 2023
Thank you for your review. I am glad that you enjoyed the house, the beach and the neighborhood. It was nice having you here!

10/10 Excellent

Taylor E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great family house and host!
We loved our stay! This is a beautiful place and a great location to beach access and local restaurants, just a 3 min walk! Melissa was very helpful and accommodating to our needs (helped with transportation and car rental company), we highly recommend staying here! The grounds are beautiful and well maintained, our young kids loved playing with the cats and dogs on the property. Smaller town, but we made do without a car. Wish we could have stayed longer, we’ll be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Jan 2023
Thank you for your review! It was fun having your family stay. We welcome you back anytime!!

10/10 Excellent

Timothy B.

Liked: Cleanliness
A magnificent cottage
We wanted to go to Costa Rica but had no strong preferences about where in the country, so about eight months out we did a search for accommodations for three adults in all of the country. Melissa’s place turned up at or near the top. Potrero seemed to have everything we were looking for so we spent over two weeks with her in late December and early January. We were not disappointed. This is a magnificent cottage. Imagine what a high-end international hotelier would do in bringing in architects, builders, and decorators to create a several hundred unit facility and you get an idea of the quality of this one-of-a-kind guest house. Guest houses have the virtue of getting you into communities or areas that would be otherwise inaccessible; and getting you away from other people exactly like you. You can dip your toe into the local culture to whatever extent you like. One problem with guest houses, at least in North America, is that the owners are also the house keepers, and they are often not great house keepers. In this case, Melissa has a domestic staff! Open a drawer in the kitchen for the first time a see cutlery perfectly arranged. Everything in the cottage is pristine. We heard howler monkeys every morning and saw them, sometimes pretty close, about every two or three days. A large iguana prowls the trees of the property. My wife, the birder of the family, was happy with the frequency and variety of birds in the immediate area. We had a rental car for most of the time we were there. It was a mixed blessing. This area already has too many vehicles – cars, buses, and trucks – for the road system, and while there is new housing construction everywhere, there is no new road construction that we witnessed. Uber is new to the area and we used it once with good success. Despite the crowded roads, we would gladly repeat our stay with Melissa.
Stayed 15 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jan 2023
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and thorough review of our guesthouse! We are very happy that you enjoyed it and pleased that you would not hesitate to return. Thank you for leaving me with some good input to update restaurant recommendations. It was a pleasure having you both here!

10/10 Excellent

Ken Q.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay
Thank you Melissa and Richard for hosting us in your marvelous home. Loved matress firmness. Beach towels, chairs, body board, washer AND dryer! Thanks for timely communications.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Dec 2022
We are very pleased that you enjoyed your stay at the guest house. Thank you for staying and for sharing your experience with the greater Vrbo community! Best to you and yours in the New Year.

10/10 Excellent

Esteban O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely Gem!
We loved staying here. We were looking to get away from the big resort crowds and spend some quality time with family. The house is beautifully furnished and built. The house sits in the canopy of the property. It has a wonderful sun room where you can have coffee in the morning and hear and see howler monkeys and wildlife. It is a short walk to two beaches. Penca beach is super clear and it was never crowded. The neighbor hood is in a small beachy town with a convenient small grocery stores and restaurants where you can get almost all you need. Bigger stores are just a 10 min drive away. Melissa and Richard are wonderful to talk to and Don Chacho is a god send in case you need anything. Highly recommended and we will definitely be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karen W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Extremely well designed
My friend & I came here and we needed two bedrooms. The back bedroom is something made from dreams. Attached to it is a large, screened in back porch that makes you feel almost like you're part of the jungle. It's a perfect place to play games, do a puzzle, have dinner, or listen to the rain or animals at night. The front bedroom would be perfect for kids or people who don't care that much about where they sleep. It is made up of a bunkbed with the lower bed being queen size. The bed was comfortable and the room was clean. Everything was fine, but it didn't carry the same standard of amazement that the back bedroom did. For a couple, or a couple with kids this is a fabulous location. Parking in this whole area is challenging. The benefit of this property is that you park next to the house inside a locked gate at night. There are many things within walking distance. One of our favorite restaurants was just down the road about 100 feet. There are many restaurants in the area and they are all fantastic. They all took American dollars as well as colones (Costa Rican money) and credit cards. I always felt like I was getting a better deal when I paid in colones. I was glad that I had exchanged $600 at the airport. Also, we saw a troop of howler monkeys in the trees between our house and our favorite restaurant. We got to watch them for quite a bit of time. At most beaches you will find a security guard who will charge you a couple thousand colones to watch your car- two or three dollars. It is not usually optional, but once you get used to it it's not a hassle either and you realize it's a very hard way to make a living for a day. The benefit of this property is that you can walk down the short road to the beach without having to take your car. Beware however, if you are at all disabled it will not be an easy walk. You will not be able to see the beach from the house but you will be able to hear the waves. This is a good house in a good location. The reason it gets five stars is because the house has absolutely everything you need. The air conditioning and fans are well designed for each room. The biggest plus is the owner who lives on site. She will leave you completely alone unless you speak to her. If you do she'll point out things that you don't see, like an iguana or the howler monkeys. It's amazing we have such good memories for the short time we were there. Melissa adds the magic to a perfectly designed home in Potrero near Penca Beach.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth H., Boulder, Colorado

Liked: Cleanliness
Sweet retreat
This home is a perfect retreat nestled in a private property surrounded by profoundly beautiful trees/jungle. It is clean, spacious, well equipped, with comfortable beds, living space and kitchen. The screened in porch provides sweet morning peace, where we delighted in seeing all the life that takes place in the large trees ( monkeys, birds with beautiful songs, a large tiger iquana) —- magical! The location is a couple hundred yards from a small but beautiful beach— a particularly lovely place for sunsets. The owners live in the home next door and hosted us with grace. Melissa is kind and generous and provided great advice about the best beaches to explore, restaurants and other needs! Thank you Melissa!! We would absolutely return and highly recommend this home to others!!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Dec 2022
What a beautifully written description of this place for fellow travelers! Thank you for your thoughtful review.

10/10 Excellent

Nicole K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location, wonderful stay
We really enjoyed our time at Melissa’s home. We were very appreciative of help and instructions prior to arrival and enjoyed the property very much. The beach is beautiful and close by and we were able to see monkeys on our walk there. Carpe Diem the local eatery was great. There are some pets on the property that are quite sweet and my kids loved petting/spending time with.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Dec 2022
Thank you Nicole! It was fun having your sweet family here.

10/10 Excellent

Erin W.

Liked: Cleanliness
A lovely cottage near the beach
The cottage is spacious, perfectly maintained and very comfortable. We are a couple, so it was more than ample for us, and would work well for a family with a child or two. A very nice room next to the master bedroom is completely screened and shaded; a great place to watch and listen to the birds and other Costa Rican creatures. Melissa is an excellent host, very attentive and considerate. There are restaurants and mini markets within 5 minutes' walk, and of course a beautiful beach 5 minutes in another direction.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Nov 2022
We are very grateful to you for your review. It was nice having you stay at the property. We look forward to your return.

10/10 Excellent

Darrell L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Well designed house / splendid location
Clean, modern house with large windows looking into beautiful landscaping and massive trees. It's a comfortable 2 minute walk to the excellent restaurants in the small town and a similar 2 minute walk the other way to delightful Penca beach. The house and community are a great place to unwind. We picked up some groceries at a larger market in Potrero but would have been just fine keeping it truly local with daily foraging stops at Carpe Diem, La Pizzettero Da Oreste and Sol y Mar. As it was vacation, we found a way to make it to the Gelateria twice daily and easily rationalized those calories with added walking to the far end of the beach.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Nov 2022
It was a pleasure to share out little piece of paradise with your family. Thank you for taking the time to pen a thoughtful review!

10/10 Excellent

Pam R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great relaxing location!
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Melissa and Richard's guest house? This was our first visit to Costa Rica and we were so happy we chose this spot. Every morning we enjoyed watching the howler monkeys, birds and iguanas from the screened porch or large windows. There is beautiful- lush foliage all around the yard and property with colorful blooming flowers. We also enjoyed a daily morning walk to Penca Beach which was beautiful and very private. It was definitely not filled with tons of tourists. Even though we had rented a car, there were plenty of restaurants within walking distance and we took advantage of them. Driving in Costa Rica especially at night is risky as there are so many locals walking on roads that have no streetlights. We did not want to risk injury to anyone. The kitchen area was clean and well stocked with everything one needed to do any cooking. I also appreciated the small touches of having some cooking oil and seasonings in the cupboard to assist with cooking eggs in the morning. There were also beach towels for us to use which was wonderful as we went on a couple of excursions that needed towels, so it was great we had some to use. Overall, we had a great experience at Melissa and Richards guest house and would highly recommend it. My only suggestion would be it would be wonderful to have a few more comfortable chairs on the screened in porch. We loved sitting out there! Even though the window seats were great, they were at times wet from the rain. We tried to keep them dry by removing them before it rained but we did not always catch it before the rain came. Thanks again for sharing your guest house!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Oct 2022
Thank you for staying and for the detailed review of your experience! People generally enjoy the window seats but in rainy season the cushions can get damp. I will look for some comfortable chairs for the screened in porch so that there is an option. I appreciate your suggestion.

10/10 Excellent

Vanessa R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, great coffee, pizza and gelato within walking distance, most importantly absolutely magical beaches that we predominantly had to ourselves, but a short drive to more touristy areas like Tamarindo. We highly recommend this property
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Aug 2022
A heartfelt thanks for your review. I am so glad that you and your family enjoyed the beach and the neighborhood eateries. :)

10/10 Excellent

kim s.

Liked: Cleanliness
Pura-fect
What a pura-fect time we had! Since the beach is a very short walk, one can swim morning noon and eve. The private outdoor shower is handy for a quick cool rinse. There is a multitude of wildlife from two different colored iguanas occasionally found ascending or descending the backyard trees to various colors of butterflies and a black dragonfly. Flora is also diverse and colorful. It’s a good thing you can walk to the beach because parking fills up fast, making this place all the more valuable. Rip-ish tides are more apparent at high tide, but at lower tides it’s a comfy swim. There is a full kitchen, so making pesto, which we did, was easier than at home since the cuisinart is larger 😊. Speaking of Italian food, a pizzeteria is just around the corner and it’s good. Just the crust alone is worth a trip there. Two cats, cute and cuter, round out the animal collection toward domestic -and pettable with entertaining sleeping postures. Bed, though we only tried one, was very comfortable. Owner was quick to respond to all requests. One owner Richard, even offered us fresh mahi mahi that we stupidly declined for lack of energy and having filled up on a few other things. Ants were here and there but never bit us, and since we stayed in a couple of other really good highly rated locations also with ants, we conclude they are part of the “landscape”. They are decomposers and a necessary part of the loop of all the beauty of Costa Rica. This place is bomb.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 30 July 2022
Wow! Thank you for the detailed, descriptive review of your experience. We are so happy that you enjoyed your stay, down to the smallest detail. All of this as well as your personal notes regarding the beach and Italian restaurant at the end of the street, will be helpful to us and to travelers seeking a nice rental near the beach. Mil gracias. :)

10/10 Excellent

Renee M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Location
We stayed here in July 2022, and we loved the house and location. The house was the perfect size for our family - myself, my husband, and our 3 kids (15, 14, and 6). The house was spotless and had some beach chairs and toys. My kids very much enjoyed using the boogie board! The midweek housekeeping was an unexpected treat. The house had soaps and shampoos and dishwasher detergent, so it was nice to not have to purchase those supplies. We explored many beaches along the coast, and we all agreed this was the best beach to have as a home base. It is a quick 2 minute walk from the house to the beach. It is a great swimming beach for the kids. Melissa and Richard were very welcoming and helpful with their recommendations. We tried a few of the restaurants recommended in their house binder and we enjoyed them all. You can also walk into the small town area where there are a few restaurants and a small grocery store. Though we ended up driving to Tamarindo to one of the bigger supermarkets to really stock up. We were able to see the monkeys hanging out in the trees near the house a couple times. I would highly recommend this property.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 24 July 2022
We are so happy that you enjoyed your stay. Thank you for leaving a thorough and thoughtful review!

10/10 Excellent

Marcie T., Heyworth, IL

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice home within walking distance to two beaches
My mom and I started our Costa Rica vacation here for 3 nights. The house was even nicer inside than the pictures. Melissa, the host and owner, lives next door and was helpful and friendly and even typed up a more reliable set of directions for our next stay, 6 hours away. Lots of pretty trees and flowers. The town is full of friendly cats and dogs. We highly recommend Las Brisas for a beachside restaurant with good food within walking distance. The staff is excellent too.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 6 July 2022
We are very glad that you enjoyed the house, the property and the neighborhood! Thank you for staying. :)

10/10 Excellent

Kevin D.

Liked: Cleanliness
AMAZING LOCATION!
If you want a true Costa Rican experience, this is your place! This is a prime location if you want a peaceful, calm, and intimate Costa Rican experience. The house is located in a small town which made us feel like we were residents there. All of people in town were friendly. It is a 1 minute walk to a beautiful beach, which felt like a private beach. 5 minute walk to a grocery store, restaurants, and a beach bar. The house itself is absolutely AMAZING!!! It is a guesthouse located next to the host. It is very clean with everything someone could want or need in a rental. There is a covered back patio which is screened in with an outstanding view of the beautiful vegetation which looked like the rainforest! We saw howler monkeys. What an amazing sight! We also saw them while walking to the Gelato shop. The hosts are ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!! Thank you so much for all of the hospitality! We had so many questions, and you were so helpful for everything we inquired about. We could not have asked for a more true Costa Rican experience and feel here!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 1 July 2022
What a beautiful, heartfelt review! It was our pleasure having you here to celebrate your special occasion and have an authentic experience of Costa Rica. Hope to see you again sometime.

10/10 Excellent

Karen B.

Liked: Cleanliness
An amazing place ...
Melissa and Kevin were amazing hosts during our first time exploring Costa Rica. The accommodation was amazing with everything you needed and more. The proximity to the beach was ideal being just a short walk down the lane from the accommodation and there was the most incredible beach that you had to yourself most of the time. The village of Potrero has most go the things that you need with everything being in walking distance. It was truly a wonderful stay at this accommodation and we would not hesitate to visit again or HIGHLY recommend to others. Definitely 5 star accommodation, 5 star service from hosts and 5 stars for location.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 26 June 2022
It was a pleasure to have you stay! We are so happy that you enjoyed your time in the guest house. Thank you for your review.

10/10 Excellent

Greg B., USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Near beach and pleasant village
Exactly as advertised in the listing. Very clean. Wooded views from windows and screened porch. Short walk to Playa Penca (a beautiful uncrowded beach) and to several local sodas. Las Brisas bar/restaurant also a short walk and a fun sunset beach bar. Wifi in the house is good. Two minor complaints. To enter and exit with a car, you need to open and then close two sides of a large wooden gate and the parking situation is a little awkward (not much the owners can do about this). Also, there are three dogs on the property and other dogs on nearby properties. There is fairly regular barking including at night. Nevertheless I recommend this place and would stay again.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 20 May 2022
Thank you for recommending our property. We are very glad that you enjoyed your stay and would return again!

10/10 Excellent

Kim Z.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great local stay!
Very glad we chose to stay at Melissa’s property! Playa Penca was a very small beach with beautiful clear water (although waves and rip tides were a little much for my little ones!) but we had a great stay and walked to the restaurants and cafes for great meals. We found a taxi to take us to Diamante Park one afternoon which was less than a half hour away and great for the kids! Thanks for a great and memorable short stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 16 May 2022
Thank you for staying and for taking the time to write an informative review for travelers. Most of the time Penca beach does not have big surf or rip tides but it is the Pacific ocean, so although we are tucked into a deep bay occasionally when the conditions present themselves, it happens. Especially too much for small children. So glad you found a taxi and made it to Diamante!

10/10 Excellent

Andy D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing location, hospitality and accommodations (and dogs)
We couldn’t be happier. Words can’t describe how beautiful Potrero is. The people (Melissa in particular) are very kind and friendly. Playa Penca is next-level beautiful. Everything you need is within walking distance and Potrero is a great launching-off location for day trips. We were sorry to leave and hope to come back. Thank you, Melissa, for making our trip unforgettable. We miss Potrero already!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 May 2022
It was a pleasure to host your family! We are so glad to know that you enjoyed your stay in Potrero. We sincerely hope that you will return one day!

10/10 Excellent

Alison H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Monkeys, iguana and birds, oh my!
My partner and I spent a glorious relaxing week at the Chellemi’s beautiful guest house. Everything the other guests have said is true — a two minute walk to a beautiful beach with few visitors, wonderful little restaurants nearby, and a perfectly appointed and immaculate beach house. We were lucky enough to visit when Melissa, the host, was at home next door. She introduced us to sour sop and passion fruit from her garden, helped us with arrangements for rides, and made sure to alert us when the neighborhood monkeys came frolicking through the back yard. And when my partner developed a nasty cold, Melissa popped over with some delicious curry she had made. We felt very cared for! This was our first trip to CR (of many, I hope!). We did not rent a car, which worked out fine for us, since we were looking for a beautiful place to relax. If you want to explore the area, you should think about getting a car, as taxis and ride services were hard to find, and the bus line is not extensive or frequent. Canciones de las Olas is a gem and you will be very lucky if you get to stay there.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 20 May 2022
Thank you for your thoughtful and informative review. It was very nice to have you here and I am sure that future travelers will find your review most helpful!