Casa Madera

Wonderful place! If you seek reconnection with nature and peace, this is the stay to choose. Everything went smoothly in terms of communication. Rick is very responsive, while Erik and his wife who take care of the property are very helpful and available for any questions or requests you may have. Located right on Pan Dulce beach, it is great for sunrise watching or evening walks. We felt very well protected too :) by the 4 bodyguards, 1 cat and 3 dogs, all adorable, who looked after us 24/7 even during our longer walks. Unfortunately, we don’t know their names, but calling them friends felt right. The house also has a pickleball court just in front. Such an exciting sport and we are grateful to have discovered it thanks to Rick and his friends who taught us so well that we ended up just loving it. The yard, beach and surroundings are great for spotting wildlife, no need for a Corcovado tour. There’s everything you need here to enjoy an amazing Costa Rican experience. Pura vida!

Rick’s place is the best. You can tell how much heart and soul he’s poured into the place over the years. Outside the doors of the home is full jungle! And the jungle is alive! Surf is nearby and so are the properties caretakers of you need anything. Erick and Teresa were so good to us. Rick followed up with us throughout our stay, he wants you taking full advantage of Costa Rica while you’re there :) We Can’t wait to return.

Perfect location for us surfing Pan Dulce. If you don’t play pickle ball there’s an even closer place to the beach by the same host. Worth checking out both. Loved our stay!

Our family of three stayed four nights at Rick’s place in Matapalo. Everything was as advertised—we took full advantage of the pickleball court and ping pong table, and spent a lot of time in the plunge pool. We took surfing lessons with Pollo’s surf school on the beach. Scarlet macaws and three species of monkeys seemed to be around at all times. We walked to Martina’s and Encanta La Vida ecolodge for dinner and also cooked in the house. One night we drove down the road to COPROT for a sea turtle walk—highly recommend! All in all it was a great stay, just wish we’d remembered to buy insect repellent in Puerto Jimenez. Because the house is pretty much open to the elements, the buggies were around most of the time. Not so bad wearing long pants and spending time in the pool but bring some bug spray along!

We really enjoyed the cabin and the beautiful location, lots to do as well whether you stay at the place (with the coolest pickleball court i have ever seen, ping pong, plunge pool, 2 hammocks, 3 cute dogs on the premises, and lots of monkeys and macaws and other wildlife), or hang out in Matapalo (3 great surf spots with skill levels ranging from beginner to advanced, great hiking and wildlife, beautiful beaches....). Rick was also very accommodating on helping find whatever we needed or were interested in. I asked about surfboard rentals, and Rick directed me to Encanta La Vida resort that had some great Channel Islands boards to rent for $50/day ( mid lengths and fish). Erick the onsite caretaker was also very helpful, and helped me line up a fishing boat that took my family out to Pavones for the day that we took from the pier in Puerto Jimenez, but note that there is no where for the boat to dock or beach, so we had to swim in from beyond the surf, and swim back out.

Rick’s house was amazing. You couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting. We saw so many monkeys and birds from the deck and enjoyed the pool, pickleball court, and kayaks. We enjoyed surfing, waterfalls, and morning walks down the road looking at all the wildlife. This was a very special experience!

This home is exactly what it advertised as. It has a good kitchen, 2 bedrooms, a bath with shower, a big porch & plunge pool on a patio, a pickleball court in a garden, and a private path to a popular beginning surfer beach (see Pollo Surf School that has lessons from Playa Pan Dulce only a few hundred yards up 'your' beach) and pleasant swim area (depending on the tide). We were there in mid June, when the temperatures were in the mid 80's F, it rained hard only for one day out of four, there were no biting insects (but you are in a jungle, so there are a plethora/variety of other insects). With only two (but great) restaurants nearby (Encanta la Vita & Martina's Bar & Grill) make sure to stop at a grocery store in Puerto Jimenez first. Walking the road and trails of Matapalo will get you to the three beaches/coves/waterfalls. Four species of monkeys + macaws & iguanas were main wildlife, & know that it is a neighborhood with neighbors, dogs, chickens, passing cars, children, etc.

Una casa perfecta para viajar con niños, ya que su piscina es perfecta para que se bañen cuando la marea esta baja en la playa(rocas). Lugar idílico rodeado de monos y en frente de playa pan dulce perfecta ola para surfear con tu longboard. Mas que recomendable!volveremos!

Awesome jungle beachside spot. Great hosts and communication.