Four ancient boulders shape this artistic 2-bedroom house, featuring a living-room waterfall jacuzzi and private river pool. Set along the river in Rivas, Costa Rica, it sleeps 5.
The Space
Discover Rocka Verde Retreat, a unique jungle home in Costa Rica built around four enormous ancient boulders. Locals believe these stones were once part of a prehistoric cave inhabited by mammoths. Nestled on a private riverfront estate surrounded by lush fruit trees and dramatic mountain vistas, this secluded sanctuary offers a harmonious blend of nature and tranquility.
Wake up to the soothing sound of the river, explore your personal jungle oasis, and relax in an artistic, modern space crafted to reconnect you with beauty and adventure.
Features
- Architectural masterpiece centered on four giant natural rock formations
- Jacuzzi with a waterfall feature located in the living room
- Private river dipping pool with pool floats for fun and relaxation
- Spa-style bathroom featuring two waterfall showers and a warm bidet
- Gourmet kitchen equipped with high-quality appliances, including a cappuccino machine
- Fully stocked chef’s pantry offering optional gourmet treats such as caviar, escargots, anchovies, and olives
- Bar with a selection of wines and snacks available for purchase
- Two bedrooms with serene river views:
- One bedroom with a queen-size bed
- One bedroom with a double bed
Please note that bedrooms and the bathroom are accessed via spiral staircases and steps, which may be challenging for young children, elderly guests, or those with mobility issues.
Enhance your experience by booking a private riverside massage or a chef-prepared dinner featuring fresh, local, and organic ingredients. Additional services include special occasion decorations, airport pickup, and car rental assistance. This is a full-service retreat designed for comfort, beauty, and peace.
Guest Access
Guests have exclusive access to the entire property, including:
- Tranquil riverside dipping area
- Gazebo overlooking the flowing river
- Lounge chairs for sunbathing or unwinding
- Well-maintained jungle trails
- Fruit trees with fresh fruit available for picking
Guest Praise
“This place is one of the most beautifully designed Airbnbs my wife and I have stayed in. It perfectly combines luxury, comfort, and a connection with nature. We saw otters, birds, and abundant wildlife! Highly recommended.”
Other Things to Note
Rocka Verde Retreat was created by artist and designer Robert Hennesy, known for discovering unique lots and crafting exceptional custom homes. The massive boulders at the heart of the house were an unexpected find, unknown even to the previous owner. Their presence transformed the home’s design and it is now slated to be featured on House Hunters International.
Local elders say a mammoth once roamed this area, and seeing the stones makes it easy to imagine. Many guests describe the property as “the eighth wonder of the world.”
About the Area
Located in Rivas, one of Costa Rica’s most charming towns, Rocka Verde Retreat benefits from an ideal year-round climate, stunning mountain scenery, and a peaceful local atmosphere. It serves as an excellent base for both relaxation and adventure.
Guidebook Included
Prior to arrival, guests receive a detailed digital guidebook with recommendations for:
- Restaurants
- Hiking trails
- Hot springs
- Scenic viewpoints
- Local experiences
This guidebook helps you make the most of your stay.
Good to Know
- Being in the jungle, it is normal to encounter insects or wildlife nearby. Keeping windows and doors screened helps minimize their presence.
- Occasional power or internet outages may occur, though they are infrequent.
- WiFi is available but not high-speed.
- A 4x4 vehicle is recommended for access, as the route includes crossing small bridges and a shallow stream—part of an authentic Costa Rican experience.
- Driving after dark is not advised due to challenging rural roads. Arriving during daylight hours ensures a smoother and safer journey.
Booking Information
Instant booking is available to secure your dates quickly. For questions, feel free to send a message anytime. If you’re not ready to book, you can save the listing to your wish list and return when ready.
Guest reviews
4.9
· 75 reviews
5.0
Cleanliness
5.0
Accuracy
5.0
Communication
4.9
Location
5.0
Check-in
4.9
Value
What guests are saying
5
Steven
2 months ago
Really amazing place to stay, the host was very proactive and helpful. The design of the house its self was really something special.
4
Antonio
2 months ago
what an amazing, special place and location! wonderful, attentive host and coolest hottub I've ever used.
Host replied
5
Michael
3 months ago
This is not just a place to stay it’s an entire adventure. Everywhere you turn there is something unique that makes you say wow. We booked two nights and enjoyed all RVR had to offer including the amazing river, indoor spa, relaxing open space with wildlife sounds, unique art collection and chef style kitchen. The hosts went out of their way to ensure all our questions were answered and that we had what we needed. This is absolutely a place you should book when visiting Costa Rica. It’s also super close to the cloud bridge forest which is so amazing.
Host replied
5
Cindy
5 months ago
Amazing property, unique and perfectly functional. You absolutely MUST come see this place! The hot tub is awesome, and the comfort is great! For 4 people, it's big enough, and everything is designed to make you feel comfortable there! Thank you Robert
5
Mack
5 months ago
Our stay was brief but well worth it for the experience. My kids loved the treehouse feel, and the rushing river was like a lullaby. I just wish the water level was higher so we could have enjoyed the natural river pool.
Host replied
5
James
5 months ago
Absolutely wonderful. An incredibly unique home. I would highly recommend unless you have issues with stairs. My personal favorite was the viewing area above the Rio.
5
Erick
5 months ago
A great secluded getaway! Unique property along a babbling brook.
Host replied
3
Vero
5 months ago
Honestly, the price of the place is overpriced. There are no places nearby to buy food to prepare for yourself; fortunately, we had already brought food, and we ended up buying more in Pérez. The second bedroom is small, and you hit the ceiling (I'm 164 cm tall). Both bedrooms are on the terrace, so you have to climb spiral stairs. The experience of staying in the middle of the mountains among the rocks is wonderful, but I think it is very expensive for the level of comfort. The toilet seat is very high, and your feet end up dangling. The decor is overloaded, and you feel overwhelmed by so much stuff. We feel that less is more; the rocks and nature create a very beautiful and unconventional atmosphere, so all the extra decoration with stuffed animals and artificial plants detracts from the natural elements. The pool in the river is full of moss, tadpoles, and stagnant water; we couldn't go in; it needs maintenance.
Host replied
5
Rahma
6 months ago
Wow!!! We didn’t want to leave this magical place! Made our first 2 nights in Costa Rica super special and memorable. The place deserves more than 5 stars! We couldn’t stop calling family and friends to show them this Gem! Highly recommend.
Host replied
2
Stephen
6 months ago
We were very excited to go to this air bnb and our kids were pumped to see the statue of the Mammoth on the front lawn. But then the mammoth didn’t exist. The drive in to Robert’s is through a seemingly dangerous area. When we got settled, we went out back to swim, and the “pool” was fed by the river and it’s currently dry season. The pond was pretty nasty and full of tadpoles. We ordered the “seafood extravaganza” dinner and Robert did drop us off some nice home cooked fish and shrimp in Tupperware. At $95 per person we had eaten at some of the nicest restaurants in CR, this was not worth even 1/4 of that. The power went out the following morning so our kids were cold for a few hours. We left that day and didn’t ask for a reimbursement because it was last minute, nor did we get money back for the massages we didn’t have yet. I then got a voice note from Robert’s assistant offering me $50 to leave him a 5 star review. I guess that’s how he has so many 5 stars. Very disappointing.
Host replied
Location
Location shown is approximate (within 1km radius)
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