Erik

My favorite airbnb in Costa Rica. Exceptional in every way. It is better than advertised.

It was great to have a local concierge Fred. He was always available and very responsive. He even offered to drive our kids to Nosara for the same price as taxi, when one was not available. Very convenient and appreciated.

My wife and I have visited Erik's home consistatly over the last 4 years. Here are the top 3 very good reasons that keep us returning annually. 1. The home is exceptional! 2. The beach is in my opinion the nicest and most enjoyable beach in Costa Rica. We barbaque at the beach regularily. 3. The surrounding neighborhood is the real Tico experience. The people in Carrillo are super friendly and warm. The local restaurants are excellent. Erik's care as a super host is excellent. Fred's guidance and assistance as the overall experience manager is top drawer. Flor and her crew as the cleaning and housekeeping duties do an amazing job. It would be very difficult to visit and not leave having been fully satisfied with your stay.

It was very lovely visit. The private home with great views offered a nice experience amongst the rainforest and coast.

I will certainly return because; Erik is an exceptional host. His home is exactly as advertised and represented. We were looking for an enjoyable, relaxing and memorable holiday experience. Erik's home certainly delivered. I give Erik and his beautiful home a well earned 5 star rating.

We had a wonderful stay at Casa Hakuna Matata! It’s a wonderful location with a handful of yummy restaurants and cafes nearby. The pool and grounds were amazing and we enjoyed morning and evening swims everyday. Erik was a great host and communicated promptly with us. Fred, the concierge was also wonderful. We appreciated the mid stay cleaning, too. Carillo and Samara are both incredible beaches and felt very safe for our young children. We all loved the warm water, soft sand and gentle waves. Samara is a quaint little town with tons of great restaurants, shops and a wonderful farmers market. We did a boat tour, horseback riding, surf lessons and a little hike down to a nearby waterfall (near the house). It was the perfect combo of relaxing and adventurous. We rented a golf cart which was a must for my young kids and older mother as they weren’t up for the walk from the house to the beach. The golf cart was really fun and gave us a lot of freedom. We can’t wait to come back!

Casa Hakuna Matata is a an absolute place of paradise. This house is at the end of a private street overlooking the water and away from congestion. Amazing place, great pool, private, very safe and we loved waking up to the sounds of howler monkey families living in the trees nearby. Within a short walk or drive we could be at Playa Carillo in moments and we were surprised by the great restaurants nearby. Our host gave thorough and clear directions and was responsive whenever needed. Thank you to Erik and also to Fred who helped make my vacation with my wife and three kids unforgettable!

This home is in a great location- walk to restaurants, quick drive to perfect Puerto Carrillo beach, 10min drive to shop/ eat/ activities in Samara. Can’t beat the pool and sunset view.

Erik's home is a well kept secret along with the beach, Playa Carrillo. We will continue to return yearly as the whole experience; the beach, the town, the restaurants and especially Erik's home are just outstanding. Every facet of our vacations there have always been 5 star. I want to thank Erik and Damaris for sharing their slice of paradise with my wife and I, thank you!

We had a wonderful stay at Erik's place. Loved being able to walk to the beautiful beach and being a short drive away from the more lively Samara. Erik and Fred were both incredibly helpful and responsive. We both cooked at home and ate out and had a wonderful trip! Thank you!

Erik’s home is beautiful! We (4 adults, 2 children) had lots of space for everyone. The beds were very comfortable and the views were gorgeous. Unfortunately it was an unseasonably wet time so swimming in the ocean wasn’t possible because until the last couple days and the pool was cold from all the rain! A few issues came up within the house because of the rain but Erik was quick to respond. Fred, who lives on the same street was extremely helpful in all the times we needed him. The kids loved chasing the geckos and land crabs that came inside the house and were thrilled to see howler monkeys and a coatis walking in the backyard. The street felt very safe and we enjoyed walking to the small grocery stores and restaurants in Carrillo. We can imagine what a paradise the house must be in better weather, sad that most of our days were rainy but we made the most of it. Many trips to Samara, smoothies and food which we enjoyed as well as fresh pineapple every day!

This was a great stay. The place is very private and the pool is just beautiful. We found it very peaceful and relaxing to just sit out on balcony or by the pool because the scenery of the ocean and trees and pools was just great. The recommendations of Erik were great for restaurants. There is a small convenience store and a few restaurants within walking distance, and you can walk to the beach. We drove to the beach most of the time because it was so easy to park and find space. One of the most beautiful unspoiled beaches Ive ever been on. Great waves for swimming and boogie boarding and warm waters. Loved it. Property manager Fred lived nearby and helped us with a few things and Erik was most responsive. Highly recommend. Good people.

We are already planning our return visit!!!! The location of this home is fantastic, with restaurants and the beach just a short walk away. The privacy of the property is unparalleled, and the surroundings are truly breathtaking. Our family spent hours in the amazing pool. Home was very clean and everything we needed for our stay. Five Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I would highly recommend Casa Hakuna Matata! It offered a peaceful retreat for us to enjoy Playa Carrillo and Samara. The home is nestled on the hillside offering breathtaking views of the ocean below. The magnificent pool was more than a place to swim, it was a place to gather and relax. We also enjoyed the open concept of the living room and large kitchen. We vacationed with two families and appreciated the unique set-up offering two separate bedroom suites. The home is perfectly located within five minutes of Playa Carrillo Beach where we had fun surfing, kayaking, and snorkeling. It is also about 10 minutes from Samara where we enjoyed Yoga on a daily basis at Chillasana Yoga. Last, we never had a bad meal!! We enjoyed the wide array of restaurant recommendations from our hosts Erik and Damaris and their concierge Fred.

Erik the whole experience of your home, the beach and Carrillo / Samara are why we keep coming back. It truly is all that you represent. Thank you for giving my wife and I the opportunity to share your home with you. Many thanks Bill

Erik’s house was beyond our expectations! The location and view were breathtaking. The house had all of the comfort and amenities we were looking for during our stay. The house was very clean, the beds were comfortable and the air conditioning made for restful nights. The ocean was a short walk, which we did daily and the nearby restaurants were fantastic. We were also able to do daily adventures like zip lining and dolphin watching.

Erik’s house is a very special place to be! Beautiful setting, amid lush green, with So many different types of birds.. you could just lay down whole day and observe. Huge swimming pool, we had so much fun in it! The masterbedroom is very comfortable, we slept peacefully. Great restaurants in walkable distance we especially liked the Hula Jungla! And last but not least, Erik is a great host, who was always responsive and helpful with every issue.. even after we left,)

This home was everything that was described and more! Gorgeous home, spectacular setting, pool and views of the ocean. Nicely tucked away for privacy, yet conveniently located to the beach, restaurants and other activities. Always felt comfortable and at home in this peaceful space. Loved how the home was able to open up to the beautiful outside environment & elements allowing for wonderful breezes to flow through the home and to hear all the wonderful birds and wild life that frequented the beautiful wooded area and palm trees on and around the property. Truly a spectacular experience for a month long stay for our first time in Costa Rica with so many amazing adventures, wonderful local food, lovely beaches and so many beautiful people! Very grateful for the experience. It was bittersweet to have to leave to return home. The host was very attentive, responsive, helpful and friendly. Can't wait to return!

Gorgeous view and pool. We all enjoyed cooling off in the pool while enjoying the view. The house was clean, unique, and had an open floor plan. Easy to get to the nearest towns. We rented ATV's for a couple days and explored the mountains and beach areas. The nearby beach is small, but it's easy to get to the larger Playa Carrillo beach via car or ATV. Overall, we had a great time. Loved the area!

It is 5-star accommodation and Erick is the super considerate, kind, accurate, immediate attention, friendly and excellent treatment. It has everything coordinated and the house is beautiful. I'm definitely coming back.

What a spectacular home. Our family of eight adults stayed for 10 days in late April and early May! The home was large and accommodating. We enjoyed leaving the doors to the pool and expansive view of the bay wide open and letting the fresh sea air in all day. Sitting by the pool listening to classical music and 70's rock and roll waattitude. s a daily event. Local markets for fresh fruit and vegetables were a 5 minute walk. We enjoyed several restaurants in both Playa Carillo and Samara. Our housekeepers came in twice during our visit, and refreshed the home from top to bottom. The pool was keep sparkling and the gardeners manicured the lan. The property manager Fred was very attentive and met all our needs immediately. Fred also had wonderful suggestions for touring the area, dining, and shopping. But his best advice was to sit and relax, enjoy the views and listen to the jungle and the sea . we heard Fred was a fisherman, and a wonderful seafood chef. Fred prepared us Seared Tuna.

This home is everything as promised and more. We were exceptionally pleased with every aspect of our stay. Stunning home, amazing beach, exceptional host and crew. We will return. Well worth every penny spent. Thank you so much Erik, Fred, Flor and the rest of your team that made our stay so enjoyable!

This is probably one of the most awesome places you ever have visited undescribable. A huge and clean bedroom with scenic view to the sea. The pool is just amazing. Erik is absolutely friendly and proactive his concierge. Fred is also always there for you.

We were allowed to live in the fantastic Villa Hakuna Matata for 2.5 months. The owner Erik is an incredibly kind person who contributed a lot to that we had an unforgettable time. He is very helpful and gave us many good tips. His wonderful wife Damaris has also fulfilled many wishes for us. She helped us with many things, which we are very grateful for. The villa is also very lovingly decorated and super well equipped. The pool is a dream and the view of the sea is unique. We would like to say thanks again to Erik and Damaris and would like to come back anytime.

This is a fantastic home; it is better than the pictures. The house is well equipped. It is in an excellent location, only 10 mins from Samara. The pool and the view are amazing. Erik and Fred (the concierge) were very attentive during our stay. We hope to come back.

We had an amazing time at Casa Hakuna Matata! The house and surroundings are not only what the pictures and descriptions depict but much much more! Coming to Costa Rica was a trip we had looked forward to for many months and while we traveled around the country seeing and experiencing the different areas we realized after arriving here that we could have spent our whole vacation at this sanctuary and not felt the need to go anywhere else! The peace and solitude that we felt while sitting in the backyard by the pool overlooking the Ocean and watching nature made staying here special! We were fortunate to have monkeys swing and play in the trees surrounding the property on multiple days and who were quite entertaining one morning as we ate breakfast sitting in the breakfast nook looking out the windows! We had beautiful red macaws that came and sat in a tree in the yard and had iguanas run across the retaining wall! The pool was very clean, large and refreshing! Erik was a great host and went out of his way to make sure our stay was the best it could be! He was great to communicate with and was readily available with any questions or concerns we had, as was Fred the concierge who lived close by and met us upon our arrival and helped make us feel at home! They were both very thoughtful and insightful when it came to the different activities and excursions in and around Carrillo and Samara along with information on the stores and restaurants in the area. We especially liked the Farmers Market in Samara we visited upon the recommendation of Erik and saw many hand crafted items along with fresh produce that were for sale! We could go on and on but want to say this was a great experience at an amazing place and hopefully look forward to coming back again!

Our stay in this Airbnb was great. The house has a great display to enjoy the beautiful pool and the view of the ocean. The house is fully equipped to have a great stay for all your guests. Communication with host was efficient and always available.

This house is absolutely incredible! It’s so spacious and spread out. The entire place is yours and it is very private. My fiancé, myself, & 3 young boys had a great stay. The pool is huge and very clean. We spent a lot of time in the backyard swimming, grilling, & playing soccer. Fred takes care of the home & he was very helpful! He found us a boat/captain as well as a babysitter in the neighborhood. Zenia the babysitter lives just down the road and was wonderful with my boys I want to note that there is a 3rd small bedroom & bathroom that is not pictured! And the bunk beds in the 2nd room have queen beds. So, you can EASILY fit 4 people in that room. They are also building a 4th bedroom up the spiral stair case that will be finished soon Short walk or drive to Puerto Carrillo beach. Or you can drive to the bigger touristy beach of Samara 10 min away. There are 2 restaurants & 1 market that are a very short walk This house exceeded our expectation & Id recommend it to anyone!

The house is amazing and the view and pool is spectacular! There is a king size bed in the amazing master suite with 2 single beds. Downstairs is a bedroom with 2 double bunk beds . The other bedroom is past the garage with only 2 small single beds. It’s quite remote so only for older kids. The beach is beautiful but a little farther than we thought. About a 15 minute walk to the beach , about 1 km .The house is very unique and is quite stunning. All in all we loved it!!!!

Our stay was short but sweet. We were only able to stay here for a couple of nights but I wish we'd found it sooner. Yes the lay-out is a bit strange but it's a lovely big house which would give large groups some privacy. The pool is beautiful and the view is amazing. We were even lucky enough to see Monkeys from the garden. It is very well equipped with everything that you need and more with bodyboards that the children loved playing on. The Internet was really good too. We're hoping to go back next year. Thank you Erik for letting us stay in your amazing house. Julia & Mark

What an unbelievable place to host our destination wedding! The stunning home, the best location in all of Carrillo or Samara (the closest town nearby), the beautifully landscaped property, the ocean views, the quiet, the nature and endless wildlife surrounding us, the pool, the amazing beach, the kind-hearted people, and our thoughtful host! Erik went above and beyond to share this slice of heaven with us and ensure that our wedding experience was everything we could have imagined. We also got the most amazing wedding photos on the property as well as down by the beach. My wife, our kids, and I had an unforgettable trip lounging at the pool, walking down to the beach and playing in the waves, watching the monkeys pass through the trees from the property, the dolphin cruise, zip lining, dining and shopping in nearby Samara, and of course exchanging our vows and taking amazing wedding photos. We will definitely be coming back to this gem!