Welcome to Stef Surf El Pelicano, a modern tropical villa in a secure paradise boutique resort of 4 villas located in the heart of Surfside. Listen to tropical birds and howler monkeys while relaxing on private balconies overlooking lush gardens full of fruit and flowers. Outside the villa, enjoy the gorgeous pool, cold jacuzzi, and rancho with wet bar. We are just a 3-minute walk to Potero Beach, an environmentally protected sea turtle nesting site bordered by dry lowland and mangrove forests. The space Stef Surf El Pelicano is perfect for those who want a boutique condo experience, but also the convenience of a full home with kitchen and the option of privacy from the other villas. El Pelicano offers more than 1600 square feet on two floors, two bedrooms and two full baths. Each bedroom offers a private sundeck where you can pass the time away on our comfortable custom day beds. The master bedroom has floor-to-ceiling 14-foot-high double-sliding glass doors. Wake up to the sounds of the ocean, howler monkeys, parrots and other tropical birds. Relax and reconnect with nature in our well kept gardens, which form a miniature tropical jungle inside the Stef Surf complex. In the common area by the pool, you will find a large patio with comfortable loungers, as well as a convenient half bath in case you don't want to go back to the villa to use the bathroom. The beach, just a 3-minute walk away, is sheltered by the bay, so it is ideal for children and adults who enjoy bathing and swimming. Although secluded, Stef Surf is also an easy walk to the thriving beach community of Surfside, which has excellent restaurants, bars, grocery shops, fruit market, tour services, craft beer brewery, sailing/diving center, yoga classes, crossfit gym, massage services, and more. There is private parking next to our secure, gated entry. Our tour concierge Alex can help you arrange tours and other exciting Costa Rican adventures. I also offer a personal guided picnic tour of a fantastic natural cascade waterfall within a few hours drive - ask me for availability. Guest access Entire Villa, Pool, Patio, Jacuzzi (unheated), Rancho, Gardens, and Parking Other things to note Please note that this two bedroom villa is best suited for groups of 4 adults or fewer - for larger groups we offer an inflatable queen bed with linens and pillows that is typically set up in the living room downstairs. Please note that our rates include a mandatory 13% Costa Rica sales tax. Unlike other properties that collect this in cash on arrival, we provide the convenience of paying it with your total online.

## Overview

Stef Surf El Pelicano is a contemporary tropical villa situated within a secure boutique resort comprising four villas, located in the heart of Surfside. Surrounded by lush gardens filled with fruit trees and flowers, you can relax on private balconies while listening to tropical birds and howler monkeys.

Outside the villa, guests can enjoy a beautiful pool, a cold jacuzzi, and a rancho with a wet bar. The property is just a three-minute walk from Potrero Beach, an environmentally protected sea turtle nesting area bordered by dry lowland and mangrove forests.

## The Space

El Pelicano offers over 1,600 square feet spread across two floors, featuring two bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Each bedroom includes a private sundeck furnished with comfortable custom day beds, perfect for unwinding.

The master bedroom boasts floor-to-ceiling double-sliding glass doors that are 14 feet high, allowing you to wake up to the sounds of the ocean, howler monkeys, parrots, and other tropical wildlife. The villa is designed to provide the privacy and convenience of a full home, including a kitchen, while offering a boutique condo experience.

The well-maintained gardens create a small tropical jungle within the Stef Surf complex, enhancing the connection with nature.

## Common Areas

The shared pool area features a spacious patio with comfortable loungers and a convenient half bathroom, so guests do not need to return to the villa for restroom access.

## Location

Potrero Beach is only a three-minute walk away. The beach is sheltered by the bay, making it ideal for families and anyone who enjoys swimming and bathing in calm waters.

Although the villa offers a secluded atmosphere, it is within easy walking distance to the vibrant Surfside community. There you will find excellent restaurants, bars, grocery stores, a fruit market, tour services, a craft beer brewery, sailing and diving centers, yoga classes, a CrossFit gym, massage services, and more.

## Amenities

- Private balconies with tropical garden views  
- Two bedrooms and two full bathrooms  
- Over 1,600 square feet of living space on two floors  
- Master bedroom with 14-foot-high floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors  
- Fully equipped kitchen  
- Private sundecks with custom day beds  
- Shared pool with large patio and loungers  
- Cold jacuzzi  
- Rancho with wet bar  
- Half bathroom near the pool area  
- Secure gated entry with private parking  
- Well-kept tropical gardens  

## Additional Information

This two-bedroom villa comfortably accommodates up to four adults. For larger groups, an inflatable queen bed with linens and pillows can be set up in the downstairs living room.

The rates include a mandatory 13% Costa Rica sales tax, which can be conveniently paid online with your total booking amount rather than in cash upon arrival.

## Guest Access

Guests have full access to the entire villa, pool, patio, jacuzzi (unheated), rancho, gardens, and parking.

## Concierge and Tours

Our tour concierge, Alex, is available to assist with arranging tours and exciting Costa Rican adventures. Additionally, a personal guided picnic tour to a stunning natural waterfall within a few hours’ drive is offered—please inquire about availability.

Joshua

Bedrooms

Bathrooms

Maximum Occupancy

2BR house in San José

Condo in Provincia de Guanacaste

The surroundings are very peaceful and beautiful. Everyday there was a maintenance worker taking care of the grounds. The pool temp was perfect for the hot weather. The unit was spacious and had everything we needed for a family of 4. The 3 minute walk to the beach is easy and very few cars on the small road to the beach. The unit and grounds felt very secure and there is enough lighting for security, but not too much to be annoying or distracting. We have been to CR several times, but never Potrero. We really liked the options and easy to drive to whatever we wanted. Great beaches to be found all over the area. Joshua was very helpful before and during our stay to give us all the information we needed; always reachable via whats-app. Wifi was always available and fast. Great place, would certainly recommend!

My time at Stef Surf was truly relaxing. The property is secure, updated, very private, and walkable to town, restaurants, and the beach. The house had everything my family and I needed, from extra cutlery and dishes to full laundry and a dish washer! The common areas were well maintained each day and the pool is absolutely amazing! The landscaping made things feel private and was like your very own oasis. Joshua as a host was very attentive and made sure we had a fantastic stay. He was flexible with our check-in and walkthrough was very detailed. He gave recommendations that the locals like and checked in the next day to see how the stay was for the first night. We had everything we needed, that he even checked in saying that he hadn’t heard anything and wanting to make sure we were having a good time. The care he showed was much appreciated but we had all we needed at Stef Surf!

The accommodation was perfect. You can look forward to a huge bed and a beautiful bedroom where you can recharge your batteries. The kichen there is fully equipped with everything you need. The entire complex is maintained daily and kept clean, including the pool. We look forward to visiting this place again. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fantastic location. The cabaña had everything we needed and was very quiet. Walking distance to the beach for sunset and close to town. Other beautiful beaches within close driving distance. Highly recommend.

Amazing spot. So close to two amazing beaches. Joshua’s recommendations were amazing. We will be staying here again some day!

Stef Surf was home away from home. Beautifully landscaped and all the amenities we could have asked for and more. Our host Joshua was extremely responsive and flexible. He provided a thorough walkthrough and even included videos on how to operate different aspects of the apartment. We loved the location and its proximity to everything around Playa Potrero. We had zero issues while we were there and would love to stay at this place again. We loved it!

I’m giving this five stars since this rating seemed very important to the host. It’s definitely a good value and is as described. The setting is lovely. The beach is close. Joshua is very communicative and available. He responds quickly and was very flexible when we arrived. The kitchen is very well equipped. There are a few things to know about it if you’re going to book it. None of these were huge issues for us, but are worth noting. Both bathrooms are on the second floor, up a circular staircase. If you have little kids or someone who has mobility issues, it’s good to be aware of this. As others have noted, the furniture is not comfortable to sit on. A comfortable sofa or two would not go amiss. There are a few books. No games. There’s a curtain, but no door, on the master bathroom. These are things the owner could address, but aren’t complaints about the host Joshua, who is very helpful and kind. We enjoyed our stay.

I appreciate the kind words about my service at Stef Surf Pelicano :-) But I need to note some inaccuracies that would have been cleared up just by asking me during their stay - I always urge my guests to mention anything they have issues with before the review so I can either compensate or explain. We have just remodeled and upgraded our furniture to orthopedic mattresses, which a minority of people consider to be firmer than they like; sorry about that. We may add a couch in the future if we get enough requests for it, but the vast majority of our guests do not complain. In the entertainment center under the TV, there are sets of playing cards, chess and checkers sets, as well as a jigsaw puzzle; not sure why they couldn't find them. If they had asked, I have a collection of popular board games that I could have brought as well. We have a good selection of adult and children's books, more of which I could have brought if requested. Finally, as I mentioned we have just completed a remodeling where we added a custom sliding curtain to the master bath entry - it has always been open concept since the condo was built and through all previous rentals documented here on airbnb. Nobody had an issue with that until we decided to upgrade. Also, I'm not sure why stars were taken off for Location and Accuracy, when the listing clearly states we are not beachfront and is very detailed in all of the amenities that we provide. In any case, it's always a good idea to communicate with your host so misunderstandings like this do not happen.

Our host was extremely responsive and so kind.  The grounds were well maintained and felt very tropical.  The grounds team was always working to clean and maintain the common areas.the unit was very comfortable.

This place is a great location close to everything and walking distance as well. The ground is well maintained and beautiful. We enjoyed the pool every day after being at the beach! The town is very friendly and felt safe with my littles. Joshua is a great host. He is very responsive to every question quickly.

This was a fantastic spot! Very spacious, clean and had a lovely pool. A short walk to the beach and a quick walk or drive to excellent restaurants. It was so nice to wake up and listen to the beautiful birds singing. Joshua was an excellent host, very helpful and responsive! Thanks again for a beautiful stay!

This really is a little paradise!  The proximity to the beach is great, as well as grocery stores and restaurants. We didn't know this region would be quite dry this time of year, so the greenery at Stef Surf is much appreciated. It's a very quiet, secluded spot where we spent many hours just enjoying the ambience. The unit itself is very comfortable as well. Joshua was a very conscientious host, everything was explained very clearly and he was very responsive. We definitely hope to come back!

El Pelicano in Stef Surf is a great location. Joshua is an excellent property manager. He is responsive and attentive. The owner of the unit is fortunate to have someone so engaged working on their behalf. This is our 2nd stay in this unit. Overall we were happy but there are some things that the owner should address. The mattresses need to be replaced. The living room furniture is not comfortable. BUT it is a tremendous location. The grounds are lovely and well maintained. There is lots of space. AND, Joshua is a gem. We had a great time. It would be perfect if the owner would invest in some small upgrades.

Joshua’s place was as described in the listing. There are great restaurants and stores nearby and within a short drive. Also in the nearby town of Las Catalinas there are a series of outstanding hiking and biking trails. Beaches nearby are great and many others to choose from within a short drive. A great place to vacation in Costa Rica!

This is one of the Airbnbs that we don’t want folks to know about because it’s that much of a gem. What I appreciate about it is that you have a truly unique getaway experience without breaking the bank. The place comes with full amenities, with all the things needed for cooking, trips to the beach, private pool days, with plenty of space especially for a couple. I would totally come back in a heartbeat! Joshua takes a personalized and comprehensive approach to hosting and it’s appreciated! Quaint, quiet, great green surroundings. A literal gem!

can’t say enough about our stay… great location, near the beach, secluded yet close to many restaurants and other beaches. joshua was a super helpful host, couldn’t ask for a better stay!

Awesome place to stay, exceeded all expectations. Very responsive and generous host. Pool is great and everything worked.

Lovely place, we had a great time in Potrero! Joshua was extremely helpful and responsive host. Thank you!

this is definitely a five-star place. It was very cute, clean, safe and convenient. perfect for spring break with our two kids. highly recommend. Joshua is very helpful.

We loved our week vacation at Stef Surf El Pelicano. Joshua was a very proactive and responsive host. Our party of 4 adults arrived later than expected due to flight delays and airport traffic but Josh was there to greet us, walk us through the house and provide recommendations on dining and where to get supplies. The location is amazing - the lush tropical gardens with the birds singing in the morning, the shaded pool was a great relief in the middle of the day, it's a 2 minute walk to the beach for the best sunsets, 5 minutes walk to groceries/supplies and 10 minutes walk (via road or beach) to Surfside for restaurants and bars. We felt very secure as well. The unit itself was clean & met our needs. It was great having an outdoor grill to use as well. Although El Pelicano is one of 4 units at Stef Surf, it was very quiet and private. We enjoyed meeting the other guest while hanging out at the pool. I would highly recommend staying here and hope we get a chance to return.

We spent a week at Stef Surf and absolutely loved every minute of our stay there. Right from the get-go Joshua was there to welcome us and give a rundown on the house + plenty of local recommendations. He was extremely responsive and proactive all through the week any time we had a question for him. The house was perfect for our stay - we loved our morning coffees on any of the multiple patios, and also spending time out by the pool. It’s a great location, quick and easy to walk to the beach as well as many great restaurants. We would definitely recommend Stef Surf to anyone looking to spend some time in the Portrero. Thank you Joshua!

Joshua was great. He even went to the pharmacy for us as we had no transportation! The pool was fabulous as it was so hot. Maintenance people were there every day and very friendly!

We absolutely loved our stay at El Pelícano! Location was great, and lots of great food and activities in the area. Josh was a great host, super responsive and the beach was only a 2 minute walk away! Less than 5 minute drive to several amazing Sodas in the area. Would definitely stay here again.

Stef Surf Pelicano is a beautiful, tropical hideaway. Convenient parking out front and a private lush garden surrounding a shared pool. Accommodations were as described, spacious, well maintained. We had everything we needed. Great location just a few minutes walk to the beach and local restaurants. Short drive to Playa Flamingo, Playa Grande and Tamarindo. Josh was the perfect host who was quick to address any concerns, answer any questions and provided some great recommendations for local dining. All and all, we had an amazing, relaxing vacation.

Joshua is the consummate concierge! When we arrived at the airport he had already messaged us to alert us to heavy traffic and provided guidance to an alternate route that brought us quickly to StefSurf…where we fell in love! The Pelican suite exceeded all expectations. Well equipped, pristine and perfectly situated we lacked nothing. The 1st day in residence we had a problem with the main door. We messaged Joshua who was at our spot within half an hour, tools in hand! He fixed the problem and while here shared information on the town, what to do and where to dine. Having someone who is readily available and responsive to all requests gives such peace of mind when staying at a new location. Joshua has made this trip memorable in all the best ways! Pura vida!

A beautiful house located close to the beach, restaurants, supermarkets and even more beaches to visit. El Pelicano is like an oasis far from the busy streets and is surrounded by big trees within a peaceful garden.

Joshua was a wonderful host and very helpful in giving us pointers of things to do and places to go.  The villa was very clean and comfortable.  We loved the tropical and private gardens surrounding the villa....We thoroughly enjoyed our stay!

The place is beautiful--exactly as it seems in the pictures. It's clean and very comfortable. We particularly appreciated the care that the maintenance team took of the outdoor areas (thank you Francisco!)

Our family of 4 loved this place! Tons of room for four people and full of everything you need while on vacation. The place was spotless when we arrived and even bigger than it appeared in the pictures. We loved the close walk to the beach and restaurants. Joshua was a very attentive host - great communication, clear instructions on how to get to the condo and for check in/check out. Highly recommended!

Joshua was helpful and responsive along the whole way. The place is beautiful and comfortable - the private outdoor spaces are a real treat, and the shared outdoor space / pool is magical, just like in the pictures. Surrounding beaches are varied and amazing. Having a car is definitely recommended to maximize the enjoyment. I’d recommend this place and come back happily.

Wonderful and relaxing time with my husband at playa Protero, Costa Rica. Renting Stef surf was an excellent decision. The house is beautiful and very clean, it had every we needed. it is surrounding by an enchanted garden! The pool and the location is amazing! Minutes to the beach and downtown surfside with restaurants, bars and a brewery. Our host Joshua was incredibly helpful, went above and beyond! Communication via wattsapp was excellent! Thanks Josh! We will be back! Can’t recommend this place enough!

Awesome Airbnb within walking distance to the beach. Spacious and clean rooms with a peaceful pool area . The Host, Joshua was fantastic and even drove us around the area to show us some great spots. There was quite a bit of construction from the neighbors. With that being said, it was manageable and nice to see the area developing. We also made some animal friends (Crab + Iguana), who visited us daily. We'll certainly be back!

Joshua was responsive to questions I had even before I booked Stef Surf which was immediately reassuring. Once we arrived he did everything he could to be sure we were happy with our living arrangements without being intrusive. He made sure to tell us to ask if we needed anything and at one point we did ask and he quickly took care of us. This was our first AirBNB experience and I can’t imagine a host being any better than Joshua.

We had a great time here. Our flight was delayed by six hours, and we couldn't check in until late in the evening. Joshua met us at the place, gave us a tour, and even drove us to the grocery store so we wouldn't have to find our bearings in the dark. The place was clean, and the property is beautiful. We didn't rent a car for our stay, and were glad that we didn't. Everything we needed was within a five minute walk, and we had fun exploring. Would happily stay here again.

This place was as beautiful as the pictures depicted with an excellent location. Josh, the host, messaged me 20+ times during our stay. His first messages were requesting to get into the property to fix a broken AC in the guest room (one of 2 broken AC units) while we were gone on a day trip to Nicaragua. We agreed. The problem arose when we got back and it became clear he had been throughout the entire house, including the master bedroom. We ignored it and carried on with our trip. He then began to message me that we shouldn’t have turned on the AC downstairs, effectively scolding us. I took it on the chin and tried to focus on our trip. He then messaged me demanding to know when our flight was leaving, as he needed to get into the property early to clean. It was at this point I requested he stopped contacting me unless for an emergency. After leaving, he remarked how clean we left the place but messaged me non-stop about a missing towel to the point I had to block him. Won’t return.

We are sorry that this guest was not completely satisfied with her stay. It seems that she had "personality issues" with my orientation and apparent hypersensitivity to my online communications, for which in 16 years of hospitality service, I have seen no reaction as negative as this. Not only did she ignore certain important house rules (which I was ready to overlook since we did have an A/C with problems), but lacked severely in clear communication, despite my civility and respect for her plans. I am trying to understand the exaggerations in this review (for example I only sent 6 messages during her week long stay, all inquiring her satisfaction and amicable scheduling, absolutely no "scolding" or harassment, definitely fewer than average messages to make sure my guests are happy). There were no demands to leave early; I only asked if she was going to leave before check out time since we had a same day check in, explaining that organizing my staff to work an earlier would be beneficial if that were the case. Sadly, everything I said appears to have been misinterpreted for the worse. Despite trying my best to amicably work something out with the missing towel, she preferred to recriminate and exaggerate slights that I had no idea that she had taken, threatening an extremely negative review, accusing me of theft and entering the property multiple times during their stay (We had to do A/C maintenance once, authorized and scheduled for when they would be out on tour so as not to disturb). I'm still not sure what's really going on, but I hope that this guest finds peace, and better and more honest ways of communicating with hosts in the future. Pura vida!

The place is wonderful, with huge windows and greenery all around the apartment. Kitchen was fully equipped and we appreciated having blender so we could make delicious smoothies with fresh produce from fruits and vegetables stand that Joshua recommended. The pool is great size and very clean! Our 4 year old loved seeing green iguanas, lizards and different birds around the garden. There are wonderful books for kids available in the 2nd bedroom. We visited different beaches every morning and in the afternoon we would take a stroll at a close by Potrero beach. Joshua is super responsive and offers helpful videos about the listing. MerKdo store has a good quality meat and great selection of allergy friendly food. We also loved going to Hemingway's restaurant. We would definitely recommend staying at El Pelicano apartment and hope to be back. One thing to note: there is no railing at the stairs so it may not be suitable for early walkers. Our 4 year old didn't have any trouble using them

Awesome stay in Costa Rica! The grounds are very well kept and lush! We rented a car, but everything is pretty walkable. The check in and check out process was easy and detailed. Joshua checked in with us to make sure everything was great. Very quick communication. We booked tours through his recommended tour guide - which was amazing. We felt very safe and comfortable the entire stay. Restaurants - Coco Loco, Patagonia Del Mar, The Beach House Coffee - Nita Coffee, Marie’s

Great place in a great location. Joshua was always helpful and made sure we had an enjoyable trip. Highly recommend.

Joshua was the best host you can imagine. He answered all our questions before we arrived without asking and was always attentive if we needed anything. The accommodation is super located and 2 minutes walk from the beach. You have neighbors but the residential complex is so beautifully developed that you have complete privacy and can also jump in the evening relaxed in the illuminated pool. One feels like in the rainforest with absolute comfort. Is completely recommended.

Our host, Joshua, was eager to help and responded to our inquiries within minutes. He made it clear that we wanted us to have a good experience and he was there to help. We really appreciated his recommendations. Our time here was very enjoyable. The property feels like a tropical hideout as the grounds are landscaped beautifully and well cared for. We appreciated that the property was gated and felt very safe during our stay. The home was well appointed and had everything we needed for a fabulous vacation. Everything was super clean. Costa Rica is hot and humid, but the air conditioning unit was able to keep us cool and refreshed. The beds and linens were comfortable. The blender worked well if you plan to make smoothies or margaritas. we enjoyed eating breakfast outside each morning. Our kids enjoyed feeding the iguanas that visit the balconies in the morning. There were multiple areas to sit outside. We especially enjoyed sitting on the patio during the rainstorms. Bring or purchase lots of bug spray if you plan to sit on the balconies or by the pool. Mosquitos come with the territory. We found the restaraunts in the are to be good. One of our favorites was Gritanga in Potrero. Their burritos were the bomb! The other restaraunt we chose to visit twice was Coco Loco on Flamingo Beach. There are several grocery stores within walking distance that have the basics if you want to cook your meals at home or end up needing sunscreen or toiletries. My son has type one diabetes and we were able to find him some back up supplies at the pharmacy inside the local Maxi Pali (Wal Mart) about 20 minutes away. We also visited a local pharmacy in Flamingo for an ear infection. They were super helpful and we got what we needed within minutes. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Costa Rica and found the property to be a great base camp for other adventures. We went mountain biking in Las Catalinas (15 minutes away), ziplining and horseback riding at Diamante Park (about 20 minutes away), a cacao tour/class in Brasulito (10 minutes away) and spent the day in Tamarindo (about 30 minutes away). Pura vida!

Same as in the description. Very beautiful condo. We could reach Joshua anytime which is great especially if you have an emergency! Unfortunately it wasn’t really clean . Overall a beautiful stay near the ocean

We are sorry this guest complained about cleanliness in the final review. We here at Stef Surf Pelicano strive to keep high cleanliness standards and our overall rating reflects that. Our cleaning staff and I were surprised and dismayed to see that they took off two stars (a really poor rating), especially when they pressured us to arrive an hour earlier than the standard check-in time, then arrived without warning an hour earlier than that, while we were still in the process of preparing the condo. I explained that we had finished cleaning the main indoor areas and we had not finished with some minor details, including dusting the outdoor areas, and they indicated that it was fine that we leave. I also offered to come back to clean anything they found inadequate or provide anything else they needed, to which they never gave us any complaint during their stay.   Unfortunately they also took off 3 stars for value (an absolutely terrible rating), despite the fact that they bargained down the minimum night requirement and overall rate for their stay during Semana Santa (Easter Week), where rates are typically high in all the rentals in the area. In their private feedback, they mentioned that they were offended that I didn't take off my sandals during check-in, as they do in their native Switzerland, even though I was already inside with the cleaning staff (who also had their shoes on). I guess they had never heard of the expression "When in Rome, one does as the Romans". In any case, we wish that they had been more communicative on all points and notified us of any dissatisfaction before the review.

This place is gorgeous. Lush and green even during the dry season and very close to the beach. Would go back in a heart beat.

It was a great spot for our family of 4. We have a 9 and 10 year old and they loved the pool and jacuzzi. Two minute walk to the beach and easy access to Hemingways restaurant along the beach. Francisco (care taker) was great to deal with and we would certainly stay there again.

Beautiful place, very responsive owner and a kind and gentle manager.  We loved it - will be back.  The gardens are indescribable and waking up to the howler monkeys and turtle doves was pure heaven.

Step Surf cannot be beat for location and ambiance.  Staff is absolutely top notch.  Grounds are manicured and pool is spectacular.  We played in the water all afternoon, enjoying the shade and multitude of birds that hung around the garden.  A very special place.  Walked the beach to several of the many local restaurants.  Grocery store close by.  This was a our second stay in this small four unit complex.  Five years ago we stayed in a different unit and loved it.  This year the furniture in our unit and the lay-out of the second bedroom didn’t quite suit our senior bodies.  (The master bedroom is great with a lovely balcony hidden behind tropical plants and with a very spacious bathroom). It barely worked for the three of us.  Two people in the small bedroom might be a bit cramped.  Nonetheless, this is a jewel of a location.

A wonderfully designed place, well situated to the town of Portrero. Just a short walk from restaurants, bars, cafes, and the beach! Would stay again!

In a word, come! You’ll have an amazing time! My girlfriend and I had a wonderful stay here. We wouldn’t have been in Playa Potrero if it hadn’t been for this place and we feel very fortunate to have landed here. Playa Potrero is a cute town with maybe a dozen restaurants, all of the ones we visited (about 6 or so) were great, which is saying a lot as we’re used to NYC restaurants. Besides the town being great, the apartment is wonderful if it’s just two people or if you’re two couples traveling together, or you’re a family, you’ll have a wonderful place to stay. The kitchen, while we didn’t use it for more than the fridge and wine glasses, seemed to be fully stocked, and there’s a dishwasher. There’s also a washer and dryer available for use, with detergent. The master bedroom has great tall ceilings with floor to ceiling glass that makes you feel one with the greenery. The 4 unit complex is full of very friendly people and Fransisco, the “super” is very helpful. It’s about a 35 min drive to Tamarindo (would recommend against staying there unless you want to be with a bunch of tourists) and will be helpful if you have a car to get around. Be sure to check out the sunset from Playa Flamingo or walk the two blocks to the beach and see it from Playa Potrero. Can’t recommend this place and town high enough for a wonderfully relaxing home away from home.

I really loved this place I will definitely go back ! Place is super clean and very comfortable,you have everything you need ! Is well located close to the beautiful beaches and restaurants ...

We really loved this house and the location. It's far enough from the congested streets of Tamarindo but close enough to drive over there if you need a gringo food/café fix. It is close to some amazing beaches - Playa Penca, Playa Danta/Dantita, Playa  - and plenty others that we didn't have time to get to. We have small kids and staying in for dinner is always easier, so we really appreciated the fully stocked kitchen.  Joshua and Francisco were both extremely attentive and responsive to any questions that we had.  I highly recommend Stef and Surf and hope to be back soon.

If you’re hesitant to book it, this is your sign to book it right now! It’s in the cutest little town and walking distance to everywhere. It was just us two girls and we felt extremely safe here! Cutest Airbnb I’ve ever stayed at. You’ll fall in love!

Great place! Super private…..great pool. Tons of restaurants within walking distance.

Beautiful surroundings, good location! Stef Surf is a gated 'community' that has a total of four units. Each unit has it's own feel of solitude and privacy. The grounds are lovely and well maintained. The location is within walking distance to Playa Potrero, a food market, convenience store and numerous restaurants. We have stayed at Stef Surf on previous visits to Costa Rica and stayed at the Pelicano during our most recent visit. The Pelicano is lovely, clean and nicely furnished. There were ample towels, both bath and for the beach. The beds were good size and comfortable. There were no blankets for members of the family who are more prone to cold (which was only a problem because other family members prefer a higher setting on the air conditioning). Also, beware that there is no door on the bathroom adjoining the master bedroom for those who prefer more privacy. However, there is a half wall that blocks the viewing of the toilet from the doorway. Stocking of amenities was adequate but lacking in 'extras' (e.g. one garbage bag, no spices (even salt and pepper), paper towels, foil, storage containers, baking sheets). Similarly, kitchen equipment was adequate but there were issues (e.g. the refrigerator shelves in the door fell out except for holding small items, knives were not very sharp, coffee maker leaked somewhat). Joshua provided prompt help with requests and questions. Also, Francisco is wonderful for helping with a wide variety of issues. On one visit he helped me obtain a phone charger when I realized that I left mine at home. On this recent visit he was able to find us a rental car which was not easy because it was a last minute request (request made Saturday afternoon and car needed for Sunday morning). All in all, despite slight issues, the Pelicano is a good choice for value, comfort, location and beautiful surroundings.

Joshua’s place was stunning - everything was like the photos if not better. Could not recommend this location more for a stay on Guanacaste, it’s a 10-30 min drive from many beautiful beaches and restaurants. Space was clean, tidy, and private. The views of the lush greenery from the master bedroom are stunning. Would have liked to have a lock box to secure our belongings but other that that, everything was perfect

Pelicano unit met and exceededour expectations!  Strongly recomend.

The host canceled this reservation 8 days before arrival. This is an automated posting.

Due to the coronavirus epidemic, we were asked by this guest to cancel this reservation. We immediately gave a full refund and hope to see them in the summer!

We had a fabulous stay at Stef Surf.  The location is perfect- close to the beach, restaurants and shopping. The pool area is like an oasis and so quiet because there are only four units sharing. The caretakers, Francisco and his wife, go out of their way to make sure everything is sparkling and that you are enjoying the best time.  Joshua was very helpful when there were a couple of minor issues and dealt with them immediately.  Security is very good. The beaches here are beautiful, varied and easily accessible. The interior of the unit is very modern but we did find the living room furniture a little uncomfortable. Great to have laundry facilities in the unit. We would definitely recommend a stay at Stef Surf.

Thanks so very much for your great review and helpful input :-) Though our custom hardwood living room furniture is designed for orthopedic standards, we are in the process of adding new furniture with softer features soon. Stay tuned!

What a great find. The enclosed grounds were gorgeous and beautifully maintained and the views from the massive widows (especially in the master bedroom) were amazing. The space is well-designed and appointed. The ocean is a block and a half away, and views on this beach are picturesque. We shared the space amongst 5 friends and had plenty of towels, pillows and cushions. The host also provided an air mattress. We are so glad we picked this option.

The best Airbnb in the area! The villa is located in a beautiful secluded area that is very well maintained by Francisco and others. Francisco is very welcoming, kind, and extremely attentive to all of your needs. Francisco is also great with recommending near by things to do, places to eat, and just about anything else you may have questions about. The villa is just about a 2-3 minute walk to a beautiful beach that is perfect for swimming in the ocean, boogie boarding, or grabbing dinner/drinks at the beach bar.

First off, Costa Rica is amazing!! The people, the amount of activities, the food, weather, you freakin name it we LOVED CR!! Secondly this place is PERFECT!! Location was great, easy to get to to, parking on site, clean and the staff is friendly and helpful! There are close restaurants, grocery store within walking distance, beach within walking distance, and close to Tamarindo. We would absolutely stay here again, I love waking up to the view we had and just how accommodating the area was to what we wanted to do. We are glad we had the peacefulness of this place and didn’t stay in busy Tamarindo even though we went there plenty.

Great stay! Francisco is a great caretaker. He made us feel so welcome with his friendliness and smile! He said hi every time he saw us coming or going. We ended our Costa Rica trip in the Potrero area. It was easy to get around and close to enough stuff that we didn’t feel stir crazy. Also far enough away from the more popular, touristy places like Tamarindo. Quiet and relaxing. We sat on the patio for hours in the evening listening to all the critters outside. The beach is walkable along with lots of restaurants. Highly recommend.

Wonderful Villa , in a great location with access to beaches, restaurants & bars. I would recommend a car so you can really explore the neighboring towns. So happy we chose this spot as it really was the highlight of our trip!

Joshua’s 4 apartments set along the lovely pool & amidst the beautiful gardens are great. We stayed in Pelican. The space was excellent: really nice balconies to relax on, & with great fans & AC inside to take the chill out of the hot & humid afternoons. The kitchen was large & the fridge/freezer had an ice machine built in so that was well used. All appliances worked well. The master bedroom is very thoughtfully laid out, and the second bedroom also had it’s own private balcony, which our kids really liked. The pool was great: a bit bigger than it looks in the listing photos too :-) The beach is just a very short walk away, & the bay is slightly sheltered so made swimming there great for our young kids. If you want bigger waves then head down to Playa Flamingo for a day trip. We loved our time here.

This home was extremely comfortable, safe, and relaxing.  The plants, flowers, birds, and sound of the running water flowing into the pool nearby was so tranquil.  The caretakers made us feel very safe and were very helpful always.  The swimming pool was beautiful and the beach that was a 5 minute walk away was calm and peaceful.  Many other gorgeous beaches are close by and we had so much fun swimming, surfing, ATV riding, and watching the sunsets on the beaches.  The mountains and so many adventure activities are a quick trip  away, so we had an amazing time tubing down a river, horseback riding, and ziplining too! The house has three porches for reading or just talking and relaxing.  The kitchen is equipped and we loved eating breakfast outside every morning.  There are some great breakfast spots nearby too. We can't wait to return and were very sad to leave.

Great place, great location. Would love to come back!

This is a great place. Homey in a quiet little town. Francisco (caretaker) is great! Bring your own mini soap for the shower. That is all that was missing. Pass on Alex (local driver) showing you around unless you know where you want to go - we waited for over an hour for a familiarization tour and when he finally showed up, he asked us where we wanted to go. We would have done just as well going out on our own. Overall it was a great experience! Great condo, quiet and luxurious.

El Pelicano in Stef Surf was just what we were looking for. Stef Surf has 4 units that all look very similar although I only saw the inside of Pelicano. The house was spotless and amazingly bug free (a rarity in Costa Rica). There were plenty of linens, dishes, cooking utensils, etc. There are three air conditioning units and all of them worked great. The beds were very comfortable. The shared pool was very quiet and relaxing. We would see it being cleaned and maintained early each morning. The on-site hosts were very accessible, helpful and attentive. We were able to communicate with them very easily in Spanglish. The location is quiet and quaint. It's a two minute walk to the beach or a two minute walk out the the main road where you can find groceries at Super Wendy or food at several different places. We tried Perlas and Soda Tipica in walking distance. Both were great. The Soda Tipica was spotless and the food cheap and delicious. You can also walk 10 minutes down the beach to Las Brisas and enjoy a cold beer, a great pina colada or some tasty beach food. Beyond walking distance and nearer Playa Flamingo we tried Surf Box and Marie's for breakfast. Both were fantastic, but quite different. Surf Box had lots of fruit bowls and other fresh dishes that are not particularly classic Costa Rican but very good. We had a traditional breakfast at Maries which was perfect. The mango leche was to die for. We also stopped at the little fruit stand near El Castillo where they make good fruit smoothies. For dinner we tried Coco Loco on Playa Flamingo. We didn't expect much since it seemed like a bit of a tourist trap. Boy, were we pleasantly surprised! It was so good we went back a second time. The food was unique in it's preparation and amazingly fresh. The Loco Coco and Corvina Flamingo were absolutely amazing. For groceries, we found MerkDo to have better selection than Super Wendy although it's not really in easy walking distance. If you want quiet, peaceful, clean, uneventful and relaxing this is the place. If you're looking for a party, go somewhere else.

This Airbnb is wonderful! It’s under 5 minutes down the road from multiple beaches (you could hear the beach waves crash from the master suite while your sleeping... so relaxing!) it’s also down the road from quite a few cute restaurants, a brewery, and etc. Surf Box quickly became our favorite restaurant for lunch! This house has two levels and both have fantastic views of Costa Rican plants that are just memorizing to stare at. The pool is amazing and so nice to hang out in. One day we didn’t even leave the Airbnb because it was that relaxing! Fransisco takes care of Check in and maintains the property very well there and is so friendly. We had the best time!

Beautiful place. Great location. Looking forward to our return.

great host with a very nice location great host with a very nice location close to the beach very clean the pool was great staff is very friendly great communication for the trips that we took overall a great experience for my family and me

Such an amazing space! We absolutely loved our stay here. The grounds are gorgeous and the location is perfect. We will be back!

We had a great week at Pelicano in Potrero. The town keeps growing everytime we go. The new brewery was putting in some new equipment but the attached beer garden will be great when it is done. The new restaurant Forketta has really good italian and it is an easy walk to get takeout if you don't want to make the reservations.  The walk to the beach is always fun as you never know how many cows you will encounter.  The papagayo winds were in effect while we were there so we spent a lot of time in the pool.  We have a 7 year old and she loved her own room and private balcony.    The caretakers are great and always around if something is needed. The only consideration you should have is if you have a hard time with stairs, the bedrooms and bathrooms are on the 2nd floor so climbing stairs is a necessity to stay here.

Joshua’s place is wonderful! The pool and gardens are beautiful.....the perfect place to relax! Even if you don’t have a car( like us) you can walk to restaurants, grocery and the beach......if you want to explore other beaches it was so easy to take a taxi or shuttle! Francisco and Marlin are very helpful and friendly! If you are staying in this area you have to book Stef Surf! And Joshua is very responsive......answering any questions no matter how minor! I haven’t mentioned the living space......clean, modern and spacious with everything you need! Thanks again Joshua!!! We hope to stay again!

We had an amazing time. I can’t think of a single bad thing to say. We felt safe here and were treated so well. I highly recommend this place to anyone.

the place as is pictured but the pool is bigger in real life then what the pictures showed in my opinion. the place is relaxed with a peaceful garden feel. Birds in the morning and stars at night. plenty of places to sit and enjoy or take it all in. we recommend staying here. its roomy so great for families, good wifi, friendly staff(Fransisco and his wife) safe , secure. the neighborhood is welcoming and the locals are friendly will be glad to help you with any need. lots of good stores and restuarants in the area. the beach is 3 min away. you can bike around or walk the area. getting here is easy no gravel til the very end all smooth. we hope to come back again in the future. also tours with our concierge Alex are great he speaks good English and is enthusiastic about showing you Costa Rica's treasures. Pura Vida! book here and a have a vacation to remember for a lifetime.

The PERFECT beach bungalow get-away! The location of Stef Surf in Playa Potrero couldn’t be better; in a quiet, residential area but also so close to numerous other beaches and attractions. Francisco and Marling are wonderful - it’s great having them available on the premises at all times. Definitely recommend renting a car and exploring Playa Potrero and the surrounding communities. Thanks to Joshua for being such an attentive host!

We have just returned from ten days at Stef Surf and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great location, fantastic beach and community, and the condo met all our expectations. Francisco and Marling on site are fantastic and very helpful and cheerful! Alex (and his family) from Alex Tours was also extremely professional and helpful.

Stef Surf was very quaint and lovely.  The house has all the amenities you would need and we loved that it was so close to the beach.  Joshua was very responsive with any questions we had and Francisco, the property manager, was there 24/7 to help.  All of the local restaurants were very good and convenient.  Great experience for us!

Stop looking at other places and book this place immediately. The photos and descriptions undersell this magical oasis. Just a 2-3 minute walk to playa portero, a stunning large fairly isolated beach. We travelled to many other beaches in the area but didn’t really need to. With the 4 fold-up beach chairs provided, we could easily walk to the beach and settle under a tree for the morning. My husband jogged along the beach everyday. If you have any energy left after the beach, the pool at Stef Surf is gorgeous and shaded. Head back to the beach for the stunning sunset. More people come out at that time, light fires, play the guitar. We recommend the Shack for breakfast or lunch. Surf box has ridiculously good food, only a short drive away. Sprout in Tamarindo was heavenly. But eating in is an option too. The market across the street from the Shack is well stocked and there is delicious bread at the bakery above the market.  The kitchen at Stef Surf has everything you need to cook (you will need to buy oil and spices), including a grill. I highly recommend a car rental with local cellphone. We used the Waze app (GPS) successfully. The directions to Stef Surf using GPS were very clear.

Wow, thank you for the kind words! We hope you will come stay with us again soon :-)

This place is fantastic, really stylish and spacious, great amenities and very private, even though it's in a compound with 3 other units. The location is excellent, and the caretakers were really helpful. We had an excellent stay and would highly recommend it.

Thank you for the great review! Come back again soon :-)

Stef Surf is a very beautiful , clean and comfortable home with beautiful surroundings. I highly recommend!

This house was SO beautiful! The pool is refreshing, clean, and such a treat to have right outside of your door. My 5 year old daughter and 65 year old mother both loved everything about this special home. The house was comfortable and much bigger than I expected! All amenities you could need were available in the house, which made us feel right at home immediately. Overall, a perfect spot for a family vacation or small group getaway. Highly recommend!!

We loved our stay. The place is very beautiful, as shown in the photos. Lots of beautiful plants and wonderful patio to relax. The pool is great. Impeccable cleanliness. Joshua made sure everything was perfect throughout the stay and the few minor issues were quickly resolved. The presence of someone on site for check-in and permanently is a big plus. I would recommend this place without hesitation.

Nous avons adoré notre séjour. L’endroit est très beau, tel que sur les photos. Beaucoup de belles plantes et merveilleux patio pour relaxer. La piscine est super. Propreté impeccable. Joshua s’est assuré que tout était parfait tout au long du séjour et les quelques problèmes mineurs ont été rapidement réglés. La présence de quelqu’un sur place pour l’arrivée et en permanence est un gros plus. Je recommanderais cet endroit sans hésitation.

English translation: "We loved our stay. The place is very beautiful, as in the photos. Many beautiful plants and wonderful patio to relax. The pool is great. Impeccable cleanliness. Joshua made sure everything was perfect throughout the stay and the few minor issues were quickly resolved. The presence of someone on the spot for the arrival and permanently is a big plus. I would recommend this place without hesitation." Thanks Ingrid! We would love to have you back :-)

The pelicano condo at stef surf was perfect! The condo was lovely and as pictured. The grounds are gorgeous. It’s a great alternative to an all-inclusive resort for those looking to explore the area. Great access to the beach (Playa Potrero is <5 min walk). My friends and I felt extremely safe on the property and felt as if we had the entire compound to ourselves. The 24/7 property manger Francisco was very kind and helpful. A few cons: master bed was a little hard, low water pressure in the master bath, and the oven didn’t work. However, none of these issues impacted our overall experience. We reached out to Francisco regarding the water pressure and he immediately tried to fix it. Overall, we had an amazing stay!

Dear Courteney,  you and your friends were such great guests, and great people to meet in person! I'm so sorry to hear now that there were any "cons" to your stay, considering that you had nothing but positive responses when I asked if you were comfortable or had any issues after your first night, and again on the last full day of your four night stay. I am also here 24/7 to address any issues or concerns of our guests at Stef Surf Pelicano, so all it takes is a message here or a free local call using the provided landline phone. In any case, I would have explained that the master bed is custom built with an orthopedic mattress and memory foam mattress pad, but an additional mattress pad for more softness is available upon request. Because our water comes from a natural aquifer, it is high in calcium and other minerals that can build up quickly in the fixtures; perhaps the shower head in the master bath had become clogged. Francisco is usually very good at correcting that issue, so it may have been for another reason. The Surfside/Potrero water company has been working on upgrading the water connections lately, with reduced pressure during the afternoon hours; perhaps this was what had caused the problem.  Also, we have checked the oven and it functions normally; perhaps the procedure for starting it was not obvious - I will look into providing instructions for future guests.  In any case, I hope this information is helpful and I certainly hope you will come back to stay with us again!

We are very grateful to have stayed at Joshua’s place and we had an amazing time. The place was such a nice retreat to come back to each day. Joshuas responses to all our inquires were quick and very helpful. I appreciated having Francisco onsite and he was extremely helpful, kind, and resourceful. You will find that the guide left in the house is very useful for just about everything. We did speak with someone who gave us some good tour info. Check out Congo Trail Tour on Facebook. We found a great family combo deal and the whole family loved it. Thank you Joshua and Francisco for all your hospitality.

My sister and I had a wonderful stay at Stef Surf Pelicano! This is a beautifully condo, we felt like we were in our own little private Oasis! He location was excellent. Less than 5 min walk to Potrero Beach. There are many options for restaurants within walking distance as well as local grocery stores within walking distance. We rented a Golf cart to get to Flamingo Beach and other Beaches which was a fun experience!

Wonderful to host Godwin and his family, especially since they were return guests to the complex, but first time guests for our unit. We were also very glad to host them for an extra night!

We are a family of 5 with young kids and really enjoyed our vacation- we stayed 5 nights. The house is amazing, very very clean, the backyard is stunning, beautiful gardens and very nice pool. Close to a lot of beaches and good restaurants. The communication was great with the owner and the house keepers are very friendly and helpfull. I would recommend 100%

Thank you Melissa, we would love to host you and your family again :-)

If you check TripAdvisor, etc, you can see all of the accolades of Stef Surf.  But what made this vacation stand out was the responsiveness of the host, Josh, and of the on-premises caretakers Francisco and Marling.  Our every needs were met with immediacy.  The grounds are amazing, like an oasis during the Guanacaste dry season.

Thanks so much Todd. We are honored by your compliments!

Hidden gem, in a great location! Stef Surf has great amenities, and very-friendly staff and residents. It'a a very small complex, but with a ton of perks! The pool was divine, and the location can't be beat. The beach is only a few minutes walk, and restaurants are just down the street. The one drawback was the very firm beds (and seating throughout the unit, in general) which left both couples in our party feeling that comfort isn't the top priority here.

Alyssa, I'm so sorry to hear you had any issues at all during your 5 night stay, especially after checking with you twice (day after check in and day before check out) and hearing nothing but positive feedback. This is the first time we have heard anything about a lack of comfort with our villa with any guest. We would have gladly provided pads for your beds and cushions for the chairs; the comfort and satisfaction of our guests is ALWAYS top priority! Below is the transcript from our communications during your stay: Feb 5, 2018 Message from Joshua: "Hi Alyssa, I hope you've settled in and everything is to your satisfaction. Let me know if you need anything else :)" Message from Alyssa: "Hi Joshua - everything is wonderful, and we’re enjoying every bit! Especially the pool ;) Thanks for checking in!" Feb 8, 2018 Message from Joshua: "Hi Alyssa, hope you had a great stay. Just heard about (a problem with) the freezer from Francisco, so I'm sorry if there was any inconvenience." Message from Alyssa: "We didn’t notice any issues with the freezer in Pelicano - I think the one in (another unit) may have broken the other day, as they were doing repairs on one a few nights ago. We didn’t have any issues in our unit, though! Stay was great, and we’re all a little sad to move on. Cheers!" Should you decide to stay with us again, I will offer you a 10% discount and provide extra padding for the beds and chairs. In the future, I also recommend letting your host know of any issues you have, in order to give them a chance to correct before you post anything negative in their reviews. regards, Joshua @ Stef Surf El Pelicano

Stef Surf El Pelicano is a great place to stay in Costa Rica. We are so glad that we didn't visit a resort for our vacation. We got to know the area, the restaurants, clubs, stores, beaches, etc. Stef Surf is a perfect location- close enough to Tamarindo, but in an area that is less busy, less commercial, and less inhabited. The beaches in this area are fantastic and are largely people free during the day. About the property; every amenity is included. The pool is amazing. The layout of the house is fantastic- although you should be aware that there is no bathroom on the first floor- not  a problem for us but something to keep in mind with young kids or older adults. The "neighbors" were great and very informative. What really sets CR apart are the people. Everyone we met was gracious and helpful. Do yourself a favor and visit Costa Rica; stay at Stef Surf and enjoy the Pura Vida. It is my pleasure to recommend this property to you.

Lovely bright clean modern artistic townhome with phenomenal windows in a small complex with three other units, making this more of a family complex than a large vacationer spot. Great location, easy walk to a beautiful beach for sunset, easy walk to great restaurants and easy walk to sailing and kayaking and water sports activities.

A wonderful townhouse type condo. 1 of 4 in a private enclave w lush foliage - like living in the rainforest but 2 blocks from the beach. All neat and well maintained w personnel on site,24/7 to take care of any issues. Centrally located - we were at a beautiful new beach every day and back home to enjoy the poll rather quickly. Loved it and hope to be back soon. Thanks Joshua

Great location close to the beach. Pleasant, functional accommodation. Warm welcome.

Excellent emplacement à proximité de la plage. Logement agréable, fonctionnel. Accueil chaleureux.

Great place, very clean. a wonder pool to for night swimming. Wonderful experience

My friends and I stayed at Stef Surf for a few nights during our trip to Playa Flamingo and it was incredible! Excellent service, prime location and more! The pool was great to come jump into after being on the beach that's walking distance from the place. There's corner markets within walking distance along with local Soda's (Restaurants) which had incredible food too! Also, there is a restaurant called Coco Loco that is close by which was one of the best meals we had. Overall, great stay with some great people!

2BR House