Casa Bella Tortuga

The Space

Casa Bella Tortuga is a private retreat located just 75 meters from the coast. Situated away from the busy tourist towns, this modern and spacious home offers a peaceful escape for families or groups of friends. The property features tropical gardens, a private saltwater pool, and secluded grounds.

You can relax by the pool or explore numerous local adventures. The home is within walking distance to two beaches: Playa Blanca, which is quiet and secluded, and Playa Junquillal, a long beach known for the Verdi Azul turtle rescue center.

The three-story house showcases distinctive architectural elements such as dramatic cathedral ceilings and a spiral staircase spanning all three floors. It offers open living spaces, multiple outdoor seating areas, a large yoga platform, private secure parking, two outdoor showers, and five roomy bedrooms each with a private bathroom.

The ground-floor bedroom is easily accessible for seniors or guests with mobility challenges. Additionally, there is a flexible room that can serve as an extra bedroom upon request.

The pool has recently been converted to a natural saltwater system, which uses significantly less chlorine and is gentler on the eyes, skin, clothing, and the environment. Guests are welcome to ask questions about the saltwater pool.

The kitchen has been recently updated and includes a large island and professional-grade appliances. Indoor dining accommodates 12 to 14 people, and there is also a Guanacaste wood slab dining table outdoors near the pool.

Bedroom Details

• Third floor:

  • Primary bedroom with a king bed and a single bed, ensuite bathroom with shower
  • Second bedroom with a queen bed and a single bed, ensuite bathroom with shower

• Second floor:

  • Primary bedroom with a queen bed and a single bed, large three-piece ensuite bathroom (photos to be updated)
  • Second bedroom with two queen beds and an adjacent three-piece bathroom

• Ground floor:

  • Bedroom with a queen bed and a three-piece ensuite bathroom equipped with grab bars and a stool for accessibility
  • Flex room with an outdoor bathroom featuring a shower and sink. This room is usually set up as a second living room with a couch and trundle day bed but can be converted into a sixth bedroom with various bed configurations (king bed, two twin beds, or a twin bed and couch). It can accommodate up to four single beds.

The house can host up to 15 guests but is priced for five bedrooms and 10 people. Additional guests beyond 10 incur an extra nightly fee. The flex room can be arranged as a bedroom upon request.

Location

Casa Bella Tortuga is approximately an 80 to 90-minute drive from Liberia Airport, depending on traffic. The property is fully fenced and secured with outdoor perimeter security cameras, sensors, and an alarm system.

Amenities

• Private natural saltwater pool
• 4 x 6 meter yoga platform
• Multiple outdoor lounge areas including an ocean-view balcony on the second floor
• Hammocks and BBQ facilities
• Private secure parking for at least three cars inside the gate, with additional parking available down the driveway
• Fibre optic internet with speeds around 200 Mbps and Wi-Fi throughout the house
• Desks in all bedrooms and a small work desk with a printer available on the ground floor upon request
• Beach gear including surfboards, boogie boards, snorkeling equipment, sun shades, kids’ beach tent and toys, coolers, and beach towels

Family Friendly Features

Casa Bella Tortuga is ideal for multi-generational families or groups, offering:

• Two bedrooms on the ground floor
• Two bedrooms on each upper floor
• Two high chairs and two pack 'n' plays
• Child safety gate
• Board games, cards, LEGO, and pool toys

Children and adults alike will enjoy the abundant local wildlife such as howler monkeys, lizards, geckos, crabs, insects, and birds. Guests can also experience the baby turtle releases at the nearby Verdi Azul turtle hatchery.

Guest Access

Guests enter the property using unique codes for keypad locks at both the gate and the house. The security system monitors the exterior to ensure safety throughout your stay.

About Verdi Azul Turtle Conservation

The home was renamed from Casa Woodbox to Casa Bella Tortuga to honor sea turtles and the dedicated conservation efforts of Verdi Azul. This local organization focuses on environmental research, education, and protection, particularly for sea turtles.

Verdi Azul operates a turtle hatchery at Playa Junquillal, where they patrol the beaches at night to protect four species of sea turtles: Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, Black, and Leatherback. Eggs are safeguarded in the hatchery until the hatchlings emerge 50 to 80 days later.

Visitors are often invited to witness the release of baby turtles into the ocean, typically between 5 and 6 pm. This event occurs several times a week during the season, and guests will be notified when it happens.

Verdi Azul has significantly improved hatchling survival rates from under 40% to over 90%. The organization depends on donations to continue its work, and visitors are encouraged to contribute if possible. Volunteer opportunities are also available through VerdiAzul.org.

When visiting the hatchery, guests are encouraged to greet the leaders Valerie and Dani and mention Casa Bella Tortuga.

Additional Information

Please note that Casa Bella Tortuga is located in a tropical rural area of Costa Rica, so encounters with geckos, land crabs, and various insects are common.

The nightly rate includes a 14.2% Airbnb fee and 13% Costa Rican VAT. The price covers up to 10 guests, with an additional charge of $50 per person per night for guests beyond that number, up to a maximum of 14.