Villa Tekla, Costa Rican paradise!
The Space
Villa Tekla is a unique, multi-level family home set on five acres of forest and landscaped private grounds. It offers ocean and mountain views, a pool, and is located near Manuel Antonio Park, known for its endless beaches and incredible rainforests.
This distinctive three-bedroom, three-level Spanish-Moorish hacienda is designed with eco-friendly principles suited for the tropical climate. Positioned off the main road between Quepos and Manuel Antonio Park, the villa features extensive patios and is fully furnished. Just below the house, there is a private lap pool.
The villa comfortably accommodates three couples or families traveling together. It is partially enclosed with wooden shutters that can be closed for security—these new shutters are not shown in current photos. Two of the bedrooms are fully screened in addition to the wooden shutters: one on the main level and another on the lower level, accessed by outdoor stairs, which includes an ensuite bathroom. The third bedroom is an airy space on the upper level.
Cooling is achieved through numerous built-in fans and natural jungle breezes; there is no air conditioning. Wide roof overhangs protect the house from sun and rain, creating an ideal environment for nature lovers while ensuring complete security.
Location
Perched atop a spur overlooking jungle that extends to Manuel Antonio National Park, the villa is nestled in the forest with views to the west, north, and east, encompassing the ocean, forests, and mountains. The property is shaded by rare, precious, and semi-precious flowering hardwoods.
Some acreage is planted with various fruit trees and flowering tropical hedges, while most remains natural, canopied forest. The villa is situated midway between the bustling tourist town of Quepos and the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park.
The main beach is a five-minute drive or bus ride away, and about thirty minutes on foot. Several smaller, secluded beaches are even closer, with directions available upon request. Manuel Antonio Park features crescent-shaped beaches, trails, and abundant wildlife, offering a memorable experience for nature enthusiasts. The park opens daily at 7 a.m. and is closed on Mondays. Early morning visits are recommended when wildlife is most active.
Climate
Located near nine degrees latitude, Costa Rica enjoys a mild climate with temperatures ranging from the low 20s to low 30s Celsius (low 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit), depending on the time and season. The dry season generally lasts from Christmas to Easter but can vary. During the hottest hours, fresh ocean breezes provide cooling relief.
Many visitors prefer the green season, characterized by nighttime rain, late-afternoon sun showers, morning mists, rainbows, lush vegetation, and uncrowded beaches. Rain can occasionally fall in heavy bursts, which many guests find enjoyable. Wide roof overhangs and rain blinds keep the villa dry during these showers.
The house is carefully positioned to prevent direct sun exposure during the hottest part of the day while offering spectacular sunrise and sunset views, especially in the green season.
Wildlife
While relaxing in a hammock, guests might see titis (squirrel monkeys) swinging through the trees and climbing over the roof. White-faced capuchin monkeys visit regularly but tend to be more reserved. Early mornings often feature howler monkeys calling from tall trees.
Other animals observed from the property include sloths, coatis, raccoons, armadillos, anteaters, pacas, agoutis, land and tree iguanas, a peccary from the mountains, and a Mexican dwarf porcupine.
Birdwatchers will appreciate the diverse species such as parrots, parakeets, hummingbirds, motmots, toucans, manakins, orioles, flycatchers, swallows, tanagers, woodpeckers, wrens, thrushes, trogons, and hawks. Dawn brings a chorus of bird songs, while nights are filled with sounds from nightjars, owls, potoos, laughing falcons, crickets, frogs, and singing geckos. Butterflies and birds frequently visit the grounds, and the distant sound of Pacific surf can sometimes be heard.
Guest Access
Guests have access to a fully equipped kitchen, as well as a washer and dryer. All linens are provided. Laundry facilities are available for guest use, but please avoid overloading the machines. Additional laundry service can be arranged with the housekeeper for an extra fee.
Twice-weekly cleaning and gardening services are included at no additional cost. The villa also offers cable TV, broadband internet, and Wi-Fi.
Additional Information
Management and Assistance
House Manager Rebecca Wells and her husband Jacob, a skilled contractor and electronics consultant, live nearby and are available to assist guests. Both are fully bilingual and can help with any issues or arrival arrangements. Contact details are provided in the house manual upon booking.
A trusted local guide, Melvin Bejarano, offers bilingual tours including white water rafting and hiking through Costa Rica Tropical Adventures/Manuel Antonio Rafting. His contact information will be shared after booking.
Housekeeping and Maintenance
The housekeeper visits once a week for four to five hours. Additional cleaning can be arranged through Rebecca at her standard hourly rate. Pool maintenance is performed weekly by a reliable company. The gardener tends the grounds twice a week in the early mornings.
Guests are encouraged to treat the staff with respect and trust, as they are valued members of the household.
Linens and Towels
All essential household items, including linens and towels, are supplied. Please use brightly colored towels for the beach and shake off sand outside before bringing towels indoors.
Communications and Entertainment
The villa includes one television with 66 cable channels, DVD and VCR players, and a small movie library. High-speed internet provides fast and reliable Wi-Fi for laptops and netbooks; the password will be provided by Rebecca.
There are speakers compatible with personal devices for music, as well as a separate player for the lower-level room. The house telephone allows local calls such as taxis and food delivery but does not support international calls.
Nearby, there is an internet café, with additional options available in Quepos and along the road to Manuel Antonio Park and beaches.
More detailed information will be provided in the house manual after booking.
Reviews
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Recent Reviews
5
Ana Clara
2 weeks ago
The stay at Tamara's house was great. We loved the pool, the garden... We had breakfast on the terrace and saw monkeys, toucans... almost like being in Manuel Antonio Park. We would definitely repeat.
5
Janell
2 weeks ago
The house was lovely. Loved the open concept and allowed for the natural sounds and views to be present throughout our time spent at the home. Rebecca met us at the home and was very helpful and polite. She referred many different restaurants and things to do while there. Will be coming back.
5
Mirjam
3 weeks ago
With pain in our hearts, we left. It was so nice! Saw a lot of different animals; saw several new species every day. Just from the patio, or even visitors in the house during the day and at night from monkeys and coatis. The flowers and trees are also beautiful, and the beach was also an experience due to swimming in the high waves.
5
Vera
4 weeks ago
Villa Thekla is great. In the middle of a tropical rainforest with many animals and plants. We felt very comfortable. The pool is great, and while we were in the water, we could see a sloth above us in the tree. We definitely want to come back. Thank you for this great place.
5
Masele
1 month ago
Villa Tekla was our favorite stay of the trip! While there, we saw a sloth, monkeys, tree frogs, large grasshoppers, iguanas, toucans, and macaws! Who needs to go on a tour when you have that in the backyard?! As mentioned in the listing, there are no windows, so you’re really connected with the environment. However two of the bedrooms had AC units which helped keep us cool at night. I loved hearing the animals (minus the howler monkeys. They scared the crap out of me haha) The home has charm and unique features. We loved having a pool and swam every day while we were there. There’s a convenience store and restaurant just at the end of the driveway which was perfect for picking up snacks and bites to eat. All in all, we absolutely loved our stay and were sad to leave! Highly recommend!
Host replied
4
Sonia
1 month ago
The location is very practical to get to the national park. We enjoyed the pool and the beautiful nature in the property. We saw toucans, sloths, frogs, iguanas! The hosts were very responsive.
5
Heather
2 months ago
Villa Tekla is a special spot! Was a great house for our family to relax, cook, and enjoy the area. We saw a sloth and howler monkeys as well. The bedroom AC was nice for sleeping as well.
5
Sumair
2 months ago
Made lots of memories with my friends at this house. Perfect for those who enjoy wildlife integrated with their vacation.
5
Lauren
5 months ago
Villa Tekla was perfect for our family of 4. Everyone had their own room and there was plenty of common space to hang together. We loved the pool and all the wildlife that came to visit. We got to see it all! White faced monkeys, spider monkeys, lots of iguanas and even a sloth! It was hot when we were there so the AC in two of the bedrooms was great for sleeping. There was also a grocery store and small soda right across the street which was super convenient. The house is definitely not for a family looking for some luxury resort as it is truly open air and wildlife can get in and out. However if you are more of the outdoorsy type that is okay with a random frog in the house - and a house that will allow you to see all the wildlife, while taking a dip in the pool, this place is perfect. Our family loved our vacation. Pura Vida!
5
Kristi
6 months ago
Perfect Stay for Our Family! This Airbnb was absolutely perfect for our group of six. The home was comfortable, well-appointed, and had everything we needed for a relaxing stay. Our whole family especially loved enjoying meals outdoors on the patio where the setting is just beautiful. One of the highlights was the incredible wildlife we were able to see right from the property. During our stay we spotted capuchin monkeys, macaws, toucans, agoutis, and even a kinkajou, which we learned is very rare! It truly made the experience unforgettable. Rebecca was wonderful to work with. She was so kind and took the time to thoroughly explain the house to us, which made check-in smooth and welcoming. We would absolutely stay here again and highly recommend this property to anyone looking for a special and memorable getaway.
Location
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