Amidst lush jungle, surf sounds, exotic birds & monkeys, our architect-designed showcase bamboo home is located in the jungle, abutting 2 nature preserves. 3 bed (with private balconies), 2.5 ba, deck, porch and lovely pool and patio with tiki bar, fiber optic internet. Walk to idyllic Malpais Beach, 10 mins to vibrant Santa Teresa. PARTIES/LOUD MUSIC NOT ALLOWED. NO COMPARABLE LODGING for the environment-conscious and nature lovers in the entire Malpais/Santa Teresa area. Sleeps 6.

## The Space

Nestled in a lush jungle setting, this architect-designed bamboo home offers a unique living experience surrounded by nature. The property borders two nature preserves, providing a serene and private atmosphere.

The house includes:

- 3 bedrooms, each with a private balcony  
- 2.5 bathrooms  
- A spacious deck and porch  
- A beautiful pool and patio area featuring a tiki bar  
- Fiber optic internet for reliable connectivity  

This home comfortably accommodates up to 6 guests.

## Location

The property is within walking distance of the picturesque Malpais Beach and just a 10-minute drive from the lively town of Santa Teresa.

## Policies

- Parties and loud music are not permitted to maintain the peaceful environment.  

## Unique Features

This lodging stands out as the only option in the Malpais/Santa Teresa region designed specifically for environmentally conscious travelers and nature enthusiasts.

Priscila

Bedrooms

Bathrooms

Maximum Occupancy

3BR villa in San José

Jungle Oasis w/ Pool - walk to beach – Sea Monkey - Villas for Rent in Playa Mal País, Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica

We had a wonderful stay in Sea Monkey House in Malpaís! The location is absolutely beautiful, offering a peaceful setting while still being just a short drive from Santa Teresa. The house is modern, beautifully designed, and impeccably clean, making it a very comfortable place to relax. Our host, Priscila, was fantastic—friendly, responsive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our stay. One of the biggest highlights is the location. It’s very close to the Malpaís fishermen’s market, where you can buy incredibly fresh fish and even enjoy a swim or dive nearby. It’s also just minutes from the Malpaís Canopy, which was a huge bonus for our family. We would definitely stay here again and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful, comfortable base to explore the area.

So great. Perfect spot for us. Walk to the Mal Pais zip line and do it more than once. Surf at Mal Pais break. It changed my barometer a little. In a good way.

We had a wonderful time and Priscila was extremely responsive/helpful throughout the entire trip.

We had a fantastic stay at the Sea Monkey House and couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The house itself is beautiful and very comfortable, and the location was perfect. It’s secluded enough to enjoy peaceful, relaxing time by the pool, yet only about 10 minutes from town with plenty of great food options and beachfront dining. There are also many excellent beaches nearby. We rented an ATV for a few days, which made the trip even more memorable—we found some secluded beaches and took an incredible ride through the jungle to Montezuma. Overall, it was a wonderful stay and we would happily return.

Thank you, Sean. You were a joy to host. Come back any time!

We love the Tropical Look. Sea Monkey house gardens were dry as dust, with some plants completely drooped. Stairs to the house needed a banister and stepping stones to the driveway were loose.  We cooked every night and found the lightning and kitchen utensils lacking, bathrooms too.

All and all it was a lovely property in a not to be missed setting.

We love the Tropical Look. Sea Monkey house gardens were dry as dust, with some plants completely drooped. Stairs to the house needed a banister and stepping stones to the driveway were loose. We cooked every night and found the lightning and kitchen utensils lacking, bathrooms too. All and all it was a lovely property in a not to be missed setting.

What an awesome place. Pictures don't really do it justice.  Private, quiet - exactly what we were looking for for the family weekend.

Thank you! We'll be back!!!!!

What an awesome place. Pictures don't really do it justice. Private, quiet - exactly what we were looking for for the family weekend. Thank you! We'll be back!!!!!

We really enjoyed hosting you, Johnny, and you’re welcome back any time!

A great, extraordinary house. We felt very comfortable. The lack of air conditioning is actually no problem at all! Many animals come to the house. Twice we saw parrots and monkeys.

Ein tolles, außergewöhnliches Haus. Wir haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt. Die fehlende Klimaanlage ist tatsächlich gar kein Problem! Viele Tiere kommen bis zum Haus. Zweimal haben wir Papageien und Affen gesehen.

We are very happy you enjoyed your stay, Lutz. We also enjoyed having you. Come back whenever you like!

This was one of our favorite rental houses ever. Beautiful, very well appointed. Priscilla was super easy to communicate with and very helpful. Location is great. Highly recommend.

Thank you, Shannon. We really enjoyed hosting you. Come back soon!

Great location in the middle of the jungle. You can hear the waves falling asleep, monkeys coming through in the morning and walk right to the beach for fishing tours etc. Priscilla made us feel very welcome and had all local info for us to make the most of our trip. We had a great and quiet time.Thanks!

This place was absolutely magical !! The area was amazing. More than we could have hoped for. The drive to Santa Theresa isn’t long but far enough that you feel like you have your own private paradise. The communication was amazing and the host had a ton of great recommendations. We will certainly be back soon and would only stay here. No complaints at all.

Thank you, Chance! You’ve been lovely guests! We look forward to hosting you again soon!

Amazing location, very secluded but still close to town. My daughter loved the pool. Saw some monkeys climbing right by the house one morning. Bought a grouper from the fisherman at the end of the road

We are happy to know you had a great stay!

Mal Pais is a fantastic spot, and this charming bamboo house is well situated on a lane tucked up behind the fishing boats. Great to be able to walk to the port and “secret” beach.  The pool and garden are lovely and house is comfortable. Has a rustic feel and is very open to the jungle with very little glazing, most of the windows are just nets. Priscila was very helpful and the welcome fruits were lovely!

This is a stunning Villa. Highly recommend. Would come back again.

Thank you, Patrick! We would love to have you back :)

What a lovely stay! Such a wonderful retreat!! Had an amazing stay, and Priscilla was the most responsive and helpful host I’ve ever encountered. It’s about 5 hours from San Jose airport (across the ferry), plenty to do in the local area.

Thank you, Jarad. You were amazing guests! We hope to see you again!

Pricilla and Pia were absolutely amazing hosts! From the moment we arrived, it felt like we had an extended family in Costa Rica. They were always just a message away—whether it was for a quick question or an unexpected emergency (our little daughter spiked a fever and needed to see a doctor), they were there with immediate support, kindness, and guidance. Their recommendations for things to do, places to eat, and local services were all top-notch and made our trip even more special. Thanks to them, we felt safe, informed, and incredibly well taken care of. My family—including our three young kids—had the time of our lives at the Seamonkey. We left with unforgettable memories and full hearts. Highly recommend this incredible stay to anyone visiting the area!

Thank you, Alla, for being absolutely lovely guests. We are really happy to know you enjoyed your stay. And we hope to see you all back some time 🌸

The ultimate jungle oasis ! We came to relax and it was a big mission success. The house is amazing and Priscilla was the best host- super communicative and accommodating

We had the best experience at the Sea Monkey House! It’s in an amazing location off the beaten path which made for excellent privacy and tranquility, but was still walkable to a lovely beach and a short drive into the upbeat town. It was like coming back to our own sanctuary each day. We especially loved all of the tropical plants and and birds and listening to the howler monkeys every morning. It felt so remote while still being safe. The house is laid out nicely and encourages a lot of quality time with the group, while offering lots of seating and places to hang out and relax. Priscila was the best host I’ve ever had- she was so communicative, friendly, thoughtful, and helpful. She went above and beyond to make our experience special and memorable. I can’t say enough positive things about our stay here. It was nothing short of magical!

Thank you, Alexandra. It’s been a pleasure having you. Come back soon!

Beautiful, peaceful, and private home on the outskirts of Santa Teresa.  Loved the amenities and the nature sounds all around us.  Attentive host and supporting caretakers made sure everything was smooth and stress free.

Thank you, Kris. We are happy to know you loved your stay. Come back soon :)

Staying at the Sea Monkey felt like living in the jungle. The house is beautiful and comfortable. I will miss reading and drinking coffee on the porch. Priscilla gives clear directions, has great staff to maintain the house and grounds, and is proactive in providing recommendations. This house was the highlight of our vacations for me and my husband, my in-laws, and my children.

We are very happy to know you and your family enjoyed your stay at the Sea Monkey. Thank you for being great guests!

Amazing home in a great location. Staying in this home felt like you were one with nature. So peaceful and relaxing. Priscila was wonderful to work with. Gave very clear directions and was willing to answer questions. We hope to come back one day and stay again!

Thank you, Sara! It was lovely having you. Do come back soon!

It was a great stay! Priscilla helped us a lot, she also had the mega tip with the ferry or with the plane! I would be happy to come back! Pura vida

Es war ein super Aufenthalt! Priscilla hat uns sehr geholfen, sie hatte auch den Mega Tipp mit der Fähre bzw mit dem Flugzeug! Immer wieder gerne! Pura vida

We lived our stay. Priscilla was extremely helpful and got back to us immediately about recommendations.

We are happy to know you loved your stay, Krista!

This is our third time to the Nicoya Peninsula, and Priscila’s place is top tier! Our family had an awesome time here. You can walk or drive to the beach in minutes and it’s out of the congestion of the Santa Teresa but you no a get there in minutes. The wildlife was prevalent throughout our stay which was lovely to experience. Her place is clean and has everything you need. Would recommend Priscila’s place if you’re visiting the area!

My husband and I recently had the pleasure of staying at Priscilla’s Airbnb, and it was an exceptional experience. Priscilla was extremely nice, responsive, and went above and beyond to ensure our stay was memorable. She assisted in arranging transportation, provided excellent local recommendations, and even organized a couples massage and a private chef at the house. Her attentiveness and dedication truly enhanced our visit. I highly recommend staying at Priscilla’s place for an unforgettable experience.

Thank you, you were amazing guests. We really enjoyed hosting you! Hope to see you back here soon 🌸

Priscila went over and above to recommend places to eat, had groceries and wine delivered, and to make sure that we had local recommendations of activities. Zip lining and the beach were just down the road. Despite the unusual amounts of rain, we had a great time.

Thank you. You were an absolute joy to host. Come back soon!

Absolutely loved our time here.  Quiet, peaceful, and relaxing.  Exactly what our group was hoping for.

Such a great stay!! The kids loved the pool. The deck was perfect to sit on and have morning coffee. The design of the house allows for good airflow. Well stocked with essentials. Priscilla had great recommendations. We did fishing with Eric through Jason’s tours, the canopy tour that is literally a two min walk from the house was awesome. We used Ollie’s for horseback riding and and an atv tour to montezuma. Multiple bathrooms in the house was great for our family of 5. Water was safe to drink. Loved hearing the birds and nature in the morning.  We were able to walk to a little store that had all that we needed to buy. Overall relaxing and would come again.

We are happy to hear you enjoyed your stay! We also enjoyed having you. Come back soon!

We stayed in August during the rainy season—the accommodation is exactly as described, with impeccable service and organization, showing real anticipation and responsiveness. However, we stayed as a family, and the house comes with many rules. It was impossible to use two showers at the same time or the toilets and showers simultaneously. The house’s layout also doesn’t allow for any ‘sound’ privacy. The surroundings are fantastic, and the proximity to nature is a real advantage. However, the rules associated with the stay are quite strict. We decided to cut our stay short due to significant noise disturbances caused by construction trucks passing by as early as 6:30 AM. While the disturbance is temporary, even a single vehicle passing on this road is noisy. The location and proximity to the beach are definite assets.

The Sea Monkey was an enchanting place!  Even before we arrived, Priscilla's communitication was outstanding.  She sent us clear instructions on how to get to the Sea Monkey from San Jose which included information on purchasing Ferry Tickets in advance and driving instructions, including photos.   Priscilla met us there upon our arrival, bringing fresh local fruit to welcome us, and she provided all the information needed to insure our stay was supurb.  She was an excellent resource for local activities -horseback riding, zip lining,  local guides for the Curu Wildlife Preserve, and a snorkling trip to tortuga island.  With her help we checked off a bucket list of fun activities, but our most memorable moments were spent hanging out at the Sea Monkey!  The pool was cool and refreshing, the kitchen had everything we needed.  It is just a beautiful place to stay.  Our mornings were filled with jungle noises.  We loved the birds and howling monkeys!  We HIGHLY recommend this place!

Thank you, Stacey! We very much enjoyed having you. We hope to see you again soon!

Had such a lovely time at Sea Monkey. A private jungle oasis. Heard howler monkeys often and got to see a family of armadillos in the yard. The kids loved swimming in the pool and going to the beaches nearby. We did a fishing trip, the tide pools, zip lining, Bahia Rica tours and Curu Reserve while there.

We loved our vacation at Sea Monkey! Being in the rainforest, next to nature and seeing animals was the highlight of every day! At San Jose, we took Green Airways to Cobano Airport. It is a 30 min flight. At Cobano, car rental was quick and easy! Priscilla is an amazing host and provided us with easy to follow directions. When we arrived at Sea Monkey, Priscilla was there to greet us and show us the property. It is even more beautiful than the photos!!! The house was pristine and spotless and just a beautiful spot in the middle of the rainforest! We saw animals every day: coati, capybara, howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, iguanas and lots of birds and hummingbirds! We played in the pool and walked to the Secret Beach. We did the zip line tour next to the house and dinner La Dona. We also drove to Santa Teresa for lunch, dinner or shopping. The food is amazing in Costa Rica! What a special week in a beautiful oasis in the middle of the rainforest. It was truly magical!

The Sea Monkey house is a beautiful spot for those looking to stay 'off the beaten path' and away from the 'resorts' of Costa Rica. It is a place where you can totally immerse yourself in the Costa Rica landscape. Priscilla is very attentive and helpful. Her directions to the Sea Monkey house are accurate and much needed. She is very welcoming and will help in whatever way she can, whether that is providing something for the house, or a good suggestion to a nearby restaurant. During the rainy season, there can be a lot of bugs, but put it in perspective, you are in the middle of a jungle, so its as to be expected. There is so much in this area to do and the Sea Monkey house is a perfect base to do all the wonderful things in this area.

Thank you, Louie! We very much enjoyed hosting you and your friends. You must come back — different experiences at different times of the year, but we think all very enjoyable!

The Monkey House is in an amazing yet quiet area on a nature preserve in Malpais. The popular activities are all close by, many within walking distance like the Malpais Canopy zip line tour, the Secret Beach, and horseback riding at Ollie’s Adventures. Malpais is very close to Santa Teresa where we ate at some great restaurants and enjoyed surf lessons at Playa Hermosa. The house is beautiful and spacious  with open air screens at the top of each room to keep the breeze flowing and everything you need for cooking and heading to the beach. The plunge pool made for fun afternoons and mornings and was cleaned daily. Lisbeth cooked us dinner and breakfast after a long day of travel and the food was wonderful. The washer and dryer were a necessary amenity since in rainy season we got wet and dirty hiking. We missed this at our next stop where you had to pay for laundry. We were worried about it being rainy season but had sun everyday and the evening rain on the roof was very pleasant.

The perfect place to end our longer Costa Rica trip! The house, pool and garden are beautiful - just as we expected. We enjoyed the seven days despite the great heat, we used the pool extensively, which was a welcome cooling off. The location of the house is very quiet and private, the furnishings extremely tasteful and offers everything you need. Priscila welcomed us warmly and was very accessible the whole time, extremely helpful and accommodating. We would come back at any time.

Der perfekte Ort um unsere längere Costa Rica Reise abzuschliessen! Das Haus, der Pool und der Garten sind wunderschön - genauso wie wir es erwartet haben. Wir haben die sieben Tage trotz grosser Hitze sehr genossen, den Pool haben wir ausgiebig genutzt, das war eine willkommene Abkühlung. Die Lage des Hauses ist sehr ruhig und privat, die Einrichtung äusserst geschmackvoll und bietet alles was man braucht. Priscila hat uns herzlich empfangen und war die ganze Zeit sehr gut erreichbar, äussert hilfreich und zuvorkommend. Wir würden jederzeit wiederkommen.

We are happy you enjoyed the Sea Monkey House, and would welcome you both back any time!

What a superlative experience! The home is simply a little slice of paradise. The mesh windows and upper levels let the breeze through, making it exceedingly comfortable, and a joy to awaken to bird calls (and the grrs of howler monkeys). The pool is idyllic, with in-water seating and fountains - just the thing for cooling off. We were greeted by Priscilla, who showed us around, gave us lots of great tips for local dining and activities. We were only two, but are dying to come back with another couple or two - there is a tiki bar/grill in the yard that was begging to be used. As noted, you can walk down the road to where the fishing boats are -  they will happily sell you freshly caught fish (and clean it). We hired a boat from Jason’s crew, that took us sightseeing and for a snorkeling excursion, with all equipment, drinks, and fresh fruit snack. Minutes away, by foot or car, are loads of excellent restaurants, and adventures. We will be back!!

Thank you! Come back soon with your bunch! We will certainly enjoy hosting you again :)

We had an awesome experience at this property and location.  Priscilla was very responsive and helpful.

We very much enjoyed having you and your family, Todd. Come back soon!

Priscila is the ideal host. Can’t say enough about her efforts from start to finish. Other reviews have described the remote location adequately, so I will merely endorse what has been written already. I wish we had taken advantage of the panga fishing opportunity within walking distance, but we did enjoy some sushi-grade tuna from the locals’ catches. We were surprised by the heat in late March. The pool and ceiling fans made life bearable. We loved the bamboo architecture of the Sea Monkey. Our daughter left with many notes and sketches in her design notebook to employ in her pursuit of eco-friendly construction.

Thanks John! You and your family were great guests. Come back soon!

This place was amazing. Just book it! The pick up for fishing and scuba diving (probably snorkeling too) was right down the road. Felt like you were in the jungle! Monkeys right on the road. Comfortable beds. Mal Pais was our favorite town we visited on our trip and this Airbnb was just perfect. Priscila was very responsive and there for anything. Would definitely recommend!!

The Sea Monkey is such a hidden gem, perfectly tucked in while just being minutes away from beautiful beaches! We loved our morning routines of coffee and tea while the sun was rising then taking a dip in the pool with the fountains on. Such a beautiful bamboo home! Priscila is honestly the BEST host we have ever worked with on AirBnB. She is incredibly attentive, helpful and kind. We are very grateful for the memories we made there. Pura Vida!

Thank you! We were both lovely guests! We’d love to see have you again, come back soon :)

We were very happy with our stay. The house is very well maintained and well designed. The fans and screens made it very comfortable. Lack of AC was not a problem at all. We really enjoyed the nearby Suecos beach. The snorkeling was excellent around low tides. Many fish species, including permit, snapper, pompano, trevaly. We also saw turtles every day (including some very big ones). The pool was also a hit for the whole family. I would only caution that the pool border is very slippery when wet, so best to be careful going in/out. Great stay. We hope to be back. Thank you again!

Thank you, Jc, we were very happy to have you! Come back soon!

The house is even more lovely than the photos make it appear: it’s a jewel box of a home tucked away in the jungle. There are neighbors nearby, but it was never an issue due to the layout of the property - it always felt private. Our family feels as though it was an honor to stay in the here.

The house is amazing, quiet and surrounded by jungle. Everything was perfect!

La maison est incroyable, au calme et entourée par la jungle. Tout était parfait!

I cannot say enough amazing things about this rental.  I rented the Sea Monkey house for a trip with my 4 adult children. The setting was perfect, very peaceful and the space was incredible. We absolutely loved the outdoor areas - the BBQ and the outdoor sofas but most of all the pool. It was beautifully designed and we loved spending time both at the home and down the road at the local beach. Sheryl was absolutely incredible as a host. She was always responsive and gave us great recommendations for food and excursions. We loved La Dona pizza down the street and ate there twice! We also enjoyed Ollie's horseback riding and ATV rentals. All in all this was one of the best vacation experiences we have ever had. We loved the whole area and the Sea Monkey house was the perfect home for our Costa Rican get away. 5 stars all the way!

Sheryl is a wonderful host. She is responsive and available, very friendly and full of excellent, local recommendations. This house is a dream! It’s private and beautiful, nestled in the rainforest in close proximity to the beach. We stayed here for a week with our four children and we had plenty of space. The grounds were well maintained throughout our stay. The pool is beautiful. I would highly recommend the Sea Monkey house.

We came to the Sea Monkey for a family vacation of 6 people and it was perfect for us! The week before, Sheryl was answering all of our questions and helping coordinate things for our stay and arrival. Probably the best Airbnb host we’ve had. The space was so beautiful and peaceful and had everything we needed for cooking meals at home. The grill was perfect and we did get a visit from the monkeys! I would 10/10 come back to the sea monkey, it looks even more beautiful in real life!

I'm so pleased that your vacation was special! Hopefully we can see you guys again on another vacation!

The Sea Monkey was fabulous. Sheryl was the best and extremely communicative before and during our stay. We asked for boat ride recommendation and she arranged the same day and just a short walk away. It was amazing and great captain. The place so beautiful and 20 some howler monkeys showed up one morning for a few hours.

Sheryl was a great host, she helped us with everything and was quick to answer, it’s an amazing place to stay, very private and relaxing.

We loved the Sea Monkey! Its location, the beautiful surroundings, and unique home were perfect for enjoying Malpais. We hope to be back, thank you for hosting us!

This is the place you want to stay. This was a bit of a splurge for our group and it was worth every penny. It's somehow more beautiful in person - if you can even imagine that. If you want a peaceful Costa Rican dream where you can float between beaches & a pool, you've got it here. Bonus: Sheryl is responsive as all get-out and supremely helpful. The kitchen is well-stocked, making it easy to prepare meals around the FRESH TUNA we scored at the end of the day from the pescaderia just down the lane - easy! The secret beach is for real - absolutely stunning, easy walking distance. Many other beaches are within a short drive, too, if you want variety. Montezuma & Cabo Blanco Reserva = great daytrips. Option: ask for a meal to be prepared on your arrival night. It was a great first night move while we acclimated - and it was delivered hot & delicious. A life saver for us so we didn't have to wayfind while tired and hungry.

The sea monkey house is spectacular and Sheryl is an amazing host. Probably the best host we’ve had through Airbnb. And the house is one of the most unique we have stayed at. I did not want to leave. If you find this place available I say book it asap. It is truly a gem and I hope to return before long.

Beautiful home, couldn't imagine a more dreamy spot. Only problem is that it is so relaxing, it makes it hard to leave paradise. Get ready to fully feel the effects of 'Tika Time.' We found kitchen to be well equipped and clean. Amazing fresh fish at market for sashimi. Just be sure to clean up quickly otherwise the ants want to help. There are some mosquitoes, but manageable and expected. Pool is very clean and the entire property is well-maintained. There isn't AC, but the fan system works surprisingly well to vent out heat.

We spent five beautiful nights in paradise. Two couples could relax and enjoy together in a peaceful, calm and comfortable setting.

We loved our stay at the sea monkey house. Everything was clean and perfect. The super mini chico grocery store has everything you need at a very good price. Sheryl had left us coffee on arrival, a lovely attention. Very quiet place to relax and rest. Thank you so much!!

Nous avions adoré notre passage à la sea monkey house. Tout était propre et parfait. L’épicerie super mini chico a tout ce dont vous avez de besoin à très bon prix. Sheryl nous avais laisser du café à l’arrivée, une belle attention. Endroit très tranquille pour relaxer et se reposer. Merci beaucoup!!

There are so many wonderful things about the Sea Monkey, we fully enjoyed our time there.  Sheryl and Adolpho (grounds keeper) was responsive, helpful, and friendly.  The wildlife was bountiful and raucous.  We had a juvenile howler monkey that would visit us in the evening by the pool. The kids love the pool, of course….it was hard to get them out to explore each day.  The pool was cool, rejuvenating and sublime.  The open airflow design of the house was essential, as it doesn’t  have a/c. The close walkable secret beach is more than worth several dips at different tides.  I hesitate to complain at all because we loved the place so much….but I feel it’s important for those who may want to know.  The house is right next to a road that has heavy quarry truck traffic in the morning, in which they use their jake brakes A LOT. This could be only a temporary situation but it wouldn’t deter us from renting again! Thank you so much Sheryl.  We may see you in a year or two.  ¡Pura Vida!

Amazing stay! The house was spotless and so well appointed with everything our family of 7 including 3 young kids and grandma needed for our week long stay. The place blends beautifully into the jungle and is so relaxing. A short walk to the Malpais beach for beautiful sunsets and local fishermen where we bought from their daily catch most days (mahi mahi and ahi tuna) and ended up booking a trip with one on our last day to catch our own mackerel and red snapper for dinner. Sheryl was proactive and super responsive to any request. Highly recommend!

Amazing house in a wonderful location. Thanks Sheryl and team for your attention and thoughtfulness during our stay. We would love to return.

Beautifully designed home.  We saw Howler’s, a Coati, and an Agouti from the deck.  The location is private but a short drive to Santa Teresa.

Beautiful house, little remote! Close to some restaurants and good coffee!

We loved our stay at the villa. The immersion in the jungle is exotic. The villa is very well-located. We're thinking about going back!

Nous avons adoré notre séjour à la villa. L'immersion dans la jungle est dépaysante. La villa est très bien située. Nous envisageons y retourner !

Sheryl is a very thoughtful and helpful hits in every way. The house of the sea monkeys is a little slice of paradise and the small pool was very nice. We loved the secret beach where we were able to snorkel at low tide as well as the fishermen who sell fish 300 meters away! The only downside was the current work at a new home nearby, which is beyond hosts' control. We recommend this house because we live in the canopy directly, magical!!

Sheryl est une hits très attentionnée et aidante en tout point. La maison des singes de mer est un petit coin de paradis et la petite piscine était fort agréable. Nous avons adoré la plage secrète où nous avons pu faire du snorkeling à marée basse ainsi que les pêcheurs qui vendent du poisson à 300 mètres! Le seul point négatif fut les travaux actuels à une nouvelle maison tout près, ce qui est hors de contrôle des hôtes. Nous recommandons cette maison car nous on vit dans la canopy directement, magique!!

It's impossible to even know where to start with reviewing our stay at the Sea Monkey. We stayed at a total of 4 different airbnbs during our family trip to Costa Rica this April (after narrowing down from the hundreds of listings we had saved 🤪) and I can say unequivocally, that none of them held a candle to our experience at this jungle paradise of my DREAMS. My only regret is that our itinerary and their calendar's availability only allowed for a 3 night's stay, which was a true travesty, realized the instant we pulled up. Cue me sobbing. It was honestly almost hard for me to enjoy the time we did have, knowing three days would never be enough and I was already sad about our impending departure. The good news is: I am already scheming our return visit, knowing that THIS is where we will look to stay for the entire duration of any future trips to the ST/Mal Pais area. THE HOUSE: What did I love about it? Well simply put, everything ... but I will go into the details, because in a house this special, the details deserve to be mentioned. I have never felt so connected or moved by a house that I have had the privilege of staying in and it was all of its lovely, nuancey details that made it so. The house, which is exquisitely designed (need to look up this architect!) is both humble and grand all at once. It utilizes natural materials, is perfectly understated with modest furnishings (anything more would take away from the inherent beauty of the space as it is all on its own) and respects its surroundings, seamlessly blending in with the jungle that kisses its edges. At the same time, the house has married sweeping proportions (with cielings that reach and open up to the sky and expansive, shade bearing porches) with a feeling of intimacy and of being home. The way the sunlight filters in from the jungle foliage and through the high perched screens, dancing on everything it touches is mesmerizing, making it hard to ever want to leave ... even for the beach, which is another story entirely. Simple touches, like native flowers, simply arranged on the kitchen counter and in the bathrooms and the lovely conversations we shared messaging back and forth, made it clear that Sheryl and the caretakers really treasure their home, their guests and the jungle they share space with. I dont think there could be a better porch in all of Costa Rica to share a meal or take an afternoon nap (that is, if your stay allows for rest ... something hard to do in a destiniation like Costa Rica with so much to see and do). The pool is perfect for cooling off and taking a break from the sun of the beach. Waking up here to the sounds of birds and monkeys is delightful, so delightful in fact you'll want to get out of bed before the break of dawn, vacation or not ... knowing you can't get this at home. The house is perfectly equipped with everything you'd ever need to make your stay comfortable, including laundry which we were in desperate need of after starting our trip in Monteverde! The 3 bedroom layout is smart and spacious with open air bathrooms that will gift you with showers of a lifetime. As a family traveling with 4 children, we very much appreciated the connectedness of the bedrooms which is seemingly rare to find. Many of the homes we've stayed in Central America have bedrooms that are almost situated as a seprate wing or guest house, which might be nice if you're seeking privacy when traveling with other couples but we much prefer having the kids within earshot for the simple peace of mind of being in an unfamiliar place. THE BEACHES: We were able to visit many of the surrounding beaches of ST and Mal Pais during our trip and all had a unique persoinality and different offering that we really appreciated. We enjoyed a couple days of surfing at Playa Hermosa and Playa Carmen but it was the beaches of Mal Pais that felt extra special. The Mal Pais tide pools and Playa Suecos (just a short, idyllic walk from the house) both felt otherwordly. I will treasure the sunset swim I had there with my kids for a mother's lifetime, remembering their giant smiles as they bobbed up and down in mineral blue waves slapping at a tropical cliffside. It's one of those "pinch-me-am-I-really-here" type places that I desperately hope remains the "secret" beach it is because how you can have an experience like that all to yourself, without a soul around is a wonder. THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Santa Teresa was definitely much busier, hectic and noisey than we had imagined since its often described and written up as a remote surf desitination. I guess it being "remote" has not kept the people away! With good reason of course :) We stayed 3 nights in the heart of ST at a home perched up high above all the noise of the street and enjoyed our time for sure, but would definitely stay in Mal Pais for the entirety of our trip next time to feel more tucked away from it all. Mal Pais is the perfect anectode to the crowds of ST, feeling instantly quiet and peaceful, all the while having easy access to all of the amazing restuarants and surfing that the strip offers. I will say, for how many people were buzzing up and down the strip of ST, the beaches never felt crowded ... you could easily feel alone if you wanted to as the coastline stretches for miles with just a small scattering of people. As other reviewers have said, the Super Mini Chico has basically everything you'd ever need and La Dona and La Esquinita (local pizza and coffee shops) are both fantastic. The owner of

Our family of six spent three wonderful weeks here. Our children (ages 10,8,6, and 3) did not want to leave! It is such a serene, private location, yet ideal for activities in Mal Pais and Santa Teresa. Santa Teresa has great dining and stunning beaches, but is far too chaotic to stay in. Mal País has everything you need. We loved the pool, the tidy kitchen, the wonderful fans in every room, the green couch for porch lounging, the architecture, the beautiful light filtering in every morning…and of course the fiber internet for working remotely and online classes! We often used the large outdoor grill for simple dinners of chicken and veggies. Sheryl was available for my myriad of questions and many recommendations. The housekeeper and groundskeeper were wonderful—and so helpful in our longer stay. I hesitate to imagine how dirty and unkempt the previous reviewer must have been for him to see “rats” in the house. (I also strongly doubt it was a rat at all since I’ve never seen a single rat in my two months in Costa Rica.) This *is* open air living, an oasis in the jungle across from a park, up from the ocean—keeping food sealed and countertops clean after meals is a fairly basic need. We love this area—Playa Hermosa may be the most child friendly beach in the world—and I think this is the best house for experiencing it!

We loved our stay , the house is amazing, it is a dream house surrounded by the nature. Fully furnished, you can cook or you can go to the restaurants very close from the house . Sheryl was in contact with us and answered very quickly to all of our questions The swimming pool is a plus, and the beaches are so beautiful too. It was from far our best stay during our trip in Costa Rica . We felt like in paradise !

Rats. I can deal with a lot of things, but a rat on the kitchen counter is not one of them. I understand that the house is out in a wooded area, but it is so constructed that all kinds of wildlife can freely come in and out of the house. I saw a rat the first night we were there. The second night, as we had dinner on the porch, I watched a rat jump off the kitchen counter onto the center island. We have been on the porch for no more than 15 minutes when this happened. Another night I was awakened in the middle of the night by a squirrel attempting to break into a plastic container on the kitchen counter. This was not what I bargained for when I paid hundreds of dollars a night. The grill that was supplied was in shambles and the lid fell off when I opened it. It was old and rusted out. Hearing that the owners refused the managers request to replace the grill certainly did not make things any better. Hearing repeatedly that things would be fixed after we left really didn’t help the situation. The monkeys were interesting. The fish bought from Miguel was fantastic (would have been better if we had a place to grill it). The pool was clean and well-maintained.

Hi Chris - we are saddened to read your review. The Sea Monkey House is an open air bamboo house situated on the edge of a jungle reserve and 200 metres from the Pacific Ocean. We try to make it clear to our guests that food and waste need to be properly stored and the kitchen needs to be maintained clean. When food, wrappers, and scraps are left out, the jungle will sometimes join you in the house. We're glad to hear that you otherwise enjoyed your stay and hope that you return to enjoy the new bbq grill that unfortunately arrived after your departure. Thank you for your input.

The house is beautiful, we really enjoyed it very much, and it is immersed in the jungle which makes it a thousand times better. The place is magical and the fact that the house is semi-open (since it has some windows only with screens for bugs) makes one can hear nature all day and night. At first we were worried that the house did not have air conditioning, but the truth is that having the screens windows, an airflow was generated, and next to the fans it created the perfect atmosphere so as not to need AC. Sheryl is always very attentive to any questions and concerned about giving us the best experience. The only thing is that the grill was not very clean, but apart from that there is nothing that has bothered us, everything was spectacular, and we ended up falling in love with the house, both for its bamboo architecture (which is phenomenal), for its connection with nature and for what it offers (the pool, the pieces, the bathrooms, the kitchen, impeccable). Totally recommended, we would return happy anyway!

La casa es preciosa, realmente lo disfrutamos muchísimo, y está inmersa en la selva lo cual lo hace mil veces mejor. El lugar es mágico y el hecho de que la casa esté semi-abierta (puesto que tiene algunas ventanas solo con mallas para los bichos) hace que uno pueda escuchar la naturaleza todo el día y la noche. Al principio nos preocupó que la casa no tuviera aire acondicionado, pero la verdad es que al tener las ventanas de mallas, se generaba una corriente de aire, y junto a los ventiladores creaba el ambiente perfecto para no necesitar AC. Sheryl siempre muy atenta a cualquier duda y preocupada para entregarnos la mejor experiencia. Lo único es que la parrilla no estaba muy limpia, pero aparte de eso no hay nada que nos haya disgustado, todo fue espectacular, y terminamos enamorados de la casa, tanto por su arquitectura de bambú (la cual es fenomenal), por su conexión con la naturaleza y por lo que ofrece (la piscina, las piezas, los baños, la cocina, impecables). Totalmente recomendable, volveríamos felices de todas maneras!

Sheryl was very communicative and pleasant to deal with. house was clean. Location was very good, peaceful yet not too far from town. A small section of the access road was very rocky, although we managed with a Toyota Yaris I wouldn’t do it again especially when it rains. I would definitely come back but this time with an SUV

Unique house, we got a bit of the beach and the jungle at this house. We really enjoyed

My family (my wife and I, our 9 y old and 3 of her grand parents) stayed at the Sea Monkey for a week. We had a great time and I recommend booking this place. There might not be many reviews for this listing yet, as it changed owners recently and with that the AirBnB listing changed to a new one. This house is in the jungle 10 minutes from the beach, we enjoyed the wild life (e.g. watching howler monkeys, beautiful birds and fascinating insects from the back porch). There's plenty to do in the area (swimming and snorkeling when it's low tide, horseback riding, ziplining through the jungle canopy, fishing) and there's loads of restaurants in close by Santa Teresa. The small pool at the house is excellent for a quick plunge. The house is very well designed and we really loved it. It's obviously in the jungle, so if you are very scared of critters, then the house might not be for you. It's optimized for airflow through the house, so noises (from the jungle or from your travel companions) will also be heard throughout the house. It takes quite the drive from the airport to get to Mal Pais, but that's part of the charm too: it's beautiful on this part of the peninsula and the remoteness makes sure it doesn't get to busy. Last but not least, Sheryl took excellent care of us: she communicated very well, including when the listing changed owners after booking but before our stay, she helped us with directions, arranged pre-travel COVID tests at the house for us (needed for travel back into the US) and provided us with loads of good advice that helped us have a great vacation. We hope to visit the Sea Monkey again in the future!

3BR Villa