Come to our beautiful vacation home Casa Dulce, a super cool open-air rancho located on Playa Pan Dulce (the best sand beach in the area) in Matapalo on the scenic Osa Peninsula. Enjoy our private two-acre preserve, bring your family, friends or that special someone to slow down, take your life at a different pace, and see how much clearer everything is when you step back into the peace, quiet and privacy of what feels like another world. Please read about the access to the upstairs loft. The space Casa Dulce is a two-story loft, with two bedrooms up stairs. You are renting the entire home so enjoy. Downstairs, you will find the living room, kitchen, bedroom and the most magical pool deck and front porch. The upstairs loft is accessed by a super sturdy built-in ladder. For young toddlers, this is probably not the ideal set-up. If this situation causes concern, please check out Casa Madera, which is our jungle house. Casa Madera is on the Monkey Highway and is a one-story layout. Ideal for young kids! Guest access Life at Casa Dulce - Casa Dulce is our beach house…a stone’s throw from Playa Pan Dulce. Casa Dulce’s OPEN-AIR Ranch design offers the best of both worlds. You’ll feel like you’re outside even when you’re preparing a meal or possibly serving up beverages. We are OFF-GRID and if you’re new to this lifestyle, here’s a few tips. Our electricity is captured from the sun and we only collect a finite amount each day. With this said, it is up to you to conserve, possibly like never before. This means turning lights on only when you need it. ALWAYS TURN LIGHTS OFF when leaving a room. Staying cool at night… my recommendation is a quick dip in the plunge pool or a cool shower before going to bed. Each bed has a private fan. These fans should be used for initial cooling and should be turned off after you’ve cooled down. That’s where the plunge pool comes in handy. Showering (with hot water) is a little tricky. For whatever reason, the tankless water heaters in Costa Rica are super finicky. Here’s the biggest tip yet. Be patient! Turn on the HOT all the way and address temperature with the cold. If/when you lose the HOT…shut off everything and repeat. You’ll get it! Enjoy your stay at Casa Dulce! Other things to note SURFBOARDS- We do have some older surfboards that available for complimentary use. If you prefer a board that is in better shape, you may rent a surfboard for $25/day or $100/trip with a $100 ding deposit. KAYAKS - We have two kayaks that are available for complimentary use. Just be cautious...don't take the kayaks out unless the waters are extremely calm. PING PONG - We have a super fun "concrete" ping pong table in the front yard. Bring your "game face" and enjoy endless fun for all members of the family. HORSESHOES - We have a regulation horseshoe court in the front yard. From beginners to experts, horseshoes can be fun for the entire family. FISHING FROM THE BEACH - If you're interested in this, please ask the owner for information on his favorite lure which can be ordered online from H&H Lure. Tons of fun, and who knows, maybe you'll catch dinner.

## The Space

Casa Dulce is a charming two-story open-air rancho located on Playa Pan Dulce, known as the best sandy beach in the area, situated in Matapalo on the scenic Osa Peninsula. The property includes a private two-acre preserve, offering a peaceful retreat where you can unwind with family, friends, or a special someone and enjoy a slower pace of life surrounded by tranquility and privacy.

The home features two bedrooms upstairs in a loft area accessed by a sturdy built-in ladder. Please note that this ladder may not be suitable for very young toddlers. If you have concerns about this setup, consider Casa Madera, our single-story jungle house located on the Monkey Highway, which is better suited for families with young children.

Downstairs, you will find the living room, kitchen, an additional bedroom, and a magical pool deck with a front porch perfect for relaxing.

You will have exclusive access to the entire house during your stay.

## Guest Access and Lifestyle

Casa Dulce is our beach house, just steps away from Playa Pan Dulce. Its open-air ranch design allows you to feel connected to the outdoors even while cooking or serving drinks.

We operate off-grid, powered by solar energy with a limited daily electricity supply. Guests are encouraged to conserve energy by turning off lights when not in use and using fans and the plunge pool to stay cool at night.

Each bed is equipped with a private fan to provide initial cooling, which should be turned off once you are comfortable. A quick dip in the plunge pool or a refreshing shower before bedtime is recommended to stay cool.

Hot water showers can be a bit challenging due to the finicky nature of tankless water heaters in Costa Rica. The best approach is to turn the hot water on fully and adjust the temperature with cold water. If the hot water cuts out, turn everything off and try again patiently.

## Amenities

- Older surfboards available for complimentary use  
- Surfboard rentals available at $25 per day or $100 per trip, with a $100 damage deposit  
- Two kayaks available for free use; please only use them when the water is very calm  
- Concrete ping pong table in the front yard for family fun  
- Regulation horseshoe court suitable for all skill levels  

## Additional Activities

Fishing from the beach is an option for guests interested in trying it. The owner can provide information about his preferred lure, which can be ordered online from H&H Lure. Fishing can be a fun activity, and you might even catch your dinner.

Rick

Bedrooms

Bathrooms

Maximum Occupancy

3BR villa in Dominical

Casa Dulce - Great for small families or couples - Houses for Rent in Puerto Jiménez, Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Our stay at Cabo Matapalo was truly special. The house is lovely and surrounded by a beautiful, lush garden. The little pool was perfect for cooling off, and I especially loved the outdoor shower. The well water is delicious—we drank it throughout our stay without filtering it. The wildlife surrounding the house was one of the highlights. I needed a mental reset, and the monkeys, parrots, birds of all sizes, blue morpho butterflies, small wild pigs, huge toads, and even large turtles provided exactly that. There was always something fascinating to watch. We were also able to surf twice on most days, which made the location even more perfect for us. The kitchen, refrigerator, and freezer all worked well for our needs. We cooked every meal at the house, and even the fresh vegetables stayed in great condition until our last day. The only thing that would have made our stay even more comfortable was a small portable fan. Thank you Rick, Erick, and Teresa! Love and Peace

Super nice, central, practical, well-equipped. Everything was a dream!

Super lindo , céntrico , práctico , bien equipado . Un sueño todo !

Our second stay! Would not stay anywhere else! 😊

Casa Dulce is a gem here in Matapalo! Located right on the Playa Dulce surf spot. The cottage is open on all sides, so you feel like you are in the middle of nature. And yet it offers enough privacy… The small pool is ideal for cooling off from time to time! We really enjoyed our time at Casa Dulce with our 2 children and would come back at any time!! Thank you, Rick, for letting us spend unforgettable days here!!

Casa Dulce ist ein Perle hier in Matapalo! Direkt am Surfspot playa dulce gelegen. Das Häuschen ist auf alle Seiten hin offen, so dass man sich mitten in der Natur fühlt. Und doch bietet es genug Privatspähre… Der kleine Pool ist ideal für eine Abkühlung zwischendurch! Wir genossen die Zeit im casa dulce mit unseren 2 Kindern sehr und würden jederzeit wieder kommen!! Danke Rick, durften wir hier unvergessliche Tage verbringen!!

This is a truly spectacular spot. Pan Dulce is magical and we saw so much wildlife from the front yard. Lots of great walks and waterfalls. Loft upstairs worked great for our teens. Rick communicated so well and was so helpful as we planned our stay. Many thanks for this stay in a true oasis!

Staying here with all the adventure and magic of the jungle and sea all around will be an experience we will never forget. Highly recommend. A lot more comfortable than glamping but on that spectrum. Exactly what we wanted from a visit to the Osa.

That’s what we like to hear. Please share with your friends and family. Come back again! Peace and Love, Rick

Located in a beautiful, secluded area of Costa Rica. There are impressive animals, monkeys, parrots, macaws, curassows came by every day. The place is casual, has an individual flair, and is just perfect for the tropics. Very unusual!

Die Unterkunft liegt in einer traumhaften, abgelegenen Gegend Costa Ricas. Es gibt beieindruckende Tiere, täglich kamen Affen, Papageien, Aras, Currasows vorbei. Die Unterkunft ist lässig, hat einen individuellen Flair, und ist einfach perfekt für die Tropen. Sehr ungewöhnlich!

Magical place. We’re so grateful for our time here! Thank you, Rick, for everything!

Rick is a fantastic host; he responds immediately if something doesn't meet your expectations. The location of Casa Dulce is simply incredible and will make any surfer's heart beat faster. The only thing that wasn't quite ideal for me was the small bed, which is a bit too small for someone my height (1.92m). Nevertheless, I would book the accommodation again in a heartbeat. Thank you, Rick, for the wonderful time at your place.

Everything was amazing, just heaven! Thank you again for this unforgettable stay

Tout était incroyable, tout simplement le paradis ! Merci encore pour ce séjour inoubliable

Second time here and plan to return again ;)

We have made several trips and places in Costa Rica and Rick's casa is exceptionally what we are looking for. Animals, plants, the sea, the available equipment and a yoga center nearby. Obviously, it's an open-air casa and our preferences remain personal. I dream of going back regularly... thanks to Rick and his trusted man Eric, for the warm welcome.

Nous avons fait plusieurs voyages et endroits au Costa Rica et la casa de Rick correspond exceptionnellement à ce que l'on recherche. Les animaux, les végétaux, la mer, le matériel disponible et mène un centre de Yoga à proximité. Évidemment, c'est une casa à air ouverte et nos préférences demeurent personnelles. Je rêve d'y retourner régulièrement...merci à Rick et à son homme de confiance Éric, pour l'accueil chaleureuse.

We couldn’t have asked for a better experience at Casa Dulce! The host, Rick, was incredibly responsive and accommodating with our last-minute reservation. Erik went above and beyond to greet us upon arrival, even though we got in very late. Waking up here felt like paradise! We enjoyed our morning coffee while strolling along the beach, spotting blue morpho butterflies, monkeys, macaws, and so many other incredible creatures—it was truly magical. The house was perfectly equipped with everything we needed, and the pool provided a wonderful spot to cool off. One of the most pleasant surprises was the walkable restaurants in the area. The food and drinks were outstanding, which was unexpected for such a remote location. We can’t wait to return to this slice of heaven. Casa Dulce is truly a gem!

Good overall stay. Getting there is quite a journey. You are very isolated from town and other amenities like restaurants other than one (which was quite good). You have your own private beach right outside your front door with beautiful landscaping full of wildlife. This is an older property with lot of character, but lacks a lot of creature comforts like AC, TV, etc, but it does have pretty decent wifi. If the open air concept appeals to you then this is a great choice for those seeking a private and peaceful getaway. Beware the extreme heat and humidity and relentless rain during rainy season, not a knock against the property, but it does make full enjoyment more difficult. We ended up staying on property the majority of our stay and the plunge pool was a life saver. Rick was a friendly and responsive host, and answered all of our questions and helped with transportation arrangements. My advice is to do your research into the area and know what you are looking for in a property.

Thanks Bryan for the gracious review! Peace and Love, Rick

Casa dulce sit on the most beautiful beach in mata palo ... one can watch the surf break from every location in the house and simply walk out onto the pristine white sandy beach. The house is adorable and has every thing one needs to feel immediately at home and at ease. Rick is a super host communicating immediately with any questions one hands and resolving any issues one has immediately.. we had an amazing and idyllic stay at casa dulce

Casa Dulce is absolutely perfect. I brought my 83 year old mother and my 10 and 12 year old kids. It was perfect for all of us. My mom read and relaxed either in the pool or on a lounger overlooking the break and my kids, well… they wouldn’t get out of the water. They surfed literally hours and hours a day. We saw monkeys all day long, lots and lots of macaws, ant eaters, capybaras and a vast amount of other wildlife. We have never ever seen so much wildlife in one concentrated area. Its incredible and worth every bit of travel to see it. We absolutely love Rick’s piece of paradise and definitely plan on coming back if he’ll have us. Rick was incredibly responsive, proactive and one of the greatest hosts we’ve ever had. He truly made our vacation. Thank you again to you Rick and your incredible team (Eric and Teresa). You all made us feel at home. We look forward to seeing you soon and hope to make this an annual trip. Thanks again!!

We had a great time at Rick's cool beach house. It's like a zoo. There were always new animals to discover. The location on Pan Dulce Beach is awesome. We would definitely come back. Rick is a great host. Thanks Rick

Wir hatten eine super Zeit in Ricks coolen Beach Haus. Der gleicht einem Zoo. Es gab ständig neue Tiere zu entdecken. Die Lage am Pan Dulce Beach ist genial. Wir würden sofort wiederkommen. Rick ist ein super Gastgeber. Danke Rick

Rick said it would be magical and it was.  My kids were so delighted to have three species of monkeys to greet us the first morning.  There had to be about 20 or more.  We saw monkeys throughout our stay.  The view was spectacular from the home out to the beach.  It was very private as well.  We spent time cooling off in the small pool, watching the sunrise and full moon rise over the ocean, taking surfing lessons from Pollo Surf school right on the beach by the home.  We saw maybe 5 other people on the beach.  We felt  very safe.  Make sure you bring lots of groceries because it’s a long bumpy drive back to town and there are no stores close by.  The local restaurant was very good but super expensive about $27 a plate.  We cooked our own food mostly in the well equipped kitchen.  We loved the beach because it had lots of sand compared to a lot of the other beaches we saw which had only rocks.  We loved the open air concept of the home but plan on lots of bugs.

Thank you for the great review! I’m stoked y’all had a great time, especially your kids. Yes, Matapalo is Magical! We hope to see y’all in the future for a return visit! Peace and Love Rick

The OSA is one of my favorite places on earth, if you like to completely unplug this is the place for you.

Casa Dulce is a very comfortable and beautiful stay in front of the beach. The ideal place for those who are looking for retreat, tranquility, natural beauty, but also a little adventure (surfing, kayaking or hiking). It has all the comforts of a cozy home, in the middle of a paradise setting of deep forest and dreamy beaches. Highly recommended!

Casa Dulce es una estancia muy cómoda y hermosa frente a la playa. El lugar ideal para quienes buscan retiro, tranquilidad, belleza natural, pero también un poco de aventura (practicar surf, kayak o senderismo). Cuenta con todas las comodidades de un hogar acogedor, en medio de un paraje paradisíaco de bosque profundo y playas de ensueño. ¡Totalmente recomendable!

Thank you Alonso! I hope and expect to hear from you again! Please come back! Also, tell your friends and family! Peace and Love Rick

Rick has continued to make this property better and better each and very trip down. By far the most magical place i have been in my life. There are endless animals visiting the property daily, so no need to go on animal viewing tours. Numerous waterfalls in walking distance with swimming holes. 4 5 star surf beaks all within walking distance that work even on a flat day. The addition of the pickle ball court is out of this world. Ricks design and Erik's building experience have brought a never seen before pickle ball court to the only place in the jungle in costa Rica. you will never get bored on this property. You will also never be left wondering how to use something or figure anything out, as Rick is days ahead of you sending numerous messages about all of the many ways to make your trip easy, unforgettable, and priceless. And if you have any issues during your stay, Erik and Teresa are just a minutes walk up the road. Thanks Rick for another incredible family tip full of memories

If you love nature, it is the perfect place. In the middle of the jungle and directly at the sea. Communication with Rick 5 stars! No question remained unanswered. Unfortunately, we couldn't get to know him in person.

Wer die Natur liebt ist es der perfekte Platz. Mitten im Dschungel und direkt am Meer. Kommunikation mit Rick 5 Sterne! Keine Frage blieb unbeantwortet. Leider konnten wir ihn nicht persönlich kennenlernen.

If you come for surfing, this is the place to be... Pan Dulce is just in front of the house. And if you don't surf you can play pickleball or ping pong. This is paradise and I will be back.

I came to Rick’s place for the second time, I enjoyed it as the first time and I will come back …

Perfect location to the beach and the surrounding areas. We could walk easily to explore and surf. Loved everything about the home and the wonderful hosts! Can't wait to go back.

In one week, saw parrots, spider monkeys, Couti, Toucans, Tamandua, vine snake, macaws, iguanas, basilisk, toads, poison arrow frogs, anoles, geckos, raccoon, parakeets, falcons, hawk, vultures, hummingbirds, Halloween crabs, hermit crabs, scorpion, butterflies, just sitting on deck. Oh, and primo right point break right out front. Paradise….

I’m stoked you’re stoked! Please come back! Pura Vida Rick Hardy

Great peaceful house surrounded by nature and walking distance to the beach. From the kitchen you can see the point break of pan dulce 🏄🏼‍♂️🌊 drink coffee and get psyched getting ready for a amazing surf session.

Manolo, we hope you come back in the future!

Please come back! Pura Vida Rick Hardy

For a first-time visit to Costa Rica, I couldn't have asked for a better host than Rick. His place is beautiful, situated on a near private beach with a wonderful view of nearby surfers. Since the property was quite secluded, he was very easy to communicate with and provided us with clear instructions for getting to the house. Erick and Teresa live nearby and were very easy to reach for questions about the house or a delicious home-cooked dinner.  We'll certainly be staying at Casa Dulce next time we're in CR.

Rick and his place were wonderful. Our family truly felt at home here. We loved the beachfront access, the games, open kitchen and the pool! We saw so many amazing animals, each day with new discoveries. Everyone we met was super nice. It was hard to leave.

Thanks Meredith! We’re stoked y’all had a great experience. We hope and expect to see y’all again! Pura Vida! Rick Hardy

Stay here!!! It's one of our favorite off-the-beaten-path vacation stays. This is a wonderful beachfront open-air palapa style two-story house on beautiful grounds. We were there a week and saw lots of animals on the property including monkeys, an anteater, agouti, coati, tayra, macaws, toucans, crabs, toads, frogs, and leaf cutter ants. The hammocks and dip pool were a hit with my 4 and 8 year old and a great way to cool off. Beds have fans and bug nets. Lots to explore off the property as well with hikes to a waterfall, yoga, surf lessons and Corcovado Park. Rick, the property owner, was great! He's proactive, responsive, and helpful. We had the good fortune to meet him and learn a new domino game that has become a family favorite! There is a property manager and his wife in a house up the hill to help if needed. There are two restaurants nearby. I would also recommend buying groceries in Puerto Jimenez. 4WD recommended.

Casa Dulce was everything we’d hoped for and more. Our host Rick was very accommodating and helpful in getting us set up and with requests during our stay. Have stayed there before and will be back again.

We just returned from an almost 3 week stay. Casa Dulce was just as listed, and expected. Beautiful spot, and property. The pool was a lifesaver when we wanted to cool off and hang close to the house, plus my kids lived in it- a lifesaver for their first trip to the Osa. Rick was abundantly communicative and responsive to our needs and questions leading up to the stay, and during, even sending a letter of encouragement to my daughter who was anxious about the trip. The caretakers were warm and helpful and offered to assist with anything we might need. We were sometimes the only ones on the beach, and if not, there were only a handful of others. The wildlife right outside our door was more than we could have dreamed. Our family truly enjoyed our experience at Casa Dulce and would do it all again.

Thank you for the great review! Y’all are awesome! Peace and Love Rick Hardy

What an incredible vacation. Casa Dulce is in the perfect location. You wake up in front of the ocean, go to sleep under bright stars, and see wildlife in the yard all day. Rick is a great host who was always responsive and helpful. This is truly paradise. Very much outdoor living. You can surf, walk, hike to waterfalls, kayak, explore on foot, or just hang out reading in the hammock. It is difficult to get into town without a vehicle -- so we recommend renting a motorcycle or a car (or arranging for a taxi) if you plan to make trips into Puerto Jimenez or explore outside of walking distance. We can't wait til next time!

I’m stoked y’all had a great time! Spread the word to family and friends. Pura Vida! Rick Hardy

Great place ! Great surf ! Great host ! A surf/nature paradise

Thanks Anders! If your trip continues in Costa Rica, make it the best! I hope and expect to hear from y’all in the future! Pura Vida Rick Hardy

A totally perfect location, with a beautiful beach at the bottom of the garden. Loads to do with surfing, kayaking and swimming and the garden teaming with wildlife! We saw spider monkeys, toucans, scarlet macaws and even a turtle in the line up! The kids loved the lizards, geckos on the ceilings and the large chilled Jesus lizard who hung out in the bathroom! Rick the owner and Erick the caretaker were both super friendly and helpful but not intrusive. We would love to come back one day and it has to be one of the best Airbnb’s around!

Casa Dulce is an absolute gem! You feel like in paradise. The house is right af the beach, surrounded by beautiful wildlife, and has all the amenities you wish for. Highly recommended!

Thanks Richard for the great review! We hope y’all will come back in the future. Please spread the word to family and friends! Pura Vida! Rick Hardy

Amazing home on a lush jungle beach. Ricks place was amazing , we truly were able to connect with each other and nature while relaxing in the hammocks and watching all kinds of birds and monkeys flying right above. It’s literally on the beach and pan dulce is right out back. We will be back for a longer stay. It is very remote and you have to bring in all groceries but it’s worth being in the rawest part of the jungle.

There were four of us, two adults and two children (11 and 13 years) at Casa Dulce for three weeks and we enjoyed the time very much. For those who love pure nature and have no problems with crabbing animals, the place is great! The Playa Pan Dulce surf spot is right on your feet. We were fortunate that a big swell gave us a week of perfect waves. In the garden we had Aras, toucans, the various monkey species, ant bears and and and. There are regular whales passing by further out by outside the sea. The house is a bit older, but offers everything you'll need. We had a new fridge which was cool.

Wir waren zu viert, zwei Erwachsene und zwei Kinder (11 und 13 Jahre) drei Wochen im Casa Dulce und haben die Zeit sehr genossen. Für alle, die pure Natur lieben und keine Probleme mit Krabbeltieren haben, ist der Ort super! Der Surfspot Playa Pan Dulce liegt dir direkt zu Füssen. Wir hatten das Glück, dass ein grosser Swell uns eine Woche perfekte, Wellen beschert hat. Im Garten hatten wir Aras, Tukane, der verschiedene Affenarten, Ameisenbären und und und. Weiter draussen auf dem Meer sind regelmässig Wale vorbei gezogen. Das Haus ist schon etwas älter, bietet aber alles, was man braucht. Wir hatten einen neuen Kühlschrank, was cool war.

Rick’s place was absolutely perfect. The beach views right from the house…incredible! Loved the fun open layout of the house. Went swimming, hiked a waterfall, kayaked, and played lots and lots of ping pong. What a great place. I would come back again in a heartbeat. Be sure to go to Marinas for a drink. Rick was the best. So kind and passionate about all the good things in life. You feel it in his home.

We had a great time! It was the perfect setting for our Costa Rican rainforest adventure! The hosts were super communicative and the space was perfectly positioned in awe inspiring beauty. We had a great time hiking and horseback riding around the rainforest! This spot seems like a surfing hot spot as well so if we were more adept surfers that would have been great too! As a side note if you are interested in off grid sustainable building systems, this little compound is a great opportunity to see an excellent system at work! Props to Eric, the groundskeeper, for showing us the system! Highly recommend!

Casa Dulce was AMAZING! My family really enjoyed staying here. The location was perfect for my surfing/nature loving family. The house is on the beach at Pan Dulce and a short walk to Backwash. We spent some quality time playing ping pong and horse shoes. We will definitely stay at Casa Dulce again.

Casa Dulce is the best! location is phenomenal. if your favorite mantra is surf, chill, chill,surf, chill, then surf some more....this is your happy place.  the plunge pool is the bomb . I will be back for sure!

Our small family and a group of friends rented out both Casa Madera and Casa Dulce for two weeks in Mid-June 2022. To say it was amazing would be an understatement. I requested that each person write their own little review so that we could share a variety of perspectives on the experience. The first week our small family and a group of 5 friends were there--then the friends took off any my dad and sister stayed for the next week. The long story short (see the long stories below): This is a review for both houses. Incredible, amazing, surprising, and unique wildlife encounters. Beautiful scenery. Casa Madera and Casa Dulce have every amenity you could need and more. The plunge pools are a game changer and provide wonderful relief on hot humid days. Both houses are great for ages 6 to 66. Get to know the caretakers and locals, they're wonderful, thoughtful, and helpful. Lots of opportunity for high adventure or ultimate relaxation. It's the rain forest! Expect lots of rain and lots of forest! Bring quick dry clothes and take advantage of drying things out when the sun comes out. The mom (me) - I had visited Casa Dulce for a week when I graduated high school in 2006 and always envisioned going back someday so we did! The opportunity to be secluded in one of the most biologically diverse places on earth is something you shouldn't pass up! The houses and the beach provided spectacular opportunities for wildlife encounters--we saw significantly more creatures in the yard than we did on either of our guided hikes. Macaws, hawks, hummingbirds, parrots, koatis, raccoons, agoutis, kinkajous, anteaters, hatchling sea turtles, geckos, lizards, snakes (non venomous), armadillo, poison dart frogs, hermit crabs, other crabs, 4 kinds of monkeys, sea slugs, sea cucumbers, other crazy tide pool creatures, and more. The people on the Osa were incredibly friendly and inviting. We really enjoyed getting to know the caretakers (Erick and Teresa and their dog lulu) and spending time with Rick (the owner) around the house. Rick was happy to share tips on fishing, surfing, and local adventuring. Teresa is great at fixing things (she saved my fishing real from the trashcan in less than 5 minutes), don't hesitate to ask her for help. The competitive ping pong scene at Encanta La Vida was a blast to watch and or participate in. Hiking to king louis waterfall and tree climbing with Andy of Everyday Adventures was a blast for our whole group --- and Andy invited us back to his place a few days later to see him release a 7ft boa that he caught in his chicken coop --that was a once in a lifetime experience for sure! We enjoyed a delicious fresh seafood dinner at Martina's, a bar and restaurant just up the road from the houses which was a nice break from cooking dinner. The kitchens in both houses were perfect for cooking your own meals and the fridge was great for storing perishables for a few days between grocery store runs to Puerto Jimenez. Our two weeks at Rick's place were the most relaxing and rejuvenating two weeks of my life--I hope to make visiting down their an annual tradition! The dad (Nerdy engineer, usually not good at taking relaxing vacations) -- really enjoyed the house and the location. It was remote and uncommercialized which is exactly what I look for in vacation destinations. The plunge pool provided endless fun for me and Onyx and the porch hammocks and comfortable beds provided relaxing spaces for Onyx and I to read over 600 pages of books while we were there! The off-grid infrastructure was really impressive and worked great. Loved the privacy of the houses and the ability to skinny dip in the plunge pool after getting hot out on the beach. We had hours and hours of fun surveying the tide pools in front of the house for cool creatures, and building lots and lots of sand fortresses and ponds. Rick was happy to give me a few little projects to work on around the house to occupy my brain while other folks were relaxing. The 6 yr old -- "The house was great, hated being dunked in the pool by my friends, the beach was great. The time that we went in the ocean it was really intense because of the big waves but making little sand ponds in the freshwater streams flowing on the beach was my favorite. I loved seeing baby sea turtles and loved the tide pools with a sea urchin, touched an eel, loved catching brittle stars in the tide pools, loved loved loved the waves crashing on me. I loved the monkeys, toucan, armadillo, koatis, and I loved the little frogs and poison dart frogs. I loved picking the limes, coconuts, and mangos from the yard, and Eric the caretaker let me borrow his machete to crack open the coconuts—the meat and the milk was delicious! The Grandpa (outdoorsy active 60 something dude)-- Really enjoyed the stay-- I was a bit anxious about the lack of AC for sleeping, but with the little fan above the bed and my own battery powered fan I slept great! I was really impressed with all of the wildlife and had lots of fun playing with my grandson around the house. We chopped open a LOT of coconuts! The Monkeys and Macaws in the yard were incredible. Fishing right in front of the house was fun though I didn't have much luck this time. Take Rick's recommendation on his favorite lures, all of the locals seemed envious of them so we gave them our extras when we left. They said they were perfect for snapper and jack! My sister (used to resort style vacations but ok with roughing it if she knows ahead of time what to expect) -- "The scenery and wildlife were unbelievably--I took a selfie with an anteater in the yard on the first

Rick’s place has a fantastic location with the property meeting the ocean and great surfing, which was definitely the draw when we booked this place. The gardens are just beautiful with gorgeous trees and plantations throughout the property - and the gardens reflect the photos in the listing! The surf was great while we were there. Note, the beach is rock and continues out into the water for quite some way. Rick recommended we take water shoes and we are glad we did. Although it’s not really a swimming beach, because of the rock (and there isn’t much sand), we did swim, surf & boogie board. (We bought a boogie board from the surf shop in PJ). Matapalo and the beach further north from there was sandy to go for a nice long walk along the beach. We also enjoyed the wildlife viewing from Rick’s, with spider monkeys feeding on the banana trees each evening. We saw scarlet macaws, turkey vultures, butterflies, and more, at the property (including a scorpion in the food pantry!). We did have our taxi driver stop at the grocery store in Puerto Jimenez as suggested by Rick, and made our own meals most of the time. We also went to Martina’s for something different on the Friday night and food and drinks were good, interesting to see the local expat community. We recommend Encanta La Vida for a yoga class in the shala and then brunch; and the highlight for us was dinner at Lapa Rios. Lapa Rios’ service, atmosphere and quality of food and drinks were excellent! Throughout our stay at Rick’s, we were able to take it easy and slow down to just enjoy the natural & wild surrounds. We walked everywhere we needed to go and it was easy - even if it was along muddy dirt roads :-) The house itself is simple and older. Rick describes it as open air - and when we arrived we realized that meant no screens at all - which we hadn’t realized before then. Evenings were a little challenging with all the bugs attracted to the lights so we went to bed early at sundown to avoid this. There was bug spray which we ended up needing to use because there were just so many mosquitoes. We did experience ants and insects throughout (even with regular cleanups), which I guess are to be expected in the location. The bedrooms are also open, and upstairs you walk through one bedroom to get to the other. We did not have any issues at all with the electricity or hot water supply. The plunge pool was perfect and is absolutely essential. As recommended, we plunged multiple times a day to cool down, starting when we woke up, and finishing the end of the day before bed. Thank you to Rick for sharing your home. The week at your place was part of our Costa Rica family adventure and we really appreciated being back to basics in nature.

The description for this place is very accurate. The owner was very responsive and the caretakers took very good care of us. This is the kind of place they talk about in travel magazines, with pretty much all the iconic animals of CR right on the property. There are also a lot of adventures available just waiting for you in the area. I highly recommend driving the additional distance, it is definitely worth it.

Case Dulce was exactly as advertised. Rick has put in great time and effort to make his place a paradise for all. I would highly recommend it to anybody looking to travel to Costa Rica. As I have been a half dozen times, I have yet to stay at a location better than Rick’s. The views, location, and actual house were incredible. Rick was a great host, with tips and recommendations of the surrounding area. We will definitely be back, and I highly suggest anybody interested to make Case Dulce their next destination.

We really had an amazing stay at Casa Dulce: - Located right on the beach of Pan Dulce surrounded by the most beautiful nature it’s already a paradise by itself. Having all kind of animals in your front yard (monkeys, coatis, giant anteaters, scarlet macaws, etc.) makes you feel like staying in the jungle but with all the comfort you need. - The house itself is super comfortable and spacious, has a fantastic terrace and beautiful pool, very well equipped kitchen (with XXL fridge, gas stove and oven, mixer etc), 3 clean rooms (1 downstairs and 2 upstairs rooms) with double beds in each room. The indoor shower has warm water at every time of the day. - The housekeeper family Erick, Teresa and their son were very helpful whenever we needed anything. The owner Rick was not on site when we visited, but it almost felt as if: he was so service-oriented and always almost instantly answered us whenever we had a question! Thanks Rick for making our stay as it was - just perfect! We are already looking forward coming back one day soon!

What can I say, this place is absolutely paradise! We checked in with zero problem. Erick and Theresa were helpful and immediately available. Throughout the process from booking to checking out, Rick was attentive and seemed eager to make our stay the best it could be. Now let me say, without any hesitation… this place exceeded everything I was hoping for. We had a short stay (three nights), and were really struggling with leaving. From the perfect layout of the house itself to the amazing location and beautiful views, the hours just melted away. Spider monkeys playing in the tree, viewable from the pool. Scarlet Macaws everywhere, hummingbirds galore and the lapping waves of the sea. Howler monkeys were obviously around and tons of other animals encountered the entire time of our stay. Keep in mind, this place isn’t going to be for everyone. There aren’t windows to close, and at night your light will attract insects. If that doesn’t bother you, then definitely book this place if you can. A seemingly constant breeze helped to keep the heat off and I dipped in the pool at least 15 times in one day. Our only complaint was our own fault. We accidentally left the light in the bathroom on and went to grab a bite down the street at Martina’s. When we returned we found about 15 giant and annoying cicadas bouncing around the bathroom. Overall an amazing piece of paradise and we will certainly return. Next time for much longer and maybe try the rainier season. Thanks again Rick! Pura Vida.

Ben, you’re the best! Thanks for the great review. I’m stoked y’all had a great trip. Now spread the word to family and friends. Pura Vida Rick Hardy

You will not be disappointed in the location and the access to wildlife. We were able to see all 4 species of monkeys from the front porch and often watched the monkeys from the plunge pool or while washing the dishes. Tip 1: bring ear plugs if you’re a sensitive sleeper - the monkeys can get loud. Tip 2: set your alarm to wake at dawn so that you’re sure to capture lots of the animal activity in the yard and see the stunning sunrises. Tip 3: Keep your eyes open for a blue morpho butterfly that makes their daily pass through the yard around 7:30 every morning. Overall Rick’s place is amazing and the caretakers Erick and Theresa were wonderful. It was the relaxing week in nature that we desperately needed. There are a few ants here and there but overall the occasional ant annoyance was way overpowered by the beauty and the hospitality. Thank you for opening your home to others so we can share in this remarkable location.

Thank you so much Rick we had a super great time. The wildlife we saw was beyond what we expected. We went to Corcovado twice with Eric (the caretaker) recommendation of the guide named Oscar. Oscar lives in Puerto Jimenez and was incredible. We spent two very long days with him and he saw so many things we would never have seen. He was kind and patient and we’ve never seen so much wildlife (tapier, sloth, monkeys, birds) in one day in our whole lives. We loved the swimming beach that was walking distance called back wash Beach.the surfing waves at Pan Dulce were not good for our trip- I guess that isn’t unusual for dec/January. We saw sea turtles hatch and crawl to the beach at backwater, so amazing. I was worried it would be too hot for sleeping, but Ricks set up was amazing. There were fans at each bed and the air at Osa cools off so much more than other CR places. Looking forward to returning, thanks Rick and Erick!

What an amazing place this is, such a great location, we were away for nearly 4 weeks, stayed and travelled down the coast and also 6 days on the Caribbean side. But perhaps the Osa penicula is our favorite. First night a little sceptical about the bugs and openess, but waking up with those noisy Macaws and sound of the waves was something we will never forget.

Amazing place, amazing location, great hosts. Will be back for sure!

We are a family of 6 (4 kids ages 13, 11 and twins with 7 years old) and everyone had a great time at Casa Dulce. The location of the house is epic, nothing can beat it. Playa dulce literally on the front yard is great for the kids to swim and surf, backwash with slightly bigger waves is a 10m walk and is spectacular, waterfalls are a 10m drive, you have monkeys jumping in the trees in front of the house… there’s plenty of entertainment! And Rick was an awesome host! Thanks

We've been on the Osa several times but this place was just insanely beautiful. The garden view was amazing and we were lucky with back to back swells to surf everyday. The caretakers made sure we were happy and they helped us whenever we needed something. Such sweet people. The house is simple but everything you need is there. The pool area is amazing and we spent most of our time there or at the beach. We will come back for sure and miss it already.

Matapalo is truly one of the most special destinations in the world. You feel like you’re waking up in the Costa Rica you’ve only read about. The plant and animal life is more vibrant than anywhere I’ve ever been. Ricks Jungle/beach retreat is the quintessential Costa Rican experience. His lush property couldn’t be more ideally situated, looking over his beautiful lawn at the corduroy rows of waves peeling in from the point of Pan Dulce.  Giant palm trees dwarf you as you meander through a verdant cobblestoned path that delivers you right to the beach. Lay in the shade or dip in the pool, and listen to every sound this truly wild corner of the country has to offer. The best part about Rick’s place, though, are the photos that line his walls of an adventurous lifetime of sharing his amazing home in a place he obviously loves with his family and friends over the last few decades. And now he’s opened this home for us to enjoy as well, and there’s really no place like it.

WOW!!! Thanks for the great review. You're quite poetic (possibly not the correct term, but I think you know what I was shooting for).  Yes, I will agree with y'all. The Osa is quite remarkable, and being in Matpalo, located right on Playa Pan Dulce...who could ask for more? Thank you for your comment about our photos...yes, many, many memories brought back to life through those photographs. Thanks again for the amazing review! Pura Vida!

Amazing stay! It was so much fun!! Everyone already misses it. While there was definitely an adjustment in the beginning, it was just such a beautiful place and it made for an unforgettable experience. The caretaker, Eric, was excellent, and super reliable. There are also a lot of things to experience in Puerto Jumenez, such as Rancho Raices. The farms nearby were so picturesque and I felt so connected with nature.  The house is very secluded and everyone is very friendly. As I said, there is an adjustment in the beginning, but that makes for such an amazing experience. I got to experience a totally different lifestyle than what I'm used to and it has really impacted me positively as a person. Definitely stay here!!!

Beautiful location steps from the beach and great surfing. Comfortable, relaxed place.  The area is amazing!  Truly special. We hope to return someday. Thank you Rick for the opportunity to stay here. Pura vida!

You can't beat this location... steps away from Pan Dulce.  Great communication from Rick and caretaker on property. Adorable cabina.

A place in paradise, beautifully set,wth the ocean in front. Having said that, it was not appropriate for older individuals such as we are, because two of the rooms are in the upper loft, to be reached by a ladder, not stairs. That was a bit unfortunate, and was the cleanness overall. I recommend this place for younger people.

We had a great time, hidden little gem! We booked over 1 week, that made a great impact on the price which made the accommodation well worth the money. We wanted to stay longer but unfortunately it was booked. We will book it again if we come back!!!!! Thanks a lot and do not hesitate to book, it’s great …

Our stay at Casa Dulce was incredible!  We swam and fished and hiked and explored and went horseback riding and rappelling.  The house was very clean, efficient and comfortable.  As other reviews have stated, it does require a 4x4 rental car to get there but for us that was great because we then used the 4x4 to go exploring further down the road.  Martina's had great food for lunch and dinner, but mostly we had no difficulty eating on our own.  Rick is great at communicating with you after you book your stay with him about buying groceries and what to expect during your stay.  His advice on the best fishing lures was also a big help!  We had no real issues with mosquitoes or other bugs during our stay in mid-June.  We knew up front that we were visiting during what they consider their rainy season, and as our trip approached, we were watching the forecasts for that area and according to them, we were expecting almost constant clouds and rain while we were there.  That was not the case.  We had some rain 4 out of the 6 nights we were there and some rain every day but one, but we had many hours of sunshine between short rainshowers during the days so that we had plenty of time to be out and active without the rain interfering with what we wanted to do.  Often we had nice sunny weather during the early part of the day and if it rained during the afternoon it helped to cool things off, so it worked for us. We really enjoyed the birds and monkeys and animals we saw.  Had a great time! We are already planning on coming back!

Best best location possible. Private garden, macaws, toucans, monkeys everyday all day. Ocean view and ocean front. You could see the ocean from the bed! Rick extremely helpful since the very beginning and so was Erick. Ocean amazingly calm in front of the house. 10 min walk from backwash. The house is located at the beginning of the rocky road so you basically skip the worst parts unless you want to drive to Matapalo which is still pretty decent (tico dirt road standards). Fun ping pong table. Kitchen had pretty much anything: mixed, tuppers, ice ready for us in the freezer. House is fully open. Ocean view also from the kitchen. Plunge pool was perfect! Felt like home even if it was just a 4 night stay. We felt quite nostalgic when we drove back :( hope to be back pretty soon!!

We had a really great time at Casa Dulce. It is a paradise. Beach quite, and save, close of nature.

True Jungle experience.  The loft, which we called the "deer stand", was amazing for early morning viewing of tons of animals and birds.  Listening to the waves at night was amazing.  Our kids played ping pong, kayaked, surfed, played horseshoes, and did a lot of exploring.  Very secluded, make sure to stock up on groceries, but all in all It was a terrific couple of weeks of rest, relaxation and family time.

Hey Kirby, I am so stoked to read your review, and thanks for the heads-up on the lack of cleaning. While I am there, it is easier to make sure that certain things occur, this would include cleaning frequency. While being there for 16 days, Teresa should have cleaned every four days. I will speak with her about that in a general way. I will not let on that it had anything to do with y'all. I apologize for this, and I will see that she is more prompt and regular with her cleaning activities. Thank you for the great review! My personal email is costarick58@gmail.com  Write to me if you have anymore questions or you might have some friends who want to come explore Matapalo. I also hope that y'all will come back for a return trip. You now know the lay of the land and would have an even better time on your return trip. Pura Vida!

My family and I had a wonderful and unforgettable time at Rick's place. I have lived in Costa Rica all my life and had never been in a place so surrounded by wildlife and nature. It was completely private, which was very important for us in times of Covid, and we simply loved this little bit of paradise. The proximity to the beach was unbeatable, and it made it easy to go for evening swims and enjoy the phosphorescence! We had never seen so many monkeys before, and we got to see congo, spider, white-faced, and squirrel monkeys. The most common birds were scarlet macaws and toucans. And we saw many cute Cherengas in our back yard. We also hiked along rivers to find two different waterfalls and enjoyed swimming in Backwash beach, one beach over. The wildlife and nature were definitely the highest points of our trip. The house itself is completely open, which I had not fully grasped before our arrival. It felt a bit like camping with tons of amenities and definitely made for part of the adventure. You should not expect any luxury, however. The kids also loved the pool and spent tons of time in it, even though it was really small. I also appreciated that Rick's wifi worked really well and allowed me to take a couple of work calls from the house without any problem. All in all, Rick's place was a wonderful place for us to stay and we'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Hello Shannon! Thank you for the great review! I am so excited that y'all had a great time! Everything you described is what makes Vista Dulce (our property name) so special. The proximity to the beach, the wildlife, the landscaping, etc...all of those things roll up into one happy experience.  Stay in touch and also send me some of your recommendations for improvements. We don't have the money to do anything right now, but I can always dream.   I'm dreaming of the day I get to come back down there. Right now, the idiotic people of the divided states of america are causing sheer havoc by refusing to wear masks, refusing to stay physically distant and not avoiding being inside/outside with large gatherings. Anyway, stay in touch, and spread the word about Vista Dulce (Casa Dulce/Casa Madera). I hope and expect to hear back from you in the future for your next Matapalo adventure. Pura Vida! Rick Hardy

We stayed at Casa Dulce then Casa Madera we loved both places , the access to the beach is just perfect, the wild animals is just amazing .... Thank to Erick who lives next door for helping us when we needed him.  The kids wanted to stay longer ... we ll comeback when the swell will get bigger .

Rick was super helpful and informative. Throughout all of our correspondence , Rick was prompt to reply, extremely helpful and very friendly.

We actually stayed at Rick's other house (Casa Madera). Great location - steps from a nice beach and lots of wildlife wandering through each day. Other than a little bit of road noise and the occasional barking dog, Casa Madera was a quiet respite.

Terry, y’all were model renters... come back soon! Pura Vida! Rick Hardy

Perfect place for a family with 11 and 7 year olds. We came to relax and recharge, and we discovered true paradise. Rick gave great advice about places to go, but we saw no reason to leave since Casa Dulce was everything we needed to fall back in love with life. So many awesome animals, shaded beachfront, majestic views of the water from the front yard, hammocks, pool, and even bed. Yes, it’s rustic, but a few dopey cicadas and a cool shower are definitely part of the charm. On the last day of our visit we finally left the property and Erick, the caretaker,  recommended a nearby waterfall to swim and hike. The kids were excited to have a “private” waterfall since we didn’t see anyone while we were there. I’m looking forward to recommending Casa Dulce to all my friends and family, and hope to visit again real soon!

Pura Vida. . . A place for those who have a sense of adventure and want to stay somewhere a bit alternative in a stunning location. Literally an open house . Great garden down to the sea, plunge pool for drinks after surfing or when the sea is a bit rough for swimming in and an outside table for meal times. We spent alot ot time watching Scarlet Macaws in the garden and pelicans fishing at sunrise on the beach. Dont forget to get all you need in Puerto Jimenez . . It's a long way back to pick up coffee! Enjoy...

All I can say is love love love this place!! My boyfriend and I spent 4 nights here and it just wasn't enough! The nature is beyond words several species of monkeys visited us every morning and evening, macaws, tucans, agoutis, iguanas, giant bullfrogs, dart frogs, crocodile (maybe a caiman). We enjoyed cooking in the open air kitchen and looking out with a great view of the surf break pan dulce, which we enjoyed several surf sessions, Was a perfect break for beginner and intermediate. Just down the road my boyfriend enjoyed matapalo, a little more advance.  One of the nights we had a GREAT dinner at Martinas the tuna and mahi mahi...so good! Also try the ice cream, pretty tasty. My only tips ( and Rick did tell me) stock up at the grocery store! There isn't anywhere to get any supplies nearby. Lapa Ríos is a must, such a beautiful view, we hiked up after the waterfall and had an afternoon cocktail. We didn't have any issues with mosquitos or anything at all actually. Was perfect and if you are even questioning, go, stay here you will NOT regret it!!

A tale of two casas... Dulce is wonderful for its proximity to the beach. However, it’s basic to the point of lacking when it comes to comfort and amenities. It’s priced competitively and Rick is a great host, as is Erik, his groundskeeper. Be prepared for intermittent power outages, hoards of cicadas, cold showers and low flow toilets — as was our experience. We moved to Casa Madera from Casa Dulce (where all of the aforementioned occurred) bc Dulce did not provide a safe/appropriate accommodation for our toddlers. All in all, It’s a good value for those seeking a rugged CR getaway. Any expectation beyond that probably will disappoint. Casa Madera is new and definitely a better house, and the pool is a big plus.

This was our first time in the Osa peninsula and I’m glad we had the chance to stay at Ricks place Casa Dulce. We stayed for 5 nights with our kids ages 6 and 3. Everyday we saw scarlet macaws flying all over the place and squawking in the trees, the spider monkeys came through each day visiting the house, huge toads jumped around at night, and during high ish (not too high! Waves got crazy)  we swam  in the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen. At low tide it’s really rocky and makes tide pools that held fish and baby octopus and sea cucumbers. As a family we are all really into nature so we loved that part of it. A few things to note - we didn’t realize when we booked that there’s a ladder staircase that leads upstairs to the loft (two beds upstairs on loft) and there are lots of open spaces without walls where young children could easily fall. It was challenging to monitor this area/ladder due to safety. Also there’s a ton of bugs. I read a previous review discussing the bugs and I felt I’m usually pretty tolerant of bugs in Costa Rica but due to how open this house is the amount of bugs really add up. We got the most bugs up on the loft bed upstairs. There are mosquito nets but bugs still got into the bed as well as covering the net. The caretakers on site are AMAZING. They are super friendly and checked in to make sure we were enjoying our stay and if we needed anything. Erik booked us a tour to take a boat on the Golfo Dulce to see dolphins and snorkel and the dolphin experience was one of the most magical things we’ve ever done.  Experiencing the Osa peninsula was truly amazing - it’s the raw untouched beauty that will bring us back. Thanks Rick!

Wow! What a stunning piece of property right on Playa Pan Dulce, the beach where we surfed for the very first time in our lives seven years ago when we stayed at the nearby resort Bosque Del Cabo. We love this beach and Rick's flat, just a few feet above sea-level, shaded property is right on it. The outdoor space is really nice with two hammocks, a ping pong table, splash pool, big yard with lots of trees, plants etc...The kitchen is almost outside with half-walls, it was so fun to cook there! There is a large table outside which we also hung out a lot at, and a bar table and chairs in front of kitchen. The drive to town is 30 minutes on a gravel and sometimes rough, uneven road with lots of potholes and two river crossings, many very narrow bridges with no sides! Theresa, Erik the property caretaker's wife, will cook for you if you get the food, and they are both very kind people. They currently live behind the house in another house Rick/they are building. There is another newer home behind this one, no view but it is nicer (everything is new and better layout) and has I think three bedrooms with more beds which are more fully enclosed. The disadvantage, no view, but only a few steps further to the beach, along the side of the property. Note this house has a ladder up to the second floor two bedrooms, this may be on the description and I may have missed it. It would be hard for some people to get to, but my 14 year olds loved it. The beach has some rocks on it so even though we boogie boarded (we brought our own) we did get a bit beat up sometimes. It can be hard to get into at low tide b/c of some of the rocks it helps to have a boogie board to lay on. It doesn't have (or at least when we were there for the 12 nights) too big of waves. We appreciated being able to use Rick's one person kayak which was fun too. And rented stand-up paddle boards from Encanta La Vida which we drove back to the house (they are about a 10 min walk away). By the way, that hotel has wonderful meals should you not wish to cook. Couple of things we like to do in the area: Swimming at low-tide on the beach in town and then looking for crocs and caimans at pirates cove a few steps from the beach (but away from it). Going to Coprot Osa Turtle Rescue near Carate where you can release the baby turtles into the ocean (they gotta make the walk first) yourself and where they spay/neuter many of the beach dogs b/c there's too many unwanted ones and they run loose on the beach sometimes digging up the nests. Please support them, they are super-cool! And you will see many of the animals hiking nearby or just by sitting at the home in the yard!

Sharon, thanks for the nice review. I had no idea you had stayed at Phil’s place, Bosque del Cabo. Seven years have passed since your first surf experience and I’m so happy you shared your second experience at Casa Dulce. Thanks also for your personal comments... all noted! Pura Vida!

From the moment we arrived to the Scarlet McCaw parrots in the tree above the porch, we knew we made the perfect choice. Everything a beach place in the jungle should be. Lots to do or just do nothing and enjoy the wildlife. Thanks again, Rick and Erick, for your hospitality.

Casa Dulce is the ultimate beachfront home in the best location imaginable! It is very convenient from Puerto Jimenez and is situated right on Playa Pan Dulce, the best sand beach on Cabo Matapalo. We were visited daily by blue morpho butterflies, monkeys, scarlet macaws, toucans, and a variety of other birds and wildlife. The house is well equipped and we fell in love with the caretakers. Rick is the ultimate host, was quick to reply, and had a ton of helpful suggestions both before and during our stay. We will be back for another stay as soon as possible!

Great open air beach house in a secluded area!  Definitely a great place to get away from it all.  I took a group friends that had never been to Costa Rica before and we had an amazing time cooking in the open air kitchen and watching the wildlife wander by and then being able to walk to the beach.

If you are looking for a true rainforest experience with perfect surfing waves at your doorstep, don’t even hesitate to book Rick’s cabinas!  We saw so many animals and birds without even leaving the property!  Monkeys, Scarlet Maccaws, Toucans, Agoutis, Tapirs....and did I mention the surfing??  We caught the longest rights of our lives right in the front yard!  Looking for epic waves of size?  It’s all within minutes.  Want an amazing massage?  Surfboard, SUP rentals?  Enchants La Vida is a five minute walk.  If you are the adventurous type who thinks it’s not a vacation without a 4x4 and feels it’s amazing to sleep in a rainforest surrounded by wildlife (and yes bugs) while drifting off to the sounds of crashing waves...THIS IS FOR YOU.  If you need a little more hand holding, planned excursions, airport transfers and can’t handle the occasional spider you may want to stay in Puerto Jimenez or reserve an all inclusive package through a  resort.  I guarantee you won’t have the same experience we had, but know yourself and what makes you happy.  What I do know is we will be back!  Pura Vida Rick and thanks for everything!

Not only was Casa Dulce absolutely amazing, but Rick was a wonderful host, kind and full of information. He was very quick to respond to all of our questions. Casa Dulce was perfect for my family and was equipped with all necessities. The pool was a hit for my young kids and the beautiful beach is only steps away! It was the most perfect vacation and we will definitely be returning. I cannot recommend this place more!

Casa Dulce is the perfect place to spent a week, a month or if you’re lucky your while life :) View to the beach from the kitchen and the upstairs bed, hammocks, small pool and a huge garden with direct beach access. The kitchen works perfectly and there’s a safe room to lock up your important stuff. Playa pan dulce is a great spot for surfing, Rick let us use some of his boards and we were the only ones in the water at sunrise and the last ones at sunset! My friend had her first surf lesson during low tide, perfect spot. Short walk to the other beaches, monkeys and armadillos in the garden. Short drive to Martina’s Bar, good party and a small market on Friday :) Erick the caretaker is very friendly and helpful and speaks English very good. Thanks Rick and Erick! Hope to come back soon! Pura Vida!

We had so many options to choose from to stay in Cabo Matapalo. This was our first trip to the area and we are so thankful to have got it right the first time. Rick, the owner of the home, is the greatest host we've had in our three trips to Costa Rica. Being that he is from Texas and is available for phone calls or always quick to respond to an email, it made communication a breeze. Many people know the area simply as a surf destination. There are a few different breaks to choose from, all walking distance from Casa Dulce.  However, there are also countless other things to do here so don't feel left out if you don't surf. The area is connected by uninterrupted rainforest to Corcovado National Park. You will likely see as much from Casa Dulce's patio as you will on a Corcovado tour. Though the property is completely private, you will be sharing it with Spider Monkeys, Howler Monkeys, Squirrel Monkeys (often known is CR as Titi monkeys) Scarlett Macaws, Toucans, Lizards, Frogs, and all kinds of other colorful exciting creatures that call this their home. The Spider monkeys seem to have a daily schedule to eat from the apple trees in front of and behind the home in perfect view every morning and afternoon. The home itself is awesome. The kitchen looks over the plunge pool and out to the beach. It is fully equipped and was great to be able to cook while watching the wildlife and surf at the same time. A resident pair of Jesus Christ Lizards hang out on the waterfall of the pool all day.  Scarlett Macaws frequent the trees in the yard daily, and we also got to see toucans in the yard a few days as well. We have been all over Costa Rica on three different trips. We saw more wildlife variety in one day at Rick's Casa Dulce than the other two trips combined. It truly is wild. The home is a nice open design. There is a queen bed downstairs and two queen beds upstairs. One bathroom with a large shower downstairs. A large patio with a dining table next to the pool and a bar off of the kitchen to serve up smoothies or blended drinks. Rick has a few blenders which was awesome for making fruit smoothies daily. The filtered spring water water from the tap is a great conveinance.  You will not have to worry about getting sick from the water, it tastes better than most bottled water and is crystal clear. Eric, the caretaker of the property is always a call away for anything you need. He super helpful and speaks great english. He can offer great information about hikes and other activities in the area. A highlight of our trip was walking up the Carbonera River to a secluded waterfall with a great pool at the bottom. We saw several spider monkeys on this short hike as...

We had so many options to choose from to stay in Cabo Matapalo. This was our first trip to the area and we are so thankful to have got it right the first time. Rick, the owner of the home, is the greatest host we've had in our three trips to Costa Rica. Being that he is from Texas and is available for phone calls or always quick to respond to an email, it made communication a breeze. Many people know the area simply as a surf destination. There are a few different breaks to choose from, all walking distance from Casa Dulce.  However, there are also countless other things to do here so don't feel left out if you don't surf. The area is connected by uninterrupted rainforest to Corcovado National Park. You will likely see as much from Casa Dulce's patio as you will on a Corcovado tour. Though the property is completely private, you will be sharing it with Spider Monkeys, Howler Monkeys, Squirrel Monkeys (often known is CR as Titi monkeys) Scarlett Macaws, Toucans, Lizards, Frogs, and all kinds of other colorful exciting creatures that call this their home. The Spider monkeys seem to have a daily schedule to eat from the apple trees in front of and behind the home in perfect view every morning and afternoon. The home itself is awesome. The kitchen looks over the plunge pool and out to the beach. It is fully equipped and was great to be able to cook while watching the wildlife and surf at the same time. A resident pair of Jesus Christ Lizards hang out on the waterfall of the pool all day.  Scarlett Macaws frequent the trees in the yard daily, and we also got to see toucans in the yard a few days as well. We have been all over Costa Rica on three different trips. We saw more wildlife variety in one day at Rick's Casa Dulce than the other two trips combined. It truly is wild. The home is a nice open design. There is a queen bed downstairs and two queen beds upstairs. One bathroom with a large shower downstairs. A large patio with a dining table next to the pool and a bar off of the kitchen to serve up smoothies or blended drinks. Rick has a few blenders which was awesome for making fruit smoothies daily. The filtered spring water water from the tap is a great conveinance.  You will not have to worry about getting sick from the water, it tastes better than most bottles and is crystal clear. Eric, the caretaker of the property is always a call away for anything you need. He super helpful and speaks great english. He can offer great information about hikes and other activities in the area. A highlight of our trip was walking up the Carbonera River to a secluded waterfall with a great pool at the bottom. We saw several spider monkeys on this short hike as well...

3BR Villa