Spectacular Oceanfront Multi-level 5 BR/6 BA Villa!

"The beachfront house is beautiful. Kimberly, Jebry, Jose and the other helpers kept the house and property beautiful and everything functioning perfectly. The bedrooms are large and the beds are very comfortable. The kitchen is fully stocked with everything you need to cook any meal. The views are unreal; the beach is huge and pristine and the waves are perfect for the average body/boogie boarder. Lots of surfers near the rocks as the tide rises and the waves get bigger but they stay in their area so they're no issue. We absolutely loved the week in paradise!" - Scott F., 03/18/2020 (VRBO Review)

"Beautiful property! Throughly enjoyed it and hope to come back." - April M., 01/20/2020 (VRBO Review)

"Extremely happy with our experience renting Villa Olivia!" - William M., LAKE WORTH, 11/19/2019 (VRBO Review)

"House is a touch dated, but amazing layout, tons of room!!! The rap around decks were out standing!!! Jeffery, Kimberly,Jose and the rest where awesome. Kitchen and BBQ area where great as well, kitchen has AC!!! THE VIEW AND LOCATION ARE ALL!!! TIME!!!!" - Darren T., Mammoth Lakes, 11/02/2019 (VRBO Review)

"This was a wonderful family vacation in the best spot of Playa Grande. Everything was perfect: we loved the house and it’s location. We loved spending time together in a home setting and loved the privacy it allowed us while being in such close proximity. My children and grandchildren felt safe and secure while enjoying the wonderful Playa Grande. The staff was attentive in the background and made us feel at home. All of us loved the “off season” weather that afforded us quiet and privacy. Overall this was the perfect vacation and we are looking forward to coming back." - Nurit Y., 10/09/2019 (VRBO Review)

"Awesome accommodations for everyone in our group. Perfect location with gorgeous beachfront. Exceptional staff and we had everything we needed. Did not want to leave ever!!!" - Katie Y., 08/26/2019 (VRBO Review)

"We absolutely enjoyed our stay at the house. The location is perfect - right on Playa Grande, which is huge, and this section is not busy at all. The beach is full of seashells and it’s a very pretty beach with nice waves for boogie boarding. There are tons of crabs on the beach and some make it near the house - some kids could be scared of this (my kids were fascinated). The house has tons of space, comfortable beds, and each room/bathroom is a little different design/layout. The AC worked amazingly well in all rooms and is much needed at the beach. There’s a big porch facing the beach and an upstairs balcony. Several hammocks to relax in. The layout of the home would not work for small children - each room has its own entrance around a courtyard - but for extended families, friends, older kids - it is great. The house was well equipped and very comfortable. Just a lovely relaxing beach house and we would be happy to stay here again." - Cami Z., Texas, 07/16/2019 (VRBO Review)

"We had a great stay at Villa Olivia. Loved the location. Beautiful beach. Plenty of space for everyone to hangout together or chill on the hammocks. Plenty of sitting areas. The beds were comfortable. Extra fridge was helpful to have for drinks. This is minor but we didn't have enough beach towels considering we had 15 people. Another minor item was the lack of a kettle to boil water for the tea drinkers. We used a pot to boil water so not a big deal. Our cook Kimberly and her helper were very kind and prepared good food. So were the rest of the house crew, from the gardener to the security guard. Lovely people. The only bad experience we had through our process from the time of confirmation through the checkin was the lack of communication from the property manager. The property manager was just not good at replying to emails or messages through out the process. And even when she did reply after severals days or weeks, she didn't answer all the questions we had. Our cook Kimberly was more helpful with our questions after checkin. Julie, the property owner was pleasant to deal with and was much more attentive and responsive than the property manager. Having said that, we all had a great time and kids had a blast swimming in the ocean and cooling off in the soaking pool. We would definitely consider staying at Villa Olivia again. I would highly recommend staying here to anyone who's considering this property. Just keep in mind the communication challenges with the property manager." - Shoubert D., 07/08/2019 (VRBO Review)

"I've been going to the Guanacaste Coast regularly for the last 10 years, Playa Grande is one of my favorite beaches, the water, the size of the beach, the food and the absence of large crowds. However, My favorite home there is Casa Olivia. When you wake up in the morning, the beach is your backyard. You could just sit there and watch the waves while you're having coffee, take a walk, surf, go swimming. You're right there at one of the most beautiful spots in the world. The staff is very accommodating, willing to take care of any issues with the house, the cooks are awesome too. Too good to be true, but it is! so if you have the chance, I highly recommend this Home you're" - Albert G., 06/13/2019 (VRBO Review)

"I stayed at Villa Olivia for my 50th Birthday with 8 others and it was FANTASTIC! The house is beautiful (just as it is shown in the pictures) and the pool was fabulous! The beach is literally in your backyard! The air-conditioning in each room was VERY COLD, which helped me sleep after a long day of excursions and being in the sun. The security staff were AWESOME and were always around so we felt very safe (not that we ever felt that we needed them but I slept soundly knowing they were there at night). The beach was beautiful, clean, and warm. We all had a really good time boogie boarding (but we had to pay $5 per day per board) as they were not included in the rental payment. We wanted to have Kimberly (the chef) cook for us so we had her do a breakfast meal on our first morning. The food was delicious but be ware that if she shops for you there is an added $25 fee for shopping (which we had no idea about). It would probably be a good idea if you shopped for your food and then had her cook it for you. We also cooked a few dinners for ourselves on the grill, which worked out great. We sat outside and enjoyed our meal and it was fabulous! We cooked our own breakfasts as the kitchen was well stocked with everything we needed. Our group went deep sea fishing and brought back a lot of fresh fish which we grilled one night for fish tacos; it was AMAZING! Since the house is about 1 hour and 20 minutes from the airport in Liberia we rented a van, so we could all be together during he trip. We also wanted to go on excursions without having to have all the added time with picking up and dropping off other people. It was a really good idea. When you rent a car in Costa Rica understand that you have to pay for government insurance on the car, which is more expensive then the rental of the actual car, as not everyone in Costa Rica is insured. We paid about $60 per person for the rental of our van for 8 days. I felt that was completely worth it as Playa Grande is rural and you will need a vehicle to get around. I can't say enough about how fantastic this vacation was. It was relaxing and the house was just so amazing. It was very comfortable and all of us felt that we had plenty of room to be together and also to sneak off to a quiet spot to be alone or snuggle with your partner. I would recommend this house to anyone who wants to visit Costa Rica. Thank you Julie! Your house is AMAZING!" - Desiree C., 05/23/2019 (VRBO Review)

"The house was nice, but there were some things that should be noted. I would mention that having a car is a necessity if you plan on leaving the house at all. It’s a lovely area, but definitely secluded. The \" - Bridget O., 05/22/2019 (VRBO Review)

"I rented Villa Olivia for an extended family vacation (8 adults and 2 kids- 4 families total). The layout of the Villa, rooms and ample bathrooms was perfect for our group! Everyone had their own private space and also enjoyed the many public spaces for relaxing and having fun. We enjoyed the beach daily, walked to the turtle beach and to Taco Star several times. Marianela arranged for us to have massages on the second floor terrace overlooking the ocean, we enjoyed the pool in the afternoons and read several books in the hammocks. We hired Kimberly to cook all but 3 meals for us our entire week there (she cooked us 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners) and her food was FABULOUS!!! She and Sandra took such good care of us and made us all kinds of delicious dishes including Gallo Pinto, empanadas, chalupas, fried shrimp, grilled items (chicken, steak and mahi mahi), guacamole, chimichurri, mashed potatoes, plantains and so many other local cuisines! We called it our culinary Costa Rican excursion. I would highly recommend hiring Kimberly to cook meals during your stay as her food is divine but you can also stay and eat on the amazing outdoor dining table. Super relaxing to walk up from the beach to a delicious and complete meal! For the meals we didn’t have her cook we walked to Rip Jack Inn (twice) and got takeout from Huerto (delicious and huge pizzas!). Rip Jack has AMAZING cocktails and a delicious menu including gluten free items. I would recommend walking the beach to Rip Jack in order to have a more scenic route and enjoy the beach breezes. The entire staff at Villa Olivia was so friendly and we were sad to say goodbye. Kimberly, Sandra, Yebri, Don Tito, Marianela and the rest- THANK YOU for making our week in Costa Rica so perfect. We loved every minute and look forward to returning sometime!" - Emily B., 05/21/2019 (VRBO Review)

"We had on amazing stay at villa Olivia !! The staff always very helpful and chef Kimberly made us 2 fantastic meals that satisfied even the fussiest eaters. We are Costa Rica supplied us with the surf boards rentals for the week and were very helpful in guiding us through playa grande. The only communication I had with the manager was through email. She was not available to us throughout our stay. The villa was quite tired looking but the location on the of the ocean was pure paradise which made up for it . We did not rent a car for our stay but had a driver for most of our transportation for excursions and to tamarindo. The walk to the water taxi is much further then described in other reviews. The locals are very friendly and always willing to help you out." - Debbie M., 03/18/2019 (VRBO Review)

"We had 12 people (8 adults and 4 kids) stay here over Christmas and had an amazing time. The house was set up perfectly for everyone to have their own rooms. The beach is literally less than 20 steps from the door. We enjoyed dinner at a couple local restaurants, we went to El’Huerto for great pizza and dessert. Our favorite dinner spot was Rip Jack Inn, which is in walking distance and had the most amazing Sesame Crusted Tuna and I highly recommend trying the ‘Dave’s Rum Surprise’ cocktail. My 8 year old took surf lessons at YouAreCostaRica which is also within walking distance to the house. He had a great instructor and was successfully surfing within his 2 hour lesson, they also rent boogie boards and will bring them to the house." - Tina W., 12/29/2018 (VRBO Review)

"The location was nice. The house is right on the beach" - Ahmed A., 12/10/2018 (VRBO Review)

"Fantastic time and great location! Highly recommended for your family and/or friends!" - David M., 11/19/2018 (VRBO Review)

"Me my wife and 2 year old son thoroughly enjoyed this home. Not many places on earth you can have a property on the beach with trees a lawn and a private pool. It was truly special walking the beach and enjoying the ocean. It's like bathwater warm a very clean. The home came with on site security which at first we were hesitant about but the home is huge and they were very good about letting us have our privacy. They were all very pleasant and appreciated them helping with gate and keeping home secure. We all felt safe the whole time. Julie is a blessing to deal with and was so gracious in accommodating us after we missed our flight out there. It was a awesome week we will definitely be back." - Cody B., 11/02/2018 (VRBO Review)

"Here are some things we found during our stay we think would be helpful for others in deciding where to stay. The house is beautifully tiled throughout, but we found that with the pool right there and the odd rain shower the tiles got wet and were extremely slippery. I cannot count how many times someone slipped and fell, luckily no one got seriously hurt. It states in the amenities there is a washer and dryer on site, (which was one of the deciding factors as to why we picked this house for our stay in Costa Rica, we are a big family and wanted to pack light, there for a washer and dryer would be needed) That is not the case, the washer and dryer are located next door in a locked shed, you have to contact Kimberly if you want laundry done, she’s not always around and it comes at a fee of $5/load. Bikes and boogie boards that are at the house also come at a fee of $5/day. A TV/satellite/cable is also listed in the entertainment, there wasn’t one, which was not a big deal but some nights it would have been nice to have some background noise while cooking dinner or something for the kids to do for a little quiet time..also imo, if it’s listed it should be there! We were also told that gratitudes were customary for the workers they have at the house, $5/day per person for the length of your stay or 10% of the rental cost. We didn’t feel it was necessary as we felt the night guard, maintenance man etc were included in the rental fee. We did get Kimberly to cook for us a few times, and we were happy we did, her meals were delicious! Because we asked for this extra we, of course, tipped her...all that set aside we really enjoyed our stay in Costa Rica, the maintenance/security crew around the home were extremely friendly, the location of Villa Olivia cannot be beat, it is a great home for a multi family vacation." - Danielle B., 10/19/2018 (VRBO Review)

"Nice experiencie" - Gabriela A., 10/18/2018 (VRBO Review)

"Even before our stay, we were awed by Julie's compassion and patience with us. The house was everything we could dream of. It is located right on the beach and because of the wonderful landscaping you feel like you are in your own private oasis. The house was beautiful and very spacious. The staff on the property were very attentive, kind, and brought an extra sense of security. We went with kids ranging from 3 to 17 and everyone loved the villa. Its a wonderful small village away from it all and we are already planning our next trip." - Elizabeth F., 08/06/2018 (VRBO Review)

"Villia Olivia was the first choice of houses available to our group of 8. The pictures do a wonderful job of giving you the layout of the house, and the beautiful surroundings. We were a group of friends that travel together every year, so we've set the bar pretty high. After this stay, we have set it even higher. You won't find yourself wanting much at this property. Each bedroom is exactly as advertised, and more spacious than expected. The beach is just steps from the back door as is the plunge pool. Each bedroom is accessed from the interior courtyard, perfectly private and air conditioned. We found the kitchen well stocked with the appliances and cookware you need to do your own cooking, but Kimberly cooked for us on two occasions and made two great meals. The staff is very friendly, and helpful, from keeping the property clean and well manicured, to notifying us when our driver was there to take us over to Tamarindo for dinner. I don't believe you could find a better group of people to look after you for the week. Playa Grande is a quiet surfing community. Don't expect a bunch of touristy shops and stores, for that you'll need to catch a ride or drive over to Tamarindo. But for the laid back, peaceful vacation we were looking for, Playa Grande can't be beat. We took walks on the beach, ate at Taco Star and RipJack Inn, took surf lessons from Frijoles Locos, and spent more than one day in the sun on the gorgeous beach. And if you want a sunset, Playa Grande can't be beat. I can't sing the praises of Julie's house, and Marianela, Kimberly and the rest of the crew enough. It was near perfect." - Stephen M., 07/05/2018 (VRBO Review)

"The house was very comfortable; the maintenance staff were very helpful. The location could not have been better - beautiful, uncrowded beach and wonderful sunsets. There we 11 of us for a family gathering and we were all very comfortably accommodated." - James K., 04/03/2018 (VRBO Review)

"Ive been staying at Villa Olivia for 18 yrs coaching surfing with clients I bring down every season and the house is perfect for beach lovers and surfers. The staff is absolutely amazing and work very hard to see guest are happy and taken care of without getting in your way. There is a reason I choose Villa Olivia every year and one word that first comes to mind is Outstanding! I highly recommend Villa Olivia to anyone who loves the beach, surfing, amazing sunsets, relaxing and solitude that this is the house for you! Frank Caronna/Natural Surf technique" - Frank C., Santa Monica, California, 12/29/2017 (VRBO Review)

"It's hard to be critical of a property in the middle of paradise. The location alone is beyond 5 stars. But, if we had known the following, we would not have rented this property: All rooms are accessible via outside entrances- with the exception of a small room off the family room and none of them are connected to one another. This makes sense for groups of adults but does not make sense if you like for your young children to be close to you. The pool is the size of a large hot tub The \" - Kim L., 12/01/2017 (VRBO Review)

"We had a large group that rented both Villa Olivia and Casa Mirage for 6 nights and we all had the most wonderful time! The location is perfect, steps away from the gorgeous beach and very close to Taco Star which everyone loved! The sunsets are out of this world and watching them as you sip cocktails on the terrace/in a hammock can’t be beat. The houses them selves were very clean and had everything you could possibly need for entertaining/cooking/lounging. Everyone in my group said they had the best vacation of their lives here and can’t wait to return!" - Mariah W., 11/30/2017 (VRBO Review)

"The home was absolutely beautiful. Located in the perfect spot for our get away. We traveled with a group of 7 and there was plenty of room!! The beach is absolutely beautiful and we were even blessed with a momma sea turtle nesting right out our back door only steps from the grass. And hotel tortuga has the best food in town. Just a short walk from the house. We will.definatly be back!!" - Anthony D., 10/07/2017 (VRBO Review)

"Stayed her with my husband, kids and extended family. We had in total 9 adults and 3 kids (under the age of 7) and fit very comfortably in the house. The location on the beach is amazing and love the the tranquility of it! Beautiful views! If you are looking for a beautiful place to relax, please rent this home it's perfect. A lady from the surf shop came by and rented us boogie boards for the kids for $7 a day and offered surf lessons. They had a blast! If you want night life, Tamarindo is just a 20 min drive away. Great time and would definitely do it again!" - Melissa S., 08/24/2016 (VRBO Review)

"We stayed at Villa Olivia over Easter 2016. There were 11 of us, and the house accommodated us all very comfortably. The house could not have been better located, right on the sand with beautiful views and incredible sunsets! The surf right outside our door was, at times, should height with good form and really fun for the surfers in our group. We did charter a boat to take them to Witches Rock for what can only be described (by them) as the most epic surf of their lives. And that's saying a lot. They got lucky to hit it when it was breaking and they had the whole spot to themselves for a couple of hours. They were on cloud 9. We had the boat all day, fished a little, then surfed. The boat was $400/day. We booked him through the receptionist at Los Tortugas Hotel, which is just down the beach from Villa Olivia. We had Kimberly cook for us every other night of the nine nights we stayed. She has a true talent and whipped up some delicious meals for us. It truly is a vacation when me (the mom) doesn't have to worry about shopping, cooking and/or cleaning up afterwards. The dining table outside easily sat us all and Kimberly came in, did her magic in the kitchen, served it all family style, and cleaned up. We all so enjoyed it! She charges $55.00 for her service and another $30 for taxi to do the shopping then gave us a receipt for the groceries. All said and done, our dinners ran about $150 per dinner for eleven. There were plenty of leftovers for the next day, so in essence, we had two meals from that. Groceries and the local beers are not inexpensive. We were kind of surprised by that. We ventured out one day to Rincon, which was worth the drive. Another day we fished and then of course, the surfing. And the rest of the time, we just enjoyed our beautiful beach. It was perfect!" - doni c., Coronado, Ca USA, 04/07/2016 (VRBO Review)

"We were a small yoga group staying 3 nights in early April, 2016. Feels like 10-12 could fit comfortably, so we had lots of space. Very comfortable. Beach was nicer than expected, good for wading and body or boogie boarding. Not many places to eat really close, but a 10 minute walk will get you to a couple decent places. Kimberly will cook for you for a price. It was good food, although I our group is very health conscious, and we noticed that she used some ingredients we could prefer to live without. She also charged a $30 taxi fee to pick up food, so be aware of that. There is a phone on site, which was handy, although it took me a day to know it was there. Marianela is the contact there and can help you with activities and rides, although one of the rides she set us up with tried to get another $20 out of my client at the airport, not very respectful. Overall, a really nice place." - Roy H., Seattle, 04/06/2016 (VRBO Review)

"What a wonderful week we had. Your place was just marvelous. One never really knows what it will turn out to be until on site and we were just ecstatic once in the house and saw all of the accommodations. It seemed to us that you have the best place in Playa Grande in the facility known as Villa Olivia!!!!!!! We could not have asked for anything better. The staff were wonderful, gracious, helpful, courteous, and very attentive. Kim was a fabulous cook, every evening meal. We participated in a number of interesting activities but enjoyed the beach, the waves, and the view from the hammocks, lounge chairs, and benches under the trees at your place the most!!! Thank you for your responsiveness throughout the reservation process." - Hubby, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 08/28/2014 (VRBO Review)

"Our group of 21 just returned from our 5th time to Villa Olivia and Casa Mirage and I don't think we'll ever stay anywhere else!!! We love these homes. We love the beach. Julie, Maranela, Kimberly and the rest of the staff are amazing and super easy to work with. Kimberly cooked us an incredible meal once again. We are all so happy to call this our second home. Every year, I bring a group of friends down to Playa Grande. The group changes from year to year and everyone is amazed with this place, this country and these homes. We feel so lucky to be able to come year after year. I highly recommend both of these properties. Just don't book when I'm planning on coming or we'll have a serious problem!" - Jason, Washington D.C., 01/26/2014 (VRBO Review)

"Our extended family (grandmas, college kids, baby boomers) just returned from Villa Olivia. It was a wonderful experience. The staff made us feel like family! The pictures do not do the property justice. It literally sits on the Pacific Ocean.....the sunsets are amazing, the beack pristine and the house spacious and with many amenities. We were treated each day by Costa Rician cuisine prepared by Kimberly. Definitely have her prepare meals for you.....she is a sweetheart and an incredible cook!" - Dee Dee P., Northern Virginia, 07/08/2012 (VRBO Review)

"We and our family stayed in Villa Olivia and Casa Mirage. Both awesome houses. And Playa Grande was a beautiful almost isloated private beach. Fortunately Julie referred us to Corynne and Gregory for resources and information as we were not able to reach the manager Marinela. All in all everything came together wonderfully for our wedding right on the beach. :-) And of course having the house dog Corina around was nice too. :-)" - Jodi, Phx., AZ., 06/05/10(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Amazing house! Nothing beats waking up and being able to see the beach and ocean right on your front lawn! The house is incredible, Corinna Corinna is adorable and we loved her company as we missed our dog terribly. The water is plesantly warm and it was great that the house had boogie boards for us to use during our stay. There are not a lot of pictures of the bedrooms on the website but they are all beautiful, especially the master bedroom with the canopy bed. Tons of space for us to hang out. Bula Bulas restaurant and the Rip Jack Inn were great dinner spots near by. We had such a great time!" - Patty C., Port moody, 06/03/2010 (VRBO Review)

"What a wonderful home you have! We had the most lovely time there and absolutely adored the entire experience. The home was a delight and the staffers treated us like family. We are just so grateful for the fantastic vacation - our grateful thanks to everyone else .... Kimberly, Karina, everyone!!!" - Anonymous, New York, NY, 06/03/2010 (VRBO Review)

"Hi Julie, We had a wonderful stay in Costa Rica. What a beautiful country, Playa Grande especially! Both of our girls, 10 & 6, surfed for the first time in front of the house. Everyone working there was so friendly and helpful. Thank you for sharing your slice of paradise with us! Pura Vida! " - Jennifer, North Carolina, 04/20/10(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Villa Olivia is a slice of heaven. We had a great time and feel that the house, beach, staff, activities and surrounding area met or exceeded our expectations. One of the best vacations we have taken with a good combination of things to do and a great place to be if you don’t want to do.The Cerreta family" - Vrbo Traveler, OZMYqE+fBjutsl5mnEHyzBG91l3vsv74i5YJqg==, 04/14/2010 (VRBO Review)

"PARADISE ! Each time we visit Costa Rica, we are looking to again experience some of the extraordinary things we have seen before, but alas, it is always new and wonderous things we find!! Mid-October in Playa Grande was great! No crowds and not-so-hot weather. Villa Olivia is everything one could hope for: Beachfront, Luxury and a Terrific staff!! Got to see a loud family of orange-chin parakeets(they thought they lived at Villa Olivia!), a large Boa snake nearby, and the Rincon de la Vieja volcano. Like I said: PARADISE !!! Can't wait to return to Villa Olivia !! THANKS !!!! TomCatt" - Tom Catt, Cherry Hill, NJ, 03/13/2010 (VRBO Review)

"Playa Grande is one of the most beautiful beaches that we have seen in CR. This is our second trip there and we love that we have the beach to ourselves, the great surf, for the surfers in the family. Villa Olivia is just a wonderful house to enjoy this pristine beach. Staff is always present and friendly. Marianela is fluent in English and very available by phone for anything you would need. Their spacish and well equipped kitchen is airy and gives you views of the spectacular beach. Dinners on the deck were delightful. Villa Olivia can sleep 12 and be a very comfortable house for a large group. We will be back." - Vrbo Traveler, rRMu49gJ+KDi1QVfrIxHzLD1JegBxjAUBR6yEA==, 03/13/2010 (VRBO Review)

"We were 6 people; 2 families sharing the Villa. We were delighted with the house. We loved opening all the doors and windows every morning to enjoy the breeze (slight at times though it was) but mostly the sound of the ocean. Our first night there we were awakened to the loudest thunder and the brightest lightening we had ever experienced. I love storms to it was a treat. Our last night there we sat on the porch and watched another storm move from Tamarindo down the beach. We loved deep sea fishing with Talking Fish; and a great ATV Tour & Zip Line arranged through High Tide in Tamarindo. A real treat (a bit more expensive) was a trip up to Playa Flamingo to a restaurant called Mar Y Sol. It was great. We also loved teh pie (my favorite was the Pineapple) at Noguies in Tamarindo. On our deep sea fishing trip we caught grouper, tile, tuna & mahi mahi so we cooked at home a lot. We enjoyed everything about Costa Rica, Villa Olivia and Corina Corina! Would love to come back some time. The Crisps & The Steffs" - Mitch5, Raleigh, NC, 03/12/2010 (VRBO Review)

"We just returned from a week's stay at Villa Olivia and it was great! We had been 'warned' that it would be rainy season when we went, but that was okay. We had beautiful mornings full of sun and blue sky - perfect for morning walks, laying out in the sun, and boogie boarding in the waves. We had rain in the afternoons, which made for a perfect time to catch up on reading and relaxing in a rocking chair on the back porch. Kimberly was a fantastic help and even accompianed us to the 'fish guy' in Brasillito! And Ian and Corynne with Frijoles Locos were also very helpful in setting up day trips, pedicures, and massages. Overall it was a truly relaxing week. We almost can't imagine going during 'high season' - as we loved being the only ones around! Thanks for a great time." - Anonymous, 03/12/2010 (VRBO Review)

"I love this place! My close friend and I have been here twice with our wives and kids both times. The beach is ideal, the house is perfect for a beach vacation and I strogly reccomend it." - Vrbo Traveler, LM81erTQ0CYtTR/PaHUHcYNQVew8ZjM0TdfrA/jR, 03/12/2010 (VRBO Review)

"What a wonderful home you have! We had the most lovely time there and absolutely adored the entire experience. The home was a delight and the staffers treated us like family. We are just so grateful for the fantastic vacation - our grateful thanks to everyone else .... Kimberly, Karina, everyone!!!" - Lisa Yao, New York, NY, 03/05/10(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Amazing house! Nothing beats waking up and being able to see the beach and ocean right on your front lawn! The house is incredible, Corinna Corinna is adorable and we loved her company as we missed our dog terribly. The water is plesantly warm and it was great that the house had boogie boards for us to use during our stay. There are not a lot of pictures of the bedrooms on the website but they are all beautiful, especially the master bedroom with the canopy bed. Tons of space for us to hang out. Bula Bulas restaurant and the Rip Jack Inn were great dinner spots near by. We had such a great time!" - Patty, Toronto, Ontario, 03/02/10(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"What a wonderful home you have!  We had the most lovely time there and absolutely adored the entire experience.  The home was a delight and the staffers treated us like family.  We are just so grateful for the fantastic vacation - thank you both and our grateful thanks to everyone else .... Kimberly, Corina-Corina, everyone!!! All the best " - Lisa, NY, NY, 02/28/10(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Playa Grande is one of the most beautiful beaches that we have seen in CR. This is our second trip there and we love that we have the beach to ourselves, the great surf, for the surfers in the family. Villa Olivia is just a wonderful house to enjoy this pristine beach. Staff is always present and friendly. Marianela is fluent in English and very available by phone for anything you would need. Their spacish and well equipped kitchen is airy and gives you views of the spectacular beach. Dinners on the deck were delightful. Villa Olivia can sleep 12 and be a very comfortable house for a large group. We will be back." - The Kings, North Smithfield, RI, 11/22/09(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"PARADISE ! Each time we visit Costa Rica, we are looking to again experience some of the extraordinary things we have seen before, but alas, it is always new and wonderous things we find!! Mid-October in Playa Grande was great! No crowds and not-so-hot weather. Villa Olivia is everything one could hope for: Beachfront, Luxury and a Terrific staff!! Got to see a loud family of orange-chin parakeets(they thought they lived at Villa Olivia!), a large Boa snake nearby, and the Rincon de la Vieja volcano. Like I said: PARADISE !!! Can't wait to return to Villa Olivia !! THANKS !!!! TomCatt" - Tom Catt, Cherry Hill, NJ, 11/09/09(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"I love this place! My close friend and I have been here twice with our wives and kids both times. The beach is ideal, the house is perfect for a beach vacation and I strogly reccomend it." - Anonymous, 04/07/09(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Just Pura Vida. Had an awesome time. Relaxing week. Great waves every day and the food was so wonderful. The house is beautiful for couples visiting your beautiful country. Having young kids in different rooms was a little nerve racking for the wife. I loved it. Our family was also next door and we used there pool as well as enjoyed our house. I will certainly stay at the house again in our next trip. Thank you." - Anonymous, 03/17/2009 (VRBO Review)

"Awesome place! Couldn't describe the amazing scenery and beautiful weather that split the days and nights. Swimming under the stars, or in the pouring rain where the water is warmer than the rain... simply divine. Or the ultra clear days, ended by the most serene sunsets. The house is awesome too, AC makes for a great night sleep, and really conducive for perfect meals at night. Overall great." - Nick H., Pacifica, USA, 03/17/2009 (VRBO Review)

"We had a fantastic stay at Villa Olivia - and it didn't take long for us to decide it wouldn't be our last. The house and staff were idyllic and we enjoyed the sun and the surf immensely. See you next year!" - HAC178159, Toronto, Ontario, 03/17/2009 (VRBO Review)

"8 of us stayed at Villa Olivia for our wedding in Costa Rica and we had a wonderful stay! The house was beautiful and all of the staff was extremely helpful! We would certainly rent Villa Olivia again for future visits to Playa Grande. We will miss Corina...what a sweet girl! :)" - HAC192020, Tucson, Arizona, 03/17/2009 (VRBO Review)

"8 of us stayed at Villa Olivia for our wedding in Costa Rica and we had a wonderful stay! The house was beautiful and all of the staff was extremely helpful! We would certainly rent Villa Olivia again for future visits to Playa Grande. We will miss Corina...what a sweet girl! :)" - Lindsay, Tucson, Arizona, 02/24/09(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Villa Olivia is a slice of heaven. We had a great time and feel that the house, beach, staff, activities and surrounding area met or exceeded our expectations. One of the best vacations we have taken with a good combination of things to do and a great place to be if you don’t want to do. The Cerreta family " - Tony Cerreta, Port Chester, NY, 01/24/09(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We had a fantastic stay at Villa Olivia - and it didn't take long for us to decide it wouldn't be our last. The house and staff were idyllic and we enjoyed the sun and the surf immensely. See you next year!" - Gemma, Toronto, Ontario, 11/30/08(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We just returned from a week's stay at Villa Olivia and it was great! We had been 'warned' that it would be rainy season when we went, but that was okay. We had beautiful mornings full of sun and blue sky - perfect for morning walks, laying out in the sun, and boogie boarding in the waves. We had rain in the afternoons, which made for a perfect time to catch up on reading and relaxing in a rocking chair on the back porch. Kimberly was a fantastic help and even accompianed us to the 'fish guy' in Brasillito! And Ian and Corynne with Frijoles Locos were also very helpful in setting up day trips, pedicures, and massages. Overall it was a truly relaxing week. We almost can't imagine going during 'high season' - as we loved being the only ones around! Thanks for a great time. " - Terra and Brett, Alexandria, VA, USA, 10/12/08(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We had an absolutely wonderful time at Villa Olivia! We really felt lucky to stumble on the 'find' that we did! Marianela was helpful as was Kimberly. We really had a great time stumbling through Spanish to get to know Kimberly, Jeffrey, and Bernardo a bit more. They were all so willing to help. We're looking forward to scheduling another trip back...especially because we'll want to see how the new granite will look in the kitchen, haha! Thanks again, and it was a pleasure working with you! " - Terra, Virginia, 10/12/08(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Awesome place! Couldn't describe the amazing scenery and beautiful weather that split the days and nights. Swimming under the stars, or in the pouring rain where the water is warmer than the rain... simply divine. Or the ultra clear days, ended by the most serene sunsets. The house is awesome too, AC makes for a great night sleep, and really conducive for perfect meals at night. Overall great." - Nick, Redondo Beach, 08/19/08(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We were 6 people; 2 families sharing the Villa. We were delighted with the house. We loved opening all the doors and windows every morning to enjoy the breeze (slight at times though it was) but mostly the sound of the ocean. Our first night there we were awakened to the loudest thunder and the brightest lightening we had ever experienced. I love storms to it was a treat. Our last night there we sat on the porch and watched another storm move from Tamarindo down the beach. We loved deep sea fishing with Talking Fish; and a great ATV Tour & Zip Line arranged through High Tide in Tamarindo. A real treat (a bit more expensive) was a trip up to Playa Flamingo to a restaurant called Mar Y Sol. It was great. We also loved teh pie (my favorite was the Pineapple) at Noguies in Tamarindo. On our deep sea fishing trip we caught grouper, tile, tuna & mahi mahi so we cooked at home a lot. We enjoyed everything about Costa Rica, Villa Olivia and Corina Corina! Would love to come back some time. The Crisps & The Steffs" - Mitch, Raleigh, NC, 07/29/08(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Just Pura Vida. Had an awesome time. Relaxing week. Great waves every day and the food was so wonderful. The house is beautiful for couples visiting your beautiful country. Having young kids in different rooms was a little nerve racking for the wife. I loved it. Our family was also next door and we used there pool as well as enjoyed our house. I will certainly stay at the house again in our next trip. Thank you." - Mark Brooks, Coral Gables, Florida, 06/24/08(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"I booked Villa Olivia for 4 adult couples who have raved about how glorious the place and the stay were. Only negeative was that I had emailed a provisions list to Marianela who confirmed receipt and that those items would be awaiting their arrival. No provisions were there. Other comments: They had a cook for one evening...Great meal! Many terrific restaurants close to the villa. Best beach ever!" - HAC137186, Stockbridge MA, 04/30/2008 (VRBO Review)

"I booked Villa Olivia for 4 adult couples who have raved about how glorious the place and the stay were. Only negeative was that I had emailed a provisions list to Marianela who confirmed receipt and that those items would be awaiting their arrival. No provisions were there. Other comments: They had a cook for one evening...Great meal! Many terrific restaurants close to the villa. Best beach ever!" - Anonymous, Stockbridge MA, 04/28/08(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We absolutely loved our stay at Villa Olivia. This was the most relaxing part of our whole trip. We were just our family with three kids ages 11, 4, & 2. It was great time to reconnect, relax and rejuvenate ourselves. The kids had a blast building sand castles, catching hermit crabs, and collecting sea shells. This was total freedom, we felt like we had our own private beach! The thundering sounds of the waves was awesome yet soothing! We will definately be back some day! I can't forget to mention that the staff are truly wonderful people." - HAC136324, Plamondon, Alberta, Canada, 04/24/2008 (VRBO Review)

"We absolutely loved our stay at Villa Olivia. This was the most relaxing part of our whole trip. We were just our family with three kids ages 11, 4, & 2. It was great time to reconnect, relax and rejuvenate ourselves. The kids had a blast building sand castles, catching hermit crabs, and collecting sea shells. This was total freedom, we felt like we had our own private beach! The thundering sounds of the waves was awesome yet soothing! We will definately be back some day! I can't forget to mention that the staff are truly wonderful people." - Michele Dallaire, Plamondon, Alberta, Canada, 04/22/08(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We had a blast. If we don't buy the house down the street, we'll be back! ;)" - HAC133876, Malibu, CA, 04/11/2008 (VRBO Review)

"We had 3 families traveling together (VanDerripe, Bunnell, Eddy), party of 11 including 3 young children (3-5 yrs.). We stayed at Villa Olivia. We had good waves and weather everyday. We surfed the main peak down by The Rip Jack, as well as the rock formation out front. We tried most of the local restaurants in Playa Grande, we frequented Kike's the most as it had the best local Costa Rican cuisine(breakfast and dinner) with the best local pricing. We also liked the new Sushi Bar owned by hosts Andrew and Tamarra. We also enjoyed MarBar for lunch and a swim in the pool. You simply can't beat the location and the sunrise and sunsets we're magical. Plenty of monkey's if you search for them, saw several crocs in the estuary on the water taxi to Tamarindo. The Villa Olivia staff took care of everything to make our stay very pleasant and relaxing. Had plenty of hammock time, good times with great friends, and an overall great family vacation. Thanks," - HAC133502, Huntington Beach, California, 04/09/2008 (VRBO Review)

"We had a blast. If we don't buy the house down the street, we'll be back! ;)" - Phil & Shana Buckman, Malibu, CA, 04/09/08(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We had 3 families traveling together (VanDerripe, Bunnell, Eddy), party of 11 including 3 young children (3-5 yrs.). We stayed at Villa Olivia. We had good waves and weather everyday. We surfed the main peak down by The Rip Jack, as well as the rock formation out front. We tried most of the local restaurants in Playa Grande, we frequented Kike's the most as it had the best local Costa Rican cuisine(breakfast and dinner) with the best local pricing. We also liked the new Sushi Bar owned by hosts Andrew and Tamarra. We also enjoyed MarBar for lunch and a swim in the pool. You simply can't beat the location and the sunrise and sunsets we're magical. Plenty of monkey's if you search for them, saw several crocs in the estuary on the water taxi to Tamarindo. The Villa Olivia staff took care of everything to make our stay very pleasant and relaxing. Had plenty of hammock time, good times with great friends, and an overall great family vacation. Thanks," - Scott VanDerripe, Huntington Beach, California, 04/07/08(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We had a wonderful week in Playa Grande staying at Villa Olivia. We were so comfortable and it was amazing to walk out the front door and be right at home on the beach. We so enjoyed relaxing in the hammocks and sitting on the front porch rocking to the sounds of the waves. We were there on an adult family vacation and it was fun to share our time in your villa. We explored the coastline from Protrero to Tamarindo; sunning, walking the beaches,ATV riding, swimming, and eating in some amazing restaurants. Would recommend Outback Jack's in Brasilito followed by an afternoon at the Conchal beach. Rip Jack's was a favorite right down the road for breakfast, lunch, and dinners!! The ziplining at Witch's Rock was a thrilling experience for all of us across all ages! The riverboat ride on the Rincon followed by lunch was a great way to see some of the local country and amazing wildlife such as monkeys, crocidiles, and iquanas. Costa Rica is an unspoiled get away and the people are so friendly. Villa Olivia at Playa Grande is a special place with its openess to a remarkable beach and relaxing way of life. Thank you for a \" - Linda B., Pomfret Center, CT, 03/05/2008 (VRBO Review)

"All seven of us had a great week. Plenty of room and privacy for all of us. Couldn't have been more relaxed. Weather was wonderful. Had fun on the Zip-Line. Be careful when swimming at high tide. The rip currents are very dangerous. The people were so friendly." - HAC127442, Summerville, SC, 03/04/2008 (VRBO Review)

"We had a wonderful week in Playa Grande staying at Villa Olivia. We were so comfortable and it was amazing to walk out the front door and be right at home on the beach. We so enjoyed relaxing in the hammocks and sitting on the front porch rocking to the sounds of the waves. We were there on an adult family vacation and it was fun to share our time in your villa. We explored the coastline from Protrero to Tamarindo; sunning, walking the beaches,ATV riding, swimming, and eating in some amazing restaurants. Would recommend Outback Jack's in Brasilito followed by an afternoon at the Conchal beach. Rip Jack's was a favorite right down the road for breakfast, lunch, and dinners!! The ziplining at Witch's Rock was a thrilling experience for all of us across all ages! The riverboat ride on the Rincon followed by lunch was a great way to see some of the local country and amazing wildlife such as monkeys, crocidiles, and iquanas. Costa Rica is an unspoiled get away and the people are so friendly. Villa Olivia at Playa Grande is a special place with its openess to a remarkable beach and relaxing way of life. Thank you for a "true vacation"." - Linda Bates, Pomfret Center, CT, 03/03/08(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"All seven of us had a great week. Plenty of room and privacy for all of us. Couldn't have been more relaxed. Weather was wonderful. Had fun on the Zip-Line. Be careful when swimming at high tide. The rip currents are very dangerous. The people were so friendly." - Cathy Reeves, Summerville, SC, 03/02/08(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We had a group of 10 adults and 11 children and had a wonderfull time. We all squeezed in and it was great! Definately recommend Shirley the cook. It was so nice to sit on the back porch and be able to watch the Dads surf and the kids play in the sand and warm ocean. So private! We also recommend the river boat/lunch/zip line canopy tour. We got 10 of the 11 kids on the zip line and they loved it - ages 3-9. We had a wonderful week and may make it annual!! We did get some bug bites, but not too bad." - Vrbo Traveler, eYr0qURHP2C4OFu9JTVs2so6nE4Z0NcA+X+Ovg==, 02/21/2008 (VRBO Review)

"We had a group of 10 adults and 11 children and had a wonderfull time. We all squeezed in and it was great! Definately recommend Shirley the cook. It was so nice to sit on the back porch and be able to watch the Dads surf and the kids play in the sand and warm ocean. So private! We also recommend the river boat/lunch/zip line canopy tour. We got 10 of the 11 kids on the zip line and they loved it - ages 3-9. We had a wonderful week and may make it annual!! We did get some bug bites, but not too bad." - Cara Chiarappa, Santa Barbara, CA, 02/19/08(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"This was probably the best vacation ever for most of the 11 people in our group. Pros: Great oceanfront area. The prepared food was amazing. The villa is located on a great spot. Great activities...Catamaran tour w/snorkeling /kayaking/open bar, Palo Verde River tour, Witches Rock Canopy Tour, Deep Sea Fishing, Boogie Boarding, full day at the Rincon de la Vieja, surf lessons, and massages. The night watchman made us feel safe. Cons: At night we couldn't spend too much time in the kitchen/living area because of the bugs and heat, but the studio was a great place to play games and hang out. We probably should have gotten a cell phone rental as there was no phone/internet at the villa for our use and we couldn't get a pay phone to work when we got lost. We hired a driver for the Rincon trip, but he took us to the wrong place at first and drove very very slowly." - Caroline, Irvine, CA, 01/15/08(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Julie, Thank you for a beautiful beach location we can not say enough about Playa Grande great for all ages. We were an extended family of 10 for a post Christmas break and everyone loved the location. The house works well would remember to book Shirley for everyday next time but she was great, everyone was very helpful. It was much more crowded on the beach than it is in April but your spot is nice and removed from the crowds a definite plus! The waves were great and as always the people of Costa Rica wonderful. We had great weather, great meals and just an all around great time. Thanks again to all that help you make this lovely vacation spot work! Sincerly, The Campbells and Smiths" - Whitney C., Summit NJ, 01/06/2008 (VRBO Review)

"Julie, Thank you for a beautiful beach location we can not say enough about Playa Grande great for all ages. We were an extended family of 10 for a post Christmas break and everyone loved the location. The house works well would remember to book Shirley for everyday next time but she was great, everyone was very helpful. It was much more crowded on the beach than it is in April but your spot is nice and removed from the crowds a definite plus! The waves were great and as always the people of Costa Rica wonderful. We had great weather, great meals and just an all around great time. Thanks again to all that help you make this lovely vacation spot work! Sincerly, The Campbells and Smiths" - Whitney Campbell, Summit NJ, 01/04/08(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"I have stayed in both Villas several times and can only say \" - Pamela Geremia, Santa Barbara, California, 11/14/2007 (VRBO Review)

"I have stayed in both Villas several times and can only say "This is Truly Paradise"...thank you for such a wonderful, relaxing holiday. I recommend this for a family holiday or a very special intimate occasion. Pam Geremia, Santa Barbara, California" - Pamela Geremia, Santa Barbara, California, 11/12/07(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We stayed in Julie's Playa Grande beach house in a party of 9 in June 2007. The house is large and spacious with a well equipped kitchen and great views. The beach was almost totally our own private beach. We loved eating in the outdoor dining room as a family. I would not hesitate to recommend a stay here." - Stotz Family, Atlanta, GA, 06/10/2007 (VRBO Review)

"We stayed in Julie's Playa Grande beach house in a party of 9 in June 2007. The house is large and spacious with a well equipped kitchen and great views. The beach was almost totally our own private beach. We loved eating in the outdoor dining room as a family. I would not hesitate to recommend a stay here." - Stotz Family, Atlanta, GA, 06/08/07(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Beautiful house with private surf spot right out front and no crowds! Look for high tide at Playa Grande and off-shore winds for great surf conditions. Take a walk north to the tide pools and black sand beaches. Very convenient house. Shirley did a great job cooking breakfasts and cleaning every morning. Highly recommend it! House is filled with tons of amenities." - Roman T., San Diego, CA, 03/10/2007 (VRBO Review)

"to Julie gordon and Villa Olivia,We all want to let you know that our stay at Villa Oliva has been more than comfortable and great. We have great pictures of the house and we all wish to be able to spend some more time at Playa Grande on our next vacations,thanks for everything and we will keep in contact with you." - claudia recondo and guests from a, buenos aires, 03/08/2007 (VRBO Review)

"Beautiful house with private surf spot right out front and no crowds! Look for high tide at Playa Grande and off-shore winds for great surf conditions. Take a walk north to the tide pools and black sand beaches. Very convenient house. Shirley did a great job cooking breakfasts and cleaning every morning. Highly recommend it! House is filled with tons of amenities." - Roman, San Diego, CA, 03/08/07(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"to Julie gordon and Villa Olivia,We all want to let you know that our stay at Villa Oliva has been more than comfortable and great. We have great pictures of the house and we all wish to be able to spend some more time at Playa Grande on our next vacations,thanks for everything and we will keep in contact with you. " - claudia recondo and guests from a, buenos aires, 03/06/07(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"This is a wonderful spot for a romantic getaway or relaxing family vacation. The staff are accommodating; the owners over-the-top with making you comfortable, and they are a wealth of information about the region and the culture." - Dianne Gateley, Santa Barbara, CA, 01/13/2007 (VRBO Review)

"This is a wonderful spot for a romantic getaway or relaxing family vacation. The staff are accommodating; the owners over-the-top with making you comfortable, and they are a wealth of information about the region and the culture." - Dianne Gateley, Santa Barbara, CA, 01/11/07(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Loved the view! Fun house, great beach, hot days. Good fish. Remember the boogie boards cost money. Surfing great but only at high tide. Best when off shore breeze. Great sleeping hammock. Take a nap!" - Trandals, Parentis, Steams, , 12/15/06(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We came, we saw the magic of the tortuga laying her eggs and created some incredible music here. Look us up in San Francisco or online at mokaimusicdotcom. May you respect the tortuga and enjoy your life here." - CC, San Francisco, CA, 12/08/06(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"I can't say enough about our beautiful stay at Villa Olivia. From the gorgeous location to the relaxed no pressure environment. The staff was able to direct us to everything we were interested in doing;from zip lining through the jungle to getting a relaxing massage at the villa. Everything was perfect. There are no words to describe the utter beauty of Playa Grande the professional staff at Villa Olivia and the friendly generous hospitality of the Costa Ricans. Between the stunning beach and ocean, brilliant sunsets and abundant animal life it's impossible to choose a favorite thing. It was all a dream vacation. I recommend Villa Olivia 100%. Cant wait to return.!!! Cheers, Laura Rosales" - Laura Rosales, California, 11/30/2006 (VRBO Review)

"Wonderful beach, beautiful place to stay and the Owners are the greatest people in the world." - Suzanne Schmutz, Oakland, CA, 11/29/2006 (VRBO Review)

"I can't say enough about our beautiful stay at Villa Olivia. From the gorgeous location to the relaxed no pressure environment. The staff was able to direct us to everything we were interested in doing;from zip lining through the jungle to getting a relaxing massage at the villa. Everything was perfect. There are no words to describe the utter beauty of Playa Grande the professional staff at Villa Olivia and the friendly generous hospitality of the Costa Ricans. Between the stunning beach and ocean, brilliant sunsets and abundant animal life it's impossible to choose a favorite thing. It was all a dream vacation. I recommend Villa Olivia 100%. Cant wait to return.!!! Cheers, Laura Rosales" - Laura Rosales, California, 11/28/06(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Wonderful beach, beautiful place to stay and the Owners are the greatest people in the world." - Suzanne Schmutz, Oakland, CA, 11/27/06(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Our stay at Villa Olivia was one of the most memorable and relaxing vacations I have ever experienced. (This comes from one who lived and vacationed in Asia for 26 years--Bali, Phuket, Penang-- all in the days before tourism with a capital T arrived to over-populate and commercialize these pristine places.) The staff was helpful, engaging and personable! Costa Rica is an ecological gem--I hope to explore more of its interior on future visits. VO provides an easy launching ground to other adventures and a soothing landing place at the end of each day. Our stay was so terrific, I want to book for 2 weeks next November!! Thank you, Julie, Marianella, Shirley and Agustine" - Susan Oliver, CA, 11/20/06(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We don't want to go home! Thank you to Shirley and Juan Carlos for taking us out into the depths of Costa Rica to go dancing. We had the most amazing time here. So sad to leave! Thank you for a wonderful escape. Seguro que vamos a volver." - Laura and Kelly, , 11/15/06(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"I sit in the sun of our lst early early morning at this beautiful, friendly, relaxing oasis knowing I haven't felt so peaceful and content in a while. We have enjoyed the adventures (zipping across the canopy), the sun, the terrific helpfulness of Marianela, the "anti-bandito" watchfulness of Agostine and the delicious dinner cooked by Shirley. What a wonderful "family"...and extended fammily-Juan Carlos, Jean-Pierre, Michele y Mairia. Thank you Gordon's for your generous gift to the Council on Drug and Alcoholism. I am so glad I won the bid." - Susan, California, 11/11/06(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"14 +2 babies. Enjoyed the views! Guys enjoyed great surf right out front and Witches and Ollies. Great family fun, even with the big ants and crabs, the beauty!. You must have Shirley cook "awesome food."" - Big Group from S. California, , 07/02/06(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"This place was wonderful!! PURA VIDA! Even with a group of 14, we were able to enjoy ourselves and loved every moment of it. We surfed, swam, body surfed, got tan (and burnt), saw beautiful sunsets and sunrises. This house was great because of the location. Not having any access to TV, telephones or internet truly makes you relax and enjoy the time you have here. We were sad to leave but anxious for our next adventure. Enjoy yourself and relax!" - Colasardo and Morrison Crew, Mammoth Lakes, CA and Aukland, NZ, 07/01/06(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Thank you for sharing this paradise with us. Well worth the trek from New Zealand! A wonderful base for sharing fun, quality time with our family from the USA an Canada. We have all had such a great time. Thanks again for assisting with our once in a lifetime experience." - Cairn's, Auckland, New Zealand, 06/22/06(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Wow is all I can say. This trip has practically change me completely. None of thse bad city things (TV, Computer, and what not). So great a totally different experience, so great. I really can't express the amazing fun I think we all had here. Those crabs are hilarious and everywhere. We found one in the cutlery drawer. Such a great experience, priceless, amazing sunset/sunrise. Get on top of the rock for a great view of the sunsets. Pura Vida- translates Pure Life. Pretty crazy riptide." - Sasha, , 06/16/06(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We surfed, we played poker, we saw beautiful sunsets, we became a tight knit group which we were not before. We came here through the people who came here after us. We can only wish the same happiness will come to them as well. " - The Long Island Crew, , 01/27/06(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Arrived and found the best thing to do was nothing. Relaxed, swam, surfed, walked, connected. The Pura Vida was wonderful! Staff and guard were tops (make sure you have fresca for the guard). Tamarindo was a let down. No worries, Playa Grande was where we had the best time. Surf was good on all days but one. Weather even in green season was fine, rained one day and most nights. Very safe, keep doors closed at nights- attack of the crabs." - Mark, Gary, Kara, JT, Margaret, LA and Colorado, 09/16/05(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We loved Villa Olivia! Great house, Great beach, Adventurous roads!" - Gaston's, Leon's and Lopez's, , 08/24/05(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Awesome time! Rest and relaxation. leave your cares behind, curl up on a hammock and read a good book. Exercise a little with the surf-Wow those waves are tough. Enjoy the food. RipJack and Bula Bula my favorite resturants, oh, but the pizza at the Spanish Resturant was awesome! Get a milkshake at Hotel Las Tortugas, the Canopy tour at Witch's Rock was awesome! Walk to the black sand beach- Only at low tide. Wake up early and enjoy the sun. Loved Costa Rica! Amen." - Morgan's, Myrtle Beach, SC, 07/19/05(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"TRIP OF A LIFETIME!! had the greatest time ever, fishing for tuna, surfing, canopy tours. Best 10 days of my life!!! P.S. Watch the crabs!" - Luke Morgan, South Wales, United Kingdom, 07/13/05(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We had an absolutely fabulous time here at the Villa Olivia. The great surf, the sun, the flora and fauna were incredible. All eleven of us love this place! Sun in the day and the fantastic lightening storms at night. The perfect setting when spending time with family. Pura Vida! Thanks a bunch and as the say in Memphis-Thanks Ya'll." - Page's, Memphis, TN, 07/01/05(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Great Place! Great House! Love the People! Had a great time my family loved this place. However somebody tried to get into our place. Love Costa Rica." - , Newport Beach, CA, 06/16/05(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We had a wonderful time 14 of us. The houses are great for large groups. We have a lot of memories. Our daughter and son-in-law celebrated their honeymoon with us. We celebrated our 50th birthdays. Would love to come back to Villa Olivia." - Dennis and Sharnay, Las Vegas, NV, 05/02/05(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Warm waters, relaxing days, and great service. Pura Vida!! A wonderful experience for a first time traveler. Tico's have been great for this gringo with very little spanish. Many thanks to my brother-in-law for making it all possible. P.S. Very different from our dry heat." - Brenda and Larry Willis, Camp Verde, AZ, 05/01/05(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"No words can describe the beauty of this place. It not only for the young, because it is so relaxing anyone can enjoy it. The warm waters, clean house, sea shells and great food. We have experienced a lifetimeof memories to take home. "Thanks" Villa Olivia For The Best!" - Bill and Mary Miller, Camp Verde, AZ, 05/01/05(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We had an AWESOME TIME!! We loved it. It is so beautiful. What a great start to a great marriage." - Lolli's, Phoenix, AZ, 04/30/05(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We had a great time. Thank you for the very nice house and service. Would love to come back sometime." - Ken & Justin Dodson, San Marcos, CA, 04/01/05(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"This place is amazing. I had the best vacation here in Costa Rica. The house was beautiful. To get away from everything in the states and just relax was all I wanted. i got that and much more. The Ticos are great and made this experience even better. I go to spend 6 days with my amazing boyfreind and his great family. I can't believe that it is already time fo me to leave. I know that I will be back very soon. Costa Rica is amazing! To the next guests, relax, enjoy yourselves and make sure you stop the German Bakery truck that drives by. It is excellent! Pura Vida!" - Lyndsey Black, , 03/30/05(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"This place is great. Hammocks, swimming, fishing, surfing, and doing other things. The best, I had an awesome time. P.S. watch the riptide. Thanks for a great time!" - Rickard's, , 03/25/05(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Pura Vida, Pura Vida, Pura Vida. Playa Grande was amazing, I saw the potential of the waves here and how hollow the barrels can be. I couldn't believe that we rented this mansion on the beautiful land. Even though we got skunked fishing in the surf, thes was the best trip ever. No TV, no cells, no news, what more could you ask for, its all about the simple things down here, and we got it. It's great when you realize that all the superficial jargon in the states is a waste of time and money. It's all about the company down here and it's a beautiful thing when you are surrounded by the people you love and care for. The waves better be pumping the next time or I'll be spearfishing by ass off. I love the Ticos and their Tico-style and to all who visit, keep it mellow and don't be ignorant. Aloha." - Josh Wills, Hawaii, 03/23/05(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We had one of the best Spring Break trips ever. We surfed and enjoyed long naps in the hammocks. Downtown Tamarindo wa fun on St. Patrick's day. It will definitely be tough to go back to the Naval Academy. It is impossible to show our full appreciation that we have to the families that took us in." - Ramsey's, , 03/15/05(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Villa Olivia- Talk about a memorable experience! We absolutely loved the house, the hammocks, the candles, the view of the ocean. It was great to come home to!! KiKe's was awesome, the people here are so friendly- Ticos are great. Thanks so much for such an amazing time and your generosity. This trip exceeded all my expectations. There have been so many experiences that I lived through for the first time. The house was amazing, beach spectacular, the vistas breathtaking. Pura Vida." - , Billings, MT, 03/06/05(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We have to admit that driving from Liberia and encountering that nice dirt road (yeah right!) we were a bit apprehensive about the place. It turned out to be paradise. Thanks to the staff who showed us how to BBQ. You guys made us love Costa Rica." - Frenette's, , 02/07/05(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"What a spectacular place and country. So beautiful! Thank you." - Tucker's, , 12/01/04(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"What a blessing we have received to behold God's creation to be with family and friends and share this beautiful home this land of Costa Rica. We thank the Lord Jesus "Our Great Shepherd" for this time of rest. We bless those who have served us and the rest of you! May this land of Costa Rica be blessed and fulfill her destiny to the Lord." - Benik's, , 07/23/04(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"What a blessing we have received to behold God's creation to be with family and friends and share this beautiful home this land of Costa Rica. We thank the Lord Jesus "Our Great Shepherd" for this time of rest. We bless those who have served us and the rest of you! May this land of Costa Rica be blessed and fulfill her destiny to the Lord." - Benik's, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 07/23/04(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Last night I sat on the beach and saw a shooting star under a different sky. To be blessed with such an opportunity is one that is all of our's. for all others that read this, respect this house and this beach. You have provided us with memories for a lifetime. Thanks again." - Andy, Encinitas, CA, 07/13/04(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We came to find a litte rest, a little getaway... We found paradise! The beauty, love and spirit we discovered have been inspirational for all of us. Thank goodness for Villa Olivia, the wonderful snapshots are in my head forever." - Sherry, San Francisco, CA, 05/15/04(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"What can I say other than, "I cant go home." The booze cruise, the sunsets, the beach, the waves, the laughter...good, good times! This vacation as one may call it turned into a portal into another way of life... Costa Rica feels like home away from home! Thank you for your generosity of spirit and showing us the best time." - Poroshat, , 05/06/04(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Villa Olivia...No words can describe the fun, beauty, and great time had here in Costa Rica. The beauty of crawling out of bed and walking on the beach...Can it get any better than this? Removing myself from the rat race we call LA, I can't think of a more relaxing, fun, and beautiful spot in the world to be. It will be in my memories for years to come." - Alisha, Los Angeles, 05/05/04(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Thanks for the great place to stay. WE have been traveling around Costa Rica for a week looking for good surf. so fat this has been our most memorable. The surfing has been poor but the beauty has made up for it." - Trevor and Sandy, La Jolla, California, 12/31/03(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"Had an awesome time. Beatiful weather at a beautiful place. Couldn't have asked for a better stay. Thank you!" - The Roger's, , 12/22/03(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"No old girl ever had a better birthday than I did here. We all think Villa Olivia is the world's nicest place and we all want to come back and we congratulate all the people who created this." - Matthew's and Wanning's, San Rafael, CA, 06/06/03(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)

"We love Villa Olivia. Great fun in the sun for all. We will be back!" - Dinaberg's, Chapman's, McCormicks, California, 01/24/03(HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)