In the historic neighborhood of Cubali Town, Chiquita Escondida is a uniquely designed villa featuring five buildings, a cluster of spaces perfect for retreats or family reunions. This hidden gem offers walking paths through tropical gardens and outdoor seating areas, past a swimming pool and down to the beach. Each bedroom is equipped with one king-sized bed or two XL twin beds.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
4 bedrooms6 bathroomsSleeps 12372 sq m
Popular amenities
Ocean view
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Beachfront villa with pool. Hosts big families, groups or small retreats.
Cubali Town is a historic neighborhood, named for a well-loved fisherman, whose son is still the local harbor master. We first visited this property in 2004, but it wasn't until 2016 that we actually purchased it and set upon a dream of creating something special; and in keeping with the lore of Playa Chiquita, celebrate women who've inspired us.
A quiet lane, barely wide enough for a car, leads you to this hidden gem–Chiquita Escondida. A uniquely designed villa that features five buildings, a cluster of spaces for retreats, family reunions, or several couples traveling together–a large open rancho, three casitas housing four master-bedroom/bath suites, and a large play room which allows overflow sleeping. The property accommodates up to 12 persons and is rented as a single unit. We host just one group at a time to assure your maximum enjoyment of all features.
Walking paths weave through tropical gardens and outdoor seating areas, past a swimming pool, over a seasonal creek, and down the footpath to the beach. Five separate structures each display color, textures and materials specific to the theme, maximizing the varied features of the property--beach, gardens and jungle. Clustered, the units stand-alone, to ensure maximum privacy for friends traveling together, retreat groups or just your multi-generational family. Each bedroom is equipped with one king sized bed or two XL twin beds. All bedrooms have screened windows with security frames, ceiling fans, device charging ports, quality linens, coffee and tea service, and locally made bath products.
Beachfront, Elsea, a two-story unit swimming in the colors of the Caribbean. The downstairs room features a generous porch facing the sea, spacious indoor seating area, ping pong, a kitchenette and a compact bathroom. Seating areas provide overflow sleeping for up to four. Upstairs, a grand master-bedroom suite opens to a private porch offering beach and ocean views, the bathroom features a large vanity with double sinks, a large walk-in shower inspired by the deep blue sea, a private toilet stall and two closets. The ocean breezes keep you cool all day, and the waves lull you to sleep.
Viola, a single story unit is nestled in the garden, growing camouflaged with her vining plants, extensive green.and a one-of-kind atrium bathroom. The bedroom features wall to wall windows, screened and secure with artistic security frames, flowing curtains assure privacy. A small kitchenette allows you to brew your first cup of coffee to enjoy on your deck before you ever leave the cabina. Bathe in a clawfoot tub in a private indoor garden with salt air breezes or indulge in the double headed shower with views of the garden.
Berta A and Nonni B are back-to-back Cabinas sharing a common wall and dense jungle views. Each features a private deck perched over the creek, with views of the pool and jungle paths. Wake up to a view of massive twin trees which host orchids, bromeliads, tillandsias and an occasional sloth. Each has a full private bath with walk-in showers providing another view of the treetop gardens--Nonni B is handicapped accessible.
Lastly, Dona, the rancho, combines the owner’s passion for Craftsman style construction with the easy breezy Caribbean way of life celebrating the vibrance of the tropics. A large kitchen equipped with quality appliances, a generous center island, and a built in BBQ with fridge and wet bar, sure to welcome many hands helping or cheering on the cooks. Wall-less on three sides, bright light, airy breezes and beautiful scenery at every turn. An open floor plan connects the kitchen to the indoor seating and dining areas with wrap-around covered decks, blurring the lines between outside and inside.
An uncovered deck leads from the rancho to the pool featuring a beach entry, wet deck and deep plunge area. A half bath is conveniently located, and an outdoor shower rinses away the salt and sand before you enjoy the pool. The overall design boasts a luscious tropical oasis you may never want to leave... but do, the beach is just down the walking trail.
Start your day with a howler monkey wake-up and be on the beach in time to catch the sunrise, with a north-facing shore, we enjoy the uniqueness of sunrise and sunsets over the coastal points to the east and west. A trip to the beach is just footsteps, literally like 15 footfalls and you’re in the Caribbean Sea snorkeling one of the best reefs on the coast. Meet your guide for a beach horseback ride, or wind out the day with a bonfire on the beach. During the right season, luminescence in the water, fireflies in the beach bush and lightening off shore create the trifecta of of sparkly magic.
Activities are available, but not overdone, it's a laid back vibe in the Caribe Sur. The Jaguar Rescue Center is a 7 minute walk, markets are 5 or 10 by bike depending which way you turn when you get to the paved road. The public bus runs regularly and for a buck you can get to Puerto Viejo or Manzanillo in about 15 minutes. Or if you plan to drive, please limit the number of vehicles on the property to no more than 3, we want to prioritize beauty and green space over parking lots.
Property amenities
Beach
On the beach
Beach loungers
Beach towels
Pool/Spa
Communal pool
Massage
Outdoor pool
Private pool
Internet
Available in the villa: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Electric car charging station on site
Car not required
Limited on-site parking
Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Electric kettle
Hob
Kitchen island
Kitchenette
Lobster/crab pot
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Water dispenser
Dining
Chef service
Dining table
Bedrooms
4 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Sofa bed
Bathroom
6 bathrooms
Bathtub
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Entertainment
Books
Stereo
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Firepit
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Pets
Pet friendly
Suitability/Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
2 accessible parking spaces
Front entrance ramp
In-room accessibility
Single level property
Tile flooring in public areas
Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Well-lit path to entrance
Wheelchair-accessible parking
Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
Wheelchair-accessible pool
Wheelchair-accessible van parking
Designated smoking areas
Note from host: In outdoor areas only
Services and conveniences
Change of bedsheets (on request)
Change of towels on request
Concierge services
Housekeeping on request
Meal delivery service
Location highlights
Near a health/beauty spa
Near the ocean
Things to do
Arcade/game room
Bicycle parking
Cooking classes
Pickleball
Table tennis
Birdwatching nearby
Cycling nearby
Ecotours nearby
Fishing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Kayaking nearby
Rafting nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Snorkelling nearby
Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
Swimming nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Safety features
No carbon monoxide detector or gas appliances (host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property)
No smoke detector (host has indicated there is no smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Deadbolt lock
General
At least 10% of profits reinvested in community and sustainability
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
Please limit the number of vehicles on the property to 3.
Pets
Pets are allowed
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation
Note from host: Deposit and additional cleaning fee.
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
Events allowed
Additional charges may occur depending on event.
Smoking
Smoking allowed: in designated areas
In outdoor areas only
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site
Note from host: Additional charges may occur depending on event.
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is no smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
A car is not required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Located in Cahuita, this villa is on the beach. Punta Uva Beach and Cahuita National Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Talamanca Family Art and Finca La Isla Botanical Garden. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and ecotours. Visit our Puerto Viejo de Talamanca travel guide
Does Beachfront villa with pool. Hosts big families, groups or small retreats. have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.
Is Beachfront villa with pool. Hosts big families, groups or small retreats. pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking at Beachfront villa with pool. Hosts big families, groups or small retreats.?
Limited spots are available.
What time is check-in at Beachfront villa with pool. Hosts big families, groups or small retreats.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Beachfront villa with pool. Hosts big families, groups or small retreats.?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Beachfront villa with pool. Hosts big families, groups or small retreats. located?
Nestled on the beach, this Cahuita villa is within a 15-minute walk of Playa Cocles and Playa Chiquita. Punta Uva Beach and Talamanca Family Art are also within 3 miles (5 km).
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Beachfront villa with pool. Hosts big families, groups or small retreats. Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Amazing place, arranged a chief and a driver to pick us up from SJO. Had amazing surroundings and friendly and helpful hosts. Definitely going back ASAP
Janet and her team are phenomenal. The property is absolutely beautiful, and Janet helped us throughout our stay to make everything easy.
Rent the bikes! Riding everywhere was an unexpected highlight of our trip.
Spacious, well-kept, owners available on site, best ocean for all levels of ability and fun just a few steps away. Many activities and food within walking distance. The open air kitchen/living area next to the pool is comfortable whether it rains or shines. We hope to return.
Our family thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Chiquita Escondida! The set up of the separate casitas was nice. It was magical to feel like we were living in the jungle, and so close to the beach! The pool is shaded in the afternoon which was great. We saw monkeys and sloths on the property! It was a really relaxing time for our family.
Ideal location and setup for beach and animal lovers traveling with group. Privacy & togetherness to the tee! Proximity to the Caribbean couldn’t be closer so with that comes the humidity and sounds of waves and jungle wildlife. It’s the real deal!The property owners are extra accommodating and have all the answers. Wonderful people and a special place on this earth.
Chiquita Escondida did not disappoint! This amazing property was everything we were looking for and more. We were close enough ride bikes or walk to the Jaguar Rescue, fish market, grocery store, restaurants and activities. The beach is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen, and just a few steps from the property. Everything is so perfectly thought out. We wanted for nothing! Janet and Nick are the most kind and gracious hosts, and we are so grateful for all of their guidance in planning our trip and adventures.
It was hard to leave Janet’s property. What an amazing place she has created. Even during rainy season we were comfortable. In fact, the space made rain enjoyable. Everything you need is available within walking distance. Great restaurants and activities are close by. Beautiful beach access and tropical surroundings at the property. Special detail has been taken so that you are comfortable and everything is well stocked for you. Janet is a delightful person to interact with and makes you feel like a friend.
You can tell that she cares about her guests.
We hope to return someday.
It was just as pictures show-gorgeous, lush plantings, sloths, monkeys, beautiful birds! My family was so comfortable in accommodations and loved being so close to beach as well as pool! We had Ian do yummy dinner for us as well as breakfast goodies. Janet & Nick( the hosts)are super helpful. We found plenty of markets for food, and lots of great restaurants. The family loved the zip line, waterfall hike, surfing, & kayaking. We all agreed it was great family vacation!
Loved staying here with my family including two kids age 10 and 8. The location could not be better, having a swimming pool is great after the beach, and the space the rancho provides is very nice. The Elsea house has a great master room overlooking forest while the beach peaks through. Sloths and monkeys go by every day. I would stay here again
What a special spot! The property grounds are beautiful and work so well for larger groups! We had a group of 10 and it was so nice for all of us to have our own space in the cabins/casitas while also having the large common areas for cooking, eating, and hanging at the pool! Beach access is a short walk down a shared path and it’s gorgeous! Grocery stores nearby so it makes it super easy to shop and prepare food at the home! During our stay we also saw a ton of wildlife, including howler monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and more! This is a gorgeous part of Costa Rica, relatively untouched by commercial giants, so you can really enjoy a quieter, more authentic experience!
We loved the location of the house. Easy access to the beach. Owners were very responsive and were there for anything we needed. We loved the house/houses. The pool was very clean and relaxing. Kitchen had everything we needed. We will definitely go back!
I was very excited about this trip and our stay at Chiquita Escondida made it so much better than expected. Janet and Nick were very attentive and helped with all of our needs, the property was not only beautiful but very well maintained. When we come back we would definitely like to stay at this location again.
The hosts and the house are great! We all had the best time. Janet and Nick are the best hosts. We had a last-minute flight change and Janet saved us. We would definitely return.
The large covered common area was used to it's maximum. We were able to have refreshment and long conversations into the early morning. Are hosts Janet and Nick were always available for any question or suggestions. A great stay. Bill
Janet and Nick have covered every detail. You're not going to find a better place to stay when visiting the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. This property puts you right in the middle of the most beautiful part of the area. Outstanding beaches, restaurants, and grocery store shopping are all within a very short walk. We can't wait for our next visit!
This property will forever have a special place in our families’ hearts. The common area encouraged togetherness while still being out in nature. And the bungalows were perfect for everyone to feel like they have some personal space steps from the ocean. The beach is gorgeous and all of the amenities were beyond perfect. We will be telling all our friends about this property - and we will be back on our next visit to Costa Rica. Pura vida!!
We absolutely loved our stay. It was beautiful, the layout was great and provided so much room for our 2 families. Our kids swam in the pool every day! The proximity to the beach was wonderful and we loved the huge coral reef right offshore. I snorkeled every day we were there. We saw tons of fish, some squid and even 2 sting rays. The seas were very calm, which I guess was a bit unusual for that area. The wildlife viewing was also incredible. We saw a troop of howler monkeys on the beach and a sloth in the tree right next to the VRBO. The only downside is there is no air conditioning. No problem for me and my family as the fans worked just fine for us. But our stay was during a heat way and my sister (from Michigan) and her Scottish husband were a bit uncomfortable. In my mind the tradeoff of not having AC was 100% worth it for how incredible the place was.
Chiquita Escondida is one of those hidden gems you want to keep to yourself for fear of it becoming so popular you’ll never get to experience it again. The location, yards from the stunning Caribbean Sea and a nearly secluded beach, is perfect. You can hear the waves crashing from the common areas and the villas. The property itself has everything you would need for a perfectly relaxing vacation - the beds are super comfy, the kitchen fully equipped, pool is glorious and common space wonderfully designed and yet cozy. The homeowners, Janet and Nick, have included and thought of everything you could need. Plus their communication and response is unmatched among vacation rental homeowners. Janet knows the region like the back of her hand and can recommend everything from a delicious meal (while giving you the direct number to restaurant owners for reservations) to a covid test provider.
If you’ve come across this property listing do yourself a favor and book it without hesitation. You will not regret it.
Everything we hoped for, and so much more. Nick and Janet were extraordinary hosts. Thoughtful and kind going far above what we expected. They provided contacts for rides, any information we desired about excursions, restaurants and even personal chefs and a photographer. My husband and I were unfortunately both sick; Janet made me a homemade tonic, that actually worked! And my husband’s illness, she was willing to drop everything and drive him in the pouring rain to a clinic, fortunately we didn’t have to take her up on her offer.
The location….gorgeous! A jungle setting on the beach. Plenty of space and comfortable. Beaches are quiet and have a natural beauty.
A charming community with a friendly small town feel. Felt very safe and well taken care of.
I would recommend getting bikes for transportation.
We were a group of seven friends looking for a place to vacation together, and we found it! The layout of this "compound," as our group dubbed it, was ideal. The main hub was the kitchen/common area, with our personal villas we could retreat to whenever we wanted. The kitchen has everything you could possibly need, and then some. The villas/rooms also had everything you needed to be comfortable, and if anything was missing or you simply wanted something extra, all you had to do was ask.
It was only a short distance to the beach, and what a beautiful beach it is! The property is very conveniently located - the town of Puerto Viejo is a short car or bicycle ride away. There were a few grocery markets even closer. Punta Uva (in the opposite direction) was also a short distance away by car or bicycle - we had heard from a local that it was the best beach for snorkeling, and we were not disappointed!
Janet and Nick are fantastic hosts. They've obviously been doing this for a while and know how to look after their guests. They had suggestions and recommendations for everything we asked about, which is always nice to hear from locals. Communication was always simple, and they genuinely cared about making our stay the best it could be.
I would highly suggest staying at Chiquita Escondida!! ❤️
Our experience at Janet and Nick's place was wonderful. This was far and away our favorite vacation we have ever taken, and this was because our hosts were so warm, accommodating, knowledgable, and most of all, willing and eager to help.
The property is awesome. You have a huge communal space that brings the group together around the pool, hangout area, or when it's time to eat. You also have privacy. Each casita is great in it's own way, and they are very comfortable. Especially the beds. We slept better here than at home. Also, there are monkeys and sloths on the property, which was a lot of fun to watch. The property is right on the beach and you can even hear the ocean at night if you want to. It was very relaxing.
On this trip we went offshore fishing, lobster diving, spearfishing, hiking, whitewater rafting, made chocolate from scratch, saw countless animals, jumped into waterfalls, and countless other amazing things. At the center of all of this was Janet, who's connections and knowledge about the area make all of this a breeze. She connected us with tour guides, boat captains, and private chefs, who's breakfasts and dinners at our rental were our best meals. We made friends here in Puerto Viejo that we'll never forget, and memories that we will cherish forever. We cannot recommend this place and this host enough.
Janet and Nick are wonderful, generous hosts! Located down a private drive, the property is fantastic with the privacy of separate bungalows but a spacious open living area. The kitchen has all you will need to eat in but the house is perfectly located near several great restaurants. The beach is only steps away and it was such a luxury to have a pool on the property as well. However the highlight will be your jungle experience. Howler monkeys, a sloth and a dozen green macaws were all within view! A great place to relax, reconnect and experience a beautiful part of Costa Rica.