Tucked away in a tropical paradise, Casa Sundog offers an idyllic retreat with hotel-like amenities within a private villa setting. With daily housekeeping and breakfast preparation, you can unwind in the comfort of your home away from home while enjoying access to the exclusive Hacienda Pinilla Beach Club and its infinity-edge pool overlooking Playa Avellanas.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
5 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 16550 sq m
Popular amenities
Ocean view
Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Add dates for prices
About this property
The ultimate Family retreat. Daily housekeeping, beach club membership and outdoor grill by the pool
HOUSE DESCRIPTION New adventures, and the chance to reconnect with family, friends, and nature, the tropically inspired Casa Sundog offers the perfect setting for your Costa Rican adventure, tropically inspired indoor-outdoor open-plan spaces allow you the best of both worlds, experience luxury amongst nature here at Casa Sundog.
*** Please note that we want all of our guests to enjoy their stay at Casa Sundog. This home is located in a private, gated community with mainly full-time residents and families. There is a VERY STRICT no-noise policy outside between 10p-6a. This is not the house to host a party or event. This home is great for groups of adults and families who respect the neighbors and rules of the community. If you plan to bring a big group to have a party, or large event, or make excessive noise, please reserve another property as the noise will not be tolerated and you will be asked to leave without a refund.***
HIGHLIGHTS • Golf front property with nature views through the dry forest • Multiple family homes spread over 2 levels and 5 bedrooms. • Shaded outdoor living, dining and Bar terraces • Private terrace for every Bedroom with tropical hammock setting • Daily housekeeping services. Monday through Saturday 8-12pm • Mistaway built in mosquito system surrounds the home • Split AC units in every room • Heated Jacuzzi and Large pool • Corporate beach club membership for our guests to enjoy the HAcienda Pinilla beach club amenities • Concierge Team available to help you curate your experience
CASA SUNDOG SERVICE
• Having daily housekeeping is a great way to ensure that your stay is comfortable and stress-free. We provide DAILY HOUSEKEEPING AND BREAKFAST PREPARATION, You only need to supply the ingredients and we will fit into a schedule that best fits our groups' needs. You can enjoy your vacation without worrying about cleaning up after yourself or taking care of household tasks.
• The Beach club membership will give you access to all the amenities you need for a perfect day at the beach, including chairs, umbrellas, and a gym.
• Whether it is In house catering, sunset cruises, adventure tours or even tips to secluded beaches our Concierge team has the local knowledge to assist in planning your ultimate tropical vacation. Transportation to and from Liberia International Airport, the San Jose International Airport, or booking a rental car can also be arranged. We are available and on call 24/7
With all of these features, Rancho Alegre provides the perfect backdrop for a luxurious and relaxing vacation. Whether you're looking to spend your days lounging by the pool or hitting the waves, you're sure to have a memorable and enjoyable stay.
CASA SUNDOG DESIGN The design concept was to create an open-plan indoor-outdoor living space that allows a large family to enjoy both the open-air tropical climate and or retreat, to cool, air-conditioned spaces. This was achieved through the conscious use of extended shaded terraces adjacent to every living area throughout the home. Every room has individual cooling with personal split AC units and all bedrooms have double-lined blackout blinds.
Finished in early 2021. This luxury home consists of 5 bedrooms, 2 living rooms, 7 covered terraces, an indoor kitchen, an outdoor bar, indoor/outdoor dining, a Saltwater pool, and a Jacuzzi all set over 2 floors with a total of 5500sqft.
Whether it is retreating to privacy for your afternoon siesta on your personal hammock decking, watching a game at the poolside bar, or drinking cocktails in the jacuzzi jets, life is good at casa Sundog!
CASA SUNDOG LOCATION Set on the 2nd hole of the exclusive Hacienda Pinilla golf course there is an abundance of nature and privacy that surrounds the property. Howler monkeys, roaming deer and flying macaws are all daily sights from the poolside lounge.
Leaving the gated community it is just a short golf cart ride down to the beach club on the white sand of Playa Avellanas.
The house has a MistAway mosquito misting system installed that is programmed to automatically spray a very fine mist of a mild botanical insecticide through a nozzle circuit installed around your property. With just two or three short mists per day, mosquitoes and other annoying insects disappear from our property yard.
Whether it is In house catering, sunset cruises, adventure tours, or even tips to secluded beaches our team has the local knowledge to assist in planning the ultimate tropical experience. Transportation to and from Liberia International Airport, the San Jose International Airport, or booking a rental car can also be arranged. We are available and on-call 24/7 sa Sundog.
Our aim is to provide you with a hotel-like experience within a private Villa setting. We provide DAILY HOUSEKEEPING AND BREAKFAST PREPARATION, You only need to supply the ingredients and we will fit into a schedule that best fits our groups' needs.
HACIENDA PINILLA BEACH CLUB
We have a corporate membership for our guests to enjoy the exclusive Hacienda Pinilla beach club on Playa Avellanas.
The beach clubs infinity-edge pool looks over the white sand and famous waves of PLaya Avellanas . The Beach Club has something for everyone whether it's cocktails or fruit smoothies from the poolside Tiki Bar, relaxing in the poolside sunbeds, surfing any one of the world-class waves that line Playa Avellanas, working out in ocean view fitness center or relaxing with a massage in the wellness center, it’s the ultimate beach day!
*The beach club is closed for maintenance throughout the month of October
As a guest of Casa Sundog entry into the beach club is $10 which is then used as credit at the beach club bar and restaurant (only paid once per day and for ages 12+)
BEACHES With 3 miles of coastline within the 4500-acre ranch, there is always a corner, tidepool or wave to be found. Playa Mansita home of the JW Marriott hotel, is a beautiful flat water sandy bay enclosed by a reef lagoon, here you will find great snorkeling and beautiful tide pools at low tide Playa Langosta, world-class surfing, beach and river fishing. We believe Langosta to be the hidden gem of Hacienda Pinilla, the shaded palapas are a great spot for a beach day in the shade and your just a stroll and river crossing from the action of Playa Langosta and Tamarindo
Playa Avellanas, home to the Hacienda Pinilla Beach club and 6 World-class surf breaks including Little Hawaii, the Estero, dead tree and Lolas
JW MARRIOTT HOTEL Hacienda Pinilla is home to the JW Marriott hotel, as a guest of Casa Sundog you have access to the numerous restaurants on offer. You can also purchase a day pass for use of the hotel's pool which is the largest throughout Central America. The day pass gives you access to all of the hotel grounds and amenities.
GOLF COURSE 18 hole par 72 beachfront golf course ( the beachfront hole has an awesome sunset view on a secluded beach)
TENNIS COURTS 3 hard court tennis courts with an onsite instructor. private, semi-private and or group lessons are available. Kids camps and pickleball events are regular activities.
HORSE STABLES The best way to explore the 4500 ranch is by horseback. Tours are available at any time and can be customized to fit your group's needs, with rides from 30 mins to 2 hrs take you through the forest and out along the secluded beaches all here within the ranch.
MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS With over 45 kilometers of trails throughout the ranch, forest, and coastline, Hacienda Pinilla is a great location for mountain biking. With natural scenic routes and rigorous trails for every type of bike rider, Hacienda Pinilla offers up adventure, challenge, and enjoyment for families, first-timers, experts, and everyone in between.
SURFING Hacienda Pinilla has to be one of the best locations in Costa Rica to base your surf trip. With 6 waves just on Playa Avellanas and private access to the beach breaks of Playa Langosta you don't even need to leave the ranch, but if you looking to explore the area, the famous Playa Negra reef breaks are just 10 minutes south and the river mouth and beach breaks of Tamarindo just 10 minutes to the north. You can get around by renting a car, renting our golf cart, renting bicycles, hiring a shuttle or taxi. Tamarindo, with its shopping, dining and nightlife is just 15 minutes away. The Daniel Oduber International Airport in the town of Liberia just an hour away. Hacienda Pinilla offers a free shuttle within the throughout the community during the peak season holidays. It runs every 30 minutes and requires notice 15 minutes ahead of your pick up time. There is a medical clinic within the Hacienda Pinilla community. Hide
Property amenities
Beach
On the beach
Pool/Spa
Communal pool
Hot tub
Private pool
Internet
Available in the house: WiFi (surcharge)
Parking and transport
Electric car charging station on site
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Kitchen island
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
5 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
4.5 bathrooms
Hair dryer
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Entertainment
Games
TV with cable/satellite channels
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Garden
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Work spaces
Desk
Desk chair
Office
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Meal delivery service
Location highlights
In a village
In the city centre
In the mountains
Near the ocean
Next to a golf course
On a lake
On the waterfront
Things to do
Gym
Tennis
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
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
At Hacienda Pinilla we have a noise restriction after 10 pm. You can have moderate music after that time.
- Please ensure all doors and windows are securely locked whenever you leave the house.
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include 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
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.
About the area
Located in Tamarindo, this holiday home is in the city centre and on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Tamarindo Beach and Conchal Beach. Las Baulas National Marine Park and Monkey Park are also worth visiting. Visit our Tamarindo travel guide
Does The ultimate Family retreat. Daily housekeeping, beach club membership and outdoor grill by the pool have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool.
Is The ultimate Family retreat. Daily housekeeping, beach club membership and outdoor grill by the pool pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at The ultimate Family retreat. Daily housekeeping, beach club membership and outdoor grill by the pool?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at The ultimate Family retreat. Daily housekeeping, beach club membership and outdoor grill by the pool?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The ultimate Family retreat. Daily housekeeping, beach club membership and outdoor grill by the pool?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is The ultimate Family retreat. Daily housekeeping, beach club membership and outdoor grill by the pool located?
Located in Tamarindo, this beachfront holiday home is in the city centre and within 3 mi (5 km) of Hacienda Pinilla Golf Course, Mansita Beach and Playa Róbalo. Playa Langosta and Avellanas Beach are also within 6 miles (10 km).
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The ultimate Family retreat. Daily housekeeping, beach club membership and outdoor grill by the pool 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.
Our stay was amazing! The cleanliness was outstanding. The property was spacious and had everything we needed for our family of 10. Close to beaches and town. A wonderful setting.
Great stay and location. House was immaculate and Leandra our house keeper was wonderful. Everything about the house was perfect for our family. Totally safe and comfortable neighborhood and the property managers were so easy to work with. Would definitely stay here again!
Ian B.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
KyleeF
6 Nov 2023
Casa Sundog
It was my first time vacationing to Costa Rica and needless to say this place was AMAZING!! It was so clean and had everything we needed. It was such a beautiful and comfortable place to stay and the backyard has an awesome pool & spa. I will definitely be staying here again!!
KyleeF
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
NinaK
10 Apr 2025
Perfecto
Many times we have stayed in sundog before and always has been the perfect place to go Everything in that house makes us happy. And the people that helps us. Thank you!!!
They stay was as expected, nice, clean, great location. The beach club just changed their policy to 5 entry for adults (and it doesn't count towards food). The pool needs a little bit of freshening up and tile repair but is in pretty goood shape regardless. The hot tub needs to be fixed as well (currently it doesn't get hot but stays pool temp) but it's still a nice place to sit and relax in warm water.
James D.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2025
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Erik T.
19 Dec 2023
True Costa Experience
Have visited Casa Sun Dog multiple times in the past five years and will continue visiting this home away from home location! Absolutely beautiful home with superior service. Location is perfect to all things - beach, fishing, golfing, Tamarindo, or just relaxing by the pool in a very private back yard! An amazing experience every time we visit!
Erik T.
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
EsmeraldaR
30 Mar 2024
Extraordinary experience
The house was amazing, we love the pool with the BBQ in perfect conditions.
Our kids enjoy the playroom and their room.
The house was clean everyday of the week.
We will come back for another visit.
Casa sundog exceeded our expectations! Similar to other reviews, the pictures do not do it justice. There was way more room than expected and the house was in wonderful condition. Joel and his team were exceptional and took care of all of our needs. The location was perfect and we had three families and everyone had plenty of room and enjoyed the home tremendously. Thank you for a wonderful vacation!
We loved everything about this house! The kitchen was fully stocked for cooking and making large dinners, the game room perfect, and the pool was hit with the kiddos- it was raining the entire time we were there so I didn’t spend much time in the pool but it was gorgeous. The hot tub was cool but when I reached out to the management team they had someone there in a matter of minutes to fix it. The management team was amazing and we absolutely love Leandra!!! We will definitely be coming back to this house in the next year or two!
Casa Sundog Villa is a perfect home for a family gathering. It offers several places to gather as a group or escape for some down time. Our house keeper Leandra was a delight! She came every morning and was available to cook breakfast and kept the place immaculate. We enjoyed time by the pool, visiting the Beach Club and exploring the three beaches within Hacienda Pinilla. Our favorite beach was the very private Playa Langosta! Staying within Hacienda Pinilla offers something for all members of your party including golf, horseback riding, mountain biking, tennis and pickleball. We hope to visit again!
We rented for a week with four couples for our first visit to Costa Rica. Hacienda Pinilla property with amenities was perfect for everything we wanted during the week. House was perfect and the housekeeper who was there daily was so great to us! Beach club, golf, horseback riding and mountain bikes were right there and Longcosta beach was beautiful for relaxing. We rented a car from the location at the Marriott right down the road which was really convenient also. Quick 20 minutes into Tamrindo and approximately 90 mins to/from Liberia airport so everything was very close. Will definitely book again!
Mitchell L.
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2023
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
ChristineL
10 Nov 2023
Magnificent Experience
Staying at Casa Sundog was the most magnificent vacation experiences I have ever had! The house is equipped with everything you could possibly think of or want. There were 14 of us that stayed at Casa Sundog yet it did not feeling like; very spacious and comfortable amenities. The daily housekeeping staff are extremely gracious and always do a fabulous job. The instruction manual for the house is user friendly and filled with useful information about the local attractions. Highly recommended! Already planning my next stay at Casa Sundog. Pura Vida!!
This house looks exactly like the pictures - such a great vacation home, especially with the indoor-outdoor open-plan space. Leandra the housekeeper was wonderful. She also doubled as a breakfast chef, which was amazing. Tati, Joel, and Mergie, were all very responsive to our inquires and questions. We definitely would recommend renting a car if you want to explore the area in and around Tamarindo though, as transport can be quite expensive and also challenging on short notice. Highly recommend the private chefs, but especially Garrett. We were so impressed with every single thing we ate (which ended up being three dinners.) Also recommend dinner at Lola's for a sunset, such a cool spot. Can't go wrong with Casa Sundog - top notch and very secure and safe.
Jen C.
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2025
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Susan S.
26 Jul 2024
FABULOUS!!!
Casa Sundog was perfect for our group of 13 adults. Beautiful inside and out. Spacious and clean and I can’t say enough for Leandra our housekeeper. How she kept up with us. I’ll never know she was truly a gem. We were so thankful to have her. The concierge team, Tatiana, David, and Mergie were so very helpful and attentive to our every need. They definitely went over and above what I expected them to do, and responded to all of our questions and concerns immediately. This house was in a fabulous location for us to get to all of our excursions and into town with no problems. We enjoyed the beach club, had lunch there a couple times, and the food was delicious. We would definitely stay here again.
Casa Sundog was a great place to spend a week celebrating a birthday with extended family.
The house was just as shown in the photos and the outdoor living was really enjoyable. The daily housekeeper, Layandra, was amazing and a magician in the kitchen. She turned out a wonderful breakfast with very few groceries each day as we struggled with what to buy! One thing to note is that it took approximately 30 minutes to get into Tamarindo by car. I didn’t realize it was so far when booking. If being where eve action is located, you might look for another property. This development is beautiful with nice amenities but a distance from restaurants, shopping, and grocery stores.
Our group of 4 families loved Casa Sundog inside and out. The rooms had comfortable beds and good air conditioning. The bedding and towels were clean and of high quality. There were ample pool towels for everyday swimming. The washer and dryer were in good working order. The kitchen, living room, play room and pool deck provided plenty of space for all of us to hang out, play cards, and dine.
The house manager was in the house everyday 8 am to noon to clean and keep everything in order. The property managers were very responsive. We communicated via the message board on the VRBO app and email before arriving and WhatsApp during our stay. All the recommendations by the property manager worked out perfectly - car rental, chef, and yoga instructor.
Thank you Casa Sundog for helping make our vacation the perfect vacation!
Carminna R.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Samantha H.
27 Oct 2023
Best house and vacation for girls trip, family trip or multiple families!
If you can believe it, this house is better than the photos! I have never slept in a more comfortable bed, the housecleaner keeps things tidy, does laundry if you'd like, and had a welcome local fruit platter set out for us upon our arrival. The house manager is amazing and available to help with activity recommendations, shuttles, etc. The house is in a safe, gorgeous neighborhood with multiple pristine beaches nearby - you can pour a cocktail and drive to the beach in under 2 minutes to catch the most gorgeous sunsets you have ever seen. You can get to Tamarindo in under 30 minutes for some shopping or a big evening out.
We hired a massage therapist to come to the house who set up outside near the pool and fountain under the patio. Every day we hit up a new beach and local beach bars and restaurants (all within a quick 5-minute drive). The monkeys even came to visit! We cooked and enjoyed many evenings by the pool while the guys watched football on the outdoor TV. Plenty of room for multiple families!
The house is spacious, so very comfortable and is beautifully decorated. You will leave feeling like you just spent a week at the spa.
We had a great stay at Casa Sundog, with 13 people for part of our stay (three families of four and one grandparent), and then 9 people through the remainder of the stay. The house is spacious and everyone enjoyed the pool and jacuzzi, and the fact that kids and/or sports fans can head into the game room area for TV viewing and ping pong leaving the main area for relaxation and discussion.
Hacienda Pinilla is well-located near some nice beaches, a number of nearby restaurants outside the gated Hacienda Pinilla property, and the Marriott Beach club is also great. Try Lola's, Taco Taco, and Il Rustico for some nearby restaurants, and plan for a chill day beachside or relaxing under the palms at Lola's.
The Vida Pinilla team (property manager) do a great job and they are very responsive to questions and requests. We had a few minor issues/questions related to the house, and they sent people over immediately to check/fix things.
Heading into the vacation, we really didn't think we needed the housekeeper each morning (she comes from 8-12), but in fact it was great having her to cook breakfast, prepare coffee, do dishes, help with laundry etc. We were totally spoiled by her.
The kitchen and dining area are spacious and the kitchen is well-equipped. We prepared several meals and all the cooks in the family were happy with the wide variety of kitchenware, etc.
You can't go wrong with Casa Sundog and the Vida Pinilla team. Pura Vida!
Everything about this property was wonderful. The house is beautiful and just as described. Communication with the hosts was easy and fast responses. We all had a wonderful time!
This was our second stay at Casa Sundog and it was just as amazing as the first time. The house is incredible, the location is perfect, and Mergie (the on-site host) is awesome! If you’re lucky enough to find open dates for this house, do not hesitate to book - there is no better place to stay at Hacienda Pinilla!