Off the beaten path, staying here is like staying on a private beach. You can surf, go horseback riding, tour the butterfly farm and more. A magical experience!
45min - 1 hour's drove: Zipline, Sport Fishing, Ocean Safaris for viewing dolphins and whales, Ocean Kayaking, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving and more.
Our caretaker lives at the back of the property.
Keywords: beachfront, beach, house, guanacaste, playa san miguel
Property manager
Jim Alderman, Elizabeth Welch
Premier Host
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Breakfast available
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Beautiful Beachfront property in San Miguel, Guanacaste, sleeps 12
Beautiful Beachfront property in San Miguel, Guanacaste, sleeps 12
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Pets
No pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
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 (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 10
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Javilla
Located in Bejuco, this holiday home is on the beach. Jungle Butterfly Farm is a local attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Samara Beach and Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Camaronal. Kayaking and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding and ecotours nearby.
Playa San Miguel, Guanacaste
What's nearby
San Miguel Beach - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
Jungle Butterfly Farm - 3 min drive - 2.8 km
Mike's Jungle Butterfly Farm - 11 min drive - 8.1 km
Playa Bejuco - 21 min drive - 7.8 km
Coyote Beach - 25 min drive - 10.1 km
Getting around
Cóbano Airport (ACO) - 109 min drive
Restaurants
Alma Restaurante - 16 min drive
Rio's Restaurante - 12 min drive
Bar Coco - 16 min drive
Aura Beach Club - 16 min drive
Restaurante Donde Cambute - 15 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Beach Front Paradise! pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at Beach Front Paradise!?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Beach Front Paradise!?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Beach Front Paradise! located?
Nestled on the beach, this Bejuco holiday home is 1.3 mi (2.2 km) from San Miguel Beach and 1.7 mi (2.7 km) from Jungle Butterfly Farm. Playa Bejuco and Mike's Jungle Butterfly Farm are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
I never wanted to leave! With the beautiful yard, the beach, the tide pools and Cheyo and his wonderful dogs, Sand Dollar Cove was heavenly! We wanted to stay somewhere away from the crowds where we could relax and enjoy the outdoors, and we did! The birds and howler monkeys were plentiful. Elizabeth and Jim were excellent hosts and quick to answer my questions. I’m already scheming to go back. Thank you so much, Elizabeth and Jim, for sharing your magical place.
This is our third time coming to Sand Dollar Cove. It may be my favorite place on earth. Playa San Miguel is a beautiful beach that goes on forever. The people are friendly the seafood is amazing and the house is perfect! I almost hate to review so it gets popular. The house is airconditioned in the bedrooms and right on your own private part of the beach in a cove with an estuary. The back patio is perfect to sit see and hear the ocean and be cooled by ocean breezes. The wifi is really good. the beds are comfy and the kitchen has everything you need to cook. Cheyo the caretaker can get you fresh fish. We watched the Super Bowl at Hotel Laguna Mar with a bunch of Americans, the seafood soup and ribs there were great! We went to the jungle butterfly farm, I recommend going there early in your trip because Mike's bug spray is the best! Elizabeth thank you for sharing your little piece of heaven with us! It is truly a remarkable place.
This vacation home is perfect for the one who wants a Costa Rican experience, not a canned resort experience. Cheyo, the caretaker is a delight to talk to and maintains the home and grounds as if it were his own. Elizabeth the host is easy to work with. The home is beautiful and you couldn't ask for a more perfect private beach. The waves were perfect for boogie boarding. The only thing that concerned us was the drive to the property, however after making it there we realized it wasn't as long as it seemed, however, very very rough dirt roads. So just be aware, but don't let that stop you. The bedrooms are spacious and everything is very comfortable. Thank you Elizabeth, Jim and Cheyo!
If I could drop my life and move there tomorrow, I would do it.
The trip was not without issues. The location is rather remote and there was rain and flooding throughout the country.
Plenty went wrong, but so much of it was out of everyone's control and through it all the host and the caretaker were attentive and communicative.
This property is a little slice of heaven if you want to get off the beaten path. If it hadn't been booked up I might still be there.
OMG, this place was fabulous! Always wanted to stay in a beachfront villa on the ocean and it didn't disappoint. The villa description is accurate. You can fall asleep to the ocean waves, walk on the beach for miles with only a few people and the seabirds to keep you company. The gardens are taken care of by Cheyo who also makes the most incredible ceviche. There are avocado, orange, lime, and mango trees on the property. The bedrooms are large with air conditioning and the bathrooms have several soft towels as well as beach towels for you to use. The kitchen is fully stocked with any items you may need for cooking, but there are several incredible restaurants within close driving distance. Highly recommend making reservations at San Miguel Restaurante, probably one of the best places I have ever eaten. Elizabeth was very responsive and a wonderful host. Her directions to the villa were spot on but as she recommended a 4x4 is necessary. Costa Rica secondary roads are an experience not to be missed but addressed with a sense of humor as you bump along on the gravel roads.You will never experience a beach front delight like this anywhere. The Pacific ocean with an almost deserted beach makes this a treasure. Thank you Elizabeth for sharing your home with us.
Beautiful private location with a swimmable beach about 50 meters away. Charming rustic cottage. Rooms are not connected, and only the small downstairs bedroom has AC. We loved the peaceful simplicity.
We never tired of this location. The sounds of the waves, the views of the ocean, the jungle wildlife ... its such a treat. Cheyo the caretaker is a total gem and the house is well-stocked with family beach gear.
We love the location right on the beach. It was like having our own beach. Air conditioning was awesome at night. The grounds were immaculate. We would love to stay there again!
Highly recommend you go there and experience paradise for yourself!
Todd R.
Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2024
10/10 Excellent
Jamie H.
21 January 2018
Love this place!
Our favorite place on the beach. Beautiful, private, everything you need to relax and enjoy. Highly recommended!
Paradise. I love it here! If you are looking for an isolated experience that feels like home with breathtaking ocean views and non-stop bird watching...this is it. Leave your white noise machine at home, climb into one of the hammocks and let the waves sing you to sleep. The beds are comfortable, I loved lounging on the porch and being steps away from the ocean all made me very happy. Sand Dollar Cove feels like home away from home. I can't wait to visit again.
Second time stay at SDC and even better than the first. Love this location especially with Elizabeth and Cheyo to make sure you’re taken care of. Miss it already.
The stay here was great, lots of beach walks with the house also very well stocked, wished we had a pack and play for our grandson but made it work. The AC in each room gave you great sleeping temps. All the beach toys, chairs, umbrellas and boogie boards were a great option. Spent most of our time on the beach at the tidal pools, in the water or on the nice shaded deck overlooking the water. Easy to walk to a nice to a place to grab a snack and beverage, Loco Cocos and the Pizza Tree was a fun experience as well. If you are looking for quiet and solitude this is the place.
I CANT explain how magical this place is. My family of 5 were very excited to stay here. It is truly paradise. Horses came to the house and we rode them on the beach. Cheyo made us the biggest bonfire we have ever seen. He and his wife are so kind and amazing. We will be back.
If you are looking for a more private/less touristy experience in Costa Rica, this is the property for you. The beach could not be closer. When I sent a picture of our view from the porch to a friend, she told me it couldn't be real because it was too amazing! Do not hesitate to stay at this property. It was the highlight of our trip.
Verified traveller
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
10/10 Excellent
Elisebeth B.
6 January 2019
We had a wonderful time at Sand Dollar Cove and will be coming back again!
The property was exactly as the pictures portrayed and the beach was very private! Cheo and Pat were both available for any questions we had and were always offering extra services to us. When we arrived we were greeted by a driftwood Christmas tree that Pat had built for us! It was the most peaceful and relaxing atmosphere we could ever have hoped for! Thank you for such special memories~~
This is the most gorgeous property we have ever seen. The pristine tropical beach is literally steps from the door and almost no one but us. The house is comfortable and well equipped. Elizabeth is a fantastic host and very available and responsive. Cheyo, the groundskeeper, was helpful and pleasant, giving us all the privacy we wanted. This is a lovely, relaxing piece of heaven.
Julie B.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023
10/10 Excellent
Kema W.
19 December 2018
This was an amazing stay!
We absolutely loved the sand dollar cove. Waking each day to waves and roosters was just the get away from cars and sirens that our clients needed. Everything we needed for beach fun was included and that was a big surprise! Pat was just a phone call or text message away and extremely responsive and helpful. Cheo cut cocos for us two evenings in a row, super delicious! This location and community was a dream, thank you for allowing us to use your home!
This is our second time here and we are looking to book next year. The house and location are perfect if you want to experience Costa Rica without a bunch of tourists. Cheyo and Soleil are lovely and Elizabeth responds quickly to any issues. This location is so special. The beach is beautiful the house is beautiful. There are several restraints if you want to eat out that you can walk the beach to or a short drive. We like to cook and Cheyo can get you fresh fish right out of the ocean to make cerviche or grill. There are stores 15 min drive away for anything you need. Just heaven! Thanks you Elizabeth for another lovely stay!!!
It was all we hoped it was going to be and more! Great private house on a secluded beach with mostly crabs for company. Optionally, you can also enjoy the caretaker's two dogs and a kitten - if you pay them attention (we did), they will return it in droves! Expect mostly outdoor living, so bring bug spray, books and not much else. House is well equipped with all you need, including beach towels, chairs, toys, etc.
Rent a high clearance 4X4 car as the roads are not paved, have giant craters, and they forgot to put bridges over several rivers.
Bring food - the nearest "store" is 15 mins away and you will not want to drive there if it's dark and/or raining.
Go to Restaurant San Miguel at least once - it's some of the best food we ever had, and we're foodies from London & NYC. Plus, they will change your tire if (when!) you get a flat.
We spent 5 days at Sand Dollar Cove with three generations of family and had an absolutely perfect trip. The beach is truly spectacular - beautiful, clean, with warm gentle water, and almost no one else in sight. Inside the house is clean and comfortable, and the air conditioning in the bedrooms was a nice reprieve from the hot weather, but the breeze off the ocean made even outdoors pleasant even in high temperatures. The caretaker, Cheyo, was very friendly and responsive the few times we needed help with something. We really couldn't have asked for a better trip. It's off the beaten path but 100% worth it.
This is a beautiful place to get away. Looks exactly as advertised. Cheyo was easily available on the property for help if needed but you did not see him otherwise. The only other people were a few stray beachgoers, otherwise you have the beach completely to yourself. There are not many restaurants or stores nearby so not the spot if that is what you are looking for. We saw a coati, several birds. Lots of hermit crabs on the beach but not an issue if you go out further. Exactly what I hoped it would be.
We started in San Jose, went to Monte Verde, and finally ended our vacation at this little gem. This is the perfect place to unwind and unplug. Cheyo doesn’t speak any English but that doesn’t stop him from having an animated conversation with you. He’s lovely. The drive there—at least the one we took—consists of pavement, then gravel, then potholes (typical Costa Rica), so I would definitely recommend a 4-wheel drive. The ocean water is the perfect temperature but we didn’t do much more than wading because of rip currents—not exclusive to this beach. We only saw a few people a day so it was truly like our own private piece of heaven. I would highly recommend this place.
The descripition "Beach Front Paradise" is accurate. Very private and beautiful but it is sure "off the beaten path". It was a mistake on our part in driving there from the airport in the dark. The first part of the drive on Rt 150 was a decent roadway but the trip from Samara along Rt 160 was a nightmare. This road is so rough I felt like milkshake. There are so many twists and turns that I just kept praying. When talking to the locals, they all said they do not travel that road at night.
Waking up the next morning made the trip all worth while.
The house and the beach are wonderfull and we met Rufino, the caretakers "brother" who was a great guide to the area. We went fishing with the Samara Deep Sea charter and had a GREAT day on the water. We caught so much grouper and mahi that we had enough for lunch and dinner all week. We had dinner one night (for my Birthday) at Restaurant San Miguel and were extremely pleased with everything.
We had such a marvelous time at SDC this past week. It was everything the listing said it would be plus so much more! We had 7 of us total, 2 families represented and this home felt like home from the moment we walked in. The view is literally a million dollar view and the space is well thought out for a beach front getaway. Our teens had a blast boogie boarding(boards provided) right out on our “private” beach. We had the honor to meet Eddy the local surf school instructor and rented some of his surf boards for the week. The beach itself was insane, with near by tide pools(10min walk up the beach) to lounge in, waves were perfect for surfing and swimming. We even surfed with the manta rays which was epic. Elizabeth and Cheyo were amazing to work with and attentive to all our needs. This experience was one of the highlights of my life and I will treasure it always! Thank you
Mendy P.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023
About the host
Hosted by Jim Alderman, Elizabeth Welch
Seventeen years ago our family purchased this beautiful property and shortly after started the building process. We absolutely love it!
Why they chose this property
The property on Playa San Miguel was one of a handful of listings to be visited on our trip in March of 2005. It turned out to be the only one, though, because once we saw this, there was absolutely no doubt that this was paradise. We still look back on this decision with gratitude.
What makes this property unique
You can leave all your troubles at home and escape to paradise on Playa San Miguel!
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests