Entire home

Beautiful Villa with Pool on Backwash Bay

Photo gallery for Beautiful Villa with Pool on Backwash Bay

Property grounds
Pool
Pool
Property grounds
Terrace/patio

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 12929.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Breakfast available
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Pool
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Cabo Matapalo, Puntarenas
  • Pan Dulce Beach
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • King Louis Waterfall
    ‪17 min walk‬
  • Playa Matapalo
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Puerto Jiménez (PJM)
    ‪54 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Backwash Bungalow

2 Queen Beds

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

Matapalo Bungalow

2 Queen Beds

Pan Dulce Bungalow

2 Queen Beds

5 bathrooms

Backwash Bungalow Bath

Toilet · Shower only · Outdoor shower

Casa Grande Bath

Toilet · Shower only

Master Bath

Toilet · Shower only

Matapalo Bungalow Bath

Toilet · Shower only · Outdoor shower

Pan Dulce Bungalow Bath

Toilet · Shower only · Outdoor shower

Spaces

Deck or patio
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Beautiful Villa with Pool on Backwash Bay

Mindugar is a premier rental property on the Southern tip of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. The home offers luxury in an extraordinary jungle setting. Take in breathtaking views of Costa Rica’s natural wildlife from the privacy of this eight-acre estate. The property rises gradually from Backwash Beach and stretches across a section of lush tropical gardens backing up to a mountainside draped in abundant rainforest. The home is situated at the base of the mountain, approximately 35 meters above the water and less than 100 yards from the sand; and boasts garden and ocean views. The open-air design of the home takes advantage of both mountain and ocean breezes throughout the day. Mindugar is the ultimate in tropical coastal living. The attention to detail and amenities provided ensure comfort in a secluded setting.

Spanning roughly 10,000 square feet, Mindugar consists of a large communal area known as the Casa Grande, three detached bungalows, and plenty of outdoor living space. The Casa Grande contains a master bedroom suite, kitchen, dining area, bar, living room, guest bathroom, pool and patio. A spiral staircase made from tropical hardwoods takes you to the master bedroom which is furnished with a king size bed, ceiling fan, closet space, and large bathroom with his and her sinks. The living area contains comfortable couches for lounging and a patio to take in the view of Backwash Bay. The kitchen is fully equipped with a professional gas range, two chest style refrigerators, oven, coffee maker, and all the cooking utensils one needs. The dining area features an oversized table custom made from local hardwoods. The table seats twelve people comfortably. Just off the dinning area is a bar with a small sink, sofa, and bar stools. A full size guest bathroom is also located on the main floor. The focal point of the Casa Grande is a large infinity pool that disappears into the tropical scenery and blue waters of Backwash Bay. The pool includes a shallow area great for sunbathing, as well as a deep end that measures 15 feet deep. Each of the detached bungalows is equipped with two queen beds, ceiling fans, full bathroom, closet, outdoor shower, and patio space. Manicured trails lead to each of the bungalows from the Casa Grande.

Throughout the booking process, you will work with a full time property manager. The property manager is able to assist with travel arrangements and answer any questions you might have. Once you arrive, they will provide a concierge service assisting with tours and providing information about the area. The house is cleaned daily, and linens are changed every three nights. There is also a 24hr onsite caretaker that can handle maintenance issues during your stay.

Mindugar is perfect for families or groups of friends looking for adventure and relaxation in a remote jungle setting. Offering luxury and privacy, you’re sure to enjoy your vacation in style.

Property manager

Gretchen
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Outdoor space
Breakfast available
Ocean view

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

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 are allowed on site
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 not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Puerto Jiménez

Located in Puerto Jiménez, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Puerto Jimenez Pier and Golfito Marina are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Corcovado National Park and Corcovado National Park Office. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Cabo Matapalo, Puntarenas

What's nearby

  • Pan Dulce Beach - 11 min walk - 0.9 km
  • King Louis Waterfall - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Playa Matapalo - 9 min drive - 6.9 km
  • Corcovado National Park Office - 22 min drive - 19.2 km
  • Golfo Dulce - 23 min drive - 19.8 km

Getting around

  • Puerto Jiménez (PJM) - 54 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Buena Esperanza - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Beautiful Villa with Pool on Backwash Bay have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is Beautiful Villa with Pool on Backwash Bay pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Beautiful Villa with Pool on Backwash Bay?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful Villa with Pool on Backwash Bay?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful Villa with Pool on Backwash Bay located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Pan Dulce Beach and King Louis Waterfall. Playa Sombrero is 2 mi (3.2 km) away.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 30 out of 32 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 32 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 32 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Hannah S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Jungle Home

Extremely spacious jungle property with detached casitas. We saw multiple monkey and bird species from the house. Huge pool! There are very kind, hardworking people keeping the house, pool, and yard in tiptop condition- no small feat for such a wild off the grid setting! Would love to return.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise in Matapolo

My family and I stayed in Mindugar in mid March 2023 and had a wonderful time! We enjoyed outstanding Tican hospitality, and saw all sorts of animals on the propertyand on our many hikes in the Area. We were pampered withexcellent meals by Shirley and Jonathan and we’re shown the property by Antonio and Leandro. If you’re looking for a way to experience, authentic, pristine Costa Rica “off the grid”, but in a luxurious property, this is the place for you. We did have some difficulty with our cell phone, net work, and the Wi-Fi, however, we consider this a small price to pay for the beauty that surrounded us.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Margie C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gorgeous setting, off-the-grid

A beautiful location on Cabo Matapalo! Incredible staff, from Maria and her family, to Antonio, and to Marjorie--the amazing chef! We loved that each couple had their private bungalow, and then enjoyed one another's company in the shared living and dining space. Even in the rainy season, we took advantage of the pool, surf lessons, horseback riding, massages, and guided tours into Corcovado. The property manager helped make our experience great; we all want to return! Remembering that this place is off-the-grid and almost 25 years old helps to temper unrealistic expectations--it IS luxurious; it is also in the middle of a rainforest.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

mark z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Back again

Have been coming back to Mindagur for 6 years and it’s maintained it’s allure after all these years. Always clean and you can tell they put lots of work in keeping up the property; which isn’t easy in a rain forest. The caretakers are all amazing and while the surf gets a little more crowded each year you can watch from the deck and pick your timing as crowds allow.
Stayed 10 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lori R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mindugar

This was an amazing housing complex. The rooms are cleaned daily and the kitchen has everything you could possibly need. The pool is wonderful and it is just a short walk to the beach. Gretchen was readily available for questions. Would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dane F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely Awesome!

Very much enjoyed our stay it was fabulous. We have already booked for next year! Thank you for everything, can’t wait to come back!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Veronica F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Matapalo - Tropical Paradise

A group of us came from CA to enjoy the flora and fauna of the OSA Peninsula and the surfing at Matapalo. We all had our own private casitas to relax and get away. The main house is perfect for bird, monkey and wave watching right from the deck/dining table. Beautiful living room and outdoor patio to read and nap in. House has easy access (if you don’t count the poor roads) to the many adventures of OSA. We were able to rent boards from Gallo’s surf shop. He was friendly and helpful. We enjoyed Marjori’s cooking tremendously. She can make a gourmet meal out of anything. Simply delicious dinners. House accommodated all our needs - game nights, quiet reflection and pool time. Gretchen is an excellent property manager. She makes it easy to figure out what to bring, shop for and do. She was always responsive to our questions and needs. Maria, Isabelle, Angelica, Daisy, Antonio And Henry were were great housekeepers, handymen, pool and groundskeepers as well as caretakers. Really nice extended family The OSA is a long way from almost anywhere. It was nice to feel so welcome after hours of travel and to settle in so easily to the tropics. Lovely spot!
Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Chandra S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best location

This house is so wonderful. We’ve stayed multiple times and just love it. It is a bit of a drive out of town but that’s part of what we love about it. Beautiful location and the staff are wonderful.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Amanda W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely perfect! Amazing staff, wild life every where and the property was perfectly taken care o

One of our best family trips by far. Gretchen did an amazing job with all the final details of our trip. Viewing the wild life from the decks couldn’t be better. We will be coming back!
Stayed 16 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Brett T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing location with fabulous support from the management team

Amazing location with fabulous support from the management team I have stayed at this property once before and it offers incredible luxury come out right in the middle of a rain forest with nature all around you. If you’d like to surf one of the best spots is just in front of the house. But the house is not on the ocean it’s only a few steps away. House is very well-equipped including lots of pans and pots to cook, silverware glasses, everything! Gretchen arrange for a massage as well as chef for us at a very reasonable price. She is attentive and always responds quickly. Enjoy your stay and I’m sure like me you will be back soon!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Steven K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A slice of heaven

My family and I love this place, and plan to come back. Gretchen is always available and helpful 😁
Stayed 12 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Sophie C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wow, simply beautiful

Had a fantastic time here. Such an amazing place and location. Our experience was made even better by our brilliant host Gretchen, who couldn’t have done more to support and help us. Also a huge thank you to the house staff who were incredibly friendly, kind and charming. We will be back. R
Stayed 15 nights in Dec 2019

2/10 Terrible

Simona G., Busto Arsizio

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in

Luck of guest cate

First we left just after 2 days instead of the 4 nights booked. Major issue in the house: 1) pool can not be used due to dirty water 2) house with very poor lighting 3) outdoor area no light at all which make it dangerous for the animals, just st the entrance we have found a snake , when we ask for flash light the manager suggest to use our own mobile 4) when we ask the guardian why the pool could not be lighted, he answer: "because elettricity is dangerous with water" 5) in our 3 out of four bedrooms hot water was not available. 6) Total absence of courtains 7) just few towels available in the bedrooms 8) we ask for a laundry and they can only if we pay 9) the barbeque area totally in darkness When we complain to the property manager she only sayed: ‘I’m sorry’ We spend 21 days in the jungle in 4 different luxory villa and this faraway the worst and the most dangerous We pay for 4 nights and we stay only 2 nights without been offered any refund. The second night we have been told by the cooking lady that the villa will be close from now to December for refurbishment and this tells you all!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Anakarina S., Miami

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent

Excellent property and staff.
Stayed 14 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Yvonne A.

The best vacation in years.

We were a family of four, plus girlfriends, and two other couples, for a total of 10. We wanted a place where we could enjoy each other’s company in a relaxing unique setting. We were not disappointed. The fresh fish we caught made for some great dinners. And the mild surf allowed all the youngsters to catch a few waves. Plus the massages we arranged at the house added to the relaxed vibe. The unexpected added bonus was the abundance of wildlife. We saw more from our deck than throughout the rest of our time in Costa Rica. Even the slow internet added to our enjoyment as it forced us to talk, play games, read books, and just relax! Highly recommend Minguar.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Chandra S.

Wow! What an amazing place

This was one of the best vacation rental properties that I have rented in Costa Rica. The house is amazing and beautiful. Everything was clean and in great condition. The beds were super comfortable and the location is OUT OF THIS WORLD! You can see the beach from the house!! Just walk down the steps and across a little gravel road and you are on the beach. And there's tons of wildlife right around the house, including monkeys, toucans, macaws, and lots of iguanas! The property was professionally landscaped and beautifully maintained. This house is perfectly situated on a quiet lot of land, giving us the best privacy. The pool is amazing, too! Everyone who works at the property was amazing, and Gretchen is super helpful and quick to respond to texts about setting up adventures or having the cook come to make us a delicious dinner. It is located about 30 minutes past Puerto Jimenez (which we LOVED!) so plan accordingly when you stop to get groceries, etc. We will definitely be coming back to Mindugar!
Stayed 12 nights in Sep 2018

8/10 Good

John S., Byron, MI

Beautiful place and location!

Wow... we just got left Mindugar on Backwash bay and already missed this gem of a spot. The main house and 3 other villas are amazing. Gretchen (manager), Olman (pool and grounds), and Maria and her family (caretakers) work hard in making your stay comfortable. The infinity pool is the best pool in the Osa in my opinion. With it being 15 foot deep, the kids and adults too, had a blast jumping off the balcony and watching the surfers and wildlife around Backwash bay! I don't think we went 10 minutes in our 4 night stay there that we didn't see a monkey or a parrot. This area is truly rich in wildlife! We hired Marjery on our first night in cooking and was blown away in what she made for us with the little groceries that we provided her. I do recommend her, but make sure you think of everything when getting groceries in Puerto Jiminez, becuase it's the closest place for groceries (30+ minutes). Make sure you buy ice. You definetly need a truck or suv to get to the property because the Matapalo road is rough. The kitchen has everything that a culinary chef could ask for with professional grade oven and an awesome table that could seat 12. Excellent water and pressure for there own private well. Beautiful sun rises :) We did the following tours in which I recommend all of them: Dolphin Tour with Changing Tide Tours -- Phoebe is Awesome and totally recommend it. We saw over 300 dolphins!!! Night tour at Lapa Rios lodge -- Jose is Awesome! Day pass and dinner at Boscque Del Cabo -- a must; beautiful grounds and eco lodge and the food and drinks are yummy! Rented surf boards next door at Encanta resort. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is becuase it didn't have AC and the three villas that our on ground level need weather stripping on the doors. But to be fair, they didn't advertise AC. The three diconnected villas, we had some problems of the abundance of Halloween crabs in April working their way into the bedrooms. However, we got wiser the following nights and blocked the door on the bottom with towels to keep them from working there way in. All the beds (7 in total) have bug netting; but the bugs aren't that bad suprisingly. We had no issues with bugs or mosquitos at night. You have to keep in mind that you are in the Rain Forest and off-the-grid for a reason! We can't wait to return and soak up nature at it's best! We truly love this place! Pura Vida!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2018

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca R.

Wonderful vacation spot on the Osa Peninsula

Mindugar is a gorgeous and gracious place! There is an extraordinary amount of wildlife at its doorstep as well as the warm, clear waters of the Gulfo Dulce. Faustino and Maria and family, the caretakers of the property, were warm, welcoming, and very helpful, as was Gretchen, the property manager. Mindugar's main house and three casitas offer spacious accomodations and multiple gsthering areas including a lovely pool extending from the dining area. The Matapalo area has much to offer and Gretchen was able to set up our varied adventures.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Yoav G.

Magic!

So beautiful! We enjoyed our time at this amazing property. We came 3 families and found the villa very comfortable, unique, well attended. From the moment we contact Gretchen (manager) we felt the warmth through emails. We met Kate at the property and she took good care of us, checking daily if everything is OK. The care takers of the property are great people, living on site. Thank you so much for a great experience! Very recommended! Will be back!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Matt T.

Absolutely perfect!

Everything about Mindugar is perfection: the setting (jungle surrounds the home on three sides, view of the ocean on the other), the house and grounds (pool with a balcony that kept our kids entertained with jumping from the balcony into the deep pool, generously proportioned common areas lots of room to spread out, gorgeous dining table that easily sat our group of 12, comfortable and spacious cabinas for each of our three families) and last but not least the staff (Gretchen came by daily to check that all was well and to help us arrange activities, Maria's family kept the grounds and house in order, and the cook we hired for dinners Margery made amazing meals). Could not have been better!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Trip of a Life Time !

I Highly recommend a long stay at this wonderful home. A week of Natural Beauty for the senses ( Eye's & Ears). This is a great place to disconnect and recharge your soul. This home provides all that you need to feel comfortable and safe but still appreciate the raw beauty of sleeping where the jungle meets the sea. The staff and the connections provided by the Mindugar team are A++. Arick
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sky M.

Spectacular Home

Mindugar is an absolutely charming home nestled in the lush jungles of the Osa. We rented the property with 8 adults and 2 children and we never felt cramped. The overall property and the layout, with the separated home concept, boasted more than enough square footage to really spread out and relax. One of the best features is the infinity pool, as it was definitely well received during the hot part of the day. For surfers, Backwash is seriously only a 150 m walk to the beach. It took longer to paddle out than to walk down there. If your into a little more or less challenging surf, Pan Dulce and Matapalo, respectively, are about a 15 min walk. Be sure to be on the lookout for the monkeys, iguanas, and the ever-elusive sloth along the way. For non-surfers, check out hiking trails, waterfalls, zip-lining, yoga, bird watching, and beach-combing. It is important to shop for all your provisions prior to leaving PJM since there are no other stores once you get out to the property. Gretchen is a great host and an indispensable resource for recommendations on what to bring and procuring any reservations you may need. The place comes with daily cleaning service, and Maria, Faustino, and Fifo are wonderful on-site caretakers. Another treat was having a local chef prepare dinner for the group on a few nights. We can't wait until next year to rent the place again! Pura Vida!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Annette H., Falmouth, Maine

Favorite vacation spot ever!

We loved Mindugar! We were a group of 4 couples, and the place afforded us plenty of room to hang out together as a group around the pool, or escape to our separate bungalows. It was a great adventure. Waking up to the cacophony of the wildlife of the rainforest as well as the crashing surf was simply amazing beyond description. The property and everyone who takes care of things there are wonderful, from Gretchen the manager to the caretakers, Maria and Faustino. I will return there one day!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Alex S., California

Perfect!

A lovely home! Exactly as described (and reviewed). Terrific property manager, kind and thoughtful caretakers. A perfect vacation! Can't wait to return!!!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Andre W.

Incredible house and location

We were a group of friends, surfers and and children. The house was equipped with everything we needed. It is perfect for socializing around the table or pool, but well-designed enough to give everyone privacy. The rooms are large, simple and cool, no need for airconditioning (if you are wondering). Backwash Bay is great for swimming and surfing (when the swell is up) and the Matapalo beach (consistent waves) and Pan Dulce beach (long boarding spot) are short walks through the jungle. We saw very few tourists and most were friendly and there for the wildlife, which is intense. Mindugar is remote but you are not alone -- the house's caretakers, the cook, the manager are all super-friendly and ready to help. Things we'd recommend: A 4x4 car. Booking the cook. Surfing. Horse riding. Waterfalls. Hikes. Zip Lining. Flashlights. Binoculars.

About the host

Hosted by Gretchen

Host profile image

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests