300 Mbps fiber optic internet/cable TV, Birdwatching, 300 degree Mountain Views

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Entire home

Living Rm with local pink beige brown and red limestone, fireplace is never used

Inside entrance Teak door with stained glass scarlet Macaws by local artist

Kitchen teak cabinets and bay window with orchids, papaya tree to left

Kitchen cooking island, 7 bar stools, new convection oven to left

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 5130.1 sq m

Popular amenities

Parking available
Dryer
Washer
Gym
Fireplace
Kitchen

Explore the area

Unknown, Unknown

Central Park
‪14 min drive‬
University of Costa Rica
‪15 min drive‬
Sabana Park
‪17 min drive‬
San José (SYQ-Tobías Bolaños Intl.)
‪36 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Office

Balcony

Outdoor play area

Garden

Dining area

About this property

ALSO SEE OUR 3 BR LISTING with pool table VRBO 573635

**300 Mbps fiber optic internet/cable TV plus 100 Mbps backup, see below the list of 106 types of birds seen from this house in 30 days **

Here is the complete, unedited review from guest Dan of Ontario, Canada:
"This was one of the most beautiful homes I have stayed in ... The pictures do not do it justice it is much better in person ... The kitchen was our favourite! New appliances and everything you need was provided... Currently staying at a very expensive apartment in Tamarindo and does not provide anything, a coffee maker or frying pans or even hot water! I miss this home in Heredia!

Some other positives are the manager picked me up at the airport, took me for groceries, got to the house it was very clean, the internet was fast, I recommend bringing apple tv ;) it does have satellite TV, beautiful view, the grocery store was relatively close by ... the weather was never too hot or too cold it was always perfect. Anyway I recommend this house hope to stay again someday soon!" (end of Dan's review, and yes, he and his wife became repeat customers)

Owner Steve's property description: As Dan stated, we will pick you up at my expense at the airport or your car rental office, so you will not have a problem finding the place, and we will take you grocery shopping at a nice nearby supermarket on the way to the house. If needed we will arrange a taxi back to the airport at your expense.

This newer 2 BR 2 Bath is in a park-like country setting, yet close to the city. It is an architect designed passive solar penthouse with high end materials and artistic details. All ceilings, cabinets and doors are renewable teak. Spring weather year round (high 70's/23-26 C, never too hot). 3 roofed balconies catch sun and birds all day. Electric gate with remote, part time handyman-gardener-mechanic, covered parking for 2 cars. All floors and bathrooms have imported Spanish tile, ceramic and stained glass artwork by local artists, an all glass separate sunroom with stationary exercise bike, fully furnished and equipped with US appliances including new dishwasher, new teak queen bed frames with Guatemalan bedspreads, Fiber optic 300 Mbps internet and cable TV, TWO Wifi internet systems running simultaneously exclusive to this house (the backup wifi is 100 Mbps) to drive ALL your wireless devices simultaneously and run clear video calls, landline and 49 inch LED Smart TV hooked to wifi (your Netflix and Youtube will run on TV), 3 desks (two with amazing views), granite kitchen island seats 7, fully screened but well above the mosquito altitude zone, all rooms have ceiling fans, but the natural cross ventilation from local breeze allows easy temperature adjustment. 30 minutes to the downtown National Theater and the museums, 25 minutes to the Universidad Nacional (UNA) in Heredia. Under 2 1/2 hours by car to either Atlantic or Pacific beaches. 20 minutes to the 2013 Lincoln Mall, 30 minutes to the new Oxigeno (2018) mall and recreation site with first run movies and top restaurants, 12 minutes to the Brumas del Zurqui coffee shop with the coffee judged best in the world in 2012. 12 minutes to the Toucan Rescue Ranch exotic animal park. 14 minutes to the award winning Bougainvillea hotel gardens and restaurant, 13 minutes to the Bromelias del Rio restaurant and bakery, 18 minutes to the Sibu organic chocolate factory-restaurant and tour, 17 minutes to the new Riverside Pizzeria and Gastropub, 30 minutes to the Britt coffee tour farm and packing plant. 60 minutes to the Jungle Tram or Zoo Ave bird sanctuary, 1.5 hours to the Sarchi woodworking town or the Lankester gardens. No Pets, No smoking.

We call this the Birdwatching House. Marilyn and Bill of Michigan saw 25 kinds of birds in a one week stay, Drew of Canada saw over 40 kinds of birds in a 20 day stay, but the record is now held by Bruce and Joan of Vancouver, who saw the 106 kinds of birds listed below in a 30 day stay in Feb 2019:

Brown jay
Blue and white swallow
Black vulture
Indigo bunting
Great Kiskadee
Greyish Saltator
Clay-coloured thrush
Turkey vulture
Cattle egret
Rufous tailed hummingbird
Band-tailed pigeon
Red-billed pigeon
Bullocks oriole
Baltimore oriole
Social flycatcher
Summer tanager
Lesser goldfinch
Peregrine falcon
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Rufous-collared sparrow
Hoffman woodpecker
Lineated woodpecker
Rose-breasted grosbeak
Tennessee warbler
Ruddy pigeon
Western kingbird
Belted kingfisher
Montezuma oropendola
Little blue Huron
Blue-gray tanager
Cerulean warbler
Rough-legged tyrannulet
Paltry tyrannulet
Melodious blackbird
Gray-necked wood-Rail (sound)
Great-tailed grackle
Black phoebe
Common Bush-tanager
Common ground dove
Cooper’s hawk
Flame-coloured tanager
Tropical kingbird
Ringed kingfisher
Common pauraque
Great black-hawk
Vermillion flycatcher
Gray hawk
Golden-bellied flycatcher
Lesser greenlet
Gray-headed chachalaca
Common Nighthawk (sound)
Great blue heron
Philadelphia vireo
Great egret
Common Tody-flycatcher
Snowy egret
Rock pigeon
Crimson-fronted parakeet
White-winged dove
White-napes brush-finch
Greenish Elaenia
Brown-crested flycatcher
Red-lored parrot
House wren
Fiery-throated hummingbird
Sulphur-winged parakeet
Golden-olive woodpecker
Crested caracara
Yellow-winged vireo
Chestnut-collared swift
Vaux swift
Ochraceous wren
Broad-winged hawk
White-eared Ground-sparrow
Hepatic tanager
Inca dove
Northern harrier
Buff-throated saltator
Mountain thrush
Black-headed Nightingale-thrush
Yellow Tyrannulet
Yellow-bellied elaenia
Northern rough-winged swallow
Piratic flycatcher
Striped owl (sound)
Orchard oriole
Golden-naped woodpecker
Black-headed Saltator
Slate-coloured Saltator
Yellow warbler
Yellow-winged warbler
Boat-billed flycatcher
Sooty robin
Masked tityra
Rufous-capped warbler
Blue Dacnis
Chestnut-sided warbler
Orange-billed nightingale-thrush
Yellow-faced grassquit
Gray-breasted wood-wren
Slaty antwren
Yellow-bellied seedeater
Cabanis’s Wren
Dusky-capped flycatcher
Gray catbird
White hawk

Property manager

Steven Huffstutlar

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Gym

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Front view of left half, stepless entry to porch is near the palm tree on left

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi

House Rules

Check in after 12:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 12:00 PM

Children

Children allowed: ages 3–17

Balconies not good for very small children

Events

No events allowed

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

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property

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

Pará

Located in Pará, this holiday home is in the city centre and near theme parks. Sabana Park and Braulio Carrillo National Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Spirogyra Butterfly Garden and Museo de Insectos. Travelling with kids? Consider Children's Museum, or check out an event or a game at National Stadium of Costa Rica. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Unknown, Unknown

What's nearby

Morazan Park - 13 min drive - 11.9 km
Central Park - 14 min drive - 12.3 km
University of Costa Rica - 15 min drive - 10.1 km
Sabana Park - 17 min drive - 14.7 km
National Stadium of Costa Rica - 18 min drive - 14.6 km

Getting around

San Jose Procuradiria Museum Station - 15 min drive
San José (SYQ-Tobías Bolaños Intl.) - 36 min drive

Restaurants

‪Restaurantey Marisqueria Genio's - ‬5 min drive
‪Lechuza Vegana #2 - ‬5 min drive
‪Soda Doña Marlen - ‬7 min drive
‪Cosechas - ‬4 min drive
‪Bromelias Del Río - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is 300 Mbps fiber optic internet/cable TV, Birdwatching, 300 degree Mountain Views pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at 300 Mbps fiber optic internet/cable TV, Birdwatching, 300 degree Mountain Views?

Check-in begins at 12:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 300 Mbps fiber optic internet/cable TV, Birdwatching, 300 degree Mountain Views?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is 300 Mbps fiber optic internet/cable TV, Birdwatching, 300 degree Mountain Views located?

Located in the mountains, this family-friendly holiday home is within 6 mi (10 km) of Lincoln Plaza, Walk of Flowers Mall, and Braulio Carrillo National Park. Universidad Nacional and Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Ayma are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Don + Debbie C.

4 March 2025

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Costa Rica Heredia Gem

The host Steve was terrific ! The 2 BR 2 Bath upper house (some stairs involved) was large with a view of the Irazu Volcano to the east. It's at the end of Calle Pittier - a narrow residential street with a hill at each end but walking it is good exercise. The 4 of us frequently also used Uber to get around. Lots of tropical birds to observe & ID

Stayed 51 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

ED B.

7 January 2025

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Higher elevation

The layout of the house was excellent. The lizard family were occasionally rude but hey it's in the middle of a rainforest. Nothing out of the ordinary. The owner, his friends, also neighbors, were all friendly and always helpful. The kitchen was very americano and well stocked with pots, pans and spices.

Stayed 79 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

George G., Zimmerman, MN USA

11 March 2023

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

Peaceful Joy in Costa Rica

My husband and I stayed in this beautiful second level "glass house" for 2 months, January and February 2023. Big windows look out north, south, east, and west, and sliding doors open to 3 decks--east, west, and south. Skylights are throughout; if you like light, like we do, every room is sky lit. Even an enclosed sunroom to the east! The mountains and clouds moving round them are visible from all directions. Steve, the landlord, has supplied the home with every convenience--all sorts of kitchen applieance, two conputer desks, a printer, all houshold supplies--you name it--this home has it. The location in the central highlands means that the climate is close to perfect, no too-hot days or too-cold days, just pretty much 70s all the time. Plus, Steve is totally helpful, lives on the premises this time of year, and is bilingual. Whatever problems arise for his guests, Steve can find a solution whether it be a health, cell phone, or travel issue. He even provides a 30+ page Visitors' Guide to local and wider Costa Rica. The home has a tall stariway entrance, so inappropriate for wheelchairs. And for those of us in our 80s, traversing the up and down walk to the bus stop can be a challenge. For those with a car, the location is ideal. For those without a car, Uber provideds economical rides to and from the property and into San Jose. Enjoy bird watching: I made special friends with 2 families of Great Kiskadees!

Stayed 60 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stacey G.

30 September 2022

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

Very spacious, accommodating home in nice area close to San Jose

My partner and I travel all over the world and Steve's place is by far one of the nicest, most well appointed we've ever stayed in. The house is private & has some beautiful views. It has bright, airy, spacious rooms & an open kitchen with every utensil & appliance you could possibly need & more. He supplies bottled water, some condiments for cooking, teas, toiletries, a laundry line in the sunroom - even a bit of equipment for a workout & dishwasher detergent! Yes, there's actually a dishwasher, as well as a dryer (& dryer sheets!), first aid items, antibacterial gel, cleaning products, movies, books, office supplies - & a printer! I could go on.... Very unusual for a rental. We had good internet signal during our stay. Steve's an avid birdwatcher as well, so if that appeals to you, this is the place to see many species! The house sits up high, so we loved waking up every morning to large evergreen treetops surrounding the many bedroom windows, with birds flitting around in the branches. We were also impressived by how much helpful information Steve provides for things concerning the house, such as where to put the trash, how to work the washing machine & dishwasher, how to work the TV/cable, etc. He has thought of everything, including detailed info about where to buy groceries, local restaurants, places to visit, & daytrip itineraries. He also provides a personal tour to help familiarize guests with the area. Never have we stayed at a place where the owner provides so many amenities, & he himself is willing to provide a tour plus so much tourism information all written up for easy reference. Steve is very responsive, but he also provides contact info for a neighbor who speaks English & for his on-site caretaker, Carlos. Carlos doesn't speak English, but with Google translate, we did fine. He's very nice & extremely helpful. We requested a pin location to be sent to us & didn't have any difficultly finding te house. We were driving a 4x4 but don't feel it's necessary to have to get to his house. It's just far enough outside San Jose to be away from the city craziness, but not too far to drive into the city. (Note - If you plan on driving to the volcano or taking any unpaved mountain roads, you should definitely have a 4x4). Overall, we had a great stay and highly recommend this place!

Stayed 20 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Charles P.

31 August 2022

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house, great views

The house is exactly as described online. The many windows provide wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. Plumbing, drains, and appliances all worked as they should. The house is convenient to many interesting and informative places

Stayed 28 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cupido D., Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada

12 April 2022

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

Loved it

We (ages 65 and 72) thoroughly enjoyed our stay but this place is not for everybody. We are physically active but also enjoy privacy and being connected with nature. The location is a bit remote, but basic necessities are within walking distance, if one is physically fit. Certainly not recommended for younger families. The property owner and his help were a delight to interact with and even took us out for lunch on 2 occasions. We will return because the place suits our lifestyle.

Stayed 14 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca W.

15 March 2022

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

Can't say enough good things about staying at this home and our trip!

First the house was excellent - we immediately felt welcome, comfortable and safe. The host has gone above and beyond to make his guests feel comfortable. The house is extremely and thoughtfully well stocked, far beyond our expectations. But the real star of this stay is the host. He lives nearby and made himself available during our entire stay. He has put together an excellent document for his guests to help them negotiate this area of Costa Rica - driving advice, interesting things to do and see nearby, places to shop for groceries and to eat out, even how to deal with Covid rules Costa Rica and for return flights. He was available to help us get to the airport as well as help us with our return. Some of the highlights of our trip was a tour of the Toucan Rescue Center, a coffee tour, an amazing lecture on the history and flavors of chocolate, and simply walking around the area around the house, people watching.

Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Erik F.

17 January 2022

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

Best Host! Amazing windows and views!

We spent an entire month here and wish we could live here full time! The home is located on the second story, and with all of the huge glass windows it feels like you are in the tree tops! Lighting is amazing as there are skylights throughout in addition to the huge windows. You can relax and watch all sorts of butterflies and birds pass by your living room. Steven is an incredible host to say the least! He is extremely knowledgable after having moved to Costa Rica some 30 years ago. He is extremely kind and a great conversationalist. The house is stocked with everything you could need, and is located north of San Jose. We walked everyday and felt like residents. When you decide to stay the farmer's market in San Isidro is a must! We tried all sorts of fruits and veggies during our stay and went every Sunday to get our shopping done for the week! Don't miss Riverside pizza, the Tucan Rescue center, and all of the other wonderful recommendations Steven will give you!

Stayed 32 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

David R., Texas

11 November 2021

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

Very knowledgeable and hospitable host

Fantastic 300 degree views. Some beautiful sunsets. Lush vegetation. Lots of birds. We got tours and directions and great suggestions from Steve both before we arrived and during our stay. The Sunday San Isidro farmers’ market, the beautiful gardens at the Bougainville Hotel (excellent restaurant there) and the Sibo chocolate factory (excellent restaurant there too) were highlights of our stay with Steve as our guide. Cool temps while we were there. Nice breezes and good sleeping weather. All the amenities we could have needed were available. We highly recommend this house and host.

Stayed 11 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Yael N.

17 September 2021

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

Great experience! Best host ever!

Stayed 56 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jerry S.

3 January 2021

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

Fantastic host

Steven’s property is everything described in the listing and more. The unit is extremely well equipped, bright, spacious and comfortable. Steven is careful in the listing and his arrival orientation to ensure guests are informed on all aspects of their accommodation, from the 20 steps up to the unit to the little hill on the 5 minute walk to the main road. We’re big walkers in our early and late 60’s and had no problem at all walking the area for exercise though see it could be a bit challenging for some. There are many interesting attractions a short drive from the home and Steven provided a very thorough summary of them. Definitely felt like a home away from home. Thanks Steven

Stayed 10 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Karen B.

3 April 2020

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

Best home ever

We lived here for almost three months and it was the best stay we've ever had. Steven is the perfect host, and provided everything we could have wanted for our stay in his beautiful house. If we mentioned something, he would have it for us immediately. The house is a dream, up in the treetops, with birds all around. The interior is open, spacious, bright and airy, with views in all directions. The two bedrooms are spacious and well appointed with comfortable queen-size beds and en-suite large bathrooms with tubs! You rarely find bathtubs in Costa Rica. The furniture throughout is comfortable and attractive. The kitchen is the nicest of all the homes we've stayed at. Fully equipped for any cooking or entertaining. The appliances were outstanding--big fridge, good cooktop, great convection oven, even a dishwasher. All the windows have screens, a rarity, so lots of breezes but no bugs. There are three balconies plus a sunroom with an exercise bike we used daily. The sunroom also made a wonderful bedroom for visiting grandkids with the addition of air mattresses that are provided. We absolutely love this property, and hope to stay again later this year. We now consider Steven a friend, and felt so welcomed.

10/10 Excellent

alan p.

9 December 2019

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

Best of the best

The owner, Steve, was way past helpful. He offered to drive us to all of the nearby locations listed in his information document. Two trips to san jose, the ark herb farm, toucan rescue, britt coffee, chocolate factory and more. We give 6 stars out of 5. His information on the background of tico life was invaluable.

Stayed 14 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Susanne H.

24 September 2019

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

Llegar y sentirse bien como a su casa

All rooms are nice with a famous sight and the possibility to observe birds. Steve is very kind and helpful, it was a great help that he picked us up at the airport in the night and guided us to the house.

Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Ed A.

4 April 2019

Fabulous bird house and host

My Wife and I just came back from a very enjoyable almost one month stay at Steven's wonderfull house in Santo Domingo, Herdia , Costa Rica. The House is better than described , very spacious overlooking the treetops and hills of Costa Rica with decks on all sides. Birds galour, you will be kept busy if this is your interest. Completly equipped kitchen , several coffee makers nothing is lacking. Picture windows all around allowed my wife age 78 and myself age 83 to enjoy the constantly changing treetop view. The surrounds are great filled with different flowers bannana trees etc. We where on a budget and with the use of Steves older car and his very knowledgeable advise we where able to get around to see many great local attractions which are outlined in Steves extensive oneline files he sent us. Extremly helpfull even after our personal research. We also took buses to west Coast Antonio park and beaches, to the north, Fortuna and Cana Negra boat trip on the Nicaraguan border. A word about our host Steven. We have done a bit of traveling in the past and have 20 years Airline service. Steven is at the top of the many Hosts we have met over the years. Extremely knowledgeable about things Costa Rican, a kind and caring person , he left no stone unturned in making us feel welcomed and he made our trip a sucess. A wonderfull, host and a fabulous house and experience. Thanks Steve . Joanne and Ed

Stayed 25 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Joan M.

1 March 2019

Birders paradise!

We are birders so we’re just thrilled with this location. We sat out each morning on the balcony at 5:30AM to drink our coffee, watch the sun come up and watch the birds start their day. We did a bird list of 106 different birds so were very pleased. Steve was the best host! He took us for drives around the area to show us the sites of interest and out for lunch several times. We never had a car but Steve made sure we got to the grocery store and back. The house is as beautiful as the pictures with places to sit out in all directions. The beds were comfortable, as was the furniture. There is everything needed for a lengthy stay. We spent a enjoyable month here in the tree tops and want to thank Steve very much!

Stayed 29 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Brian B.

22 January 2019

Description of property and area is much better than promised!

Katty and I had the pleasure of staying at Steve's place from Jan 1st through the 19th. Steve was more than helpful. He gave us a guided tour of the local area and sights to see. When we traveled on our own he also made suggestions on the best route for scenery. If you are looking for paradise and perfect weather, this is the place for you. From the mountains to the beaches, Costa Rica is that place. Steve's house is centrally located with beautiful views. The house is very clean, bright and well maintained. I really cannot not provide justice to the accommodations or the hospitality we experienced. Please do not hesitate in making this selection, you will have a dream vacation. We will be returning, I could not imagine finding a better host and country. Thank you Steve for a great time! Brian and Katty.

Stayed 18 nights in Jan 2019

8/10 Good

Glavdia G. D.

10 August 2018

Great place to stay as a family!

We really enjoyed this place and felt right at home staying in this gated two bedroom house in Heredia province. It's very spacious and has lots of amenities. Our boys enjoyed running in the yard. The central location provides easy access to other parts of Costa Rica and supermarkets/restaurants were within a 15-minute drive. We appreciated being picked up at the airport by Carlos and Agnes. We would definitely stay there again when we return to Costa Rica.

Stayed 15 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Vern B., Mountain Home, Arkansas

22 February 2018

Great property and host

This house is huge and very well equipped with everything you need. Windows all around providing great views and cool breezes. Owner Steve is a great host...picking us up at the airport, providing superb maps and local tour and restaurant suggestions. He even took us for a several hour tour!

Stayed 17 nights in Feb 2018

8/10 Good

peter m.

4 February 2018

Great first time in Costa Rica

House was great. Very spacious and clean. Nice views from the windows. Steve (the owner) was an incredible guy who can answer all your questions. He took us out a few times and was a great tour guide. The weather was a bit rainy when we were there.Would recommend this house.

Stayed 30 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

Pam F.

2 January 2018

Amazing!

Incredible home in a peaceful setting. Love the amenities, natural light, cozy space. Owner is helpful, available and a great host.

Stayed 16 nights in Dec 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Marilyn S.

10 December 2017

Beautiful home in the Central Valley

Steve was a fantastic host, and the house is spacious and beautiful. Many things to see and do in the area. You can view all sorts of birds just from the windows and balconies. It’s in a very safe neighborhood, and if you don’t mind walking up and down hills, you can easily walk to get groceries. The kitchen is very well equipped and we cooked most of our meals there. But if you prefer to eat out, there are dozens of restaurants. We liked Sibu Cafe (the Chocolate Factory), the Hotel Bougainvillea, and the Bromeliad Restaurant. We also highly recommend the Britt Coffee Tour and the Toucan Rescue Ranch. We stayed a week and never ran out of things to do. Loved the three balconies!

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Chris R., United States

29 August 2017

Beautiful house!

Love this beautiful little house! It was equippd with everything we could have needed and more! Loved it!

Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nikki C., Sturgis, Michigan

16 July 2017

Our family loved it here. It was a perfect match for all 5 of us! The views were incredible.

Our family stayed here for 2 weeks. The house was in the perfect location for everything we wanted to do and very close to friends who lived in Heredia. The sounds of the birds in the morning were so inviting and the open space and all of the windows made it feel like we were in paradise. The owner had many brochures and written notes of places close by that we could visit. This was very nice. I already miss the mountain views surrounding the house. I will definitely recommend this house for any future family or friends who would like to visit Costa Rica. Pura Vida, Tuanis!

Stayed 11 nights in Jun 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Dominique B.

18 April 2017

Truly a home away from home we spent an amazing week in this beautiful comfortable rental

Our stay in Heredia, Costa Rica couldn't have been more comfortable largely because of this accommodation. We will never forget that week spent in this beautiful home. The house included all the comforts like a full modern kitchen, two bedrooms each with their own bath and high speed Internet. Some of the small details made this place very artistically interesting (local woods, stones, stained glass!!!) Our host Steve is an exceptional human being and a new friend. We look forward to staying with him again in the future. He gave us a great tour of the local area, rented us one of his inexpensive yet reliable vehicles and was able to answer any questions we had about life in Costa Rica. We enjoyed the books and videos available especially the bird book which made identifying the many special species that visited the area much easier. Having a cup of coffee in the early morning on one of the decks or in the sunroom was indeed the most relaxing part as you can listen to the birds and soak up the tranquil atmosphere which is evident here. We would highly recommend staying here to any friends or family. All the local stores were friendly with many unique things to do in the area. Burillo Carrillo was breathtaking and worth the short drive it took to reach the ranger's station and easy walking trails. The farmers markets nearby were rich with fruits and vegetables along with local culture; a great place to practice Spanish while purchasing spectacular inexpensive organic produce. Our host, Steve, was kind enough to take us to tour the gardens and to have a delicious lunch at the Bougainvillea Hotel and Gardens. So many things to try again next time: the chocolate tour, bird sanctuary, a day trip up to La Paz (Peace) waterfalls and so much more. Some additional extra benefits of staying at this home were:: -help from Steve, Rudis, Edwardo and Carlos whenever needed -directions and maps if needed -lots of extra pillows, blankets, towels -great water pressure -clean facilities -well kept grounds -clean drinking water and so much more. We throughly enjoyed our visit. Until next time! Pura Vida!

Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2017

About the host

Hosted by Steven Huffstutlar

I am retired from overseas consulting work in agriculture and road projects. I grew up in California (BA from UC Berkeley 1968). I have managed my own rentals for 30+ years. I have lived in Costa Rica for 26 of the past 38 years, having come here in 1984 to manage an agricultural project for the US Embassy. I spend part of the year in California with the grandchildren. I have gone through all the residency requirements for Costa Rica and can offer general and residency advice about visiting and living in Costa Rica (I will e-mail you my personal 40 page Central Valley tourist guide once you book). Since retiring in 2007 I built this passive solar teak-lined house surrounded by mountains, forest, vast skies and rainbows, with inside temperatures in the high 70's-F/23-26-C year round. No need for air conditioning or heat, inside temperatures are adjusted by opening and closing screened windows for cooling by mild natural breezes.

Why they chose this property

I lived at the beach in Costa Rica (Manuel Antonio) and after a couple of years found the hot weather was uncomfortable and getting gradually worse. Then I moved to 900 meters altitude in San Antonio de Belen (Cariari) and found temperatures there were also uncomfortable. This house location at about 1150 meters altitude (3700 ft) has great weather and is close to San Jose area attractions, and is much less crowded, hot and congested than the other side of the valley such as Santana and Rohrmoser-Escazu. I left California's urban congestion to find an idyllic place like this. Located at the end of a paved quiet country lane between two rivers, the surrounding properties on three sides are undeveloped farms or private gardens. We are visited by flocks of noisy green parrots during parts of the year, along with occasional Montezuma's oropendulas, mot mots and orioles (see the full birds sighted list in the property description). This is the resident nesting territory of the Great Kiskadee, yellow flycatchers, brown and white jays, yiguirros (Clay Colored Robins, the Costa Rican national bird) and powder blue tanagers. Buzzards and hawks patrolling our two nearby rivers treat us to flying ballets all day long. To the north a 3-mile/5-km stretch of the mountains of the Braulio Carrillo Park is visible with its constantly changing crown of passing clouds coming and going. To the east we see the Irazu volcano and to the south the mountains behind San Jose. To the west we see sunsets from the second bedroom balcony. We have impressive rainbows often on all sides.

What makes this property unique

This house has amazing views from high panoramic windows and 3 roofed balconies. Please note there are 20 steps up to the house with a sturdy handrail. We have 300 Mbps fiber optic internet, and a separate 100 Mbps backup internet, both exclusive to this house. The property's grounds below have lawns and a riot of colorful flowers year round. The house has 16 skylights, some in every room and the hot water is solar heated with electric backup for rainy days. The roomy master bedroom has its own colorfully tiled bathroom with skylight, Delta shower and granite-topped solid teak commode. The second bedroom has its own colorfully tiled bathroom with tub and Delta shower, skylight and granite topped solid teak commode. Each bedroom has a ceiling fan (seven ceiling fans total) and its own private, roofed balcony. The queen beds have teak frames, high count US cotton sheets and colorful handmade Guatemalan bedspreads. The all glass sunroom catches early morning sun and has a stationary exercise bike. Full set of US appliances, including a dishwasher, all cooking and kitchen utensils, espresso maker, coffee grinder, rice cooker, convection oven, air fryer, and 49 inch smart TV and DVD player. We have cable TV and two kinds of wi-fi internet (300 Mbps and 100Mbps) working simultaneously to run all your devices. Wifi reaches every room. New curtains in bedrooms, 3 desks, two with great views. Covered parking for two cars. Has 20 steps up to front door. Sleeps 4 plus couch.

Languages:

English, Spanish

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300 Mbps fiber optic internet/cable TV, Birdwatching, 300 degree Mountain Views

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2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

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