SOLA VISTA - Casa Ola 360° Ocean & Jungle View!

SPECTACULAR OPEN-AIR BUNGALOW - a Yogi, Surfer & Wildlife Lover’s Paradise! Wake up to the call of the birds, howler monkeys and waves crashing... enjoy the day and night with sounds, scents and sights of the jungle & ocean... fall in love with the amazing sunset view. You can look forward to a unique and incredible indoor-outdoor living experience, wildlife encounters, private yoga with a breathtaking panorama, and great surfing - only 3min walk to the beach!!! Sola Vista Eco Lodge is located in the pristine tropical rainforest of Punta Banco, Pavones on the South Pacific Coast where the lush green jungle meets the blue pacific ocean. A region in Costa Rica that is regarded as one of the most biologically diverse places in the world. Our lodge is perched on a ridge within a National Rainforest Reserve less than 200m from the spectacular surfing beach and charming original “pura vida” tico village. Pavones, the world famous surfspot, can be reached in 15 minutes by car. Sola Vista Eco Lodge consists of two rental bungalows, each for two person. The sustainably built two-stories open-air bungalows offer you a breathtaking 360° ocean and jungle panorama. The lower-level includes a bedroom with a comfortable queen-size bambu bed (high-quality matress, anti-allergic) and a separate bathroom. The rooms have very big mosquito screens (no glass windows). Through the bathroom you access the refreshing outdoor waterfall shower. The upper-floor features a fully-equipped kitchen and a private multi-purpose deck. The perfect location for birdwatching and wildlife-viewing, enjoying a private yoga class, watching the surfers or simply relaxing in the hammock. The tap water is fresh spring water with no chemicals added and save to drink – you will enjoy the noticeably fresh taste. In this immersive undisturbed environment the real luxury is living in the jungle while only walking 3 minutes to the beach for a surf. At Sola Vista Eco Lodge you‘ll most-likely encounter daily visits from various animals including whitefaced, howler and titi monkeys, agoutis, iguanas, scarlet macaws, pizotes and toucans to name a few. IMPORTANT: the guests have to close the curtains on both levels of the house during the rainy season (April-November) whenever they leave the house and during the nights in order to keep everything dry inside! The hosts are happy to assist whenever needed. Sola Vista Eco Lodge fully commits to staying environmentally low-impact, ecologically sustainable and sensitive to conservation and community issues. There’s a pretty solid Kölbi cell phone connection at Sola Vista Eco Lodge, but no Wifi in the rental cabañas. Enjoy the beauty of being disconnected and totally immerse yourself into nature! If you feel the urge to check your messages, though, you can connect to the Wifi of the hosts close by. Sometimes it works, sometimes not... that’s living in the jungle! ;-) CASA OLA Casa Ola is the bungalow a little higher up on the property and has fantastic view of the surfing action from both levels. The morning surf check can be made from your bed, there’s no need to get out of it! From the upper level you see three different surf breaks and spectacular sunsets. CASA SOL Casa Sol is built a bit lower on the property. It has a breathtaking sunset and awesome ocean panorama from the upper level. The lower level features a lovely jungle view. Right next to the house is a starfruit tree where the monkeys like to hang out. DIRECTIONS BY RENTAL CAR: The best way to visit Sola Vista Eco Lodge and explore the area is definitively by rental car. You are more independent with the car while exploring the area, especially if you stay a bit longer in Costa Rica. It usually takes about 8 hours to drive from San Jose to Punta Banco. Most of the time it is on a good paved road along the coast (Pan Americana Highway). Only the last 1.5 hours is on gravel / dirt road. We recommend our guests to drive during daylight and rent a car with high clearance due to the potholes in the last part. The 150m up to our place are easily accessible all year around, no 4x4 needed. Private parking is available at the property. BY DOMESTIC FLIGHT: The fastest way to come and enjoy the „pura vida“-life at Sola Vista Eco Lodge is by direct flight from San Jose (SJO) to Golfito (GLF) with SANSA Airline. There are 2-3 flights daily and they charge around $120 one-way. The very scenic flight only takes 1 hour. From Golfito you can take a taxi for about $80 , it is a 1.5-2 hours to us. There’s also a public bus driving which leaves Golfito at 3pm and arrives at 6pm in Punta Banco. CHECK-IN We, Denise and Renato, live on the property and will welcome you at Sola Vista Eco Lodge. Please let us know what time you will arrive so we can prepare the bungalow for you. Also if you wish that we fill your fridge with some basics before you arrive, e.g. juice, eggs, beers, etc.? (charged extra) ACTIVITIES: YOGA I am a passionate and certified yoga teacher and I am offering daily private yoga classes, customized to your personal preferences and physical constitution. I am teaching Hatha Yoga, Power Yoga, Yin Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Restorative Yoga for Surfers. For all levels, beginners to advanced yogis. Enjoy a unique yoga experience in the midst of nature and with a spectacular view of the ocean on the yoga deck of your house! Connect with your body, mind and soul. Inhale the positivity of this magical place around you, exhale everything else! * Yoga mats and yoga blocks are provided. * Flexible timing to fit your other day’s activities. SURFING Punta Banco beach offers 5 still uncrowded and different surfspots (beach & point breaks). Best months to surf here in front of the lodge are December-April (summer) but there are waves all-year-around. Punta Banco is still relatively unknown or underrated as most tourist surfers only come to the area in the green season when Pavones is working. Pavones hosts one of the world’s surfing wonders. It has been categorized as one of the world’s longest left-hand point breaks. It can go on from 400 to 900 meters, maybe longer if you’re lucky. The best months to surf Pavones are May-September. There are more great waves in the neighborhood that we‘ll show you! When to come.... DECEMBER to MARCH: Spots: Punta Banco Surfers: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced As of March/April we get the first south swells and Pavones starts breaking. APRIL to SEPTEMBER: Spots: Punta Banco Surfers: Intermediate, Advanced Spots: Pavones (and further inside de Golfo Dulce) Surfers: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO: * Observe the wildlife directly from the house. * Go fishing, swim in one of the tide pools, refresh yourself at the waterfalls. * Go horse-back riding with a local guide, or just go for a long low-tide beach walk and then relax in the shade of a palm tree. * Learn how to make chocolate or cook tico style. Surfboard, bike, quad rentals and guided natural walks or horse-back riding are available in the area and can be organized for you.   PUNTA BANCO Punta Banco is a peaceful little village with friendly local people and awesome “pura vida”-vibe. There is a small grocery store and a little restaurant „Titiguana“ that serves delicious local „Casados“, both in walking distance just 3 minutes away from the house. SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION PROGRAM The local community is running a very successful sea turtle conservation program where guests can experience the release of hundreds of baby turtles to the ocean (depending on the season).   WHAT TO BRING? Good flashlight or head lamp, sun block, hat, good hiking shoes, light weight and fast drying clothing, a basic 1st aid kit and if you have binoculars.   ¡A solo 3 minutos a pie de la playa! Aparcamiento privado en la propiedad. Good to know: - please bring cash ($ or Colones) if you want to do activities such as horse back riding, surf lessons, yoga classes etc. and eating in local restaurants. They don’t accept credit cards and there is no ATM in the area!! - there is no gas station in Punta Banco or Pavones. We recommend to fill up your car again in Rio Claro de Golfito before you drive down to us. - You will have your own kitchen at your house with a small fridge, gas stove, rice cooker, blender, coffee maker, toaster, etc. We recommend to buy your groceries at one of the supermarkets in Pavones. They offer more variety than the Mini Super in Punta Banco.