Jungle Lodge by the Sea for Nature Lover & Surfer

The "Jungle Lodge" is a private dwelling on our tropical forest retreat. We are within walking distance to a colorful rural community of fishermen, surfers, artists and cowboys (Playa Negra and Avellanas.) We are also blessed with a secluded local beach a short walk away on the pristine Pacific ocean. Hand-built with hardwoods from our land, the second floor lodge is like a tree house immersed in nature with wildlife all around- monkeys, parrots, iguanas, & lots more.   The “Jungle Lodge" is an upstairs apartment in a totally private tropical house. The lower floor is unoccupied. Nestled privately on nine acres of forested land next to a seasonal creek, it is a 5 minute walk down a tree-lined lane to pristine Lagartillo beach. The open air floor plan, which feels like you are in a tree house, features a ready to use kitchen with ceramic tile countertops, 4 burner gas range, refridgerator, stainless sink, pots and pans, and all utensils for cooking and eating. The Guanacaste trees towering overhead and large screened windows on all four walls provide excellent natural cooling and light. Included is a queen size bed and a single bed, clothes closet, kitchen table, fans, wireless internet, washing machine (on the palm patio). The arty magic mushroom shaped bath house offers a cool shower with a view through colorful, jungle portholes. Hand-built by the owner, Maicol, with hardwoods off the land, the tropical house is surrounded by wildlife with 360 degree views of the peaceful (Casamaicol) retreat where the family has worked and lived since 1994. It is very restful, a meeting of birds, howler monkeys, and the ocean. From the faucets comes pure water from an underground spring. It is healthy and tastes excellent. The palm covered porch is spacious (22 by 50 feet). It has hammocks, a picnic table and is great for yoga and deep relaxation. Peaceful sleeping. Internet, washing machine, magic musroom bath house, Hiking trails on the land, reading library in the Casamaicol main house (90 meters away) includes guest services maps and information, palm patio, picnic table. I'm here most of the time and when I'm not here I am usually working at the Indiopelado organic farm on lake Arenal. Should people choose to socialize with me I'm glad to share my experiences. If people just want to be alone I know how to respect that also. I have a 10 year old daughter and she likes other kids. She only speaks Spanish but she would like to practice English. Surfin safaris and lessons arranged locally upon request. We are pretty relaxed here and I want our guests to enjoy their stay. I have lived in Costa Rica for 23 years, I am bi lingual, and I am an expert at assisting guests with their vacation plans. I have been doing this for many years although I am new with Air bnb. We try to leave something to eat or drink in the fridge for newly arrived guests. We also can provide a "loaner dog" or a guitar or a beginner surfboard. If you need something, just ask. This is a small, rural, beach community of fishermen, surfers, and cowboys, where everyone knows everyone else. Visitors are surprised by the friendliness of the locals. One feels a warmer and more sincere reception than some other more touristy places. The famous surf spot, Playa Negra, from the movie, "Endless Summer Two", is a half mile to the south. The broad, white-sand beach, Avellanas, lies only a quarter mile to the north. Just beyond that is “Little Hawaii” a perfect right wave. We are located right in between these two beach communities. At our Lagartillo beach, which is 300 meters directly in front of us, the outer reefs protect the shore from waves and the fishing boats are anchored at little Punta Pargos. The calm water is favored by many of our guests with children who enjoy immersing in the warm tide pools while they watch the sunset over the westerly ocean. In the nearby village of Los Pargos, which is adjacent to Playa Negra, there are two small grocery stores while popular Las Tecas offers a wide selection of international products such as virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt, brown rice. Wine and beer. Quite eclectic choices. Also in Los Pargos is a skate board park. There are SUP board rentals and tours offered, surfboard shops, and bike rentals. There are at least a dozen good restaurants in the pueblo offering a wide range of cuisine and snacks. For those lazy days we enjoy having a beer at Hotel Playa Negra which has an especially fine atmosphere directly in front of a world class surf break. There is a beach volleyball court, the games are on Wednesdays(URL HIDDEN)If one wishes to wander northward to Avellanas, then traverse around the rocky point along the beach or take the high trail on the bluffs which offers a spectacular view of the Pacific ocean. Lolas, the open air beach side restaurant, is named after the gigantic body surfing Pig. Margaritas can be enjoyed beneath cool palms. Just walk another hundred meters to the estuary where a long boardwalk crosses the wetland reserve to Las Olas restaurant. On the beach road is the Beach Box where you can find affordable burritos and good down home cooking. There is no lack of rustic old Tico style cantinas if you search to quench your thirst. There are hiking trails through the forest that lead from one coastal oasis to the next. If you prefer the economy, healthiness and convenience (and fun) of preparing your own meals, we are glad to assist our guests to find groceries. Delivery trucks come to our property selling inexpensive fruit and vegetables and sea food. Eating in Guanacaste is an experience in itself. In the months between December and June are the civic fiestas. Each small town in the area takes their turn in hosting the peculiar Costa Rican style of bull fight, where any man can enter the ring and challenge the bull. For the events the town inhabitants build a wooden rodeo ring, taking it down the same week. The bull always wins. We live on a dirt road that is maintained periodically. It is about 3 miles to the paved road. There are plenty of transportation options if one does not wish to rent a car. The majority of our guests have found that walking, biking, taking a bus or riding a taxi are the preferred means of getting from point A to point B, since most distances are within a two mile radius. For longer journeys there are two buses to and from Santa Cruz per day that stop 100 meters from our gate. Cost $2 . A daily shuttle from Avellanas to Tamarindo costs 12 bucks round trip. Hourly public buses run to San Jose and outlying cities. $10. The greyline shuttle is $45. It is best to fly into Liberia (One hour and a half by car to here) We are most happy to arrange taxi service and provide bus schedules. Short taxi trips locally are no problem at all. The airport in San Jose is much farther away and takes 5 hours by bus ( sometimes more) There are various bus lines public and private We can help you figure this out. Maicol enjoys taking guests to the local stores for food and beer runs and occasionally to the beach. The airport in Liberia is much closer to us than San Jose. Dont change money at the airport. Use an ATM card. Dont forget the sunscreen and herbal bug repellent. Pack light with a beach towel and some hiking shoes, flashlight with spare batteries. We have distinctly different seasons- Dry and rainy. Be sure to ask lots of questions we are here to help you with your vacation.