Magical Mountain Cottage!

Beautiful mountain cottage on three magically landscaped acres 20 minutes up Highway 230 from downtown Turrialba. Well appointed kitchen, bathroom, sitting area/bedroom with separate closet/storage in an open floor plan that offer spectacular views of Volcan Turrialba and of the Caribbean. Many species of fauna, flora, butterflies and birds surround the cottage. Cottage is a great place to hike, relax, and enjoy the true beauty of Costa Rica! Four by four vehicle a must! If your goal is to relax, breathe and just "be" then you will have that and much more while staying at our Magical Mountain Cottage. Our property is two and a half hours from the Caribbean, and in close proximity to waterfalls, white water rafting on the Pacuare river, amazing hikes, the Tropical Agronomy Research and Learning Center (CATIE), of international influence, and the University of Costa Rica. Birding on the property with unique species, butterflies of various types, and the most magnificent view of Volcan Turrialba that one can enjoy over morning coffee. Peace and tranquility will be yours when you are here while you are surrounded by the beauty that makes Costa Rica so very special We are off the main road up a road that is primarily of gravel construction. It is a must that you have a four wheel drive vehicle to access the property...and when you do you will be amazed at all you will experience! Having a four by four also affords you to take those treks that are off the beaten path and truly experience the real Costa Rica that only the locals know and are more than happy to share with you! The property is beautifully landscaped with a walking path around the perimeter and an entry road that takes you in and through the property and introduces you to Costa Rica's pura vida and the peace and beauty that surrounds you during your stay. There is a ranchito to relax in a hammock - as you look out over the valley. Fresh fruit is available for your picking when in season, and you can even have the opportunity to pick and dry and roast your own coffee beans (during the harvest season) if you are an adventurous spirit! The cottage has two porches, one with clear morning view of Volcan Turrialba Volcano and the other that overlooks the beauty of the Caribbean across a sloping valley that goes out to greet it. Each has comfortable sitting area and all is very private with little to disturb you other than the sound of nature which surrounds you! We are open to both short and long term stays, however we do require a two night minimum...but once you get here you will understand why we are in love with this area. Local produce and other staples are available at the market/hardware store in the village of San Rafael de Santa Cruz which is where we live, and on the weekends in Turrialba fresh fish, vegetables, fruits, cheeses and meats are all brought in from various regions of the area for sale at the weekly Feria. It is a must to see and experience! Ripe pineapple, mango, guayaba, bananas and so much more! Where else would you want to spend your time?! This is also a perfect place for folks who are working at Catie or one of the other local industries who need a home away from home. Check out the photos and you will see why this is the place for you! We have made a COVID safe environment for all of our guests and thus the three day distance between rentals. We provide hand sanitizer, masks, gloves and upon arriving you will come to a cottage that has been immaculately cleaned and sanitized. We are very aware of the importance of not only providing a beautiful space but a space that you can feel safe and comfortable and have some time to relax from the pressures of life. As stated above, it is imperative to have a four by four all wheel drive vehicle to access the property...but it is well worth it for all of the adventures you will enjoy! Fully equipped kitchen with stove and oven, refrigerator, and all you will need to prepare healthy meals from fresh local vegetables and fruits you can purchase at the weekly farmers market in Turrialba. Hot water shower, plush towels and bedding, double sized bed, all furniture handcrafted by Costa Rica artisans, providing a special warmth and ambiance to this setting. Fresh fruit available for the picking when in season. Gardener tends the property weekly, and for longer term stays (monthly) cottage is cleaned every two weeks, which is included in the price. There is a ranchito built on a terrace above the main house (main house is currently only available for rent during winter holidays but don't hesitate to ask...who knows we might be open to renting!) with hammock to while away the day...and a majestic view of the Turrialba Volcano across the valley. A truly magical setting and the place to come for quiet and tranquility, for time away, for extended stays, or to live while working in Turrialba. Washer and dryer available for use for guests of three days or more. There are clothes lines for drying clothes as well! Owners are generally not on the property as they live in the United States. Caretaker oversees the property and is available for any issues that might arise. Owners are available by email and phone at all times. Internet/wifi available and also good to have downloaded (Hidden by Airbnb) or Messenger for communication with owners and making reservations for some of the really amazing adventures that await you. There is a phone in the cottage for local calls and throughout Costa Rica. Owners visit the property for extended stays two to three times a year and guests will be notified if owners are on the property or not when cottage is rented. Airport pick up and drop off available for additional fees. Property caretakers also hire as tour guides for trips to the Caribbean, tours of the Irazu and Turrialba Volcanos, visits to their remote ranch that includes horseback riding, and will host you at their home for breakfast as an added feature for any tour for an additional fee. Early morning breakfast with a hike to beautiful waterfalls can make this Costa Rican experience one you won’t forget. Let us (the owners) know and we connect you so that you are all set and ready to go upon your arrival! Please note the majority of folks who live here in Costa Rica are primarily Spanish speaking and are so happy to engage and talk with (Website hidden by Airbnb) brush up on your Spanish before you arrive. That said owners are available always to translate for you and provide additional support as they are both fluent spanish speakers. The cottage is located a 2 minute drive or 10 minute walk up a country road from the village of San Rafael de Santa Cruz. The property is on a mountain and so there are other fincas (farms) and quintas (vacation homes) located up and down the mountain, a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. This is a very secure area occupied and traveled only by local residents. The people here know us, know that we frequently rent our cottage, and will make you feel at home and welcomed. We have a good friend who greets you with the keys and is available to answer any questions you may have regarding the cottage, location, what to do or where to go, and just give any general guidance you may need! We have made wonderful lifelong friends who are always willing to take our guests on excursions and to show them special areas of the region that only the locals know about! Truly a very special place as you will learn from reading our reviews! The cottage is located just outside of the village of San Rafael de Santa Cruz, a 20 minute taxi or car drive from downtown Turrialba and a ten-minute walk from the center of the village. A bus goes regularly from the village to downtown. If you plan to rent a vehicle, a four by four is required for two reasons: first, the road from the village to our home is rock construction which makes steep inclines challenging and second, a four by four gives you options in Costa Rica that two wheel drives do not, particularly in accessing remote areas, frequently right outside of a town, for birding, swimming, hiking and exploring. There is ample parking on the property and a cement pathway from the parking area to the cottage makes loading and unloading very easy. From the cottage you can drive to Santa Cruz about three miles up the road to the entry to visit Monumento Nacional Guayabo; you can drive an hour for a magnificent outdoor hike and visit to Volcan Iruzu; you can explore the various waterfalls of the region; hike. the forest to Volcan Turrialba; and much more or sit and watch Volcan Turrialba across the valley from the comfort of the cottage. There are so many things to do and to see in this region. It is off the beaten path of the normal tourist guidebook sites and is one reason we chose Turrialba to be our next home. Another and perhaps more important reason is the people. Ticos are welcoming and friendly and the personification of pura vida! For those of you city dwellers, this is the perfect place to relax and get away from the noise and stress that comes from living in crowded spaces. For those of you who just need some time to be...this is the place. The reviews say it all...folks who stay here feel they have fulfilled their dreams of what they imagined Costa Rica to be!