Entire home

Stunning Artisan Home on Coffee Plantation with Exquisite View

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Exterior
Interior
TV, DVD player, books, video library
Interior
Property grounds

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8232 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor Space

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Stunning Artisan Home on Coffee Plantation with Exquisite View

ABOUT THE HOME....


The Zabala house is nestled in a lush organic coffee farm called Finca Flor Mar. This 100 acre farm produces organic Arabica coffee, plantains, bananas, mangos, limes, starfruit, & avocados.

The home is shaded by an abundant Mango & Lime orchard that is buzzing with butterflies & native birds.

With 4 bedrooms (3 bedrooms + loft) & 2 full baths, the Zabala house hosts a max of 8 people (6 adults with extra room for kids). It is the perfect couple’s getaway or family vacation home. The home has a fully functional kitchen and a maid that comes 2 times per week. Your floors will be cleaned, and dishes sparkling =) Laundry service is included.

The open floor plan boasts a rustic yet luxurious feel. It is comfortably furnished & tastefully decorated. The Zabala house features a large eat-in kitchen, wireless high-speed internet, two story high living room with a flat screen TV & DVD & Chromecast, a living room-like front porch, an expansive master suit with a spa-like hot shower, two upstairs bedrooms (one room with a twin bed, the other with a queen), and an open loft bedroom with queen bed & quadruple doors that open to a private patio. (The loft has an additional mattress nestled into the balcony nook that will sleep 2...great for kids.)

This is the only home of its kind in the area. It was hand-built by the community with local hard woods. All the doors, windows, & much of the furniture is artisan-made by the next-door neighbor. This house is the home of the Zabala family, who has temporarily returned to Atlanta. It has been called (with jaws dropping) a wonderland...the home is full of art, full of soul, and it is Costa-Rican gem like nothing else you can experience on the mountain.

I just posted a video link on our VRBO site from one of our guests who did a video blog of our house and their time in Monteverde. Enjoy! You will see in the picture that since that video was done we have completely renovated the exterior of the house, installed a new sidewalk that has no stairs, and installed some new bed and artwork! Enjoy the video though. It gives you a great sense of how comfortable and big the house is!

ABOUT MONTEVERDE...

Monteverde is a largely bilingual town. It’s home of the Cloud Forest Reserve, stunning natural landscapes, world-class restaurants, local shops, a strong art community, & a bustling local economy.

The world-famous Cloud Forest Reserve is a private nature reserve listed as #14 on Newsweek's 100 Places to Remember Before They Disappear. The massive 10,500 hectare reserve draws 70,000 tourists a year. It is known as
the site with the largest number of orchids in the world, and houses 60 species of amphibians (including the near extinct
Monteverde-endemic golden toad) and the elusive bright Blue Morphos butterfly. This area is also a stop for 91 species of migratory birds. The famed quetzal resides here seasonally.

What is now considered Monteverde was founded by Quakers from the United States whose pacifist values led them to defy the American draft during the Korean War. These conscientious objectors blended well with the Costa Rican philosophy of peaceful living. The Cloud Forest Reserve was set aside by Quakers to preserve the Cloud Forest & protect the water shed. Monteverde & surrounding areas are inhabited by a blend of Costa Ricans, Americans, & families from around the world.

The Zabala house is located about 20 minutes outside of Monteverde, in a small town called San Rafael. San Rafael is usually a good bit warmer & less rainy than Monteverde. It is a 100% Tico town, outside of the residents of Finca Flor Mar. This active town is formed by a strong community of families, a tasty restaurant, a pottery pavilion, local bar, two pulperias (small general stores), and two public schools.

CASA ZABALA DETAILS

The Zabala house is THE most personal, unique, and authentic way to experience Monteverde, Santa Elena, &
San Rafael, Costa Rica. High-end hotels of comparable quality to The Zabala house are $150-$250 a night for a single room. The Zabala house offers 4 bedrooms for $125 a night. Our home is about 2,000sqft of Costa Rican hardwoods & rustic comfort. It is one of the largest, most unique houses in the area.

Finca Flor Mar is the birthplace of the Sustainable Coffee Initiative. Chelsea’s father, Ken Lander, is the founder of this community based organization that created a system which exponentially increases the farmer’s profits compared to Fair Trade. San Rafael is the center of an agricultural revolution for the coffee industry. The Sustainable Coffee Initiative’s practices & philosophy are being explored around the world. Come visit Ken Lander at The Common Cup (or at his home next-door to The Zabala House), who will take you through the ever-growing world of the Costa Rican coffee farmer.

We strongly recommend having a rental car when you stay at Casa Zabala. It is a 25 minute drive to Monteverde & 3 minutes to San Rafael's center. Sooo much to do...but you will need to drive there. The value of staying in our house verses a hotel or rental closer to Monteverde in incomparable.

Please email us for more pictures. We have lots! (Had fun taking them...our home is lovely!)

FOR BIRD WATCHERS!: We had a group of diehard bird watchers who came and spent most of their time on the farm and surrounding area doing what they love to do! Here is the results! Thanks Nancy and all of your team!:

Some Birds of Casa Zabala & Neighborhood, Guanacaste, CR

Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Party of Capek, Johnson, D'Hont, Edmondson.
45 species

Gray-headed Chachalaca
Turkey Vulture
Swallow-tailed Kite
Red-billed Pigeon
White-tipped Dove
Squirrel Cuckoo
Common Pauraque
White-collared Swift
Purple-throated Mountain-Gem
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Orange-bellied Trogon
Lesson's Motmot
Turquoise-browed Motmot
Emerald Toucanet
Hoffman's woodpecker
Golden-olive Woodpecker
White-fronted Parrot
Orange-fronted Parakeet
Yellow-bellied Elaenia
Common Tody Flycatcher
Dusky-capped Flycatcher
Social Flycatcher
Tropical Kingbird
Long-tailed Manakin
Masked Tityra
White-throated Magpie-Jay
Brown Jay
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
House Wren
Rufous-and-white Wren
Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush
Slatey-backed Nightingale-Thrush
Clay-colored Thrush
Blackburnian Warbler
Rufous-capped Warbler
Blue-gray Tanager
Palm Tanager
Blue-black Grassquit
Yellow-faced Grassquit
Buff-throated Saltator
White-eared Ground-Sparrow
Great-tailed Grackle
Yellow-billed Cacique
Montezuma Oropendola
Yellow-throated Euphonia

Keywords: coffee farm, secluded, family, couples, mountain home, relaxing home, tropical, cloud forest, costa rica, monteverde, rustic, open floor plan, full kitchen, orchard, authentic, farm, gardens, casa, finca, finca de cafe, espanol, honeymoon, family vacation, romantic getaway

Property manager

Kenneth Lander

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Stereo
  • TV
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • One pet total (up to 20 lbs per pet)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: Outside on the porch

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby

Safety features

  • No carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 2,500 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Welcoming dogs only
1 total (up to 20 lbs per pet)
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Check out the reviews.

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Stunning Artisan Home Coffee Plantation Exquisite View House
Stunning Artisan Home Coffee Plantation Exquisite View
Stunning Artisan Home Coffee Plantation Exquisite View House
Stunning Artisan Home Coffee Plantation Exquisite View House
Stunning Artisan Home Coffee Plantation Exquisite View

About the neighborhood

Map
San Rafael de Abangares, Guanacaste

What's nearby

  • Wildlife Refuge Monteverde - 14 min drive - 7.3 km
  • Monteverde Butterfly Gardens - 19 min drive - 10.0 km
  • Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde - 20 min drive - 10.7 km
  • Curi-Cancha Reserve - 21 min drive - 11.2 km
  • Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve - 24 min drive - 13.4 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Café Monteverde - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Tree House Restaurante & Cafe - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Sabor Tico - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Bon Appetit! - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Monteverde Brewing Company - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Stunning Artisan Home on Coffee Plantation with Exquisite View pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 20 lbs per pet.

What time is check-in at Stunning Artisan Home on Coffee Plantation with Exquisite View?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Stunning Artisan Home on Coffee Plantation with Exquisite View?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Stunning Artisan Home on Coffee Plantation with Exquisite View located?

Situated in Sierra, this vacation home is within 6 mi (10 km) of Café Monteverde Coffee Farm, Wildlife Refuge Monteverde, and Monteverde Orchid Garden. Jardín de Orquídeas and Mundo de los Insectos are also within 6 mi (10 km).

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Stunning Artisan Home on Coffee Plantation with Exquisite View Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 196 out of 240 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 38 out of 240 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 240 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 240 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 240 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

4.0/10

Amenities

6.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Karen G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Christmas 2024
Very hospitable hosts! Son lives next door and very helpful. Enjoyed the tranquility of the location.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Terry G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Pura Vida
Loved our stay and the view.Alittle to wet to hike, we were sad about that!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Todd L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Private get away in mountain
Ken (the owner) was so easy to work with….communication was excellent. Our family of 5 enjoyed our stay….walking the plantations with his dog Bella, and sightseeing at El Tigre and into Monterverde town to eat at restaurants. The only complaint was the potholes in the mountain roads. Crazy driving in the mountains vs. beach areas. It was worth the trip though.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

AMISH D.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amish
Not very clean, too many bugs
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ly-Ly W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Remote, quiet and friendly host
Our family enjoyed our stay and found it peaceful. The host was really helpful and his instructions to find the place were perfect. It is about 20 minutes drive from Santa Elena and most attractions in the area. It was great being on a coffee farm as we had learnt about coffee production in Arenal before going to Monteverde. One of our group likes a dishwasher (there isn’t one) but the rest of us don’t mind handwashing. Most places we stayed in Costa Rica had no dishwasher. There were 2 bathrooms and most of us preferred the master bedroom bathroom as it was nicer.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Fernando L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place to stay and a great host
The house was great for us and Ken is a great host. It takes very little time to get to all the relevant places. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

evelien g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful and big house and perfect location
Beautiful, authentic house in a great location, close to Monteverde and all its attractions. Communication with the owner was excellent. The interior could use some refreshing and updates.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Sitha y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place to explore Monteverde
We received a very welcoming from Ken and his son Juan Diego. Juan was very helpful for connecting us to make visiting Monteverde easier. And we loved Bella and Coco. The house could use little more lighting some lightbulbs are burn out, location is great not too far from town. .
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ayr M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful mountain stay
We loved staying at this house. Walk on property was really fun. Convenient to Monteverde activities. Ken was very welcoming and provided recommendations etc.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Delightful Mountain House
Kenneth's farm near Monteverde is beautiful and charming. We had a great time exploring the area from here, and enjoyed Kenneth's local recommendations.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Janice F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Artisan home on coffee plantation
Great stay! The house itself was just very cool, nice atmosphere, great hosts, beautiful area. Ken was helpful in every way and Bella was a wonderful addition to place. We couldn’t be happier with our experience!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patricia R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Monteverde coffee plantation
We ( 3 adults and 2 8-yr olds) recently spent several nights in this wonderful house. The house was open, spacious and had room for all. We enjoyed walking around on the grounds and observing all the birds and butterflies. My granddaughter's had many grand adventures following Bella the dog around the property. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a place to stay near Monteverde!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brooke F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Monteverde getaway!
Ken was a fantastic host and an incredible asset for us in Costa Rica. Our kids enjoyed the property so much and it really made our stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ruth M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Place!
We wanted to stay in a place that had an authentic Costa Rica feel, and this was it! The house is clean, spacious, and comfortable. The hosts were warm and welcoming.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leslie T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely home on a coffee farm
Great place, proprietor was ahead of our needs all along the way
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cari N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing stay!
Our family of 5 adults stayed for 2 nights and explored the surrounding area! House was just as pictured and lived up to expectations! Great place for home-base while in Santa Elena/Monteverde area, magical area!!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Terrific stay
Ken is tremendous Site is beautiful Loved the plantation tour
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Hannah e.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Get place to stay
Friendly host and large place to stay. Beautiful farm to be on.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Abraham H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Stay
We booked a last minute stay. The place was large and Ken the host was super friendly. Bonus there is a working coffee farm that we walked through complete with mangos!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah J., Naples, Idaho

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful
Beautiful location. Property owners were very communicative and helpful. They had perfect directions to their place as well.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great spot!
Ken was very helpful, kids had a great time running around on the property!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kate s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house with an unbeatable view
This house was beautiful, and perfect for our family of 5. The views were spectacular, and Ken was such a great host. We stayed here for the Monteverde portion of our trip and I would definitely recommend this property.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The coffee plantation
We enjoyed our stay here. It was close enough to Santa Elana for a day trip. The scenery here was beautiful. The roads were very good and mostly paved and the drive up was also beautiful! The kitchen had everything one could need we cooked several meals and we were gifted with a bag of fresh coffee from the plantation owner!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful hidden gem
We stayed here the last 2 nights of our weeklong trip to Costa Rica. After being in resorts for the first part of our week, it was so lovely to be in this quiet little VRBO. And the owner's dog, Bella, was a highlight! She followed us around on all our walks, escorted us to dinner, laid at our feet and then walked us home, and was just a wonderful companion!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Johanna H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Friendly host
The place was a great location for exploring the Monteverde area. The house fit my family of six very easily and the host was there to greet us on our arrival, making check in very simple. One of my parents highlights of their trip was touring the coffee farm here.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023