Entire home

Casa Nirvanita - A Little Biological Jewel by the Sea

Photo gallery for Casa Nirvanita - A Little Biological Jewel by the Sea

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Outdoor dining
Terrace/patio
Terrace/patio
On the beach, sun loungers, beach towels

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 8409 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen
  • Dryer

About this property

Entire place

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

Casa Nirvanita - A Little Biological Jewel by the Sea

“WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING A NICE NATURE ADVENTURE:
IT’S ALL ABOUT LOCATION.
COME JOIN US AT NIRVANITA DE OSA, THE BEST OVERALL LOCATION IN BAHIA DRAKE”

Casa Nirvanita is the main home at Nirvanita de Osa, our family's little biological jewel since 1981. The house is located in front of the beach, in the last cove to the southwest of Drake Bay, on the Southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
Nirvanita de Osa is a beautiful 23 hectare (57 acre) property, which enjoys 440 meters of oceanfront ,and 4 clear streams that flow from the farm to the sea year-round (3,75 are born on the property).

There are about 3 hectares (7.5 acres) of various fruit trees including Mango, Rambutan, Starfruit, Mamey, Colombian Zapote, 2 types of Breadfruit, Malaysian Water Apple, Arazá, Fruta Milagrosa, 3 types of Bananas, Oranges, Cashews, 5 types of Coconuts; , and other crops.(Availability depends on time of the year and wildlife competition);
There are mature tropical gardens, and about 3 Hectares of 50 year old secondary rainforest. The rest is composed of some of the Osa Peninsula's famous Primary Tropical rainforest (reputed to be one of the world's tallest) which is connected by forest to Corcovado National Park a few miles away.

The house which is about 410 M2; was designed by us and our architect to provide a simple, ample, open, luxurious shelter, that blends with the beautiful surroundings, and works well with the ocean, surrounding trees, and streams to stay cool and comfortable.
It has a natural Air conditioning system by roof water mist cooling which we rarely use, as the house stays cool from the ocean breezes that flow thru it and the huge trees that surround and shade it.

It is a unique beach front home located 70 Mts from the sand at Las Caletas Beach, and conveniently located to all the other beaches, islands, parks, and all other adventures available in Drake Bay, and Bahia Ballena.

The house has in the first floor the kitchen, living ,and ,dinning rooms and a full bathroom. in the second floor you will find the 3 bedrooms with one king and 2 queen beds and private full bathrooms on each, which have very beautiful ocean or forest views from every room. (there are 2 double sofa beds and 2 large cots that can be used in any of the bedrooms)

It has been powered by a combination of Micro-Hydro and Solar for many years, but it was recently connected to the grid for back-up and energy storage.

Our house is open, with only half walls (which can be shuttered) and no screens (although all the beds have quality net canopies which we rarely have to use). All in all, our house is very much a part of the natural surroundings.
Nature lovers love our house, but if you are not comfortable with the great outdoors, this is probably not the vacation spot for you.

It is a place to disconnect, (There is 3g internet but it is available 70-90% of the time and sometimes slooow),

Casa Nirvanita is a place to practice or train in some serious Hammockology, relax, unwind, and enjoy the peace, natural beauty, and serenity.

There are a couple of Kayaks for your enjoyment. (1 single, 1 double), .

We can help you arranging tours such as : Horseback riding, night forest walks, Boats and guides to take you Whale and dolphin watching, to Corcovado or Isla del Caño National Parks, sports fishing, or any of the other fun and adventure activities available in the area at no extra cost to you.

The Osa Peninsula has been called by some botanists the 'Galapagos of Mesoamerica' due to its great diversity in plant and animal species. The Osa most probably has many more secrets to reveal about its flora and fauna, since only about 75% of the species believed to exist here have been recorded.

With its unique climate, unlike that of any other area for hundreds of miles in any direction, The Osa harbors up to 500 different species of trees of which at least 4 species only exist in the Osa peninsula making it very important to keep the forest intact.

The Osa Peninsula has the single largest expanse of a lowland tropical rainforest in the Pacific coast of Central America and is reputed to have one of the tallest tropical rain forests in the world.

The Osa Peninsula is one of the most biologically diverse places on earth. The home of over, 375 species of birds (including several endemic species), It has the largest population of Scarlet Macaws in Central America, 117 species of reptiles, and over 10,000 species of insects.

Flocks of macaws, toucans, parrots, monkeys of four different types, coatis, kinkajous, agoutis, and sloths can be seen often.

Peccaries, and from time to time even jungle cats (like pumas, jaguarundis, ocelots and very rarely jaguars) can be spotted by the careful observer.

Drake Bay

Drake Bay (Bahia Drake) lies on the northern end of the Osa Peninsula in the Puntarenas province. Probably one of the most well known destinations in the region, the tiny town of Agujitas in the bay was actually one of the most in-accessible places in the entire country for many years but that has changed recently.

There is a small modern airport in the bay with several daily flights from San Jose, and Puerto Jimenez.

Several daily public boats now make the beautiful 90 minute trip from Sierpe in the morning about 11 Am, and 1, about 3PM, and we can hep you arrange a private boat with the best capitains for your group that will drop you off right infront of the house for about $225.00.

The road access to the bay from the Golfo Dulce is long but beautiful, and passable year around and now you can drive all the way to the house but it does require a 4wd with good ground clearance..

You can take a day trip to Drake Bay, but at least 3-7 days are recommended.

After being '¨discovered¨by Sir Francis Drake in 1579 during his circumnavigation of the globe, Drake Bay has now become the gateway to Isla del Caño island and Corcovado National Park.

There are plenty of outdoor activities in the area including ocean kayaking, river canoeing, horseback riding, hiking, surfing, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and zip lines. Bird watching and photography are also very popular around the bay and beaches. Caño island offers some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in all of Costa Rica.

Nirvanita de Osa is probably the most beautiful and most private beachfront property in Drake Bay.

Humpback whales from the southern hemisphere are here from August to October, and whales from the northern hemisphere come later and remain longer from December to April.

The song of the Humpback Whale is a very unique phenomenon in nature. The male emits a melody of series of unique sounds that resemble musical instruments. The male may sing for close to 15 minutes, and when his song is complete, he usually repeats the song almost exactly the same for sometimes up to an hour. These marvelous songs will travel through the ocean for up to several kilometers, so this fascinating behavior may be heard while swimming, snorkeling, or diving in around Marino Ballena National Park, Corcovado National Park, and Drake Bay.

During this two separate Drake Bay Whale watching seasons each year, you may see and interact with some of the various beautiful Whales and Dolphins that migrate to the warm waters around Drake Bay to calve their young. Many of the Humpback whales in the world are conceived or are born in the waters of the Osa Peninsula.

Whale sightings are common in the waters of the Osa Region to Puerto Jimenez in the southern part of the peninsula. The peak Whale observation months are January thru April, followed closely by July thru October. Nutrient rich and warm Osa Peninsula waters also draw Sperm whales, Pilot whales, Bryde whales, Killer whales, and False killer whales.

Large Dolphin schools with many species can be seen at play in the waters of the park, Drake Bay, the Golfo Dulce, and the near by continental shelf.

Corcovado National Park:

FORBES MAGAZINE HAS NAMED CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK AS ONE OF THE 'TOP 10 MOST BEAUTIFUL PARKS IN THE WORLD'

The 41,000 hectare Corcovado National Park is known as the crown jewel of the Costa Rican national parks system. It protects 13 major eco-system habitats including a montane forest, which covers mo than half the park, a cloud forest, located in the highest region, richly populated by oak trees and tree ferns, swamp forests, flooded practically all year round, a yolillo forest, predominated by palms, a mangrove swamp, located on the estuaries of the Corcovado, Llorona, and Sirena Rivers, and a freshwater herbaceous swamp. The park lands are home to some 500 species of trees, an amount equivalent to a quarter of all the tree species in Costa Rica. Corcovado National Park contains approximately 140 species of mammals, an estimated 375 species of birds, 117 amphibian and reptile species, 40 types of freshwater fish, and it is estimated that there are some 6,000 types of insects. All four Costa Rican monkey species can be seen within the park, including the endangered squirrel monkey, white faced capuchin, mantled howler, and spider monkey. Other mammals include two and three-toed sloth, northern tamandua, the silky anteater, agoutis, tayras, and coatimundi. There is a large variety of bird species with trogons, tiger herons, guans, hawks, tanagers, parrots, toucans and two distinct macaw species. All four of the sea turtle species that nest in Costa Rica visit the beaches of Corcovado as well. Over 40 species of frogs including red-eyed tree, rain, glass, dink, and poison dart varieties, dozens of snakes including a variety of boas, and the bushmaster, 28 species of lizards, and more than 100 species of butterflies call the Osa Peninsula home.


Property manager

Germán Llano or Clara Fernandez

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach
  • Beach towels
  • Beach sun loungers

Pool/Spa

  • Massages

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking
  • Car not required

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Toaster
  • Spices

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

  • 4 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near laundromat

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Designated smoking areas
  • Note from host: Outside the house

Services and conveniences

  • Safe

Location highlights

  • Near the ocean
  • On the waterfront
  • In a rural location
  • Near the bay

Things to do

  • Water sports equipment
  • Kayak on site
  • Boat on site
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Horse riding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Power boating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Unit size: 4400 sq ft (409 sq m)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

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

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: caution with children, open sides dstairs 3 levels

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
Parties and events are allowed on site
Note from host: Within reason
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
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 not required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Casa Nirvanita Little Biological Jewel Sea House Bahia Drake
Casa Nirvanita Little Biological Jewel Sea House
Casa Nirvanita Little Biological Jewel Sea Bahia Drake
Casa Nirvanita Little Biological Jewel Sea
Casa Nirvanita Little Biological Jewel Sea House Bahia Drake
Casa Nirvanita Little Biological Jewel Sea House
Casa Nirvanita Little Biological Jewel Sea Bahia Drake
Casa Nirvanita Little Biological Jewel Sea House
Casa Nirvanita Little Biological Jewel Sea Bahia Drake
Casa Nirvanita Little Biological Jewel Sea
Casa Nirvanita A Little Biological Jewel by the Sea
Casa Nirvanita A Little Biological Jewel by the Sea
Casa Nirvanita - A Little Biological Jewel by the Sea Drake Bay
Casa Nirvanita A Little Biological Jewel by the Sea
Vrbo Property
Casa Nirvanita A Little Biological Jewel by the Sea
Casa Nirvanita - A Little Biological Jewel by the Sea Drake Bay

About the neighborhood

Map
Bahia Drake, Puntarenas

What's nearby

  • Playa Danta - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Drake Bay Hiking Trailhead - 15 min drive - 7.6 km
  • Cocalito - 20 min drive - 6.5 km
  • Drake Bay Beach - 95 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Playa Colorada - 98 min drive - 7.6 km

Getting around

  • Drake Bay (DRK) - 151 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Restaurante Casa El Tortugo - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪La Choza - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Mar y Bosque - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪RestauranteDelicias Bahía Drake - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Roberto's Marisquería - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Casa Nirvanita - A Little Biological Jewel by the Sea pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Casa Nirvanita - A Little Biological Jewel by the Sea?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Casa Nirvanita - A Little Biological Jewel by the Sea?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Casa Nirvanita - A Little Biological Jewel by the Sea located?

Nestled on the beach, this Drake Bay vacation home is within 2 mi (3 km) of Playa Danta, San Josecito Beach, and Cocalito. Drake Bay Beach and Playa Rincon are also within 3 mi (5 km).

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Casa Nirvanita - A Little Biological Jewel by the Sea Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 36 out of 38 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 38 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 38 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

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

10/10 Excellent

Bret W., LOGAN, usa

Beautiful secluded beach/jungle property
What an incredible getaway home! German and Clara were great hosts. We flew in from San Jose on Nature Air and German arranged everything for us from that point. We had a taxi from the airport and water taxi from shore to get to the property. German had arranged to have groceries picked up for us and arranged to have one meal a day prepared for us. They did a fantastic job. They arranged all daily excursions for us and we visited the National Park via water taxi, scuba dived at Cano Island and hiked to the park from the property. We saw lots of wildlife near the property and had monkeys, macaws and lizards around us. We did a night tour through the jungle with one of German and Clara's neighbors who is a biologist, we snorkeled every day in the bay and near the river. We had some great hikes down the beach to the river. Drake Bay is unbelievable and this property was incredible. What a beautiful part of the world their home is located in. Would do this vacation again and would definitely recommend this property to family and friends.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

carmen g.

Came as strangers...left as friends
We stayed at Casa Nirvanita for 10 absolutely wonderful days. This was our second trip to the Drake Bay area and we will definitely will becoming back next year. Unlike other places we have stayed in the past, Casa Nirvanita more than exceeded our expectations. First and foremost German and Clara were outstanding hosts and went above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable. One of the many highlights of our trip was getting to know them over fresh grilled fish and drinks. Their advise on provisions, transportation arrangements and activities were all excellent. The house was beautiful, comfortable and very functional. We enjoyed the cool breezes in the master bedroom, the multiple hammocks and the very well organized kitchen. The beach was only 50 meters from the house and was beautiful and usually private. We used Casa Nirvanita as our hub for several day trips to include snorkeling at Cano Island, fishing with Captain Willy on the Reel Escape and hikes through the national park to Rio Claro and Drake Bay. On days we didn't have activities planned we enjoyed relaxing on the beach or fishing from the kayak provided by German. Highly recommend fishing with Captain Willy early in your trip, as we brought home enough fish to feed a small village. Also had good luck fishing from the kayak on the rocks 100 yards off the beach. Be sure to ask German to show you their whole property. We felt it was even more beautiful than the Corcovado National Park. German is a wealth of knowledge on the local flora of the region. We came as strangers and left as friends. So looking forward to next year at Casa Nirvanita!!
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Chris C.

Unique and wonderful house on the edge of the rainforest
Having traveled a fair amount the world, I can honestly say this is one of the nicest places I've stayed. First off has to be your hosts, German, Clara and Regulo. Truly lovely people - one of the highlights of our stay was when we invited them for a glass of wine and just had a lovely evening chatting and exchanging stories. They were there to help with everything and yet never felt intrusive. If the world had more German and Clara's in it - it would be a happier place! And Regulo was a great guide for a night walk into the forest, and even found us a boa constrictor on the farm to look at on our last morning! Then the house - which is beautiful. It really is a one of a kind, and very comfortable in every respect, with a well laid out kitchen and everything you could need to cook, including a blender for some tropical smoothies! And finally the location - right on a lovely beach which is great for swimming, tide pooling and shell collecting. We even saw a humpback whale, jumping clean out the water, from the point just 5 minutes walk from the house. And with the jungle behind you, and a walk along the coast. We particularly loved visiting the Rio Claro Aventuras for a canoe up the river, and then a float down with a few jumps in from waterfalls along the way - the kids thought it was the best thing ever - though perhaps not suitable for very young children (ours are 9 and 11 - perfect age) and to see the turtle project. We also enjoyed a boat trip to Sirena Ranger station where we saw Tapir and three species of monkey. The road to Drake Bay from Rincon seems to have been much upgraded of late and so worth considering driving/being driven (though the boat trip from Sierpe is lovely) if that is more convenient - certainly in the dry season. Thank you, German, Clara and Regulo, for such a memorable trip to your little piece of Nirvana.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

michael d.

Casa Nirvanita is true Pura Vida!
What a spectacular setting for a family vacation! We were treated like family by the owners German and Clara. They greeted us on arrival to the beach on our boat taxi. The beautiful open house sits in the trees next to the beach. They had fresh tropical flowers from the yard placed throughout the house. You awaken to the sounds of the waves and birds each morning. There are a pair of tucans that frequent one of the trees right outside the master bedroom. You can see the ocean from the bedroom upstairs. From the main level you see the many tropical flowers and can listen to the waves from one of the hammocks in the house (that is where our two teenage kids spent a lot of their time). Hummingbirds would routinely fly through the house in the morning. I sat on the beach after we arrived and a family of monkeys played on the beach right next to me The owners (who live in the original house next door) graciously helped us with setting up tours of the area. They even set up a last minute horseback trip on the beach Christmas day for my wife and daughter. The guide came to the house on the beach and they left from there. The tours basically leave from the house. They pick you up by boat from a landing area just up the beach or to the zip line by 4wd road a short hike up the beach the other way. Snorkeling on Cano island was fun but don't expect to see much coral like in Belize. We had a great guide, Gabriel, from Pirate cove that took us around Corcovado on 2 hikes with lunch on the beach and swimming under a waterfall. The zipline tour up the hill was definitely worth doing. The logistics of getting groceries and us to the house was made possible by German and Clara. They arranged for a car to pick us up at the runway in Drake Bay. We drove across a river to town. Stopped at a small grocery (buy more food than you think you will need since very challenging to get to store again) while the driver waited then took the car to the beach to a boat waiting for us. The boat then took us 10 minutes up the coast to the house where our gracious hosts greeted us and people helped us with our luggage and food from the beach. Thank you again German and Clara for sharing your piece of paradise with us!
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2016

10/10 Excellent

Ingrid S., Owen Sound, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Paradise
I travelled with my husband, 2 kids (4 +10), brother, girlfriend & 13 yr old son. The house is a gem. Well protected but absolutely open. Loved sleeping to the sounds of the waves rolling in, the birds/frogs/cicadas... Monkeys, toucans, macaws, crabs, marine toads, frogs... all right there on the property. The beach is amazing and water incredibly warm. Our boys spent many hours just tumbling in the waves every day. The property is right on the drake bay trail so you can do day trips from here in either direction. We also did day trips to Corcavado & Cano island - both of which were amazing. We would have loved to have done a night hike but unfortunately it had to be cancelled - we went out every night on our own to try to spot nighttime creatures - spiders, frogs, and crabs. We had pre-ordered food to be delivered to the house and were very happily surprised to receive everything we asked for and really good quality too! Drake Bay has lots of supplies available too. And there was no shortage of mangos and fruits all around to make delicious smoothies with. We rented a Toyota landcruiser from Nomad America in San Jose and drove ourselves to the property - it took ~7 hours. The conditions of the road were no problem but the last 2 hours are bumpy and we were glad to arrive before sunset. This made for a long trip but we were happy to have our own car there to explore with. One drawback was not having a dryer (or washer - less of an issue as we brought a bar of detergent to hand wash some stuff which was fine). We went in May which is the start of the rainy season. There is a drying station which works well when the sun is out, but sometimes takes a few days! I would highly recommend bringing mostly quick-dry clothing and bringing enough changes without relying on reusing as much. We did get some bug bites particularly at dusk but honestly the bugs weren't bad (coming from Canada where black flies/moskitos terrorize spring/summer nights!). Avon skin so soft oil spray did seem to help with the noseeums. We used the provided bug nets on the beds at night. The house breathes incredibly well and there are fans in nearly every room. The hot water is in limited supply but who needs a hot shower in that hot climate? You want to cool off anyways! German and Clara were amazing. I wish we could have spent more time hearing about the history of the house and property. This place is not for everyone, but it was exactly what we wanted!
Stayed 9 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

STEVE H., LAKEWOOD

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Slice of Heaven
Casa Nirvanita is a very special place! It's set back into the jungle yet steps away from the beach. It is both relaxing yet exciting to be so close to the wildlife of the jungle. Beauty is everywhere you look from the breathtaking colors of the flower all around to the different shades of green in the jungle, to the quiet sandy beach. Our favorite part was hearing the pounding surf of the ocean wherever we were in the house! Clara & German were so kind & helpful. They are both sweet souls, & it's evident they love their home & wanted us to feel the same. & we did fall in love with it! They set up our excursions for us & made sure we had everything we needed. They were close by when we needed something but not so close we felt smothered. The house was equipped with everything we needed for the 5 nights we were there. We were picked up at the airport & taken to the store to get our groceries for the week. It was easy & worked out well. It was hard to leave, it was such a memorable week. We will try to bring some of the restful, peaceful time we had there back with us! Thank you German & Clara for sharing your beautiful home with us & for being such thoughtful hosts! We will not forget you!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Hock L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
True Nirvana!
Casa Nivanita is an exceptional house set on an extraordinary property. Every detail of the house has been designed with both beauty and environmental awareness in mind. It provided our family of six (two children) a perfect haven for relaxation and access to beach play. The nearby trails are home to tropical plants, animals, streams and amazing vistas. We enjoyed every minute of our stay!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rudi B., Boulder, Colorado

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful family retreat with new found family!
We are ready to return! We are so fortunate to have found Nirvanita, German, Clara, and everyone! We were treated as family and had the most wonderful stay at their magical retreat. We are a family of seven, with 5 kids between 11-17. We were all awed by the wildlife, the working farm and ecological oasis, the beautiful beach, and our lovely hosts. Thank you, Clara and German!
Stayed 10 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michael M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely amazing place
Experience life in the tropical forest with the sound of the surf. Definitely for the travelers that want to get off the beaten path, but not for ones that are looking for the luxury resort experience. It will be an experience you will never forget. The trip by road or boat is an adventure it’s self. Expect a few frogs, lizards and insects to pass through. The place is beautifully designed and well equipped. Beach and water is great for swimming. Need to spend at least 4 nights to allow for enough time for you to settle into the lifestyle. Their is a trail that runs the length of the peninsula at the edge of the beach. Great for day hikes or getting to town. A boat ride to the nature preserve and hike with a local guide is also a must.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beauty and magic
Beauty and magic. First, the hosts, German and Clara. Columbian expats who began creating this paradise 40 years ago. They are warm, fascinating, gracious, and unforgettable. The house is like nothing we have ever experienced and hard to describe. It looks and functions like a luxury house - tile and hardwood, much of it from one giant tree German had hauled down from the surrounding mountains. Full refrigerator/freezer, oven, stovetop, coffeemaker, microwave. . .multiple sitting areas, bedrooms, bathrooms. But other than bathrooms and bedrooms, no doors. And no windows. Which means you are really in the rainforest. And because you're 100 feet from the an essentially private beach that's as beautiful as any other we saw in Costa Rica, you can hear the sound of rain on the big, rubbery leaves of the trees and the sound of waves all at once. Like a mashup of the beach and rainforest scenes on Calm.com. Mindblowing and deeply relaxing. The property is part of a primary rainforest, complete with its own waterfall, countless fruit trees, ginger, heliconia, giant trees hundreds of years old. One morning, we woke up to see a troop of whitefaced monkeys swinging around and eating from a fruit tree right outside our bedroom. Another evening, we watched a pair of scarlet macaws perch and eat. Another afternoon, we walked down the beach path that runs right outside the house, stretches for dozens of miles, and serves as the highway for getting around Drake Bay. Within 10 minutes, we came across a large troop of spider monkeys and then an even larger troop of whiteface monkeys. It was like we had parachuted into a David Attenborough nature documentary. And that's just the stuff we did around the house. One day we hiked 20 kilometers near San Pedrillo in Corcovado with Carlos, a Costa Rican turned US Army Ranger, turned naturalist and spiritual guide. Another day we went to Sirena with Sandro, a Corcovado native, who has helped reinvent the local economy as an ecotourism hub after much of the Cost Rican meat industry collapsed and his family had to hunt and forage to survive. One evening we went on a night hike across the Casa Nirvanita property with Gustavo to spot snakes, frogs and other creepy crawlies. German and Clara arranged almost all of it. I could keep writing, but I'll exhaust your patience. If you're looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, this is it.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lee N., Leavenworth

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Tropical Paradise with a spectacular home.
First off the owners, Clara and Germán are absolutely a joy to have as your owner/hosts. They are so helpful in assisting with any arrangements you may need. They arranged for the Corcovado tour boat to stop on the beach in front of the house and pick us up and drop us off so we didn't have to drive into town. The beach is lovely and quiet and was safe for swimming while we were staying there. The Custom built timber house is truly custom, with a main floor that has the lounging areas, kitchen/dining all in a open design with no doors or windows and the upstairs has the bedrooms with their own full bathrooms. All the bedrooms and baths have doors and are open with no windows so the breeze can flow through. We had a wonderful time staying there and meeting Clara and Germán and highly recommend it!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

Werner G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Delightful experience
Casa Nirvanita is set close to a beautiful beach cove and for us was one of serenity, relaxation, mystery and remoteness. The 4 of us had a fantastic experience, swimming in the safe waters of the beach cove, hiking from the property, listening to the surf, swinging in the hammocks, walking the property with Herman and Clara learning about the flora and fauna and watching the nightly sunset from the beach. Chairs included. My brother in law was worried about the house being open to the elements which proved to be no worry but a delight. There were no insects to speak of. Herman and Clara were warm and welcoming hosts that shared their love of the place. A favorite memory besides meeting our hosts was the Morpho butterflies that would float down the stream and waterfall behind the house. The property not only has easy access to various activities by boat pickup but the coast trail to the Corcovado National Park is outside the gate along the beach in front of the house. We would come again in a heartbeat
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Basil S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic home in paradise with the most amazing and welcoming hosts
Everything about this trip was incredible for me, my wife and three girls (10, 9, 9) First, the home. Casa Nirvanita simply could not have been more wonderful. I’ve never seen anything of it’s kind, mixing immersion in a rainforest on the edge of a pristine beach with all the comforts and stunning architecture. You can chill around the house and beach or chose epic adventures Second, the environs and epic adventures. The beach was simply the best we saw in Drake Bay and we basically had it to ourselves. It also became the gateway to excursions all around the area (Cano island snorkeling, hikes into the rainforest, walks to the village, horseback rides, zip lines, etc). And there is nothing in CR like Drake Bay— the best of the best and wild! Lastly, and most importantly, were the hosts. Germán and Clara are magical, warm and special people who truly care about making the world a better place— and they clearly have, having already led such meaningful lives. They went above and beyond to help with logistics of the trip and the excursions. And we feel fortunate to have spent “Mañana Standard Time” (credit German) with them over drinks, tours of their land, and talks on the beach. My girls had tears when we left— a sure sign of a meaningful stay. We hope to return very soon. Gracias Germán y Clara!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Bill L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Closest thing to paradise
As long as you have the right expectations, Casa Nirvanita is a fantastic, one-of-a-kind experience. My wife and I have been in Costa Rica for a little more than a year, and we have been fortunate to see a lot of this amazing country. On most of our trips we have stayed in VRBO homes where we could easily walk to restaurants and shops. Casa Nirvanita is not that. It is an incredible house on an indescribably beautiful, secluded beach on Drake Bay. There are no restaurants or shops nearby, and very few people. Mostly just you and the jungle and the beach. The house is beautiful and unique. There are no doors, other than in the interior, for the bedrooms and bathrooms. It has a nice, big kitchen with everything you need to prepare meals. The bedrooms are comfortable, and the fans provide enough breeze that we didn't miss having A/C. Because the walls are open to the outside, bugs are free to come and go, and the bug nets over the beds are a necessity. The master bedroom looks out toward the water, with beautiful trees that attract toucans and macaws in the morning. Listening to the waves crash on the beach is a perfect way to fall asleep. we came to Drake Bay by boat from Sierpe. It's a 45 min ride through an estuary lined with mangroves, then 20 more min on the ocean. We told the boat driver that we were going to Casa Nirvanita and they dropped us off on the beach in front of the house. The owners, Germán and Clara, met us on the beach with staff members who carried all our stuff to the house. Germán and Clara live in their own house on the property. They are wonderful people who will be as engaged in your stay as you want them to be. I traded several emails with Germán before our visit. He took us on a couple walks around the property and told us about the interesting history of how they came to own it. A couple tips if you will be staying at Casa Nirvanita: - Arrange your visit to Corcovado well in advance. (I was too late) - Bring soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. We had not brought soap or shampoo, and ended up borrowing some from Clara. A suggestion for Germán and Clara would be to keep a supply on hand. We stayed 3 days and loved it. Germán arranged for the boat to come pick us up, and on the morning we were leaving we got a special treat. Several baby tortoises had hatched and were struggling to cross the beach to the water. It was a perfect end to a perfect 3 days in paradise.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

ROBIN L.

Great wildlife experience, front yard is amazing!
Magical family vacations, sharing life with Ara macaw, monkey , toucan, colibri etc... Amazing beach steps from the house!
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Janet M.

A one of a kind experience . . . .
If you are looking for an adventure, beautiful garden surroundings and ocean views with a personable Tico hospitality, this is the place to stay. Clara and German made good on their #1 objective to see that we had a delightful and trouble free stay. Osa Peninsula is an activity paradise. Clara made all the arrangements with knowledgeable experience and downright entertaining guides. We took advantage of a night walk checking out creepy crawly creatures and poisonous toads ( don’t worry they don’t attack humans), snorkeling at Cano Island seeing schools of Jack fish, a day trip to the Corcovado Sirena entrance spotting all four local monkeys, zip lines across 13 platforms in the primary and secondary rain forest, and a hike up a river to a majestic waterfall topped by an onsite lunch with fresh pineapple juice and pan fried carp. The day trips include lunch and the kitchen is well equipped for preparing meals and recuperating from the day’s adventures in the beauty of their spacious casa. It is an experience of a lifetime. Coming from the desert and acclimating to the humidity was a challenge, but the fans and open air design make you comfortable. All so amazing. Many thanks to Clara and German. Pura Vida.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Shelley C., Victoria BC

A great escape
As a group of friends we loved the location. German and Clara were fabulous hosts. Highly recommend. Loved the isolation and the beach.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Eric B.

Wonderful Memories
First, a giant ditto regarding all the previous reviews. The descriptions are more elegant than I could write, and true through and through. My group of friends and actually enjoyed Germán and Clara's memorable property and delightful hospitality during the month of February 2015. We are still talking about it and dare I say comparing it as the gold standard holiday experience. We had six adults on the trip, representing a wide range of interests. Everyone departed grinning ear to ear with expectations surpassed in a variety of unexpected experiences. SCUBA/snorkeling trips from the beach. Howler monkey viewing in the forest. Hammockology degrees. Day hikes with parrot escorts. Endless relaxing beach exploration. Speracular sunset viewing from the beach. National park excursions from the beach. Of course, the friendly and caring hospitality is just as memorable. Casual conversations. Food replenntishment. Excursion support. Tours of the property. Local advice. Laughter. Smiles. Hugs goodbye. The descriptions and pictures pale in comparison to the real life experience. If you respect wildlife, embrace open-air living, and enjoy the road less traveled then this is a wonderful experience. Germán and Clara, we all miss you! Apologies for the overdue review!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

No Words Can Describe the Beauty of Casa Nirvanita
Our family just completed 10 days of what we called a trip of a lifetime. Firstly, our hosts Clara and German are the most lovely and interesting couple you will ever meet. Their assistance in coordinating transportation to and from Casa Nirvanita, booking our snorkeling trip to Cano Isle and even looking out for us with a whale tour we had scheduled(no whales had been sited during our time and they didn't want to have us be disappointed). They have a love and respect for the beautiful land they live on which is tremendous to witness. Casa Nirvanita is a special place which is nestled inside a rain forest on Drake Bay. The beautiful home is a architectural beauty with every detail well thought out and amazing views from any site line within. All bedrooms are spacious and comfortable with the master bedroom taking top spot as being simply spectacular with its comforts and tremendous views! Evenings are wonderful for sleeping, the ocean air cools perfectly for the best sleep with the sounds of the ocean and never once did we need to use the bug nets available. We spent our days hiking on the Drake trail witnessing all of the beautiful landscape, ocean views and of course the wildlife! White face monkeys entertained us every day....Mawkaws and Toucans were spectacular to see flying along with many other beautiful birds and butterfly's. We were also lucky enough to witness the release of newly born sea turtles making their first steps out into the ocean. Snorkeling at Cano Island was well worth the trip with all the beautiful bright fish and sea turtles to amaze you. Afternoon naps in one of the 4 hammocks or spending the day on the beautiful beach swimming in the ocean were perfect after our morning hikes. To end the day, just simply wait for the sun to give way to what will be the most unbelievable star show you can ever witness. For our family, this was a trip of a lifetime and were very sad it had to end. Thank you Clara and German from the bottom of our hearts...it is an incredible home you have!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Courtney P.

Beautiful and remote
When people ask us about our honeymoon here I tell them it was a Jungle of an experience! Beautiful and remote. The owners were extremely nice, inviting, and full of information. Loved their little kitten! The listing should include exactly what it would take to get to the property, my husband and I had to pay an extra $600 between changing flights and booking extra hotels to get to the property. Up front, if you fly into SJO it takes about a 5 hours drive, then an 1 1/2 boat ride. All of which should be taken over two days because of the time boats run. The property was beautiful, very clean, and magical! We only had two issues: hot water (understandable because it's solar heating and we came during the overcast/rainy season,) and there was a huge ant problem. The house is an open concept with no windows so it is hard to avoid this issue, but it made sleeping at night and keeping food in the kitchen difficult. The owners were the loveliest people! We received a tour of the farm and all the beautiful trees they planted, the streams, and the fruits! I would recommend this house to travelers looking to disconnect like we wanted. It is very close to a National Park and must be even more enjoyable during the summer season! Hiking shoes are a MUST! be prepared to do a lot of walking to get into town and bring extra food supplies. We enjoyed cooking every night and having our own meals with a twist of Costa Rican flare!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

thomas h.

A slice of heaven
After hours and hours of searching hotels,bnbs and rentals within the Drake Bay area we decided on Casa Nirvanita. Thankfully we made the best choice of our whole trip! I was quite concerned about taking my 18 month old daughter and parents somewhere so 'remote', without any shops, restaurants or pretty much anything your used to in day to day life back home. Well I need not have worried as everyone fell completely in love with drake bay and Casa Nirvanita. We all agreed we have never felt so relaxed and at home in our surroundings. German and Clara were the perfect hosts, from providing valuable information before our visit to showing us some of the bay's 'hidden' treasures. It was lovely to have such interesting and engaging hosts yet be given enough privacy to feel like you owned the house. The wildlife around the house and gardens kept us interested all day and falling asleep with the waves crashing nearby really felt like heaven. German and Clara booked all our tours to Corcovado, whale watching and a night tour with a local biologist. Some of things we saw will never be forgotten. All in all, if you are considering Casa Nirvanita I suggest you book quickly. You certainly won't regret it. Thank you German and Clara for the best holiday we have ever had. Tom, Lucy & Lilija x
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Julia P., San Diego

Perfect place to experience the wildlife and beauty of the Osa Peninsula!
Our family of four had the honor of staying at Casa Nirvanita for four days (too short) on our recent trip to Costa Rica. I'm not sure where to begin to describe the unique and wonderful experience that we had -- it was truly unforgettable. First and foremost, our hosts, Herman and Clara, were so kind and helpful in making all of the necessary arrangements for our transportation to the home and our activities while we were there -- so easy. In addition, we could not have been more warmly received upon our arrival to the beach and the tour of the home -- we immediately felt welcome and knew we were embarking upon an adventure. Second, the beautiful home that was carefully designed and constructed by Herman and Clara is a remarkable balance between the natural surroundings and the creature comforts that we are accustomed to. To give one example, we spent countless hours watching the capuchin monkeys and birds directly outside the master bedroom -- they were so close in proximity and completely unimpeded by our presence. Overall, the home (including the beds and wide variety of hammocks) was very comfortable and easy to settle into -- we were thankful for the extra fans during our stay due to the heat. As has been noted in other reviewers, we also did not have any issues with the bugs or any unwanted critters in the house, but much like camping, you should be prepared for some at night with the lights on. Third, Drake's Bay and the Osa Peninsula offer many activities and opportunities to explore. During our short time there, we did a snorkeling trip to Cano Island (wonderful!), a guided tour in Corcovado National Park (where we saw lots of wildlife including, most remarkably, a tapir on the beach that came within a few feet of where we were standing), a hike along the beach to Rio Claro (where we also went swimming) and to another beach where we did a little more snorkeling, and a wonderful tour of the farm that Herman provided. The tour of the farm is a must -- it was fascinating to learn about the evolution of the farm over the years and the number of different species of trees that currently being cultivated. Couple of pointers for other visitors - pack light (it will make it much easier to make the transition from taxi to beach), you really don't need much at Casa Nirvanita; if you travel during the time when it is hot and dry, bring the essentials to combat the effects of heat exhaustion and dehydration; and stay longer than four days!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Jon W., Hampton VA

Awesome place!
6 of us recently spent 8 nights at Nirvanita de Osa and we had an awesome time! First up, the reason for 'only' 4 stars out of 5: heat! Yes, we went to Costa Rica in the hot, dry season; and we were expecting that, but a couple more fans for use in the stuffy house (at night) would have been appreciated. That out of the way, this place is amazing and wonderful! The wide open design (not a piece of glass, or screens or even doors) is remarkable and not a problem comfortable living, despite the fact this place is very much in the jungle and on the edge of the sea. A fully fenced yard must keep the larger critters out, and the bugs were never a problem for us. After dark the bugs are there around the lights, but none seemed to be of the biting nature, even the very few miniscule mosquitoes I saw (compared to those we have back here in Virginia), seemed to be biters. The fact it hadn't rained in months may have helped us out here - or perhaps it was the one or two bats that cruised through the open house at dusk every night - COOL! But have no fear, mosquito netting is available for use over every bed (we didn't need, or use it). Another neat thing about the open home was our daily hummingbird visits at breakfast. They love to fly into house around breakfast time, pausing at the freshly cut flowers the owners have put out for decoration, as well as pausing (hovering) in front of the mirror in the bathroom right off the dining area. I suppose they were checking out their appearance before heading out the 'door' for work! Do trust and seek German's advise & trip/excursion arrangement guidance! He was most helpful before our arrival, and during our stay, despite his being away for a family emergency shortly after we arrived. Do consider the option of a boat transfer all the way from Sierpe on the way in. German will help you with all of the arrangements and you will not be disappointed if you choose this longer option for arrival. Do take a night jungle hike with German's biologist neighbor Lucia. It was amazing, even in the dry season when fewer bugs and critters are out. Also be sure to ask Lucia about where her secret ocean 'jacuzzi' is. You will not be disappointed. I'd tell you, but it is a secret! Do go SCUBA diving off of Cano Island. Incredible, incredible. Do take a tour in Corcovado; do go zip lining; do go on the inner tube ride down the river ending up in Drake Bay. I'll be jealous! Thank you German & Carla for an awesome vacation!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Irene D.

Magical Little Wonderland!
If you should choose Casa Nirvanita on your trip to Corcovado National Park, prepare to leave with a little bit of your heart forever left behind. The idea of this magical little wonderland intrigued us enough to look past perceived challenges such as sleeping in a home open to the jungle and bringing enough groceries for our entire stay. And they turned out to be nothing to have fretted about. What we found was a perfect balance between seclusion and access; security and freedom and the exhilaration of the surrounding wildlife pared with a sense of immense personal peace. When we landed ashore we met the true reason for calling Casa Nirvanita a “jewel by the sea,” our hosts Germán and Clara. We could not have known that our experience would be so fabulous because of getting to know them. Our 26 year-old son could have listened to Germán’s adventures and business ventures for hours on end. We all loved his wit, sense of humor and good-naturedness. Our daughter, an aspiring chef and adventurer as well, was inspired by lovely Clara, as we all were, through her life experiences and wonderful culinary sense. And although we loved their company, we were aware they were respectfully sensing how much privacy or company we wanted. The house exudes class while beckoning you to melt into numerous areas offering comfort. The gardens with gorgeous tropical flowers beckon you to view them at different stages throughout the day and in various exposures to light. The sound of waves crashing on the most-always deserted, stunning beach out front, the howler monkeys in the pre-dawn and numerous birds create the unique soundtrack to Casa Nirvanita. We went to the park one day and a bug tour one night: both rewarding and worth doing. Lucky to observe a troop of monkeys out front moving along the edge of the forest, we laughed at their antics and were also a bit frightened when they made it obvious by baring teeth that they had young to protect. It took some extra time to reenter our lives as Casa Nirvanita is a world apart and vastly unique to places we’ve been, city or in nature. When we pulled away from the shore, we found ourselves choking up a bit waving goodbye to Germán and Clara. They made such a beautiful impression on our family that each of us left a bit of our hearts behind with them. You might want to prepare for that if you go and then let your experience fill your soul and capture your heart in a way that only it/they can.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jan K., Liberec

memorable experience
One of the most memorable places I have ever been to. My family and a couple of friends spent there one awesome week. The house , Clara and German and all else was top notch. I can highly recommend it to anyone interested in spending their holiday off the beaten track and enjoying some unspoiled nature.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2015