Cozy Casita Nearby Beaches And Paquera Ferry

Paquera Puntarenas Province Costa Rica 60105, Paquera ,

Frank & Nilda Bienes

My Listings (2)
About Owner



  • 9AM-7PM Mon-Sun
    (GMT -6:00) Central America

  •  
    1 Bedroom
  •  
    1 Bathroom
     
  • 2 to 4 Sleeps
  • House
  • Reviews:
    4
  • Views:
    598

Last Updated: January 16, 2018


Book Direct - No Service Fee

Description

Paquera may be off the beaten path of Costa Rica but nearby a diversity of extraordinary beaches! It's surrounded by natural beauty and the peaceful laid back feeling takes you back of how it use to be. The house is meant for the budget minded individuals or families. Having AC, now having Hot Water ONLY in SHOWER (see pic), Cable TV, General Housekeeping/ONLY mid week or as needed, linen & towels, Body Soap & Shampoo. Access to ALL amenities next door property (Pool, BBQ, Picnic Tables etc.)
 
 
SPACE: This is a one story house approximately of about 60 square meters having it's own private car parking, there are security cameras aimed to it from our next door property. Though it's rare having any security issues we have taken the precautions with also having bars on door and windows.
 
 
KITCHEN: ONLY COLD WATER available but it's complete with a new 4 burner gas stove oven, full size refrigerator, complemented with small electrical appliances with kitchen utensils, cookware of basic pots and pans. As seen in pictures.
 
BEDROOMS: There is NO closet or dresser in the bedrooms but a small shelf to hang some clothes.
 
MAIN ATTRACTION ON PROPERTY:
 
The beautiful hummingbirds visiting our feeders located on our next door property, all the amenities offered on next door property is available to you too.
 
WI-FI CONNECTION:
 
At the moment it's poor at the Casita, I'm hoping to fix it on my next visit there March 21st. In the meantime, you still have FREE Wi-fi connection outside by the pool/office area and BBQ/Picnic Area .
 
GUEST ACCESS:
 
Everything... you're welcome to stroll around the entire property and help yourself to any of the organic seasonal fruits we may have growing (mangoes, guava, bananas, noni, papayas, sugar cane, coconuts, soursop/guanavana and hopefully avocados one day)! There's also an empty 3rd room in the house.
 
INTERACTION:
 
As much as you like... I'm usually in the USA but we have FREE Magic Jack connection from the office, to reach me or any other USA calls you need to make... Feel free to approach gardener/handyman, that helps with the maintenance or any general repairs and the girls who will try their best in keeping your room comfortable during your stay. Our staff is limited in speaking English and would want to respect your privacy but there's no language barrier, to making you feel at home, so if there's anything you need, please feel free to ask.
 
THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
 
We are in the small town of Paquera of about 2500 people where everybody is friendly and helpful, most use bikes and motorcycles as their main transportation. Not being over populated, nature abounds and greets you right outside your door step.
 
GETTING AROUND:
 
By foot will get you there and to the Bus Stop across the street or we can always call you a Taxi... We're in walking distance to the downtown area of Paquera, where you'll find markets for your main staples and other businesses (Bank, ATM, Gas Station, Clinic, Pharmacy, Dentist, Sodas/Ice Cream Parlor, Barber/Hairdresser, Police Station and Fire Department). TIP: we suggest 4x4 with GPS for this area. Beaches are Free Access but Curu Reserve, Bahia Rica Tours and/or other activities have additional fees, you can check them out on their websites.
 
If our Cozy Casita is not available on date requested, please check the availability of my other 16 cabins at a less price because they are NOT houses or have kitchens. We also have special rates for GROUPS (6 people and up) or if you want to rent all 16 cabins, you would have to contact us direct for special booking group rate prices. Airbnb is not set up to do this unless you want to book them all from Airbnb at "as is" rates.
 
RATES:
 
Please note there is a minimum stay of 3 nights and an additional $10 for each additional guest, after 2 people. More than 4 people, will reach maximum capacity according to beds and after that, ONLY SPONGE FOAMS would then be only available, to sleep on the FLOOR (for same additional price). The Cozy Casita $54/pn is the price for 1-2 people or $64/pn in Easter Season. It will be an additional $10 pp/pn up to 4 people. Only flexibility in price for a single person would apply to our cabins.
 
LOCATION
~ Downtown- Aprox 5-10 min walk
~ Paquera Ferry- Aprox 10 min self drive
~ Beaches range from 20 to 40 min self drive
To Playa Organos, Playa Pochote, Playa Pajaros,Tambor
~GOLF at The Delfines at Tambor 30 min ~ Bahia Rica Tours- Aprox 10-15 min self drive
Offering a variety of excursions: Sport fishing, Sea kayaking, Boat
Tours to Isla Tortuga and Isla San Lucas, Bioluminescent night tour
Kayaking, Snorkeling and monkey boat tours, to seasonal whale and
dolphin watching tours!
~ Bus Stop across the street, takes you to and from Ferry or other *cities:
*Tambor- 40 min self driveBeach Front Resort offers All Inclusive Day Passes
*Cobano- 45 min self drive
*Mal Pais- 1Hr- 1 Hr self drive
*Santa Teresa- 1 Hr self ldrive
*Montezuma- 1 Hr self drive
Offers Butterfly Farms, Zip lining and IslandTours
~ Curu Reserve- Aprox 30 min drive (MAIN ATTRACTION/75 ACRES)
Adult Entry Fees $12pp subject to change please call Reserve for InfoAt front entry gate of Curu Reserve, you pay guard CASH (colones or
dollars) for Curu Entry Fee. Unstable electricity makes technology
spotty in that area, the guard will never have a credit card machine
there available and you don't pay him for ANY tours. You will also be
requested to write your names and where your from in a Guest Book
which is mandated by and sent to SINAC (National System of
Conservation Areas) which is part of the Ministry of Environment and
Energy or MINAE of Costa Rica who is the administrator of the nation's
national parks, conservation areas, and other protected natural areasYou'll see monkeys, other native wildlife and or random exceptional
animals that need rehab... Tours offered by Turismo Curu
include Daily Tours to Isla Tortuga, snorkeling or diving on
the way there and the Bio-luminescent night tours. The park is filled
with different level nature trail/hikes, that end in different beaches.
PLEASE NOTE: Turismo Curu Tours are independent from Curu Reserve, though operating in Curu. They also have an office in Paquera which they take credit cards and may add Curu's Reserve Entry Fee, to their Tour package. They also offer to Mapi's guests, round trip transport, ONLY at 7AM, for 1000 colones/$2 pp each way. Once entering the Reserve, you drive aprox 2KM, to reach Reception Center and Turismo Curu and you can also pay there for the TOURS instead of Paquera. Though they may have credit card machine, they may not be reliable in the Reserve due to the instability of electrical issues (remember these are 3rd world issues). So you need to have enough cash on hand as to not waste your time to go back into town for it... If you don't have time to see the Reserve, the entry fee is non negotiable. It's up to you to decide, what's most time/cost effective to your circumstance. These are our *suggestions as to get the best out of your time at Curu:
* Take tours from another Tour Company, like Bahia Rica and pay entry
fee to Curu another day, to be able to see the Reserve ALL day.
* Pay Curu Entry fee, see only PART of the RESERVE early morning (when
most animals are active and coolest to hike). It took me 3 hours, taking
my time and did the Toledo, Finca de Monos, Cangrejal and Mirador
trails and did an afternoon tour, leaving 12:30PM returning to Reserve
when it closed.
* Pay Curu Entry Fee take a TOUR early morning, returning to Reserve at
about 12:30PM and see PART of Reserve in the afternoon. When
choosing morning tour, most people enjoy their time at tour and refuse
to return to Reserve which means they come back at the end of the da when Reserve will close and not have time to see it. Regardless, Curu
Entry Fee won't be reimbursed or negotiated because it's payment to
ENTER the Reserve, it's your choice of how you want to spend your
time there...
 
STAR RATINGS & REVIEWS:
 
We're only a 2-3 star category Budget Hotel and Casita, we appreciate that in your reviews reflect this and not on improvements to be a 5 star category... There are some things we cannot change or not within our budget, as to meet High End attention to detail accommodations, nor we have control over 3rd world issues etc... It doesn't mean you can't still give us a 5 star review, if you focus on cleanliness, service and if listing is "as described" etc. We depend on your 5 star ratings/reviews to succeed and understand, we need to EARN it, we appreciate if you give us that opportunity, to make that happen while you're THERE. Thank you for understanding and support.
 
VALUE:
 
We supply you with the ESSENTIALS you need for your comfort, passing on the savings to you:
~ Clean towels & Linens, Toilet Tissue
~ Daily Maid Service (except for Sundays)
~ Mini Fridge
~ AC
~ Body Soap and Shampoo
~ Hot Water
~ Cable TV
~ All Rooms have private entries and bathrooms
~ Onsite Hummingbird Sanctuary and Chicken Coop
~ Open Semi Kitchen BBQ Area (Basic pots, pans, utensils upon request)
~ Jetted Pool with Waterfall (See Pics, this is NOT a large Pool)
~ One public bathroom with outside shower by pool & office
~ Complimentary Seasonal Fruits growing on property
~ Local Menus offering Express/Room Delivery are placed in cabins
~ Security Cameras
~ FREE Parking
~ Complimentary Coffee and Use of Microwave at Office (by request)
~ Laundry (may be available for additional charge ask front desk)
~ Nearby Beaches
~ WALKING distance to Downtown and Bus Stop across the street
~ Refundable Deposits on Beach Chairs, Coolers, Fishing Gear, Etc...
 
CAMPING:
Bring your own tents, toiletries and gear!
$5 pp/pn plus Additional Cleaning Deposit Fees start at $25-$175 depending how many are in the party. Upon evaluation, deposits will be returned. Airbnb is not set up for this, please contact us, to make arrangements.
 
OPEN SEMI KITCHEN BBQ AREA:
Is available to all our guests at "first come, first serve" basis. Please be advised to not leave any personal cooking items behind, we or other guests, will not be held responsible for it. Please show consideration for the next guest by cleaning up your area...
 
MAPI'S RESTAURANT:
It's with great sorrow, the Chinese Restaurant that was at Mapi's has closed and relocated to center of town! But if you've been dreaming about a Restaurant business in this country or ANY other business of your choice, you can easily transform this building! Check this out while you're here and make it your reality! We have it up for Rent or Sale, the Sale price including Liquor License and small 3B/1B House on the back is only $250,000! =)
 
HUMMING BIRDS:
You're welcomed to participate in the unique experience of hand feeding these beautiful mesmerizing tiny birds! Ask the girls to give you a small hand feeder... Best time to try this, is asking when they bring down the feeders to clean them because that's when they're swarming looking for a feeder and may be enticed to feed from your hands!
TIP: Stand still and as quiet as you can
 
ACTIVITIES & TOURS:
We will try our best, recommending and/or calling to reserve for you, popular local tours & activities, according to your interests. There is a book at the office which is filled with different places to see and do in the area...
 
MASSAGES:
We also offer in-room massages (subject to if therapist is in town and her schedule). She's not just a certified massager but a Physical Therapist, she's the BEST I ever had (dealing with lymph issues, not many therapists are familiar with lymph massages, she's not only familiar with this but executes it very well) . When I thought maybe it was my personal viewpoint, I had another guest who is an avid travel cycler and seen also many massage therapists, being his legs get tight and cramped, also claimed she is the very best he had too! The reason, she's out of town is because she also teaches her techniques outside the area... It will be a special treat, if we're able to make an appointment for you! And I find her prices to be reasonable, for in room service. =)
 
BEST SEAFOOD:
Highly recommend "Las Vegas" also known as "La Puruja" (about 2 minutes down the gravel road from us). Don't under estimate its unique atmosphere, it's the best fresh fish, I ever had with very large portions, that you can share or ask for the smaller portion.
 
STANDARDS OF COSTA RICA:
~ Cold Water is the standard and so most prefer it that way (we have 10 units with Hot water and 6 that have cold water).
~ AC, is not the standard because many parts of Costa Rica are quite cool but our area is quite HOT, don't be fooled and make sure when offered AC, they're not offering just floor fans or ceiling fans which will just circulate hot air, we offer true AC.
~ Gratuities or Tips are not standard in Costa Rica, therefore you're not under any obligation but if you feel you have been given exceptional service, it will not jeopardize our employees to accept it, on the contrary, it will be appreciated being standard wages are low... We do suggest to check your meal tickets when dining out, to avoid double tipping being some establishments will already add it in, in form of a % service fee.
~ Septic Tanks are standard so most places have garbage next to toilets, not just for diapers or sanitary pads but to actually throw ALL used toilet paper. We have septic tanks and this is the custom, it does help but we understand not all our guests will be doing this, regardless, we still have our septic tanks cleaned year round...
 
DISCLOSURE:
We can only suggest and recommend other businesses we feel are doing good. That doesn't mean we are affiliated, taking commissions or discounts from them, we work independently from them. We feel we're doing our part with word of mouth, to support this little community and as a good Host, I believe in sharing, the high lights of what I know of the area with you. But we know how hard it is here for many businesses and they may begin to totter, being we're so busy running our own business, we may fall short to those expectations being we have little time to continue visiting these places. That said, WE can't take responsibility of how they run their businesses, how they treated you or liable for what happens to you, if you decide go there. We do WELCOME to listen to your experiences bad or good, as to update our listings, as to still mention them or not, to our future guests would be all we could do...

 

Facebook Link :-https://www.facebook.com/Mapis-Cabins-146117085428644/

 

Policies

 
50% refund if canceled at least 7 days before arrival date.
100% refund if canceled at least 14 days before arrival date.
 

Amenities & Activities

Barbecue
  • Community Charcoal Barbecue
  • Community BBQ
  • The BBQ Area has a counter top 2 gas burner, electrical sockets, for any small electrical appliances you'd like to bring, also a sink with running water and light for night cooking. There's a grid for wood burning BBQ and picnic tables.
Bathroom
  • Shower
Bedding
  • Twin Bed
  • Double Bed
  • There are 2 bedrooms, one having 2 TWIN Beds and the other having 1 DOUBLE Bed
Bedroom Extras
  • Private Bathroom
Cooling Comfort
  • Air Conditioning
Dining Room
  • Dining Table Seats
Entertainment
  • Cable TV
  • Television
Games
  • Games
General
  • No Smoking
  • Linens Provided
Guest Services
  • Concierge Service
  • Though there is no concierge service our staff will try their best to help you make reservations and call for in room service for massages and or manicure/pedicures offered in the area and I also placed in the house menus of local cuisine who deliver.
Home Office
  • Wireless Internet Access
  • Wi-Fi is not available at the present time, on our next visit March 21, we hope to fix that, in the mean time, you can connect to FREE Wi-fi by the office, next to pool and/or picnic area.
Kitchen
  • Gas Stove
  • Microwave
  • Utensils
  • Pots and Pans
  • Blender
  • Stove
  • Oven
  • Coffee Maker
  • Refrigerator
  • Kitchen
Laundry
  • No Washer/Dryer
  • Laundry may be available by our housekeeping or office staff, you would need to ask them for price according to how much you have and by when you need it, will be necessary as to confirm availability... TIP: the more advance notice you give them, the better probabilities you have in having availability and getting it back in a timely manner.
Layout and Decor
  • Spacious
  • There is another 3rd empty back room.
Maid Service
  • Mid Week Maid Service
Parking
  • Parking Available
  • You have your own private parking any where along the house you feel comfortable. The house sits on the back of the Restaurant so it's very private, the Restaurant is closed at this time, so there's no in or out of people...
Swimming Pool
  • Private Outdoor Pool
  • This is a SMALL jetted pool, just ask our office staff or housekeeping to turn on the massage jets for you and waterfall, for a relaxing experience.
Transportation
  • Public Transportation Available
  • We highly reccommend 4x4 for this area but the Bus Stop is across the street able to take you anywhere and for occasions to Curu Reserve, Curu Turismo, can pick you up only at 7AM from Mapi's for $2 each way pp. The bus is cheaper but only leaves you off at front of gate where you would then have to walk about 2KM to reach the Reception Center inside and a Taxi will charge aprox $20 each way. To local beaches you would have to take Taxis because they're not near to main roads which can be costly but the bus can take you to Paquera Ferry where there is a public beach next to the Ferry or as far as Tambor, Santa Teresa, Mal Pais and Montezuma which you can walk to those beaches from the bus stops.
Nearby Activities
  • Bird Watching
  • Boating
  • Deep Sea Fishing
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Hunting
  • Kayaking
  • Live Entertainment
  • Sightseeing
  • Sightseeing Cruises
  • Snorkeling
  • Swimming
  • Whale Watching
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • We highly recommend Bahia Rica Tours a professional lovely couple, that offer kayaking, island hopping, sports fishing, snorkeling, bioluminescence night tours, seasonal whale or dolphin watch and can make personal packages, please contact them through their website or facebook. Also Turismo Curu located in Paquera, operate out of Curu Reserve, they are independent from Curu Reserve but offer many things, excursions to Isla Tortuga, Quesera Beach with snorkeling and refreshments included or horseback riding etc. please visit their website for more details... Please be advised that there's an entry fee to Curu Reserve and if you do any excursions with Curu Turismo, you may not have time to see the Reserve, the entry fee is non negotiable so it's up to you how you want to use your time once entering Curu Reserve. My suggestion is doing some trails in the morning when it's most coolest and animals most active and then go do a boat excursion in the afternoon with Turismo Curu or do your excursions with Bahia Rica and another day just pay the $12 entry fee pp into Curu Reserve to do the Reserve all Day.
Nearby Attractions
  • Near Beach
  • Near Golf
  • Near Town
  • Near Restaurants

Additional Rate Information

 

Refundable damage deposit $100 


Availability




Location

Why it is Famous : It's not so famous,it's what makes it unique being it's not been changed by heavy commercial tourism.

Facts About Destination : Costa Rica is known for NOT having HOT water or air conditioning. Though there are many areas of Costa Rica where it's really cool and not needed our area is very HOT and many of the accommodations only offer ceiling fans or floor fans and they think, that's air conditioning, don't be fooled, be specific and ASK, if this is an issue for you. We don't have central AC but true air conditioning units. Also the norm is to NOT tip in Costa Rica but if you feel people have given you special treatment, please don't hesitate to show your gratitude, being their pay is very little... But at Restaurants make sure you look at your bill because sometimes gratuities are already included in form of a"service charge" and so you don't want to double tip. Also we deal with 3rd world issues, the electricity is not always dependable and sometimes we may have temporary black outs and surges which affects our electrical devices, like TV, internet, it's why we always have things unplugged, if not in use. And many areas of the country runs on septic tanks so they want you to put in trash, all used toilet tissues, so things could flush more efficiently. It's all PURA VIDA in Costa Rica!

Area Information : Best Fish Restaurant/Soda Las Vegas~ Kinchos for Pizza~ Burgers, Tacos, Burritos and ICE CREAM Hedelaria Passion~ Home Cooking Guadelupe across Pali Supermarket~ Best Fried Chicken is Willy's Fried Chicken~ Best Chinese is Chun San at Willy's Fried Chicken~ CURU RESERVE is the MAIN attraction! So many beaches starting from closest to farthest: Organos, Pochote, Playa Pajaros, Tambor, Santa Teresa, Mal Pais, Montezuma. There's Island Hopping: Isla Tortuga, Alcatraz, and others... whale watching, dolphin watch, sports fishing, Golf Resort nearby and the MAGICAL bio lumensense waters at night! There's a great clinic in case you get sick, a fire house, one gas station, one bank, one ATM, one Pharmacy, even a Police Station. There's Mega Super and Pali Supermarket, you also have a Dentist for general procedures...

Why visit : Very peaceful, nearby so many different beautiful beaches, great fishing, a small tight knit community that takes you back to the "good old days" where everybody knows everybody and says Hello! If you want to get away from the fast pace, smog, heavy traffic and enjoy nature at it's best and just be able to sit back and relax, this is why you should visit here!

How to reach : If coming in from San Jose Airport, take a direct Taxi to Puntarenas Ferry, then take the Paquera Ferrty, once docked at Paquera take another Taxi to Mapi's. The cheapest way is taking a Taxi to the Bus Terminal from the airport and get the bus "DIRECT" to Puntarenas, once getting to the Puntarenas Bus Terminal, take a Taxi to the Puntarenas Ferry. You can also take a connection flight by smaller airplane vessels offered to land in Tambor.

Best time to visit : December - May

Transport system : Buses and Taxis

Precautions : You can easily be fooled by the laid back trusting people of Paquera by leaving your doors unlocked, etc.and windows open but be aware that NOT everybody is from Paquera, sometimes visitors from outside Paquera come to visit and bring with them bad habits, so please don't let your guard down, though the area tempts you to do so... As like everywhere else take the normal precautions of not leaving valuables on plain sight or easy access.

Life style culture : Bikers & Motor cycles is main transport of area, the area's main business is Agriculture and Tourism.

Languages spoken : Spanish



Personal Information

Rating :-

Guest Reviews

Treylon

Great House!    Mar 02,2017

  •         

Great house great location after a far travel. Very quick to respond, clean and comfy

Adela

Nice!    Mar 02,2017

  •         

Mapis house is a near to ferry from Puntaneras, we had nice evening there. We were traveling to Montezuma so we spent there one night, it was what we were looking for. Have a bath, sledp well and some good advices for travelling. We got everything. I can recomand! Thanks a lot to Frank for his usefull advices..!

Megan

This place was great!    Mar 01,2017

  •         

This place was great! It felt out of the way and private, but it was only maybe a 5 minute walk to the grocery store and a great pizza place (Kincho\'s). There is also a gas station right down the road, so anything you need is right there! The place was VERY clean, and much bigger than we were expecting. As they say, there is no hot water, but that is hard to find anywhere but a resort. Honestly, the cool (not really cold, just cool) showers felt great after a full day of activities. The bus station is just down the road, but the bus will also stop for you right in front of the cabin if you wave it down. There are also plenty of taxis if you choose to go that route, although it would help to know more Spanish than we do if you need help calling one! Our Spanish is lousy, but we were able to figure things out with the woman at the reception desk. She was very nice and patient with us! The residents of the tiny town are also very friendly and helpful. We spent an entire day just walking around and exploring the area. It\'s beautiful! We didn\'t want to leave!

Marcos Cifuentes

Excelente!!    Mar 01,2017

  •         

Es una casa fuera de la ciudad que a lo que yo buscaba fue excelente!! La atención de Frank es demasiada buena, muy atento en todo momento!! Y fue muy amable al esperarnos hasta muy tarde ya que tuvimos unos inconvenientes en el camino la cual nos dificulto llegar temprano a la casa!!