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Ocean front house! Escape to nature. Costa Rican private paradise near Parrita

Beachfront holiday home with private pool and kitchen

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Typical Costa Rican cottage with plunge pool surrounded by nature and ocean
Your private ocean front tropical sanctuary
Private and quiet. Dream away the day in the plunge pool
Feel the ocean breeze from your own covered ceramic terrace
Relax in your own private the gazebo

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6102.2 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Bejuco Beach
  • Place, Esterillos Beach
  • Place, Palo Seco Beach
  • Airport, Quepos (XQP)

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

MASTER

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Indoor bath

Toilet · Shower only

Outdoor Bath House

Toilet · Shower only · Outdoor shower

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Ocean front house! Escape to nature. Costa Rican private paradise near Parrita

Enjoy your own private typical Costa Rican ocean front house away from all the hustle and bustle of tourists.

It is a beautiful property with a serene rustic home right on the beach - Playa Bandera. Ten minute drive to the quaint town of Parrita and just 30 minutes drive to Quepos (Manuel Antonio) or Jaco!

Enjoy the serenity, mature palms, and fauna while listening to breaking waves of the ocean.

You get the benefit of serene ocean front living, low traffic, privacy, and high pleasure. There are monkeys in the trees, parrots in the morning, and lots of beautiful Costa Rican nature right outside your door.

Walk the beach, or just sit back and enjoy visits from monkeys, scarlet macaws, and sloths.

Serenity, privacy at this remote nature sanctuary.

Pura Vida,

El Pelicano Beach House

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
Camping is prohibited on, or in front of property.
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 9 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
Renters MUST declare pets prior to booking.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
4 night stay MINIMUM, 15 night stay MAXIMUM
CHECK-IN HOURS: Check-in is from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm. A $100USD fee will be charged for check-ins after 10:00 pm. Funds will be drawn from deposit.
No camping or group event. Max 6 renters - 1 pet allowed. All MUST be declared prior to booking. Any violation will result cancellation, removal.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Camping is prohibited on, or in front of property.
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
Safety features at this property include a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Parrita

Located in Parrita, this holiday home is on the beach. Marina Pez Vela and Brisas Wellness Center are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Palo Seco Beach and Bejuco Beach. Travelling with kids? Consider La Iguana Chocolate and Rancho Tipico don Juan. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Holiday homes in ParritaOpens in a new window
Map
Parrita, Punteranus

What's nearby

  • Bejuco Beach - 29 min drive - 19.4 km
  • Esterillos Beach - 36 min drive - 26.1 km
  • Palo Seco Beach - 36 min drive - 19.4 km
  • Marina Pez Vela - 58 min drive - 44.1 km
  • Manuel Antonio Nature Park & Wildlife Refuge - 59 min drive - 44.8 km

Getting around

  • Quepos (XQP) - 54 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Wilson - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪Bar & Rest. El Puente - ‬25 min drive
  • ‪China Wall - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Típico Rafailita - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪La Cañada - ‬24 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Ocean front house! Escape to nature. Costa Rican private paradise near Parrita have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is Ocean front house! Escape to nature. Costa Rican private paradise near Parrita pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Ocean front house! Escape to nature. Costa Rican private paradise near Parrita?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Ocean front house! Escape to nature. Costa Rican private paradise near Parrita?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Ocean front house! Escape to nature. Costa Rican private paradise near Parrita located?

Nestled on the beach, this Parrita holiday home is within 12 mi (20 km) of Palo Seco Beach, Bejuco Beach and Playa Esterillos Este. Esterillos Beach and Hermosa Beach are also within 20 miles (32 km).

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 16 out of 24 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 24 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 24 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 24 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Check-in

8.8/10

Communication

8.0/10

Location

8.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Curtis T., MENDON

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beach paradise, facilities basic

Playa Bandera was uncrowded and gorgeous, exceeding expectations. The house was tidy and clean with good security/locks. Monkeys visited. The beach is close. We enjoyed the pool and the gazebo. Sergio provided several unsolicited suggestions for tours/activities, and provided helpful guidance on tides. We really enjoyed Chucho, who lives close by and stopped in from time to time. He was very helpful. Suggestions for improvement: 1. Provide hot water to the kitchen sink. We had to heat water to wash dishes. 2. Improve water pressure, which was barely a drip at times. 3. Clearly disclose that the home has only 1 bath; the other is outside. 4. Update directions for finding the place. The firehouse where you turn off the highway is different colors now. The gate to the property is not black and there is no "El Pelicano" sign as shown on the instructions. The result was we drove past the entry several times until after dark, and were late arriving, resulting in frustration for us and an unhappy greeting by our host. 5. It would be nice if some basic supplies were provided, such as dish soap. A boogie board would be a great plus. These constructive suggestions notwithstanding, we enjoyed our stay and would do it again. The location is fabulous.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jana R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation

We loved this home. So cozy and well set up for families. Great communication and support from the property manager. Right on a quiet beach, close to nature and tones of wildlife. My 4 sons and I enjoyed the space and did not want to leave
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

john g.

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Do not waste your money!

This primitive property is not as represented on vrbo.com. Plumbing was non existent except for an outhouse. Red fire ants were located throughout the property. The grounds had been recently burned and ash was littered everywhere and up to the beach access. There was not one inch of the property that was even somewhat comfortable. The property manager was adamant that personal safety precautions be taken as the area was not safe. Basic comforts of a home were not available to include dishes, appliances, linens, towels, etc.. I stayed at the property for approximately one half hour in which time I had to book another property. The host was not at all interested in refunding any portion of the money I paid. This property is not worthy of being listed on on this website, much less any other platform. If your goal is to provide you or your family with an acceptable and comfortable place to vacation, this is not it! I now have to struggle with my credit card company for some relief. I am out a substantial amount of money for a property that is not accurately depicted in the posting. Even if I was on a stricter budget, this property is not even worth half of what I paid. I was hopeful to resolve this issue with the host, but that has not been the case. Horrible neighborhood, horrible directions, horrible location and the worst experienced I have had thus far. Absolutely distressing and a complete waste of my hard earned money.
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

JEAN FRANÇOIS B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradis sur terre

Magnifique et calme de la nature je recommande à 100 %
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Kym L.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

3⭐️ (but could easily be 5⭐️)

On the 6-hour drive from Osa to Parrita, I discovered our SIM card wasn’t working and I wasn’t able to contact the property manager, Sergio, to give him our ETA. We decided to just use the “prep guide” provided by the owner to find the beach house. The guide gave detailed directions to the house, along with a picture of the property showing a black gate and a large white “El Pelicano” sign, so we had no doubt we’d find it. We drove up and down that dirt road numerous times not seeing the sign or gate as advertised. We considered that we’d been scammed. We drove back toward Parrita to see if someone could help us. Eventually we got in touch with Sergio who said he’d meet us where we were in 30 minutes to lead us to the house. Sergio is a blunt, opinionated fellow. We felt properly chastised about not contacting him earlier. Fair enough. He showed us around the house, pointing out a few things, for example only to put about 2 pieces of ice in the blender because he’s had to replace the plastic container part twice already, that the “accessories” on the inside shower (the head and handheld combo) decreases the water pressure, and if the stove doesn’t light with the clicker, we should go buy some matches. When I mentioned there being only one roll of toilet paper in the bathroom, he assured me there was a roll in the outside bathroom as well. We would have to buy more, if we wanted. (Note: there was no TP at all in the outside bathroom.) We don’t hold anything against Sergio for any of these issues, he’s just doing his job to his best ability. When I asked about the gate and sign, he just shrugged it off and indicated the sign had been removed and the gate painted brown. I said the picture should be updated in the “prep guide,” to which he replied that if people contact him, he meets them somewhere and leads them to the house. It seemed a circular conversation. PROS: The property is lovely. We saw many capuchin monkeys, geckos, crabs, and different birds. The plunge pool is very refreshing. The leaf skimmer, although ripped along the edges, works fine to clear the tiny leaves. The gazebo is welcoming though it could use better lighting for evening reading or game playing. - Shower water temp/pressure are inconsistent - The blender is horrible - Toaster - only 1 burner works - Supply 2 rolls of TP for each toilet - Have hand soap in bathroom - Stock garbage bags **Contact Sergio AHEAD of time and for ANY issues, not the owner**
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Kelly V.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Rustic, nice and off the beaten path

At the end we had a lovely stay. Neglected and needs some TLC. Understand that we were first visitors since COVID. PROS: abundant wildlife, private property, Beautiful beach (after garbage was picked up), nice open home with plenty of room, lovely bathroom, spacious kitchen, comfy beds, well stocked, books, games, large rancho, plenty of plug ins throughout and lovely artwork in home. CONS: entrance to property can bottom out your vehicle, beware, El Pelicano sign is hard to see as brush is over grown, no TV as stated, beach was full of garbage, Palapa by beach (ranchito) had no roof when we arrived, 2 of the 3 lounge chairs are broken, dirty grill area, only 1 bulb in rancho, yard needed raking and clean up, musty sheets and linens throughout, biting ants all over, low water pressure. There were other sundry items, but things that were basic and simple and should have been taken care of prior to arrival. We ran out of propane in the kitchen on Christmas Day, day 4. We left the property better than we received it, especially the outside areas.
Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2020

8/10 Good

Claude B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

propriété en pleine nature

Très bon accueil de Sergio.Propriété calme et tranquille en pleine nature.Tous les matins nous avions la compagnie des singes capucins. Le seul petit problème,l'éloignement de Parrita et des commerces qu'il faut rejoindre par 6 kms de piste.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

Ryan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A week in paradise

This house is in a beautiful location but be prepared to travel the 12 to 15 minutes on the dirt road to get there. I would recommend renting a vehicle with high clearance which would make this trip much faster but it's not required. The pool was a great benefit to cool down during the day but the beach is only 2 minutes away with a short walk through the private property. The town of Pirrita had wonderful local food and the people were very friendly. Pirrita is a very small town but if you are looking for some exciting night life Jaco is only 50 minutes away. The national park of Manuel Antonio is a must see and is only an hour south. Another amazing part of this house / property is the amount of wild life in the backyard. We saw monkeys and sloths during our stay. Over all this is a great location and a wonderful place to stay. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a very peaceful and relaxing trip to Costa Rica.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Lisa F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise on the Beach

El Pelicano is a lovely 3-bedroom house on a huge piece of property with many palm trees. The house is very comfortable and well-appointed, with a full kitchen with everything you need. The plunge pool is wonderful at the end of a hot day, to sit in and relax with a cool drink and watch the monkeys. An absolutely pristine, quiet and stunning beach is a mere 200-metre walk through the private yard - there are so few people on this beach it's like having a private beach all to yourself. The people and neighbours you do see from time to time are several metres away and are always friendly with a wave or a chat. Don't spend your money at the nearby Manuel Antonio park (although that is a gorgeous park) - we had a troop of capuchins hanging out in the yard every day. They got more and more used to seeing us and tolerated us better each day. The property is remote - which is what we wanted. It's a short 15-minute drive (on a gravel road with a few challenging areas) from the town of Parrita, which is a lovely small town that has everything you need. Quepos is half an hour drive away, and Jaco about 45 minutes. Quepos has a fantastic farmers market on Saturday mornings - a great place to stock up on all your fruits and veggies. We can't say enough good things about this house and its location. If you want a peaceful, private, quiet holiday, then this is the place for you. Sergio, the property manager is readily available to help with anything you might need. He came and met us on the highway so we wouldn't get lost, but it really isn't all that difficult to find. The instructions were terrific. Chucho, the property's caretaker (he lives just down the road) was wonderful as well, coming by to check on the pool and pointing out monkeys and bringing us fresh coconuts. Our stay was so peaceful and stress-free. We will definitely be going back in future. El Pelicano is truly paradise.
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2019

6/10 Okay

Jessica P.

Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

Okay

Our stay was okay. We booked 8 days but ended up leaving early. Pros - beautiful bathroom and spacious kitchen, great outdoor gazebo, pool was a must because the surf was too big to swim in the ocean, beach was great for walking, host Sergio was kind and helpful. There is a fantastic seafood restaurant up at the highway that we enjoyed a few times. Cons - the property felt a bit run down. Lawn chairs were broken and dirty, pool net was broken and ripped and the pool toys were mildewy, we had to buy a new kitchen sponge and dish soap and wash all of the dishes before we could use them. This could be an excellent stay if it was given some TLC. I feel the photos in the listing were taken a long time ago. The property is really big and the beach is very long to walk on and had incredible surf. It was fine but did not meet my expectations and I won’t return.

8/10 Good

Shannon C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

The closeness to a nearly secluded beach is what makes this property special. We had a great time playing in the waves- which are big but fun (you don't need to go deep to have fun- the waves were strong even at knee-deep water). We tried a few yummy restaurants nearby and made a trek to Manuel Antonio which wasn't too far away. Thanks for the great time!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Yorleny D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Not enough words

Not enough words to describe this experience. First of all, we got lost coming from San José (completely our fault). On the way I contacted Sergio and he was so helpful and understanding. He provided us with guidance throughout the way and even waited on us at the main road, he wanted to make sure we made it home safely. At the house he gave us a tour and made sure we didnt have any questions before he left, even said that we could reach out to him if anything came up. Was very kind and friendly. I will always be grateful. The house was great! We were able to cook meals for the family in a kitchen that was fully equiped with everything we needed. The rest of the house is very spacious and very nicely decorated. The yard is very nice, very clean and has a beautiful garden and pool- a great way to end the day! We also made friends with "chucho" and he was very friendly and helpful. Brought us some coconut water and also some fresh coconut (my all-time favorite). The neightbors are very friendly and willing to help. Overall, I have nothing but good things to say, we are very pleased and happy we found this place and will definitely come back. We are leaving with great memories and made good friends along the way.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Thierry B.

belle situation sur la plage

propriétaire sympathique Dommage que l'espace cuisine soit si sale (ainsi que la vaisselle)
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Melissa C.

Peaceful, restful beach house

Our family of 5 (including three teenage boys) was very comfortable in this sweet beach house. We found the home delightful, with everything we needed to cook meals and function for two weeks. The outdoor amenities (plunge pool, cabana, etc) were a wonderful addition. Beautiful beach felt very private as we seldom saw other people. The caretakers, Sergio and Maria, were welcoming and accommodating, and were able to put us in touch with a wonderful surf instructor and fishing guide, as well as provide information about town and sites. The boys spent every day practicing their surfing skills. We loved seeing macaws in the trees above us, and looking for monkeys on our daily walks. There is no air conditioning in the house, but we didn't need it as the house is built to maximize airflow and it stayed cool. We slept and functioned very comfortably, even when using the stove to cook. We loved our time at El Pelicano and hope to return soon - in our two short weeks it felt like home.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Tracy W.

Peaceful, beautiful location, wonderful people.

I stayed here with my two young daughters for a month. The house is typical, nothing fancy but everything you need. The property manager and caretaker are amazing and above average and so warm and kind. We loved it and plan on staying here again. For potential travelers, I would like to offer a heads up that although stated there is no washing machine, the nearest laundromat is about a one hour drive each way. And although a fantastic beach, parents of little ones heed the tide times, as this is a very turbulent beachfront. Overall, highly recommend, beautiful location, beautiful people and a great place to feel like a local.
Stayed 30 nights in Jun 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Genevieve M.

Absolute heaven!

I cannot say enough about this property - it was exactly what my family was looking for. The house is clean, well laid out and has all you need. The property is lovely - the pool, outdoor shower/bathroom, and gazebo - right outside the house are all really nice. The beach is amazing - in a week we saw one person the entire time. The little thatched gazebo on the beach is perfect to stay out of the sun but still sit by the beach. Our kids loved going back and forth between the beach and the pool and hanging in the hammocks. The property is somewhat off the beaten path (which is what we wanted!) but good to know it is a 15 minute drive on a dirt road from the main highway. We hope to go back someday!!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

nadia s.

great location super beach

The cozy cabin was great for the 4 of us (all adults). It was just as pictured and described. It was a little remote for the likings of our 2 adult children, but for us, it was great. It was a secluded beach with great dark sand. You could walk miles in either direction. The water was warm with some waves which was great for swimming! although not so great for surfing. The location was good as it was close to Jaco, Quepos and Manuel Antonio. The Rainmakers hike was fantastic as was the craft beer at the end of the hike. All in all we had a great time at El Pelicano. Hope to return!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Joanie B.

Rustic house, but beautiful beach

The location of this house and the outdoor are really nice. We were alone all week on the beach, which is really clean. There's an umbrella and toys for kids that are provided, which is nice. The little pool is also nice for the kids and when the tide doesn't allows us to swim in the ocean. The people that welcomed us are really nice and available. The guard is also really sympathetic. However, the house is rustic. The kitchen is basic and with opened cabinets, so we had to clean everything we use for the first time. There's no hot water in the kitchen. We also had to provided some basic things in our opinion: hand soap, garbage bags, toilet paper... The toaster and BBQ were also out of order, which is not so good when it's really hot (no AC) and you don't want to open the gaz stove. The location is central, count 20 min to the city, 1 hr to Jaco and 1h15 to Manuel Antonio.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sara R.

Fantastic and great location!

This was our second time to rent this home. It was a wonderful experience both times. Sergio and Maria were extremely helpful and made sure we had everything we needed. The beach was perfect but it was also nice to just lay back in the hammocks or the pool!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jean R.

Great oasis perfectly located with the best beach!

You will find this great little oasis of a place where nature meets the pacific ocean. Hands down one of the best beaches I have ever seen surrounded by beautiful palm trees. Although it takes 2.5 hour drive by car from San Jose, once you get to this little paradise, the scenic drive is worth every minute. The house has all the amenities it needs and more. Beds were extremely comfortable and although the house doesn't have any AC, you absolutely sleep great as every room is equipped with large overhead fans. This beach house is strategically located between 2 great cities which provides you ample opportunities to experience the best that Costa Rica has to offer. Jaco has great shopping & restaurants and Quepos is the gateway to their National landmark "Manual Antonio National Park". These 2 cities couldn't be any different so highly recommend both to get a true flavor of what they have to offer. Make sure to stop at the local restaurant in Playa Palma and chef Pito Luis will cook you the best meal on the Pacific side of Costa Rica.... a must do! All in all, I highly recommend this beach house, it provides everything you need at a very affordable price. Best value in the area by a long shot! As they say in Costa Rica... Pura Vida "good living"!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Trina H.

Authentic Costa Rica!

I enjoyed my stay at El Pelicano. The house is charming, spacious (sleeps 6 comfortably), clean and has all of the basic amenities one would need. It is very much a rustic beach house and is perfect for travellers who want to steer clear of the touristy resorts and enjoy an authentic Costa Rican experience. The property is absolutely gorgeous…the house is nestled amongst a palm tree plantation just steps from the ocean. Located in Parrita, a small town between two tourist towns - Jaco and Manuel Antonio, the house is close enough to the attractions and everything you could possibly need, yet far enough away to feel like you're in your own private paradise. The sunsets are stunning from the beach. I would recommend El Pelicano and will be returning in December.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

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Perfect Vacation Spot

From the moment we arrived with our kids (age 12 and 15) we fell in love with the beauty and peacefulness of this bit of paradise. After looking at the pictures in the ad for weeks we felt right at home as soon we were at the house. It is as nice as the pictures show. The beach is the cleanest with the warmest water that we have ever experienced and we spent many hours in the water with our boogie boards. We bought them in Manuel Antonio for about $25/ea which is a little pricey....might be better places to buy them. We did rent a car since we wanted to do a number of day trips (visiting Manuel Antonio Park, zip-lining, snorkeling). We found that renting a car in the Quepos area was a lot more economical than renting at the airport. We used Zamar 2000, a private transport, to take us from the airport to the house. We only spent a week at the house and felt it was not nearly enough time. Definitely try out Pito's Restaurant just down the road and we also really enjoyed Huetar's which is on the highway. The caretakers, Sergio and Maria, were a wonderful source of information and the house was immaculate when we arrived. Highly recommend this place if you are looking for something that is private and off the beaten track. We did see monkeys, opossum, geckos and iguanas right on the property.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Dream Family Holiday!

We spent two blissful weeks at El Pelicano in January and would highly recommend it to anybody travelling with small children. We went with our 10-month old son, Max, and all had a brilliant time. We loved being on a stunning beach tucked far away from the crowds but also minutes away from great day or half-day adventures. The house is cool and well-equipped -- I swear the three of us have never slept that well! The grounds are beautiful. You can't beat lounging in the wee pool while looking past your personal coconut grove down to the sea. We found everything we needed for Max at the two grocery stores in nearby Parrita -- plenty of jarred baby food, even formula if you run out like we did. We also found that Max was pretty happy with any of the food we ordered at local restaurants. We brought a backpack to carry Max around in and took him everywhere with us -- on gorgeous hikes at Rainmaker (my partner loved the incredible hanging bridges there), waterfall trek at Sky Mountain and into Quepos and Manuel Antonio. Our days went something like this: sunrise walk on the beach at 6am, breakfast by the pool then off to explore a beach or inland adventure. Back to the house mid-afternoon to lounge and then walk the beach at sunset. Also, although the surf is pretty rough, it's fine to bodysurf and Pete actually surfed a few times. For restaurants -- give Pito's a try for sure but our favourite was Huetar's -- it's on the left-hand side of the road as you drive in to Parrita. AMAZING food! By the way, as Costa Ricans are very family-oriented and adore children, be prepared to meet lots of friendly people who will chat to you because of your kid(s). I swear Max's first words are going to be "Que lindo!". Although you won't see them too much, there are lovely neighbours up and down the beach. We have nothing but wonderful memories from our time at El Pelicano. It's the ideal home base for travellers who want both a peaceful time away from the crowds and access to a wonderful variety of active adventures up and down the coast. Have fun!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

El Pelicano review

My wife and I found this property on vacationrentals.com, and booked it for our end/beginning of the year vacation. We made a great decision. Joanna, the owner, is great to work with and will provide you with all of the information you need to enjoy your stay. Located off the beaten path, seclusion is the word here. It is centrally located between Jaco and Quepos - about a 20 minute drive from either. Along the road from either city are fruit stands (the best we thought was about a mile up the main highway on the way to Jaco - great watermelon, and you have to try the cold coconut with a straw in it!) places to eat, or cantinas to grab a beer after a day of activities. You drive through a palm plantation to get to the house, and when you arrive at El Pelicano, the green grass, the inviting wading pool, and the proximity to the beach let you know that you're in for a great time. There are 2 cantinas in the small town along the dirt road if you're thirsty for a beer or a rum and Coke (either at the bar, or at one of the tables overlooking the beach) or if you'd care for an inexpensive, good meal - I recommend the Arroz con Shrimp. Situated 20 minutes from Manuel Antonio, you can leave to go white water rafting, or canopy/zip-lining, or head out on a surfing lesson and still feel like you're worlds away from anything once you return to your private home with a beach about 50 yards from the back door. Or head up to Jaco for nightlife, a bustling beach scene, and a more party friendly kind of crowd. We had a great time, and I hope you do as well!

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