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Casa Bambu, Bamboo Rainforest Beach House

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A covered outdoor seating area with wooden tables and benches, surrounded by bamboo poles and glass railings, overlooking a lush garden.
A wooden dining area with a large table and chairs, a kitchen area with a counter and appliances, and a view of greenery outside.
A tropical beach with palm trees and a rocky shoreline.
A two-story building with a corrugated metal roof, surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
A bed with a mosquito net in a room with wooden beams and a view of greenery.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • On the beach

    A rare beachfront property in the area - enjoy direct access to the sand and sea.

  • Discover nearby landmarks

    Near Pan Dulce Beach
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Massages in spa
  • Balcony
  • Toys
  • Barbecue
  • Breakfast available

Explore the area

View map
Cabo Matapalo, Puntarenas
  • Place, Pan Dulce Beach
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Puerto Jimenez Pier
    ‪24 min drive‬
  • Place, Puerto Jiménez Beach
    ‪25 min drive‬
  • Airport, Puerto Jiménez (PJM)
    ‪26 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Casa Bambu, Bamboo Rainforest Beach House

5-star ranking recipient of 12 Traveler's Choice Awards and 10 Excellence Awards. Recommended by Lonely Planet. Casa Bambu is one of four bamboo beach houses on our six acre resort property. (If Casa Bambu is reserved for the dates you want, see the listing for Casa Linda, Casa Sonrisa, or Casa Pina .) At Casa Bambu our on-site staff is available 24/7.

Costa Rica vacation rentals: there are hundreds to choose from. Yet we are told again and again that Casa Bambu and our other three bamboo beach houses are exceptional. So if you're ready to take a walk on the wild side, this is the place! This Costa Rica beach rental offers nature lovers an ideal vacation. It sits on a beautiful beach, in the rainforest, on the coast of the Osa Peninsula. This unique setting lets you experience the true Costa Rica, one of the most amazing areas on earth; relax on the beach; and enjoy countless natural wonders. All this while keeping you comfortable and secure in a private rental house on the beach. At Casa Bambu the ocean waves lull you to sleep and the roar of the howler monkeys awaken you to a glorious sunrise over the Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf). A pristine beach is literally steps away, and the rainforest and wildlife are all around. If you love nature in all its wild beauty, this is the place for you.

After visiting vacation rentals around the country, Lonely Planet's Costa Rica recommends Casa Bambu as a place to stay. Men's Journal touts Casa Bambu in its review of Costa Rica vacation homes in its vacation guide cover story How to Rent a Dream House Anywhere: Your Own Private Resort. It says: “For the jungle experience, visit the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica’s wild southern appendage. Its few paved roads lead to tiny fishing villages, like Cabo Matapalo, where you’ll find unspoiled beaches and rental houses like Casa Bambu on a plot of pristine rainforest teeming with monkeys.” The Denver Post Travel section featured Casa Bambu in an article about Costa Rica, the Osa Peninsula and Matapalo. The Fine Living Channel included Casa Bambu in its program Around the World in Eighty Houses, which focused on remarkable vacation houses throughout the world, including Casa Bambu. The Sunday Post of Scotland, an international publication, featured an article by a Casa Bambu guest about her vacation with us.

Our Costa Rica beach house rentals offer:

A perfect location: right on a gorgeous beach (and near several others), with a spectacular view, in the rainforest, surrounded by abundant wildlife and scenery.
A handcrafted, clean and safe vacation rental home, from which to enjoy your fantastic surroundings.
Many activities for the whole family.
Three other bamboo rentals, equally wonderful.
When natives of Costa Rica greet each other, they often say “Pura Vida,” or pure life. When you visit Casa Bambu, you’ll truly understand what this means.

Keywords: Beach House on Osa Peninsula

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM

Check out before 11:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

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Events

No events allowed

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Pets

No pets allowed

We are in a wildlife protection area.

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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

See rental agreement

Important information

You need to know

Property # 9339vb
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
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 fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Puerto Jiménez

Located in Puerto Jiménez, this holiday home is on the beach. Puerto Jimenez Pier and Golfito Marina are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Corcovado National Park and Pan Dulce Beach. Precious Turtles of Osa and Casa Orquideas Botanical Garden are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and hiking/biking trails.
View more Holiday homes in Puerto JiménezOpens in a new window
Map
Cabo Matapalo, Puntarenas

What's nearby

  • Pan Dulce Beach - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Puerto Jimenez Pier - 24 min drive - 25.1 km
  • Puerto Jiménez Beach - 25 min drive - 25.5 km
  • Carate Beach - 29 min drive - 33.4 km
  • Blanca Beach - 46 min drive - 52.4 km

Getting around

  • Puerto Jiménez (PJM) - 52 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Buena Esperanza - ‬14 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Casa Bambu, Bamboo Rainforest Beach House pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Casa Bambu, Bamboo Rainforest Beach House?

As of 20 September 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Casa Bambu, Bamboo Rainforest Beach House on 1 September 2027 start from NZ$1,200, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Casa Bambu, Bamboo Rainforest Beach House?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Casa Bambu, Bamboo Rainforest Beach House?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Casa Bambu, Bamboo Rainforest Beach House?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Casa Bambu, Bamboo Rainforest Beach House located?

Nestled on the beach, this Puerto Jiménez holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Pan Dulce Beach and Golfo Dulce. Playa Sombrero and King Louis Waterfall are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

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. 41 out of 43 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 43 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 43 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 43 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 43 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Location
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Perfect open-air get-away on surf break!

We love this open-air bamboo house! It's clean, simple, organized and well-maintained. And it couldn't be closer to the Pan Dulce surf break! The owner Kirk is extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the area (28 years living there!) He will send a driver to pick you up at Puerto Jimenez (no need for a car) who will stop by the market and surf shop with you. Then Lida and Oliva will whip up amazing local fare for $5/person using whatever food you have in the fridge. We walked everywhere...to restaurants, waterfalls, hiking trails and other beaches. We watched the waves from our bedroom! This is an amazing location, and Kirk is a great host. We will be back!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Jungle Living

Generally positive experience. The house was not as isolated as we anticipated. In fact there was a fair amount of traffic on the rough road behind. Lots of bird life - especially macaws. And lots of monkeys. The beach is not really a swimming beach because of the rocky bottom, but Matapalo beach is only about a 25 minute walk away. We stayed three nights, which was enough. The house has the basics. I’m surprised they don’t provide some basic cooking ingredients, such as cooking oil and seasonings. Pretty certain these items get left by previous guests like ourselves. A small nit, but the seating in the two sitting areas isn’t very comfortable The heat and humidity (in January) was a bit oppressive, especially at night without AC. Take some cash if you want to eat in the nearby restaurant; they don’t accept cards.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Beautiful setting

We spent two weeks at Casa Bambu, located in a beautiful setting, facing the Golfo Dulce on the Osa Peninsula. A large lawn, flowering shrubs, tall fruit trees border the property and invite the presence of macaws, white face and spider monkeys and all kinds of birds. The dark, volcanic sand beach is pretty rocky which made it a bit challenging for swimming, but there were a few times when the surf was calm and if one walked to the left on the beach, water access looked easier. Dirt roads near the property lead to other near by beaches. Casa Bambu was built, according to the owner, 27 years ago and it is showing wear. We loved the owner's concept of a bamboo house - off grid, open air, a sense of living among the trees and shrubs surrounding the house. The kitchen was easy to use and clean up; the beds were pretty comfortable; the on demand water heater for the shower has seen better days and was difficult to adjust to luke warm which meant one had cold or very hot water to choose from when showering with nothing in between. The cushions on the sitting area furniture are pretty well broken down from wear and weren't the most comfortable for sitting and reading. The owner, Kirk, and his caretaker, William, were very responsive when something wasn't working. There when we needed them but otherwise gave us space. William took us on a wonderful hike into Corcovado. In some ways it was sad seeing the house just going down hill - of course this is in the "outback" of Costa Rica and I imagine up keep is difficult. However, I could not stop imagining how lovely Casa Bambu might once again be with just a little bit of routine maintenance - replacing the rusted window hardware, redoing the heavily patched mosquito netting on the beds, adding another wall fan on the upstairs sitting area to augment the ceiling fan which barely turns, and also another small wall fan on the downstairs sitting area would be very welcomed. The information in the house binder was dated and could use refreshing along with a new binder. William and Leda, the housekeeper, cleaned the house and changed the linens every 4 days, which was very appreciated especially when the weather warmed and the rains began. Kirk was extremely helpful before we arrived, sending abundant information, maps, even a grocery list. Staying at Casa Bambu allowed us to experience the surrounding natural world fully and up close. It was a memorable two weeks.
Stayed 15 nights in Apr 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 31 March 2020
During the 27 years we’ve operated Casa Bambu and its three sister houses on the same property, we’ve felt the need to respond to only a few of the 450 or so reviews we’ve received. Almost all have been overwhelmingly positive (all but nine have been 5-star), but when visitors have criticisms or complaints we want to be responsive. There were many criticisms in this review. I will respond in the order of appearance of some of them, but many of the criticisms can be chalked up to unfulfilled expectations on the part of the guest. As we make clear on our website, this is not a Marriott experience. We are in the jungle with the monkeys, off grid. If one wants a Marriott type experience, he should go to a Marriott type hotel. Criticisms / Response: ...The dark, volcanic sand beach is pretty rocky which made it a bit challenging for swimming, / OUR beach changes daily. Sometimes it’s got areas of gravel mixed with larger areas of sand. Sometimes it’s all nice beige sand. We advise our guests to swim on the left end of the beach where it's better for swimming. The local families bring their kids to our beach since it's a safe and fun beach for kids ...and was difficult to adjust to lukewarm which meant one had cold or very hot water to choose from when showering with nothing in between. / THERE are instructions for operating the shower posted on the wall next to the shower entrance. If one follows the instructions, the shower temperature is fully adjustable for the whole range from cool to hot. ...The cushions on the sitting area furniture are pretty well broken down from wear and weren't the most comfortable for sitting and reading. / THIS observation was accurate. We were in the process of replacing the cushions in all four houses during this guest’s stay. We do this every few years. Please see pictures of the new cushions here on VRBO. ..In some ways it was sad seeing the house just going down hill .I could not stop imagining how lovely Casa Bambu might once again be with just a little bit of routine maintenance / WE are literally doing maintenance constantly to keep everything in good to perfect working order. It's point of pride at Casa Bambu that everything works as it should. ...and also another small wall fan on the downstairs sitting area would be very welcomed. / WE have 7 fans in Casa Bambu. We also have several more portable fans available to our guests
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Just the right number of conveniences.

Casa Bambu delivered as advertised. My Wife our two boys ages 10 and 12 enjoyed the remote location of this house. We have been to Costa Rica several times; however, this was our first visit to the Osa, and it did not disappoint. Elena made planning the trip effortless providing information for everything from hotel suggestions for our overnight in San Jose, the rental car in Puerto Jimenez, all the possible adventures in the area and even booked all of the reservations for us. Our boat tour with Josh and Antonio was our boys favorite adventure with horse riding as a close second. The house had everything we needed for our family to prepare meals and live very comfortable for the seven days we were there. Upon arrival we were quickly greeted by William who is a true joy to be around and was always available with endless amounts of information and recommendations. Our family really enjoyed our 8-hour tour of the Corcovado National Park with him. We also took the girls up on the recommendation to have them prepare dinner one night and as other reviewers have commented you cannot help but be impressed with the quality, presentation, and amount of food they put on the table with what you have available. They are truly magicians! The open-air stile of the house is amazing and really immerses you in the surrounding jungle. We had mornings with Howler monkeys as alarms, hummingbirds and Aguti to watch while drinking our coffee. Afternoons with Macaws and naps with troops of howler and spider monkeys napping in the trees around us. At night we fell asleep to the large surf crashing on the beach out front, and at times it was so loud that I had to check to make sure that it had not come up over the rocks and under the house. Both of our boys also really enjoyed their surf lesson with Pollo as we were fortunate to have had overhead waves for our entire stay. Our whole family was sad when it was time to leave such a wonderful Oais and hope that Osa will be able to keep its unspoiled nature for eternity.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful place in Matapalo!

We loved our 5 nights in this beautiful house in Cabo Matapalo. The front porch is so relaxing with such a beautiful view of the gulf. We saw so much wildlife just exploring around the yard and along the beach road. The fans on the beds kept sleeping at night pleasant. We had no issues with the solar power...even after a full day of heavy rain and cloud cover. The hosts are helpful and easy to communicate with. It was a long, bumpy drive from Puerto Jimenez, but so worth it when you reach the house.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Jungle and Beach

Casa Bambu was a perfect home for us while on Osa. From there, we explored the beaches, walked to Martina's for the most memorable margaritas of my life, explored the forest with William, surfed with Pollo, ate and swam and did yoga at Encanta La Vida, hiked to the waterfall, saw monkeys, sloths, macaws, toucans, crabs, lizards and SO much more. Leda and Oliva cooked amazing meals for us. We were so well cared for and comfortable, it was hard to leave. Osa is a trek - it's hard to get there but it is worth it. Unforgettable. The group of people running this place are kind and present without being overbearing. Definitely recommend renting from them. Thank you all!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Best ever

Love this place…thank you Kirk !
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Oceanside Magic

Our ecolodge - Casa Bambu - was literally beside the Pacific and the sounds of the waves were constant, mostly soothing, but also powerful. The boys had amazing surfing, thanks to Pollo whose surfing school was located just at the bottom of the lawn. In the midst of the tropical jungle, there were also great dining experiences - at Lapa Rios and one lovely meal made by the staff. It was an overall amazing experience and we hope to get back to the Osa Peninsula again some time. Thank you!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

stunningly beautiful

we are a family of 7, had a great time. the property is absolutely georgeous. we had quiet privacy, however, when needed, Kirk, elena, amd William were avaialble. william is an awesome tour guide. the open air style of the house allowed a cool breeze. we saw 3 types of monkies, makaws, birds, aguti, butterflies, interesting insects, fireflies, frogs and more.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Top Notch Stay!!!

My wife and I, plus our 2 friends stayed at Kirk's beautiful home at the end of November. What a wonderful, amazing experience. Be aware - driving to the house requires a good sturdy car. Don't go to the Osa expecting amazing roads. You will cross a couple of streams which were about 12-18 inches at their deepest when we were there, plus some very gnarly/bumpy roads up to the house. Given that said, it's part of the experience and once you get to the house, everything is absolutely worth it. Right on the beach, very clean, very well kept, gorgeous grounds, full of nature (macaws and monkeys all around, howlers calling in the morning), it was just such a special place. You can hear the waves crashing on the beach and you feel the breeze come in through the house nearly all day. Wow. Kirk, the owner, was also such a mild mannered, kind man. He came by (he lives next door) and asked if we needed anything at all but the truth was, the house was so well appointed, there was nothing else we could possibly need. The 4 of us highly recommend Casa Bambu. Can't say enough about this place and honestly, we can't wait to come back. Thanks Kirk. You were an awesome host! Leo, Alex, David and Stephanie.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Amazing Jungle & Beach Experience

Our family loves to discover the flora & fauna of the South Pacific CR rain forest and this was the perfect place to do so - without breaking the bank! A spacious 3 bedroom, open air bamboo house on beautiful Playa Pan Dulce surrounded by macaws in almond trees and four types of monkeys up & down the beach road. We even saw an anteaters - in trees and on the ground! Can it get any better? Kirk, William, Leda et al made our Casa Bambu stay even more memorable with fishing from the beach, sea kayaking, night & waterfall hikes, delicious meals (@ only $5 pp!) and immediate responses to our many queries & an internet outage. What a unique Osa treasure is Casa Bambu! Pura vida!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Comfy and gorgeous off-the-grid living

This trip fulfilled a lifetime dream for me to visit the rainforest. Casa Bambu was the perfect home for my 21-year-old daughter and me , as we took our daily journeys to Corcovado or spent the morning on the Golfo Dulce. The house was very well appointed with a full kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and great indoor-outdoor living so that we could spot wildlife while prepping meals or resting after a day's adventure. Kirk (owner) was extremely helpful and our guide William spotted a wide array of animals on our day in Corcovado and around the neighborhood, including two sloths on our last day! The Playa Dulce was right outside our door and across the lawn, and we spent a lot of time hiking the beach and just relaxing and swimming. I strongly recommend this home!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Serene sunsets and magnificent macaws

Adventures in paradise from Casa Bambu! We stayed in Casa Linda with 6 people. Great accommodations, well described, and such an amazing location. Kirk arranged a boat trip on the Golfo Dulce for snorkeling and dolphin watching. We went on a night beach hike with William to try to see turtles (only the brilliant stars and a quarter moon out that night, but many nests and tracks were sighted). This off-the-grid house has an amazing view and is steps to a lovely beach. Great showers, good wifi, and so many birds.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

A beautiful home away from home - on a beach!

We (2 adults, 2 teenage kids) spent a week at the beautiful Casa Bambu, to end a 2 week trip in Costa Rica. Everything was amazing - from Kirk's helpful emails before the trip, to the house itself, to the beach and so on. We went on an incredible hike in Corcovado with William, the house manager, and also on a night hike near the house where we saw an ocelot. Pretty incredible. I highly recommend going on some hikes with William, he is a treasure - kind and very knowledgeable. We did the boat tour of the gulf and saw whales and dolphins, and had a great time horse riding to the waterfall. The house is clean, comfortable and easy to live in. We did all the cooking ourselves because (a) we like to cook and it's a great kitchen and (b) I caught so many fish from the shore that we had plenty to eat! We saw Kirk a few times while we there, and he is a fantastic host - very pleasant and always on hand if you need any help or supplies. The thing that really struck us was our first morning waking up back at home in suburban Washington DC - it was really, really quiet. No macaws chattering or howler monkeys or cicadas or sound of the waves crashing onto the beach....we miss them! We would definitely go back to Casa Bambu and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get away from it all comfortably.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

The real Costa Rica

I've lived in CR for almost 10 years and haven't seen a prettier area. Beautiful setting and comfortable house. Welcome to the jungle. Look forward to my next visit.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Beautiful house beautiful setting

The beautifully designed bamboo house is in the most exquisite setting looking out onto a lawn beyond which is the beach and the sea. Scarlet macaws are regular visitors and you wake up to the sound of howler monkeys and the waves. It is quite remote so you have to shop for provisions before arrival but there are nice restaurants nearby if you don't want to self cater all the time. Bear in mind that you must buy water bottles so that you can take them on any hikes you choose to go on. The water is fine to drink but there are no water containers provided. You can do a long but rewarding hike in the Corcovado reserve - well worth getting up early for. Sadly we only had 2 full days there but would have happily spent longer. It is a wonderful place.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2018
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Beautiful property in a excellent location

Great property, great location with excellent staff
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Best Location!

Our family of four (two kids ages 9 and 13) stayed at Casa Bambu in January of 2017 and we look back on it as the highlight of our Costa Rica trip. First and most important, Casa Bambu has hands down the best location in Cabo Matapalo. We saw a fair number of vacation rentals that we had seen online while exploring the area, and we were so grateful that we decided on Casa Bambu, since it was a bit of a shot in the dark. The house sits right in front of the best beach in the area - great swimming, surfing, fishing, warm water, wide sandy beach, places to explore.... Regarding the house itself, from the photos it looked a bit shabby and dark, but the photos don't do it justice. It's cheerful and light and we just loved it. The beds are comfortable and couches great for lounging and reading. The kitchen was spacious and had everything one needs. We highly recommend hiring William for nature hikes (especially the night hike) and fishing. Our son went fishing with William every morning we were there (!) and he still talks about what a highlight of our trip that was. There is a woman who can cook for you there as well, and she is great and can make any local dish you want. The place is walking distance to 3 restaurants, namely Martina's which seems to be the hub of activity in the area (although that isn't saying much because the area is generally peaceful and quiet). Kirk is fantastic - really the best experience I've had with a VRBO owner - super responsive and helpful. He gets 5 stars just for my interactions with him. We saw lots of wildlife around Casa Bambu - monkeys jumping from tree to tree right outside the house; parrots; an armadillo... If we return to the Osa, this is where we will stay.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

December 2016 Vacation

Excellent stay. We woke up every day to monkeys and birds visiting us and went to bed listening to the ocean waves. The location was perfect, with great access to nearby trails and waterfalls, obviously the beach and a local restaurant bar with reasonably priced, good-tasting meals. The owners were very quick to respond to requests. Can't recommend the place enough.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

What an adventure!

We were so excited when we arrived at Casa Bambu, the house was open and waiting for us. Spider monkeys were there to great us. Just getting to the house is an adventure, crossing rivers and streams, but the directions given were great. Kirk, the property owner provided us with so much helpful information, even helped us save money on a car rental. The house location is amazing, steps from the beach. I wasn't expecting to be able to see the ocean from the house so that was a great surprise. The house is open to outdoors, we saw monkeys and macaws in the yard. During our stay, we experienced unusual torrential rains. We were told it hadn't rained this hard in many years, even during the rainy season. We were unable to visit Corcavado with William, our guide and Casa's property caretaker due to the weather but we did go on an amazing waterfall hike with him. So much fun! I can't say enough good things about Kirk and William during our stay. They went far beyond what we would have ever expected in helping us during the storm, keeping us posted on the current weather conditions, offering advice about the roads and helping us make changes to our travel arrangements. William is an excellent guide with so much knowledge about the area and the animals. Make sure to have a meal prepared for you during your stay. We enjoyed an amazing dinner of Arroz con Pollo. We loved our adventure ar Casa Bambu and look forward to staying there again.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Casa bambu

My husband and I stayed at casa sonrisa for our honeymoon. Best vacation ever!!! Not only is Costa Rica a beautiful country to visit, the wonderful staff at casa bambu made preparing for the trip, arrival, our stay and our departure a real pleasure. They thought of all the details. They even rented the car for us! Their wonderful tour guide really really knows the area! As for the houses themselves...spectacular! We saw soo much wildlife just sitting on the porch! The pictures do not even come close!! We highly recomend! We will be back!!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Osa Peninsula Jem!

Our 48 hours at Casa Bambu only scratched the surface of experiencing the beauty and excitement around the Osa Peninsula! Casa Bambu owners and staff wer welcoming, warm and hospitable. The house was amazingly comfortable, airy and well maintained. The beach was close and the area surrounding the house was absolutely beautiful. We went for a guided hike through the jungle to a waterfall that was breathtaking! Our visit was short but now are craving to return in the future and spend some longer time! Well worth it!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Perfect Jungle and beach retreat !

Casa Sonrisa is perfectly made to have a pleasant stay in Matapalo, which is really jungle at the beach experience ! You can tell Kirk lives there and knows what you are going to need ! The space was great for our group of 8, no mosquitos so we really enjoyed being in an open space ! Very comfortable rooms, kitchen perfectly equipped, the electricity system is great, as well as hot water, we even had a great wifi connection ! Kirk and William are very helpful and nice ! The view from the house is breathtaking, we even saw whales the first morning, non mentioning tones of Aras, monkeys all kinds, coaties, everywhere, every day ! Such a wonderful feeling ! Surf was up, right in front of Pan Dulce, a few minutes walk to back wash and Matapalo is further down, beautiful preserved beaches, kayaking was fun (look for turtles) ! See you next time Casa Sonrisa !
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Magic on the Osa Peninsula

We loved our time at Casa Sonrisa! Because this particular house sits back a bit on the hill, I think we saw even more wildlife than those closer to the beach although the view of the Golfo Dulce was beautiful too. Case Sonrisa backs up to an area that could almost be considered a monkey playground! We saw 4 types of monkeys and were given an especially funny show by the spider monkeys! The house was very comfortable and we were thankful that William was able to provide an extra mattress and mosquito net for one of our kids. The kitchen was beautifully outfitted with everything needed for a 4 day stay. I am glad that we shopped in town and brought so much food with us from Pavones because the road to Puerto Jimenez was awful and I wouldn't have wanted to drive it any more than needed. The thunder and lightening storms were amazing to watch from the open area living space! We surfed morning and evening sessions and loved that we could just walk to Playa Pan Dulce and then follow trails to other breaks. I got some of my favorite surfing pictures of our whole time in Costa Rica one evening. The houses are fit with radios that can contact the owners, William and several of the local restaurants. This came in especially handy when one of our kids left his insulin pack at Lapa Rios. We were able to call around and locate the pack and then go pick it up right away! We will definitely come back and stay again!

About the host

Hosted by Kirk Ulbricht

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Twenty-seven years ago, while visiting friends on the Osa Peninsula, Kirk found his heaven. He bought six acres of overgrown cow pasture by the Golfo Dulce, cleared it of brambles and weeds, and began to transform it. With neighbors, they planted 1,000 trees (now part of the monkey trail) and built Casa Bambu with the help of local friends. Kirk completed a second bamboo house, Casa Linda, in September, 2002; a third, Casa Piña, in August, 2003; and a fourth, Casa Sonrisa, in December, 2007. All the houses are solar-powered with artesian wells, beautiful tropical yards and on a pristine beach.

Back in the U.S. Kirk has been a 'green' builder and home designer in Austin, TX. His houses are ultra efficient - utilizing passive solar techniques, proper siting and other applications that conserve energy while providing comfortable shelter. His heart, however, is in Costa Rica, where he relishes life in the rainforest and can fulfill his lifelong love of the sea.

What makes this property unique

Unique pristine wilderness on a gorgeous unspoiled surfing/swimming beach with wildlife all around.
World-famous birdwatching, ocean kayaking, rainforest tours, on foot or horseback (including world-famous Corcovado National Park), Golfo Dulce boat tours, wildlife sanctuary tours, pristine beaches, Puerto Jimenez is a 30 minute drive and offers several banks, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, and grocery stores, We can set you up with great guides, as well as lodgings in San Jose and in-country travel.

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests

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