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The Best of Both, Hotel Style Suites with the Comforts of Home

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December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for The Best of Both, Hotel Style Suites with the Comforts of Home

Interior
Interior
Exterior
Exterior
Pool

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 10372 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pool
    Pool
  • Breakfast available
    Breakfast available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Pet-friendly
    Pet-friendly
  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Dominicalito, Puntarenas, Osa
  • Hacienda Baru
    6 min drive
  • Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary
    10 min drive
  • Playa Dominicalito
    11 min drive
  • Quepos (XQP)
    44 min drive

Room options

About the area

Ballena

Close to the beach.Within 3 miles (5 km) of this Ballena vacation home, you'll find Playa Dominicalito and Hacienda Baru. Playa Dominical and Sunset Surf Dominical - Day Lessons are also within 6 miles (10 km).

What's nearby

  • Hacienda Baru - 6 min drive
  • Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary - 10 min drive
  • Playa Dominicalito - 11 min drive
  • Playa Dominical - 12 min drive
  • Nauyaca Waterfalls - 19 min drive

Getting around

  • Quepos (XQP) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Scala - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Tortilla Flats - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante La Parcela - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Coco's Restaurant - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Fuego Brew Company - ‬9 min drive

About this property

Entire place

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

The Best of Both, Hotel Style Suites with the Comforts of Home

Located along one of the stunning ridgelines soaring over Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coastline, 180 del Mar delivers commanding 180° ocean views stretching thirty miles on a clear day. The ocean provides only one stunning feature of the property. The pristine jungle ridge of Escaleras offers our guests a unique backdrop of lush tropical vegetation and close encounters with the wildlife it supports. The sound of monkeys makes for an interesting wakeup call, and there is never a shortage of tropical birds brandishing dramatic colors. Guests can anticipate a distinctive and spectacular sunset every evening no matter what time of year they chose to visit, and when the sun dips down below the horizon a new stage of stars is set.

Please keep in mind that a 4x4 vehicle is required within the gated community.

Your stay at 180 del Mar will be one of the most memorable of a lifetime. The house was designed, built and finished all by the owner, whose unique vision resulted in three octagonal towers that provide the feeling of a never ending perspective.

Two towers house the bedrooms, purposely detached from the main living space to instill a feeling of privacy even when travelling with close family. Each spacious suite offers a distinct and impressive view, with privet terrace, bathrooms feature hot water showers, double sink vanities, and ample closet space. Of the four rooms, three contain king sized mattresses, one with queen sized bed, but upon request can be outfitted with additional beds (full size futon and a trundle twin size) in two of the bedrooms.

The main tower of the house will provide everything for your home away from home. The enormity of the living room is only amplified when the accordion doors open expanding the room to the outside veranda and the ever present jungle breezes. Comfortable furnishings and handcrafted wood work give a warm and relaxing feeling as you enjoy the scenery. In the kitchen you will find everything you need; large two door refrigerator, gas range, dishwasher, microwave, toaster oven, blender, coffee maker. Ample counter space, well stocked cookware and utensils make preparing meals easy.
The dinning space features a beautiful handcrafted table that seats eight comfortably. There is a large picnic table that seats 10 on the veranda. Facing the ocean, read a book, take a nap, sip on a cocktail from the wraparound is porch, take a dip in the pool. A fully equipped laundry room and powder room round out the features of the home.


Keywords: Vacation Rental House

Property manager

Eduardo Avancini and Elizabeth Coffman

Languages

English, Portuguese, Spanish

Property amenities

Beach

  • Near the beach
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Private pool

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Toaster oven
  • Ice maker
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Paper towels

Dining

  • Breakfast available for a fee

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 4.5 bathrooms
  • Shower
  • Towels provided
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet paper

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV
  • Games
  • Books
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Terrace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In the mountains
  • Near a health or beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • In a village

Things to do

  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Rafting nearby

Safety features

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

General

  • Gated community
  • Unit size: 4000 sq ft (372 sq m)

Policies

Check-in

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

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

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

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Note from host: Non refundable pet deposit

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has 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 deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a first aid kit and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

The Best of Both Hotel Suites With the Comforts of Home
Best Both Hotel Suites Comforts Home Dominicalito
Best Both Hotel Suites Comforts Home
Best Both Suites Comforts Home Dominicalito
Best Both Suites Comforts Home
The Best of Both Hotel Suites With the Comforts of Home
The Best of Both, Hotel Suites With the Comforts of Home Ballena
The Best of Both Hotel Suites With the Comforts of Home

The Best of Both, Hotel Style Suites with the Comforts of Home Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 71 out of 81 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 81 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 81 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 81 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 81 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Daria S., San Francisco

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 13 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katharine H.

Tropical Mountain Escape
This property is AMAZING. The architecture and setting of the home is truly special. The open-air design of the main building makes it really feel different than regular life (at least for us). The kitchen is well-stocked. The pool is beautiful and refreshing. We spent every morning in awe of the beautiful views and sounds. Prospective renters should be aware: There are bugs and sometimes the water pressure isn't great. There are noisy (amazing) birds and monkeys! Also, the mountain road is very steep and rough...definitely requires a 4x4 vehicle. The hosts are very helpful and responsive and live close by. We will never forget our time at this special place!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

valerie w.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic!
The house was amazing as well as the property! We saw so much wildlife just from the patio. It was great for us to have our own separate rooms too. Elizabeth was the best!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Judith S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely place for a family vacation
Great set up for our family of 8 with space for everyone. The pool was lovely as was the wildlife who stopped by for a visit. Very well-equipped kitchen with everything we needed. Easy to get to restaurants and Mama Toucans for food.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alison B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise
It was perfect. The home was a beautiful design with so many spaces for personal items. It felt connected to nature. The pool was used every day. We enjoyed lizards, bats, birds, a giant ant hill, one person saw a monkey. The plants were amazing, there were bananas, vanilla, many flowers and it was just so tropical yet not too hot. It's my dream house.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Candice A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect for a group!
Staying at this place was a highlight of our trip! My family stayed here for 3 nights and it wasn't quite enough time! We check-in after dark and with Elizabeth's instructions we were able to find the place without too much trouble. The road does look intimidating at first, but with our Tucson it was no problem. Overall it's actually pretty central with two little stores in Dominicalito about 7 minutes away, and the beach about 10 minutes away. I was initially worried that we would be too far from Uvita, but it didn't feel that far, and we ended up surfing at Dominicalito Beach anyways (Dominical waves were too big for us intermediates). There are also multiple restaurants in Domincal which is about 15 minutes away. Poza Azul Waterfall is also very close (5 minutes) although we didn't visit it because it's dry season and it's more of a trickle rather than a waterfall. The house (or should I say houses) definitely needs some TLC such as floor repairs and the beams were showing their age, but it didn't really affect our experience. The one thing that was tricky were the glass doors; they were extremely hard to open and close and felt cheap. But I'm pulling at strings here. The pool is LOVELY; perfect temperature and the perfect place to watch the sunset. My one disappointment was that we didn't see any monkeys on the property (we heard them though) but we saw many birds (including a Toucan) and the views are absolutely gorgeous. Book it right now, you won't regret it!!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Richard B., Vernon

Liked: Cleanliness
A slice of Heaven
We love this house, love the jungle feel, love the sunsets and the privacy. The road in is not unique in Costa Rica but rent an SUV for sure. Some nights we do the 5 minute drive down to the beach in Dominicalito and watch the surfers at sundown. This is close to great grocery stores in Uvita and many beaches, and the house gives everyone a place to meet and a place for your own space. Renting it again! The house is also the best equipped home we have ever rented. This is a great place to stay
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert L.

Liked: Cleanliness
What a house and trip
We stayed a week at the house and could not have been happier. The main room is completely open and views are amazing. Kitchen is fully stocked with everything needed for our group of 7 (but it is stocked for 10). Each of the bedrooms is large and private, similar to a very nice (and expensive) room at any all-inclusive. Beds and patio/decks over look the jungle, pool and ocean. The pool was great also with Costa Rica temps being upper 80's low 90's. We started and ended every day in the pool. Pool maintainece person came mid week. Howler monkeys came to the trees next to use one morning, Tucans played in the front and back of the house several days and the other birds at the hose are beautiful as well. The drive to the house is fun, definitley need 4 wheel drive. Any issue we had was addressed immediately. It is obvious the owners care a great deal for their home. The location was also Great. A very short drive to waterfalls, you pass these falls each day going to and from the house. 10 minutes to Dominical, which is great town. 20 minutes to Uvita which is a spectacular beach (as amazing as any beach we have seen). Saw a sloth while walking to the beach and we did a whale watching excursion from Uvita. 25 minutes to Nauvaca Falls, a good 2 mile hike to it but so beautiful and worth it. We loved Costa Rica and the house was a big part of that. We could not have loved the house any more than we did. Highly recommend!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Teri W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Spectacular view, huge property, perfect for us
We arrived just as the sun was setting, and entering the home during the golden hour and seeing the spectacular view - I might have cried a little. This home was just what we wanted for our family reunion, room for 10, a lot of privacy, surrounded by nature. We had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. We loved the patio and pool and abundance of space. The home is in the jungle - we heard howler monkeys every morning, and were visited by capuchin monkeys, toucans, a coati, lizards, frogs, every kind of bird and the owner’s dog. It was AMAZING. But living in the jungle with wide open back doors means you’re gonna get some wildlife in your house, which you just have to be okay with. If that’s your thing, and it was ours, this is the place for you. Finding it was an adventure but get a 4x4 and follow the directions - just trust. If you see the toucan, you are going the right way. Don’t miss the local Poza Azul waterfall. E and E, thank you for the trip of a lifetime.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Deborah K.

Liked: Cleanliness
In the Jungle
Beautiful location! Really nice set up with privacy for all staying. Pool was lovely! Hosts were fantastic! Super quick to respond and help A few too many bugs but all in all we would definitely return :)
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

James G.

Liked: Cleanliness
1st time to CR
Marina Vista was as stated!! You walk in the front door and even before you do there are stunning views. Communicated all along the way.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debbie K.

Liked: Cleanliness
This place was magical
I'm still smiling about our stay at this beautiful home. You are right in the rainforest in a gorgeous open air home (bedrooms have A/C). Views for hours of the wildlife, plants, flowers and of course, the ocean. The owners live nearby and are so responsive. They even helped us set up a chef to prepare dinner for us our first night there. This was such a great way to experience Costa Rica and I would recommend it to anyone!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tara S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful views
The hosts were great and we loved the open air floor plan. Hearing the howler monkeys was a bonus. Visitors should know this is a jungle home so there will be ants and in the rainy season, some humidity in the rooms. Definitely recommend a 4x4 to access the home.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cindy C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Birthday trip
Beautiful view, rooms were very comfortable and accommodating for all eight of us. We loved watching the sunset from the back porch. I grilled fresh fish caught that day on the outdoor grill and served it up on that big beautiful, round table in the kitchen area. My husband said he could live in that everyday, happily. We would love to return.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cathy B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Mountain Jungle Getaway
The house is beautiful. We especially loved the the big open common area. Provided huge containers of drinking water to refill our water bottles. Pool area while a little smaller was more than enough for our group of 5. Great views overlooking the lush mountainside and ocean in the distance. We saw a beautiful sunset on the last night. It’s 10-15 minute drive from the main highway up a typical Costa Rica steep rugged mountain road. First time is rough but after that you get used to it. 15-20 minutes from Dominical and 35 minutes from Uvita. Just 25 minutes to our favorite beach, Playa Linda. We ate breakfast and lunch at the house and mostly ate dinners in Dominical. Elizabeth was very responsive to our emails before and while we were staying there. Wi-Fi is good in the main common area. Loved listening to all the animal and bug noises
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Richard B., Vernon

Liked: Cleanliness
Spectacular Home with ocean and jungle feel
The hosts were helpful friendly and informative, the home was fabulous with lots of wildlife, and breathtaking sunsets, great for families and friends with a communal room and very private sleeping quarters. Close to towns and restaurants, nearby beaches, and grocery store. This place had all the toys and utensils you would need. Rent an SUV, its a must
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

adonia m.

Liked: Cleanliness
Two week getaway
We stayed here with two other couples for two weeks. Everything was as advertised and the hosts were extremely helpful in providing us information about the area and setting up some morning fishing trips! The layout of the place was perfect for couples. The drive up the mountain was a little steep but fine once you got used to it.
Stayed 12 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janell M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Place!
Our family spent a week here and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Elizabeth was very helpful and quick to respond when we had questions.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Todd J. J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Almost Paradise
Definitely need 4 wheel drive vehicle on the road to the house, but worth the drive. Beautiful views. Nature sounds all around. Elizabeth and Eduardo have thought of all the things you need for your stay. Large open kitchen and main living area open to outside living. Appreciate environmentally friendly features, eg. recycling and composting. Pool is small but very nice, with ocean views.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise
We loved our stay! Very clean and inviting. The view and sounds were incredible! Plenty of room for everyone. The last day we had a couple of Howler monkeys hanging out with us by the pool - just amazing. Thank you so much for the memories, hope to be back!
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Holidays away
My sister and I rented this and brought spouses and kids. They kids LOVED the property. Pool and porch were beautiful.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Derek L.

Liked: Cleanliness
A literal dream!
We stayed at this location for the last leg of our trip, and we sure did save the best for last. The house was very clean, open, and the host communicated promptly with any questions I had. While you do need 4WD to get up to this property, the roads were not as difficult as I had imagined from reading the comments. We woke up every morning to howler and capuchin monkeys in the trees. We also saw toucans, vultures, and geckos! After a full day of adventure, the pool was serene and relaxing place to watch the sunset over the Pacific. We were also happy to see the outdoor shower that we could use to rinse off our hiking boots. The kitchen was fully stocked with every utensil and appliance that we needed to cook breakfast and dinner each day. I'm still having daydreams of our time at this property, and I will most definitely stay here again on my next visit to Costa Rica!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Don G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wildlife and views!
We really enjoyed our stay. The views are perfect, especially watching the nightly sunsets. The house was very clean, it does need some attention to the roofs especially (greenery growing on them), but that didn’t take away from our stay. The house had everything we needed. The owner was great at addressing any issue: ran out of propane in the grill, she had a new tank for us the next morning: the tv went out, she went to to store and got a new one immediately and set it up. It is a smart tv and she has ot set up with Netflix. Etc…. There are a few games, and a couple decks of cards. The drive up the mountain can be intimidating, if you are not used to driving in Costa Rica, you will need a 4x4, but the drive wasn’t all too bad. We had a visit from howler monkeys one morning, and white face capuchins on 3 other days. The monkeys visit on the right side of the home. (Facing home with back to the ocean) We would definitely stay again! There were 4 of us total (all adults). I’m sure that children would enjoy it too. We didn’t use the pool much due to the weather, but it was clean. We loved the big open main area, with the privacy of having our bedrooms separated from the main home.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M., Shawnee, Kansas

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing!!!
This place was an experience we will never forget!! Waking up to the sounds of howler monkeys, toucans, parrots 🦜 and much more. Spectacular views and host were great. You definitely need 4 wheel drive, but always take the road less traveled.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Laura L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing house!
This house is spectacular! The view of the ocean is stunning and the property is gorgeous. It is clean and well stocked with plenty of kitchen supplies for cooking. The towels and bedding are plentiful and everything was very comfortable. The drive up the mountain is no joke so be prepared for a bumpy ride but it’s totally worth it!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022