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Harry's, El Escondite ~ Blue Cabina

Photo gallery for Harry's, El Escondite ~ Blue Cabina

Teak decking with a deep pool in a tropical jungle setting.
Upstairs sun-deck has cushioned chez longes for sunbathing.
The 'Blue' cabina with King-size bed.
The 'Blue' cabina has a sofa bed for a 3rd guest.
Large area of covered outdoor living space.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bathroomSleeps 2

Popular amenities

  • Outdoor pool
  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue

Rooms & beds

0 bedrooms (sleeps 2)

~

1 King Bed and 1 Double Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Garden

About this property

Harry's, El Escondite ~ Blue Cabina

Harry's El Escondite offers a secluded studio-apartment style house in famous Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica and is a favorite 'hideout' for both returning surfers and first timers.

There are only 3 rental units that makes it a quiet private experience.

The cabina is situated around a pool and garden setting on a single 1/4 acre property.

All guests get free use of surfboards and bicycles. A surf guide and lessons are also available for those new to the area or to the joys of surfing.

El Escondite is located at the end of a quiet and private dead-end road; just a short walk to the surf breaks and the attractions in downtown Tamarindo.

The cabin has a king size bed, single sofa bed, full kitchen, large bathroom with hot water, air-conditioning and smart TV.

El Escondite also has laundry facilities and wireless internet access.

A pool, BBQ, hammocks, and a 2nd floor sundeck with lounge chairs round out a perfect place to hangout after surfing.

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House Rules

Check in after 1:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 20

Check out before 10:00 AM

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Children

Adults only

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Events

No events allowed

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Pets

No pets allowed

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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Outdoors.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 172742
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
Long-term renters welcome
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

About the area

Tamarindo

Located in Tamarindo, this apartment is by the sea. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Tamarindo Beach and Conchal Beach. Las Baulas National Marine Park and Monkey Park are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours and hiking/biking trails.
View more Apartments in TamarindoOpens in a new window
Map
Tamarindo, Guanacaste

What's nearby

  • Tamarindo Beach - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • WAYRA Institute of Spanish - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Playa Langosta - 10 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Hacienda Pinilla Golf Course - 41 min drive - 17.1 km
  • Flamingo Beach - 49 min drive - 25.6 km

Getting around

  • Tamarindo (TNO) - 11 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Sharky's Sports Bar - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Chiquita’s - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Nordico Coffee House - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks Tamarindo - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪La Berrakera - ‬8 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Does Harry's, El Escondite ~ Blue Cabina have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Harry's, El Escondite ~ Blue Cabina pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Harry's, El Escondite ~ Blue Cabina?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Harry's, El Escondite ~ Blue Cabina?

Check-in begins at 1:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Harry's, El Escondite ~ Blue Cabina?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Harry's, El Escondite ~ Blue Cabina located?

Situated by the sea, this apartment building is within a 15-minute walk of WAYRA Institute of Spanish and Tamarindo Beach. Playa Langosta is 1.5 mi (2.5 km) away.

Reviews

9.6

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. 66 out of 75 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 75 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 75 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 75 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 75 reviews

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Check-in

9.0/10

Communication

8.4/10

Location

8.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dana L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Harry was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful throughout our stay—he even offered us a hat when we forgot one, which was such a thoughtful touch.It’s worth noting that if you’re expecting a luxury 5-star resort, that’s not what this is—and that’s exactly the charm. Costa Rica isn’t just about big resorts; this place offers a more authentic and local experience, which we really appreciated.The pool was perfect for cooling off after a warm day, and the location was ideal—close enough to everything while still feeling relaxed and comfortable. Overall, a great place to stay and enjoy the real Costa Rica!
Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert S.

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

An excellent getaway!

Harry is a great host! Takes care of all your needs and gives great advice. The cabinas are great and a quick walk to everything. Very comfortable place to stay!
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2023
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Guestbook Comment

Harry's place is a great little cabina, tucked away, with rainforest all around and a cute cat! Having bikes, surf boards and surf lessons available makes it a perfect place to stay, especially if you haven't visited Costa Rica before. Thanks for showing us around Harry!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Guestbook Comment

cozy cabina on the edge of town harry the owner was quite helpful hard to beat especially when you throw in the boards and bikes the pool wasnt finished when i was there but it will be when i return which will be soon i hope
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Dru K.

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

STAY AWAY

This property is run down and is not up to VRBO standards. Refrigerator was duck taped together. The toilet looked like it had permanent crap stains on the area you sit. The carpets and towels were dirty. The pool steps were missing tiles. Owner should have issued a full refund but refused. What a dump!!
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Mar 2025
Thanks for the great review Dru. Sorry the place wasn't up to your standards.
Verified

4/10 Poor

Raymond T.

Liked: Check-in
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

Beautiful setting, but updates needed

Needs updating including power washing, painting, and new couch to replace very uncomfortable homemade couch/sofa bed. There needs to be a hand railing to get in and out of the pool. There also needs to be more unbroken chairs around the pool. The return walk from the beach or downtown is a 20 minute uphill walk. More suited for a person in very good shape. We overcame problem by using Uber. About five dollars. The setting around the pool is a very tranquil jungle foliage. There are many restaurants on the beautiful beaches to enjoy the gorgeous sunsets.
Stayed 24 nights in Feb 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar 2023
The cabinas were built with surfers in mind not people with mobility issues. Sorry that I could not accommodate your special needs.
Verified

4/10 Poor

James B.

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

Surf bum's paradise

Great price and a 12-minute walk to restaurants and the beach. Nice pool but everything needs a serious power washing. Kitchen appliances are functional but the oldest, cheapest ones imaginable. Fridge held together by duct tape. Stove requires butane lighter. 3 plates and just about no flatware. Pillows lumpy and old. No closets or shelf space for clothes. Although it is a very run-down apartment, someone very strapped for cash and just wants a place to crash after a day of surfing would fine it appealing due to the low cost and location.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Nov 2022
Thanks for your honest review James. Yes, I was power washing before your arrival but the trigger broke; I've a replacement now that was brought down by some repeat clients. The kitchen appliances are old; my cabinas have been around here for 20 years and that was all that was available back then. They will be replaced with more modern versions when the time comes. New lighter for gas stove has been put in. Rails on the fridge door have been broken in the past but I can't justify buying a new fridge just for those plastic pieces. I've put more plates and cutlery in; wish you had told me we've extras and the flatware was distributed unevenly around the cabinas. New pillows are on the way but I did also have extras for the asking. No closet, however there are shelves for clothing under the TV shelving, guess I didn't point that out. Not to make excuses but we're just starting up again since the pandemic. Sorry for everything, hope you enjoy the rest of you visit to Costa Rica.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Guestbook Comment

Harry!! Thanks for a super rad place to stay for our 10 days of surfing. I felt like I was staying at your home (which is was) rather than a hotel. Super chill place with bikes and waaay nicer boards than expected, not crappy soft tops. there were boards for every skill level and wave type from the sick old fish to long boards to fun to the super floaty short board. aaah warm water is nice. wake up, hear kitty meowing, ride to the beach with board under arm, come back eat breakfast, chill then go for the sunset session. thanks harry, will definitely be back. wearing a wetsuit all year and watching for big whitey in the lineup all year gets old. movie waves! shaka attack! pura vida!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Colleen G.

Chill out and relax at this great location

This is why Harry’s gets a great rating: - Harry's is within walking distance of the beach, grocery stores, many restaurants, bakeries, tour companies, farmer's market, and the night market. - Harry has a vast knowledge of the area and can provide lots of great advice for getting the most from your time in Tamarindo. - His cabinas are well stocked with toilet paper, paper towels, towels, soap, etc and basic cookware, dinnerware, and cutlery are provided. - The plunge pool provides a great way to cool down during the heat of the day. - The air conditioning is very efficient and quickly cools down the cabina when necessary. - Fantastic selection of movies, TV shows, and music in each cabina. - Each private patio has a wonderful hammock to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of your surroundings. - We got to see lots of wildlife from our patio. Various lizards, birds, cool looking bugs, and monkeys. - The common upper deck was a great place to have coffee in the morning. I was lucky enough to catch a great view of the lunar eclipse from this deck. - Harry was always readily available if there were any issues. He was able to assist with everything we asked of him. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Harry’s. Harry is a great person with a fantastic outlook on life. We enjoyed our many visits with him at the cabinas and on the beach for happy hour.
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar 2020
Hey Collen, thanks for you review. It was great having you stay at the cabinas. Hope to see you again as a repeat 1 of our repeat-offenders! H :-)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Clay R.

Fantastic Location, Great Pool and Host

We spent two weeks in the blue cabina and couldn't have asked for anything more. We're not talking the Beverly Hills Hilton here but clean simple accommodations with a big comfortable bed, nice shower and everything one needs to enjoy their stay in Tamarindo and area. The kitchen is well equipped with pots, pans and dishes to prepare meals. Even a blender to prepare amazing fruit(and guaro) smoothies. Fantastic pool and lounge area for cooling down. If you want to work on your tan, you can go upstairs and "bake" on the sundeck. The deck was also a great place to sip on a cup of fresh Costa Rican coffee while watching the morning show of howler monkeys pass through the trees. Harry provides a starter bag of coffee and an original Costa Rican chorreador for brewing up that first morning coffee. Nice touch! The bikes were great for a quick beer and ice run. A five or ten minute walk will take you to several mercados, restaurants and the beautiful Playa Tamarindo. The Saturday morning market is 5 minutes away and a great place to grab fresh smoked bacon, eggs and fruit & veggies. Catch a sunset(or ten) at Noguis or Walters on the beach. Good chance you'll meet Harry there, enjoying one of the simple pleasures in life. Harry himself is one laid back dude with a vast knowledge of everything Tamarindo. He's around if you need anything but never invasive of private time. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to his hideaway and are looking forward to our next chance to hang with him. Gracias and.. Pura Vida my friend
Verified

8/10 Good

Denis S.

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

Recomiendo

Recomiendo el alojamiento de Harry. Fue muy atento y amable. Lugar limpio y aireado. Valió la pena estar allí. No está muy cerca de la playa, pero puedes caminar hasta allí
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rayfes M.

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

Fantastic host with a great place to relax before hitting the town

Harry is an incredible host as you can see by the other reviews. He is super responsive and went out of his way to make sure I enjoyed my stay. The cabinas have everything you need to enjoy Tamarindo and it's a 10 minute walk into town. A grocery store is even closer. The shared outdoor space is great for relaxing. Take a dip in the pool and lay on a water hammock before going to the top deck for sunbathing. Every once in awhile I heard construction noise and music from other properties but it wasn't loud and didn't last long. Harry is an incredible host and I loved his place so much that I booked a return trip before I left.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Michelle L.

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

Good Vibes at Harry’s

Harry’s is about a 12 minute walk to the beach, and in a great spot that you are close enough to all the activity but can also escape it. Harry is a charming host and this is a fabulous place to crash
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nick P.

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

Enjoyed our stay at Harry's!

Had a great time at Harry's cabina during our 4 night stay. Harry was the perfect host and very friendly, helpful and informative. The beach is like a 10 minute walk away, just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the busier part of Tamarindo. Loved the plunge pool and relaxing on the rooftop or in the hammock. Would definitely rent again!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jamie D.

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

Just what you're looking for

Harry's place is a gem! We stayed during Holy week and had a great time. Everything is just as pictured! Harry's place is nestled up the hill but a short walk from everything. As listed he does have bikes and surfboards available at no extra charge. Harry is very knowledgeable of the area and very inclusive. We were invited to hang out more than once. We left something behind and he was able to get it back to us in the US. Would definitely stay at Harry's again.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl L.

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

Fun place to stay

Got tons of awesome recommendations from our host about the local area and was easy to check in.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steve W.

Great Location and Fabulous Host

Harry's El Escondite is truly a "Hide-a way", as it took our shuttle driver a while to find it. After we suggested the driver, call Harry, he gave directions and greeted us at the driveway, This was just the start of our month stay and having Harry as our fabulous host. Anything that we needed, Harry was always there to support. Our cabana was very spacious and well equipped. With all the vegetation around the pool and cabana’s, it felt very private while sitting on your patio. The pool was a real treat after spending time at the beach. There are bikes, that we often used, and surfboards, if that is something that you want to try. Our typical morning started with coffee on the roof top deck and watching the Howler monkeys travel thru the trees. Often times coming across the deck, to the mango tree in front of the property. The location is very quiet and about a 10 minute walk to the beach. We will return again next year.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Leigh A.

Harry’s. Home away from home.

I love places like this! Harry personally cares for his guests!! Just ask and he will work his magic! He helped us months before we arrived and once there, met every need. The pool, the hammocks, fruit trees, accommodation. Everything. From trips to eateries and nightlife. Enjoyed biking and surfing. We will definitely be back. If there is room!!! Thank you to our most generous host.., Harry!!
Verified

8/10 Good

Tracey K.

Great Stay in Tamarindo!

We're not fussy travelers, and we prefer quiet, comfortable lodging. That said, Harry's Escondite was the perfect spot for us during our stay in Tamarindo. Literally just a few minute's walk from the beach, but far enough away from the main drag that we weren't bothered by late night noise. The grounds are charming and peaceful and the pool is absolutely the spot to be during the hot afternoons. Our rooms were comfortable and clean and Harry was so very gracious. He treated us like old friends and gave us all kinds of great info on activities, dining, etc. My husband and I have been traveling through Central America for the last year and truly, this was one of the most chill and all-around easy places we've stayed. Would definitely stay there again!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sheila Christensen a.

Great place!

We stayed 6 nights. Yes it's a little funky and a tidge rustic. That said, it's a fantastic value for just $80/night. Your own separate cabin with a kitchen, patio and hammock-nice! It is a fairly short walk to town and the beach, and what's really great is the quiet location at the end of a dead end street. Chill and peaceful for us middle-aged and mellow types. Harry was very responsive to communication and was around if we needed anything. He gave us great tips for things to do, and where to eat. Would recommend. I can totally see renting all the cabinas with friends and having a fantastic group vacation. And yes the deep pool was divine in the heat of the day was divine.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

mike m.

Perfect beach hideaway

My first trip to Tamarindo and and Harrys place was the perfect spot to rest, surf,and explore the area. I was only going to stay for 12 days, but I was having such a great time at Harrys that I ended up staying a month. Harrys has a full assortment of surfboards to use for any skill level and preference. There are many bikes to use which makes getting around the small yet booming fishing town very fun and efficient. There is a great swimming pool with crystal clear water to cool off with or great to just jump into after a day of surfing. There are only 3 cabinas to choose from which keeps the place quiet and and cozy allowing you to get to know the other guests if you choose to do so. Harrys place is thick tropical jungle growth which adds to the hideaway feeling, and also hosts many of the jungles local wildlife. It was not unusual to see monkeys, geckos,giant iguanas,tarantulas, scorpions,deer,parrots,and maybe even a cow or bull.The rooms are spacious yet cozy with all the modern comforts,(a/c, fridge,stove,coffee maker,microwave,bluetooth speaker system, and a full array of movies and music that you can download onto your phone or pc.All in all great place with great people and will definitely be back.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Lynette L.

Perfect location, perfect vacation!

We stayed at Harry’s El Escondite for the last 2 weeks of April. We found the accommodations to be more than adequate with everything we required. The location is approx. a 5 minute walk from the beach and this was perfect for us as it was quiet in the evenings. Harry was a terrific host and helped us with any questions we had. His knowledge of the local area as well as Costa Rica in general was terrific. Both of us truly enjoyed the laid back casual vibe at Harry’s and were made to feel like we were more than just paying guests. We would definitely recommend Harry’s if you are looking for a peaceful friendly place to call home during your stay in Tamarindo.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca G.

A true relaxing hideaway

Harry provides a true hideaway, just up the hill from busy downtown Tamarindo. We have been two times, and hope to return again some day! At Harry's, you're just a quick bike ride or walk away from the beach/downtown, but you're in your own private, peaceful atmosphere where you can relax and unwind. We have enjoyed many great meals there as well, since our cabina kitchen was fully-equipped and there's a grill on the roof-top deck. Harry can tell you anything you need to know about Tamarindo... he's a great source of information on the many tours/excursions/activities in the area. I hope it will not be long until we're back at Harry's!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Max W.

Great place and great price

Harry's was very clean and had everything that it said and that we needed. Harry is very friendly and helpful on where to go and what to do. His free bikes are awesome to get around and we really enjoyed the free surfboards that r in better shape than all the rental shops in the town. The pool is perfect for relaxing with a drink after a long day on the beach. I highly recommend staying at Harry's and I will defiantly be staying there again.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Remi C.

Laid back & quiet stay

We stayed for a week at Harry's place. It's at the end of a cul de sac, very quiet. The road to get there is a little bumpy but you don't need a 4x4 as long as you're driving slowly. We had a regular sedan. Note that you don't need a car if you're going to stay in Tamarindo only. The studio was clean, with a massive bed, internet access, and a simple kitchen but furnished with all the essentials (and Harry gave us a bag of delicious Costa Rican coffee!). I liked Harry's setup with a media center connected to his collection of surfing videos, it was really nice to relax with a beer after a hard day at the beach. Harry has a collection of surfboards that you can use, so I didn't have to rent a surfboard in town, that was nice! The apartment is about a 10 min walk to the beach (add 5 minutes to the closest surf peak). There's a howler monkey family hanging out by the mango tree in front of Harry's place, they are not scared and will get really close when trying to reach for mangos. Harry was very accommodating with our arrival & departure times.

About the host

Hosted by Harry

Host profile image

In the beginning I came to Tamarindo Beach to take time off from skiing. A knee injury had forced me to leave my home in Whistler, B.C. to pursue other activities during the winter. I tried surfing while recovering here in Tamarindo and ended up preferring the waves over snow and the beach over the mountains. Over the years I've grown to love this small beach town and eventually decided to move down permanently. El Escondite means 'the Hideout' in Spanish and that was the start of Harry's hideaway.

Why they chose this property

The 'El Escondite' grounds was established in 2001 and over the years has been expanded, renovated and improved to keep up with needs of clients. The cabinas are Tico style with outdoor living kept in mind yet has all modern the conveniences expected from a quality hotel. Relax and hideout at this quiet, private and secluded villa.

What makes this property unique

Free use of surfboard and bicycles for all guests. The cabina has a smart TV with access to the web and a media server that includes a large selection of surf movies as well as the latest featured films. A music and an ebook library is also available.

Languages:

English

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