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

Holiday home in Bahía Ballena with private pool and kitchen

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

Areal,  central (kitchen/living/dining) side towers bedrooms, 2 rooms per side
Sunset view from bedroom #1 porch overlooking pool
Pool at sunset
Front of the house
View from keyhole opening as you enter the front doors, windows open to the sea.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 10371.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Playa Dominicalito
  • Place, Playa Dominical
  • Place, Nauyaca Waterfalls
  • Airport, Quepos (XQP)

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 4

1 King Bed

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

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

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Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

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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
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Pets

Pets allowed
Non refundable pet deposit
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
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

Bahía Ballena

Located in Bahía Ballena, this holiday home is in the mountains and near the beach. Hacienda Barú National Wildlife Refuge and Marino Ballena National Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Sunset Surf Dominical - Day Lessons and Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary. Costa Rica Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Parque Reptilandia are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Dominicalito, Puntarenas, Osa

What's nearby

  • Playa Dominicalito - 6 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Hacienda Baru - 7 min drive - 3.9 km
  • Playa Dominical - 8 min drive - 5.7 km
  • Nauyaca Waterfalls - 19 min drive - 16.3 km
  • Marino Ballena National Park - 30 min drive - 19.8 km

Getting around

  • Quepos (XQP) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Beyan Restaurant & Coffee - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Moromo - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪La Junta - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Scala - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Fuego Brew Company - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does The Best of Both, Hotel Style Suites with the Comforts of Home have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is The Best of Both, Hotel Style Suites with the Comforts of Home pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

What time is check-in at The Best of Both, Hotel Style Suites with the Comforts of Home?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Best of Both, Hotel Style Suites with the Comforts of Home?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Best of Both, Hotel Style Suites with the Comforts of Home located?

Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is within 3 miles (5 km) of Playa Dominicalito, Dominicalito Beach and Hacienda Baru. Playa Dominical and Sunset Surf Dominical - Day Lessons are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 77 out of 90 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 90 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 90 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 90 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 90 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Katie A.

Liked: Check-in, communication

A beautiful view

We love visiting Domenical. This trip was no exception. The rental was a bit more remote which can make it a target for thieves. Be sure to lock up your rooms when you leave. We lost some cash and electronics while we were there which put a bit of a damper on the trip. Elizabeth was wonderful and supportive throughout.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Layne C.

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

Great view

Really enjoyed our stay

10/10 Excellent

Heather H.

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

Spectacular Stay with the Best Views

Our two families enjoyed every minute of our holiday here. It was like our own mini tropical resort in the rainforest. Toucans, capuchins, and all other manner of wildlife visited us daily. The hosts were wonderful and very communicative. Memories to last a lifetime!
Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Janell M.

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

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 K.

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

Great Stay in Jungle!

Property was exactly as expected. Host was great at communicating and meeting our needs. Would definitely stay again! Paradise in the jungle!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Marion R.

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

Peaceful getaway

Our stay at this house was just what we needed - a getaway from the world - and an amazing variety of birds - and monkeys!
Stayed 10 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Deborah K.

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

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, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

2/10 Terrible

Autumn F.

Liked: Check-in, communication
Disliked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy

-majority of appliance didn’t work (the microwave, stove, grill, wifi) & it was dirty!

bugs everywhere because she leaves the doors WIDE open for guests & lights on. the microwave didn’t work, the wifi was off n on, the stove needed to be fixed, and the microwave had to be replaced along w the wifi router which all should’ve been did BEFORE me and my guests arrival. the kitchen faucet barely worked/released water & the drainage stunk!!! there was no warm water in the living room house AT ALL, it looked like the house had been empty and not taken care of for a long time. she was getting irritated w us calling the night of our arrival when we were struggling to find the property. it’s located in the freaking jungle and there’s no freaking street lights & to add to it WE AREN’T FROM HERE she needs to work on her patience. also i’m 250% the property manager is on some type of serious drug..probably meth. she’s very snappy and is always twitching and is always stuttering. this was not a pleasant stay at all, we literally should’ve just stayed at a resort. WASTE OF MONEY
Stayed 6 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

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

Great Views and lots of space!

I must say that I was a little nervous about the review before my stay as they were quite negative so hopefully I can give a more updated review to help future renters. We had a little trouble finding the place and yes 4 wheel drive is best to get there although our friends who did not have 4 wheel drive got a little stuck but the hosts helped us out and gave us another option to get their car to the house. They also met us and made sure we got in ok. The views are spectacular. We loved hearing the jungle sounds at night and we loved having the 4 separate bedroom suites to each enjoy. There were a lot of bugs in the main building but it helped when we closed the sliding windows to keep them out and we had bug spray always on hand. There is not AC in the main kitchen area but ceiling fans. The bedrooms all had great AC. The Wifi connection was good but only in the main area next to the kitchen. We loved that there was cable and Netflix so the kids could watch some of their favorite shows at night. We also like the kitchen that was well stocked with things we could use to cook. We also liked the big new fridge that had an ice maker so we had nice cold drinks. There was an ample supply of beach towels and the pool was really nice and enjoyed by all. The microwave also worked fine just needed to be plugged in. We loved the short drive to the waterfall and other activities near by. We had an enjoyable trip and would return again just to see whose beautiful views and fall asleep to the sounds of the jungle!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

4/10 Poor

Joshua T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Disliked: Location
Our stay was negatively affected by a robbery on our second evening staying at the property. We had failed to lock the doors to the bedroom units when we went to dinner in the town. Thieves entered all the rooms and searched through our baggage to steal electronics and a small amount of cash. We think they had been watching the house to know that we had left. The hosts were deeply apologetic about the incident, and they tried to help mitigate the situation as best they could. We later learned that break-ins in this part of Costa Rica are relatively common. In retrospect, we wish we had focused more on security when staying at a relatively isolated location such as this. On the positive side, views from the property are wonderful. The pool and pool area are great, and the kitchen is well stocked with all the cooking tools a guest would need.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Thank you for an amazing time in this home! We enjoyed every part of our trip, and your property helped enhance our experience.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ben B.

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

Great place to escape

Great location to relax and spend time as a family.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Erin F.

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

Pura Vida at its finest

We had a wonderful time at the house. It has everything you would need. Perfect location.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

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

Beautiful prooerty

Great location
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Richard B.

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

Best place for a family get together

We celebrated my wife's 60th with some of her sisters , everyone loved the house the area and the Jungle vibe
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katharine H.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

Debbie K.

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

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

About the host

Hosted by Eduardo Avancini and Elizabeth Coffman

Host profile image
My name is Eduardo Avancini, together with my mom, Noemi, we purchased property in Dominical in 2002 and I moved from Southampton, New York to break ground here in the hills of Escaleras. Warm water and good waves may have enticed me initially, but after nearly 20 years, this is my home. My family has grown from my daughter who came with me from New York, to include my wife, Elizabeth, and our two sons, who were born here. My mom has retired and now lives with us. Being a carpenter, I designed and finished the house along with my crew.

Why they chose this property

The southern Pacific zone is the most magical in the entire country of Costa Rica. Lush tropical jungle kisses the sea, with dramatic rock points and expansive stretches of beach. Fantastic surf, snorkeling/ diving, impressive fishing make this area a water lover's paradise. The area around 180 del Mar remains largely unspoiled by large developments and resorts, therefore wildlife abounds. Monkeys, sloths, birds, reptiles, even elusive cats can be seen in the hills of Escaleras. We have maintained undisturbed swaths of jungle to buffer for other homes, and foster wildlife here on the property.

What makes this property unique

As with all homes in the hills, a steep drive up is required to reveal the gorgeous views. Our location is high enough to feel the temperature difference, peaceful sounds and constant breeze, but only short drive to the highway. Dominical is 10 minutes to the north, and Uvita less than 20 minutes to the south making it convenient for tours, groceries, restaurants.
My family and I live in our own home a short distance below the rental on our 10 acer property. We are on hand to answer questions or address any issues in a matter of minutes. Our dog is a guest favorite, as most people miss their animals at home, she patrols and stops by for pets and love.

Languages:

English, Spanish, Portuguese

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