House in Quepos, Puntarenas

Privacy, Elegance, Security, Private Pool & Nature Reserve

Privacy, Elegance, Security, Private Pool & Nature Reserve

Photo gallery for Privacy, Elegance, Security, Private Pool & Nature Reserve

3 levels, one bedroom per plus a pool.
Aerial view - total privacy!
3 floors - lower bedroom (lower left), main floor & living area, and top floor
Secured main entrance from private driveway.
Kitchen counter with main entrance... new stove top and stainless fridge.

Overview of Privacy, Elegance, Security, Private Pool & Nature Reserve

4.8 out of 5 Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 7418 sq m

Popular amenities

  • PoolPoolPool
  • Pet-friendlyPet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • Breakfast availableBreakfast availableBreakfast available
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • WasherWasherWasher

Explore the area

Quepos, Puntarenas
  • Popular LocationBiesanz Beach5 min drive
  • Popular LocationPlaya La Macha5 min drive
  • Popular LocationManuel Antonio Beach9 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Privacy, Elegance, Security, Private Pool & Nature Reserve

Corona Virus note: Villa Tekla is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between visits. The open nature of the house is excellent insurance against the spread of any airborne disease.

Villa Tekla is a distinctive three-level Spanish-Moorish eco-friendly open hacienda designed for the tropics, on 5 acres of forest and landscaped grounds, quietly situated 200 meters off the main road. It has extensive patios and is fully furnished. It can easily accommodate three couples and is suitable for families traveling together. Features include a private swimming pool and high speed WI-FI.

The spacious lower pool level room has a library, bathroom with shower and a king-sized bed with a private entrance accessed by the patio staircases. It has a separate entrance and is totally screened.

The main floor is open-plan with living, dining, and kitchen areas surrounded by wide arched windows protected by artfully crafted Spanish grill work and wooden shutters.

The main-floor bedroom is netted and has a king canopy bed and ample storage. There is a net tent covering the entire bed for extra comfort.

The screened top floor has two single beds and the views from there are spectacular.

The large tiled patio has seating and a charcoal barbecue.

All linen is provided. Our maid has access to our washer-dryer and can do your clothes at a reasonable price. Otherwise, twice-a-week maid service and gardening services are provided at no cost to you. Cable TV, broadband internet, and wi-fi are all free.

The property is 1 1/2 miles from the thriving fishing town of Quepos and an easy walk or drive to the sweeping tourist beaches that continue into Manuel Antonio's National Park, which has become one of Central America's tourist meccas. Several smaller and more private beaches can be accessed, and we can provide directions to them. Though at nine degrees latitude, the climate is benign, with lovely breezes, the temperature ranging in Fahrenheit from the low 70s to the mid-80s, depending on the season.

Villa Tekla provides a chance to enjoy a unique tropical experience, available nowhere else in the Manuel Antonio area. Surrounded by five acres of forest, you will have complete privacy as you enjoy a sunset drink around our pool while gazing upon the distant mountains and the sea, while toucans, squirrel monkeys and kinkajoos cavort in the trees. Yet you are only minutes away to stores, fine restaurants, and the incredible beaches that have made Manuel Antonio world famous.

Forbes Magazine has just named Manuel Antonio as one of the world's 12 best national parks: "Here is a stunning combination of beaches and coral reefs, perfect for snorkeling and exploring the area’s famous tangle of mangroves. Rainforest jungles remain untouched habitats for Brown-throated Three-toed Sloths, iguanas, Central American squirrel monkeys and birds of extraordinary colors. One of Costa Rica’s smallest national parks, Manuel Antonio is nevertheless one of its most popular, with activities ranging from white-water rafting and sea kayaking to horseback riding on one of the park’s four beaches."

There is a chef available at request who works miracles with the area's fresh produce, seafoods and meats. Unique to Villa Tekla are the reasonably priced guide services of our close friend Melvin who is thoroughly bilingual (he lived with us in Canada as a child), has 20 years experience leading rafting and hiking tours, and knows the region like no other.

The owner, novelist William Deverell and his family welcome you to their home.

Additional Information:

House Manager

Rebecca Wells is our villa manager in Manuel Antonio who lives only a few minutes down our road. Rebecca can be reached at the numbers in the contact link. She and her husband Jacob are completely bilingual and will help you with any problems, and will assist you with arrival arrangements.

Maid and Gardener

Our maid comes mornings twice a week for four or five hours. If you would like additional help, Rebecca can arrange for that at the maid's regularly hourly rate, and she can also be hired as well to do your personal laundry in the washer/dryer. Our gardener comes twice a week, early in the morning, for grounds maintenance. Someone also drops by once or twice a week to do pool maintenance.We hope you will treat our staff with trust and respect - they have ours.

Linens and Towels

We supply all essential household goods, including linens and towels, but please do not take our towels to the beach.

Communications

We have two TV sets for your use, with 66 cable channels, as well as DVD and VCR players, and a small library of movies. A high-speed Internet service will provide those who bring laptops or netbooks with a fast, reliable wi-fi service at our cost, for which Rebecca will provide a password. A 22-inch external monitor, USB keyboard and mouse are available at no cost. Our house telephone line does not permit international calls. There is Internet cafe nearby and more in Quepos.

Waste disposal

Please follow basic ecologically sound practices. There's a recycling container in the kitchen which the gardener will sort and empty from time to time. The maid will dispose of garbage, but if you need to do so yourself, you may place bagged garbage into a neighbourhood bin just down the road which is emptied regularly by the municipal service.

Garden

Enjoy any fruit that ripens in the orchard. Bananas, papayas, pineapples, grapefruit, lemons, limes, sour and sweet oranges, mangos, coconuts, avocados and guayabana grow in front of and below the house. Many of these are seasonal, however, and our gardener will offer fruit as it comes available - or ask him to pick for you. Please don't pick fruit yourselves.

Water

The water, as in most of Costa Rica is potable, though many locals and visitors prefer to buy bottled. We are on a septic system, so please do not flush non-biodegradable items (dental floss, tampons, condoms etc.) which clog the septic tank.

Power

We are on the same voltage system as North America, and will run your hair dryer and all our power devices. The refrigerator should not be kept open, as that risks motor burnout.

Keys

Rebecca will give you all necessary keys, and explain their use and the security rules. No one else but she and you will have access to the dehumidified storage unit.

Groceries

An eight-minute walk toward the beach brings you to a supermarket named Super Josette, which has everything you need: fresh meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and a wide selection of juices, beer, wine, and liquors and an excellent juice and wine selection. Fresh-baked bread and pastries are available at a bakery only several minutes away. There's a wide range of stores in Quepos to suit every need. However, the freshest produce is available Friday evenings and Saturdays, five a.m. till noon, at the Farmers' Market on the Quepos seawall. For simple items (milk, sodas, soap, toilet paper) turn right or left from our gate, and there are pulperias two minutes walk in either direction.

Money

U.S. dollars can be changed at any of several banks in Quepos and Manuel Antonio. The closest are the Promerica Bank and Banco de Costa Rica, both a 15-minute walk toward the beach. There are ATMs there and in Quepos that take bank cards. All businesses and restaurants accept U.S. dollars, and almost all accept major credit cards.

Restaurants

There are many simple-to-high-end restaurants within easy walking distance of the villa, several of which offer the best dining experiences available in the Quepos-Manuel Antonio area. Don't hesitate to ask Rebecca to recommend any of them and give information about quality and pricing.
We can arrange have a private chef come to the house to cook for you and your guests, please let us know if you would like to arrange that.

Traveling

We know this area well (we've been coming here since 1980) but for newcomers we strongly recommend a good travel book such as Lonely Planet or the New Key to Costa Rica (house copies of these should not be removed). It is a good idea to look at www.quepolandia.com (click on "visitor resources") before arriving, for current information about restaurants, transportation, and local events. The free monthly print version is available at many stores. Lynch Travel, in Quepos, is helpful, especially with local flights.

From San Jose's international airport, Quepos is a twenty-minute flight away, or you may enjoy bus ride of a few hours or rent a car, or hire a taxi. Rebecca can assist you with local travel arrangements, including current taxi rates. All taxis become collectivos, charging a flat price per person when they return from the beach toward Quepos. The Quepos-Manuel Antonio bus runs every half hour, more often at busy times. The nearest bus stop (5 minutes away) is in front of Manuel Antonio's soccer field.

Insect tips

Nature is in balance here, and because of the bountiful bird life, insects are rarely a problem. We are rarely bothered by mosquitoes, but for those who react to them, we recommend lotions and the use of our mosquito nets at night. For those who prefer not to use the nets, the pool-level bedroom and bathroom are entirely screened off. The larger bugs are totally harmless and some, like scarab beetles, are a marvel to watch. The fireflies are a delight.

We tend not to use non-organic insect sprays, though we keep organic ones handy: bugs simply don't like white walls and yellow lights, they don't like not having hidden spaces to crawl into, and they are bored by people who put food away and keep the dishes clean.

A well-trimmed lawn keeps bugs away from the house. The nightjars and the flycatchers and the swallows and the blue-grey tanagers and house wrens do the rest. Tiny ants, however, will sometimes mysteriously appear, and they do an efficient job of cleaning up - if you haven't - but disappear if there's no work available.

Property manager

Daniel Deverell
Premier Host
Premier Host

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking not permitted inside the house
No third party rentals: agents and third parties renting on behalf of others are subject to review and may be terminated at will

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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
Safety features at this property include a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Manuel Antonio

Located in Quepos, this villa is in a rural area and near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Manuel Antonio National Park and Manuel Antonio Beach. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Manuel Antonio Nature Park & Wildlife Refuge - 19 min walk
  • Playitas Beach - 5 min drive
  • Biesanz Beach - 5 min drive
  • Playa La Macha - 5 min drive
  • Manuel Antonio Beach - 9 min drive

Getting around

  • Quepos (XQP) - 14 min drive

Restaurants

  • El Avión Restaurant - 18 min walk
  • El Patio de Café Milagro - 10 min walk
  • Emilio's Cafe - 11 min walk
  • Falafel Bar - 6 min walk
  • Ronny's Place - 3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Privacy, Elegance, Security, Private Pool & Nature Reserve pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Privacy, Elegance, Security, Private Pool & Nature Reserve?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Privacy, Elegance, Security, Private Pool & Nature Reserve?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Privacy, Elegance, Security, Private Pool & Nature Reserve located?

This family-friendly Quepos villa is located in the mountains, within 1 mi (2 km) of Manuel Antonio National Park, Pará Beach and Cascada El Salto. Rancho Tipico don Juan and Playa La Macha are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

4.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 5 - Excellent. 40 out of 49 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Good. 8 out of 49 reviews" "
Rating 3 - Okay. 1 out of 49 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Poor. 0 out of 49 reviews" "
Rating 1 - Terrible. 0 out of 49 reviews" "

4.9/5

Cleanliness

4.9/5

Check-in

5/5

Communication

4.8/5

Location

4.9/5

Listing accuracy

Reviews

5/5 Excellent

Bryan R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Secluded villa perfect for wildlife lovers
Traditional open air Costa Rican villa with beautiful surroundings. Plenty of space for families and a fabulous pool to relax in privacy. Great location close to beaches, restaurants, and a small grocery across the street. Wildlife sightings included!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

5/5 Excellent

Steve A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Monkey heaven
Amazing unique experience. Overall anticipation of the stay was skewed by a review stating Scorpions on the property. This was not the case, there were very few bugs during our stay and our only complaint was we didn’t stay longer. Howler Monkeys on day 2 morning, family of capuchin monkeys right on the pool deck and a spider monkey visit for morning coffee. Our only comment was the locking of gates slightly marred the overall experience. Location was great, close to the Beach and Quepos, corner store and Soda literally steps away. Layout of the house, deck, pool and open air concept, surrounded by jungle was spectacular. And “Petey”the pool Iquana was great!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

5/5 Excellent

Alexis A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
True Costa Rican experience
Magical, this property is truly one of a kind. We all enjoyed ourselves and hope to be able to come back again! The resident geckos and iguanas were our oldest daughters’ dream, the pool and private yard were amazing and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Every morning we saw scarlet macaws fly over and a couple mornings we were awakened by the howler monkeys, yes they are loud but we are here for the wildlife, culture and all the experiences so it is perfect! Until next time - Pura Vida!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

5/5 Excellent

H B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beyond our Expectations!
Villa Tekla is unlike any other VRBO. It is set on a large piece of property full of beautiful trees and flowers and you have so much privacy. The long gated driveway ensured that we were away from the street and we always felt safe. The house is an open concept with views of the mountains and cooled by the breeze & indoor fans. The upstairs bedroom was like being in a tree house! The house was so accessible to many things. We were ½ block away to the corner convenience store which had everything from food to wine and beer. Next door was a Soda (small local restaurant ) and the food was delicious! The house is very close to Manual Antonio Park (where we saw so many sloths), beaches, Quepos, & restaurants. Ronny’s place has an incredible beautiful sunset. We enjoyed our early morning coffee watching scarlet macaws, toucans, & playful capuchin monkeys. We saw large iguanas sunning themselves near the pool. We swim laps early in the am or took a plunge after a day of hiking. The hosts, Daniel & Rebecca, are very responsive. Rebecca was invaluable with recommendations of various activities. She connected us with a local taxi driver that was friendly and reliable and we used him exclusively which gave us much peace of mind. Mel, our tour guide, made arrangements for us with reputable guides & took us to the spectacular Nauyaca Water Falls. Mel took into consideration our capabilities for the hike to ensure that we all had a wonderful experience!
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2023

5/5 Excellent

Renee W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Unique and Private
We loved our stay, the home is so unique! It was awesome to be surrounded by so much flora and fauna. It also felt completely private and off the beaten path, even though it was so close to town!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

About the host

Hosted by Daniel Deverell

Host profile image
William Deverell, the award-winning Canadian crime writer, is a long-time resident of British Columbia's Gulf Islands, and he also lives and works much of the year in this home in Costa Rica, which is named after his late wife, Tekla Deverell. They built their dream villa in 1983 in the jungle of the fast-developing tourist hotspot of Manuel Antonio. VRBO doesn't allow external websites, so if you'd like to know more about the owner, Google William Deverell. The picture is of his son who is currently managing this listing from Brooklyn New York.

Why they chose this property

This was an unspoiled paradise in the 1980s, when William and Tekla discovered it. Arguably, the area boasts the finest collection of beaches in the tropical world. Manuel Antonio now sparkles with luxury hotels, homes and condos and is fast becoming a rainforest riviera.

What makes this property unique

Peace, beauty, friends. Monkeys, birds, flowering tropical trees. Incredible views from the rise on which the villa was built upon five acres of pristine jungle. A climate that never gets too hot (it's soothed by breezes off the ocean) and is always warm at night. A beautiful sky, tropical sunrises and sunsets, warm torrential rains in the green season, dry cooling winds in the dry season. Mangoes in May. Grapefruit in November. Bananas all year round. Papayas, pineapples, lemons, limes, avocados -- you will be surrounded by organic fruits.

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