Authentic Beachfront Caribbean Hideaway-Crashing Surf, Palms, & Tradewinds!

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Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Wonderful

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 30.1 sq m

Popular amenities

Washer

Parking available

Pet-friendly

Outdoor space

Kitchen

Free WiFi

Explore the area

Las Canas, Espaillat Province

Encuentro Beach

24 min drive

Cabarete Beach

25 min drive

Kite Beach

33 min drive

Puerto Plata (POP-Gregorio Luperon Intl.)

58 min drive

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 3)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen

Dining

Living area

Exterior

About this property

I have remodeled the house, and now it's a duplex. This listing is for the entire second floor. Guests will have their own complete apartment and private terrace at their disposal. The lower floor is currently closed, pending renovation. For now, the only people you will encounter on the property is my cohost and friend, Amilcar. There are three cats on the property that pretty much do what they please. Mercutio, Rayas, and Nero remain with the property to keep some of the wildlife at bay. Public transportation is a short walk away, and there is room to park in the driveway. For some people, it's the last paradise. Others may find it too secluded, wild and rustic. I just want to make sure it's the vacation my guests were hoping for. If you're unsure, shoot me an email, and I'd be happy to answer any questions or concerns.

Now, if you're an adventurous soul, are you ready to go someplace where you can relax on the beach all day and fall asleep to the surf pounding on the shore at night? Maybe you're a water sports enthusiast and want to know what it's like to really live Island Life? Wondering if there's anything left unspoiled and beautiful in the Caribbean? Then Casa Costello is where you need to be.

Lie in bed, watching the sea, sip coffee on the terrace with stunning views, spread out in the shade, and enjoy the trades. This place is private and quiet. The yard is all flowers, hammocks, and birds, giving way to the deserted beach you've only imagined in your dreams! (No jellyfish, lots of sand dollars, star fish, and sea-glass.)
Rustic, colorful, and original, you've never stayed at a place like this! We have little red crabs living in the garden, (and occasionally wander into the house by mistake.) There are numerous birds and lizards to watch in the yard all day, and my cats are always on patrol to keep the wildlife at bay.

As for excursions, it's already a kite surfer's paradise, and everything is available at a reasonable distance. Let us know, and we can help you find your favorite adventure! We recycled the original house materials to provide the landscaping. The paths are made from beach stones and bamboo, the shells highlight the garden, the sea glass in the shower...all of it is our recycling of what was originally there, and mother nature continues to provide for our use.

Sustainable ecotourism is important to me. I refuse to put up a giant concrete wall to separate my home from the beach and the people. I like the sound of the sea, I like the locals that help me take care of the place, and I like my salty window screens. I want to feel the sand beneath my feet, taste the fresh fruit and fish. I love being a part of the community in Las Canas.

I pay a price for the close proximity to the sea, sure. Every hinge or latch rusts within days, and I have to replace everything electrical on a regular basis...is it worth the hassle and work? Absolutely! I bought the last piece of paradise, and I'm sharing it with the world. The reviews say it better than I can. Just think....they were reviewing the old house....and now it's all brand new!!!!

Property manager

Angie Costello

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Pet-friendly

Free WiFi

Outdoor space

Ocean view

Similar properties

Air conditioning

House Rules

Flexible check-in available (contact host in advance of arrival)

Minimum age to rent: 21

Flexible check-out available (contact host to arrange)

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings

Pets

Pets allowed: limit 1 total

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

No toilet paper in the toilets. Please feed the cats daily, and lock them outside at night.

Do not hand out money/gifts to the locals in the village. (It's inappropriate/creepy.) If you disobey this rule, you will have no privacy.

No one is allowed on the property without prior approval from the management, for security reasons. No one.

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

Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 20

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 deadlock

We should mention

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

About the area

Las Canas

Located in Gaspar Hernandez, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the beach. Playa Grande Golf Course and Taino Valley Tropical Park are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Cabarete Beach and Playa Magante. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Las Canas, Espaillat Province

What's nearby

Encuentro Beach - 24 min drive
Cabarete Beach - 25 min drive
Playa Alicia - 29 min drive
Sosua Beach - 30 min drive
Kite Beach - 33 min drive

Getting around

Puerto Plata (POP-Gregorio Luperon Intl.) - 58 min drive

Restaurants

‪La Boca - ‬20 min drive
‪Wilson's Bar - ‬20 min drive
‪Cafetería Michel - ‬4 min drive
‪Desayunitoos - ‬9 min drive
‪Colmado el Palo - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Authentic Beachfront Caribbean Hideaway-Crashing Surf, Palms, & Tradewinds! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 1 total).

Where is Authentic Beachfront Caribbean Hideaway-Crashing Surf, Palms, & Tradewinds! located?

Nestled on the beach, this Gaspar Hernandez holiday home is within 16 mi (25 km) of Cabarete Beach, Playa Magante and Kite Beach. Encuentro Beach and Laguna Beach are also within 20 miles (32 km).

9.2

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

7.6/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

8.4/10

Location

8.4/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

John P.

15 Dec 2021

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

This Place is Great

I loved it. Very private - beach - house was comfortable and had everything you need. If you are looking to decompress and relax - away from the touristy places - this place is it. Just beautiful and so easy - walking on the beach and swimming could not be better and usually all by yourself. I did find I needed a car as it is remote and there is not much close by but you can use the busses (I did for 2 weeks) which are very good if you prefer. Local restaurants are fantastic - so good - not expensive - everything fresh. Again - I loved it and would highly recommend for people looking to avoid the crowds.

Stayed 61 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Vivian G.

26 Mar 2020

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

An Adventure

Our stay at Casa Costello was truly an adventure! It is a beautiful, remote property with a beach that goes for miles in both directions. The privacy was amazing! Unfortunately, we had several days of pretty hard rain which caused flooding, loss of electricity, and contaminated the well. Aneuri was extremely attentive to our needs. He assisted us with all of these issues, and helped to make us comfortable and safe. He also did shopping for us and was available to help us navigate the roads when we did venture off the property. His whole family was warm and welcoming and this truly added to the overall charm.

Stayed 24 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Doreen D.

25 Feb 2020

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

Cottage by the sea

First, this is not a resort experience - it is a cottage/rural experience where you enjoy peace and quiet, friendly local people. Listen to the sound of waves crashing all night and the soothing sound of a rain shower on the roof in the afternoon. Fresh fish just pulled out of the ocean for dinner on the BBQ. Miles of pristine beach to walk..... If you cannot speak any Spanish and do not want to engage with locals then this might not be the place for you. But if you want a true Dominican living experience then this is it. Not fancy, not pretentious not a resort. It's much, much better.

Stayed 14 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Curtis S.

1 Feb 2020

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

Las canas vacation

My wife Kim and I had a wonderful time! Aneuri and Papa we're friendly and helpful. Language was a bit of a hurdle, but a little technology, some help from Jim, and some dogged determination; and we communicated quite well. I do think I'll learn a little more espanol for pur next visit! Highly recommend. Very relaxing private beachfront awash in local charm!

Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2020

4/10 Poor

Rick D.

24 Jan 2020

Liked: Communication

Disliked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy

I wont return

I'll keep this short. In the washroom the toilet is damaged, dosnt flush all the time and dirty. The sinks taps are corroded. The towel rack is broken - no towels anyway. No soap. No shower curtain and right outside the shower is an electrical outlet. I went to this place to be alone. I never was. Staff were present a lot of the time just watching TV. I ended up cooking for three a lot of the time. There are over 20 windows in the main room. They were last cleaned when JFK was President.

Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Joshua L., Philadelphia, TN, USA

18 Feb 2019

Beautiful and Secluded Beachfront Property with Honestly the Best Owners I Have Ever Worked With

First off, let me hand it to Jim and Angie for going out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed for this trip. The owners got in contact with us almost immediately after sending the booking request. They helped familiarize us with the area and even look at different airport destinations to make our trip more enjoyable. The property itself is everything we had hoped for. Aneuri and Papa , the caretakers of the property, were available for anything we might need. They cut open coconuts harvested from the trees on the property. They spent the time to cut open fresh Almonds that grow on the property as well. Aneuri even cooked us an excellent Arroz con Pollo dinner that was to die for. This place and the people are genuine and will stay in your hearts for years to come. If you are looking for a genuine Dominican Republic experience at a fantastic price for the amenities then this is it. The location is remote, but not far from Cabarete (a tourist town) or Gasper Hernandez so you can easily go out for groceries or to local restaurants. The locals are super friendly and very helpful. It helps if you speak Spanish, but isn't required. (With technology these days anything is possible.) We spent a week at the place and could have easily spent more time. It was a very relaxing and soul filling experience. The beach is amazing. Most of the time, we were about the only people on it. This is truly a piece of paradise. When given the chance, we definitely will return.

Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2019

8/10 Good

Maria F.

28 Dec 2018

Backyard and Beach are perfect for relaxing and entertaining

The property layout is nice, it’s an older house with true Dominican appeal. The house is all original no updates.

Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Stan E.

27 June 2018

Authentic Dominican Republic Experience

We stayed at this property in June 2018. We had a great experience at Casa Costello as we relaxed and enjoyed nature. The village of Las Canas was a secluded area, but did have the amenities we needed. This property is located right on the beach and has a backyard that will melt your troubles away. The casa is very unique and has a native charm we were looking for. The property owners were very good to work with and available as needed. Jim even called me prior to the trip to make sure all was in order and gave us pointers on what to do and what to expect. We had a local guide available to help get us oriented, arrange transportation, and show us the sites when desired. We went snorkeling with Randy Rode in Rio San Juan, swimming in the cave pools at Cabarete, and also enjoyed a dance club and attended a church service (all in Spanish). Your guide will cook authentic dishes for you if you choose. The local bus service was easy (and interesting) to use and only cost $1. The people here were extremely friendly and treated us like family from the minute we arrived. Things to be aware of. If you are looking for a luxury resort - this property is not for you. Swimming at this beach can be tough as the waves pound pretty hard. We went to couple of other beaches during our stay that were incredible. The water here is probably not what you're used to, but drinking water is provided. Speaking at least a minimal level of Spanish will be helpful. My wife got us by, but I would have had a hard time. Overall this was a great trip and I recommend this property to anyone who is looking for a one of kind experience.

Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Hedy I.

22 Mar 2018

A Sweet Rustic Escape

My friend and i led a yoga retreat to the DR in March. It was a big group and we had rented a house for them in Las Canas. We decided we wanted to have our own space, a place for us to retreat to when necessary. We ended up booking Casa Costello just 2 doors down. Before we even got there, the owners, Jim and Angie were beyond helpful. They set up our airport transfers, connected us to people of the village that could help us with food and helped set up our excursions. I had several conversations on the phone with Jim prior to our arrival and he was always very reassuring that all will go smoothly (and it did!). The beachfront house has a rustic kind of charm. This is not your luxury modern house so if that is what you are looking for, keep on searching. I slept in the upstairs bedroom (which has quite an interested staircase to climb up to to it- steep and windy! But there is also an outside staircase which is easier to climb). The bathroom is an interesting design with the toilet up a few steps. Not the easiest to use but points for creativity! There is a lot of space and an upstairs balcony that opens up to the the ocean. Falling asleep to the waves cannot be beat. It is a little hot in the room at night with the mosquito net down and no AC. You can always leave the doors open for air but i didn't want to risk letting bugs in. My friend stayed downstairs, a more standard bedroom and bathroom--- comfortable and clean. Everything seemed to function in the kitchen although we didn't use it too much. I am not sure if there was one hidden away, but a tea kettle would have been nice to have. The backyard which led to the beach was a nice addition--- we didn't use it much as we were out and about most of the time but nice to have anyways. The beach was lovely but the tide was too high and waves were too strong to swim in. I am sure that changes throughout the year. Las Canas is a bit remote from the bigger towns such as Cabarete-- about a 30 minute drive. The Costello's connected us to Aneuri, a local in town, who was able to get us taxi's whenever we needed, so it worked out well. There is not much in Las Canas so you will need to get taxis to get places- other beaches, excursions, restaurants, etc... If you are looking for a quiet, bare bones, rustic, sweet little getaway, this is your place.

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2018

8/10 Good

Charlotte B.

18 Feb 2018

Many wonderful experiences at Casa Costello

First, Jim and Angie's responsiveness to our questions before our trip, and their helpfulness getting us information in advance, including a shopping list of our requests to have in the fridge in advance, was WONDERFUL. After caretaker Aneuri and his brother, an excellent driver, meet us at the airport, they made sure to show us where everything we needed was in th house before saying goodnight. Delighted by the sound of the surf even before we could see the delightful views of the ocean from the second floor bedroom, the balcony, the main door way downstairs and everywhere in the yard, the beach in front of the house and the water temperature were just great- caution with currents needed some days. We walked for miles on the beach in each direction. The air temperature was more refreshing than many Carribbean locations, and we were enchanted by 7 different rainbows in our 8 days. There were quick showers- glad we brought rain jacket!- we loved how quickly the sky and sea changed colors as the breeze blew clouds away and the sun came out. We particularly appreciated unlimited cold bottled spring water provided by the owners: we never had to buy water in bulk. Everything in the kitchen- coffee maker, fridge, toaster, microwave and stove worked well. The plantings in the shady yard were lovely and well tended. We enjoyed coconut water and fresh almonds from the yard, as well as the pineapples and grapes Anueri got for us. My husband loved lying in the hammock staring up at the sky through the palm fronds. We really enjoyed visiting the caves in Caberete with Aneuri, swimming in the underground crystal clear pool and having excellent tour guides share their knowledge of plants and birds and the history of the caves with us. Watching the kite-surfing on Caberete beach with Aneuri was great fun, and we appreciated both Aneuri's care getting us to our dinner at Otra Cosa- highly recommended- and the beautiful sunset walking on that beach. Going to Playa Calleton with Aneuri was an absolute highlight-it is the most beautiful beach ever- and we loved our lunch with Aneuri at a table complete with white cloth, pina colodas and great shrimp at the water's edge. Saving the very best for last, Aneuri 's cooking was astounding- our 2 fish dinners and our chicken night at the house were so far beyond our hopes. He is a great cook and a lovely person. We feel lucky to have become friends and lucky to have been there!

Stayed 9 nights in Feb 2018

This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Patty B., Sonoma

31 Jan 2018

On the beach! Beautiful yard! Comfortable beds!

Keep in mind this is not for people who want luxury and everything taken care of for them. This is a place for people who want to experience where they are! It has some peccadilloes, this is the Dominican Republic and the tropics 😁 but we (4 adults... two who are 92!) enjoyed our 3 and a half week stay immensely!! We felt safe and comfortable the entire visit. For the somewhat adventurous traveler, this home is perfect!!

Stayed 23 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

Natalie G.

18 Jan 2018

Beautiful beach

Jim and Angie were great to work with. The beach and yard are amazing

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2017

2/10 Terrible

Diana P.

17 Jan 2018

Very dissapointing, unpleasantly "authentic", stinky - run away after 4 nights whilst paying for 7!!

Arriving at night the hut looked scary but mainly due to lack of good light on lower floor, lots of killed insects on windows and stale smell. Upper floor was lot better and more optimistic. Daylight showed the hut is not in a good shape and needs serious care and serious cleaning (beer bottles, other garbage on site, broken door frame, broken utilities like shower, cabinet doors and handles, smelly brownish tap water, all kind of other wet and mildew smells, …). Half of the rental would be so so and title of "Low budget" more appropriate as long as “Authentic” should not mean authentically destroyed by teeth of time and lack of care. Second night Aneuri (local care taker) helped us to move second mattress on upper floor so that all of us could enjoy fresh air (which was not available in lower bedroom). However, heavy rain at night made our bed completely wet! The roof was broken just above us for quite a long time as we could recognize from old water sediments on the floor in the morning. Third evening we wanted to enjoy the breeze on upper terrace combined with some internet browsing. Wifi was working only from time to time and all kinds of unpleasant smells coming from sides of the hut including excrement smells were pretty disturbing. Luckily it was not raining that night so we had normal sleep in dry bed... Fourth night we woke up at midnight with smell of overheated electric wires coming from the corner of upper bedroom where the whole family slept. Seemed like thermostat of water heater was going to burn soon. That was the last drop, such hut can burn in a minute … Next morning we packed our things and send email to the owners about what we went through. No single response arrived from them for almost 2 weeks up till now. No apology, no return of unused nights, only confirmation of refundable deposit return arrived. Yes, we may appreciate newly painted terrace, wooden furniture on upper floor, newly made curtains, view from the terrace and help of local guy Aneuri but we could not avoid to notice also the pretty disturbing rest. Btw, the cottage was supposed to be for 6 (we were 5) – but it was impossible to sleep on the foldable sofa bed, therefore our 3 kids slept in the main double bed. Concerning the bed linens – only blanket and pillows were prepared, something to cover up we found in plastic boxes down stairs. Luckily one box out of three was safely locked, the rest of bed cloths was wet and stinky. WE CAN NOT RECOMMEND!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gracie G.

27 Dec 2017

If you are looking for a quaint, rustic piece of Paradise, this is the place!

We loved our quiet time here in this lovely rustic, ocean front, bit of paradise!! The back yard with hammocks and cabana were the perfect place to watch the amazing sunrise and sunsets. We had a most amazing meal of fresh fish and tostones cooked for us by the caretaker who was very attentive to our every need. If you like all-inclusive resorts with all the modern convenience this is not the place for you, but if you love rustic charm and want to have ocean front all to yourself, with gracious hospitality showered on you by the caretakers...book it now!

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Karoline N.

23 Oct 2017

Urlaub im Paradies

Mein Mann und ich verbrachten wundervolle 10 Tage im Casa Costello. Das Haus befindet sich in dem kleinen Dörfchen Las Canas, weit weg von allen Pauschaltouristen und Hotelanlagen. Als wir spät abends mit unserem Leihwagen ankamen, wurden wir von Aneuri, dem Hausverwalter und seinen Eltern so herzlich empfangen, dass es sich anfühlte, als würde man alte Freunde treffen. Der Kühlschrank war gefüllt und alles perfekt für unseren Aufenthalt vorbereitet. Das Haus ist wirklich unbeschreiblich schön. Im unteren Bereich befindet sich neben einem Schlafzimmer und einem Badezimmer ein großer Wohnbereich und eine Küche, die voll ausgestattet ist. Wirklich unfassbar ist jedoch die obere Etage, mit einem Schlafbereich, einem Bad mit riesiger Dusche und einer sensationellen Dachterrasse, von der aus man einen großartigen Ausblick auf den Atlantik hat. Jeden Morgen, wenn man die Terrassentür öffnet, kann man die Sonne über dem Atlantik aufgehen sehen und sich von der leichten Meeresbrise wachküssen lassen. Besonders schön ist, dass man wirklich ungestört und alleine ist. Der Strand läd zu langen Strandspaziergängen ein, bei denen man Treibgut sammeln und die Seele baumeln lassen kann. Die hier gezeigten Fotos, können kaum die Realität abbilden, denn es bietet sich einem jeden Tag ein neuer atemberaubender Blick über den naturbelassenen Strand und den Atlantik. Das Haus ist perfekt für Individualisten, die die Natur lieben und in einem Robinsonambiente pures Karibikflair erleben möchten. Vielen Dank an an Jim und Angie, mit denen wir während unseres Aufenthaltes über Whatsapp Kontakt hielten und die als wunderbare Gastgeber alle unsere Wünsche erfüllten. Danke auch an Aneuri und seine Familie, die jederzeit für uns da waren, ohne aufdringlich zu sein. Wir fühlten uns den gesamten Aufenthalt willkommen und sicher und haben jede Sekunde sehr genossen. Wir kommen ganz bestimmt wieder...

Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Melissa O.

4 June 2017

Wonderful beachfront home

You can't get closer to the beach than this lovely home! You can feel the ocean breezes and hear the waves crash all day and night long. The views are amazing and the beach felt like our own private beach, we rarely saw anyone else out there as we swam in the waves and collected sea glass. It was truly perfect. The home is in a small town of Las Canas, which is not touristy by any definition. If you are looking for an authentic experience, this is it! The house consists of 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with a living area that could be used for more sleeping space if needed. There is seating for dining both at the kitchen island and at outdoor tables on both the lower and upper terraces. Sometimes we stayed at the house all day. Other days we took the quick drive to Cabarete for dinner and to watch the kite surfers and for a snorkel and sailing expedition on another day. The kitchen was ell equipped with everything we needed including pans, coffee maker, blender, etc. as well as a water dispenser with plenty of clean and cold water. The wifi and satellite tv are also excellent. Jim and Angie truly thought of everything to make our stay great. They even thought of and provided the little things, in case you forget or run out, like sunscreen, mosquito repellent and coffee, oil, spices, etc. I must admit that it was almost a little intimidating coming to Las Canas because my Spanish is not that great. But I found that I need not have worried. Jim and Angie have taken care of everything. They will have their concierge Anueri meet you and show you the house, you can then get on wifi and call using WhatsApp and Jim can translate, if needed. After that initial call we found we were able to communicate well enough. Speaking of Anueri, he was fantastic! Anueri helped us with anything we needed. He can run to the store, answer questions and cook dinner (which I totally recommend, we had fish one night and chicken another) for just a nominal charge for his extra time and gas. Also Delio comes over daily to straighten up the outdoors, etc. He was so kind and brought us coconut and other nuts, always with a huge smile. The only thing that I did not like would have to be the mosquitos. They didn't really bother my husband or daughter much, but I always seem to draw out the mosquitos before anyone else and that was the case here. But that was really just a minor annoyance.. We loved our stay at Casa Costello and highly recommend it.

Stayed 4 nights in May 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Ian & Louise M., Toronto, Canada

2 Mar 2017

Unique Dominican Republic Vacation Experience ..

Nature lovers traditional beach house located right on the ocean, a true experience of the way of life in rural DR but yet close enough to the North Coast tourist experience of Cabarete and Sosua. Located in Las Canas about 25 minutes east of Cabarete the palm trees are the tallest, the beach is almost deserted and life moves very slowly. Listen to the sound of the ocean waves, beachcomb for Amber and see the crystal clear night sky, and buy fresh fish from local fishermen. Like other properties in Las Canas it is a great base to explore the real Dominican Republic lifestyle, we did a relatively long stay with a few mini vacations to other areas of DR such as Samana. Some of the best experiences are just getting up early, watching the life go by and having empanadas and coffee at a roadside mini-store with the locals. The beach house is spaceous, has two patio decks, a gas BBQ, comfortable upstairs bed, and a nice ocean front gazebo. Lots of TV channels, reasonably good Internet, and a basic video security monitoring system. Obviously this is not a new property so expect a somewhat rustic unique experience and a close proximity to nature both outside and sometime inside.. this is appropriate for the more advanced independant traveller who feels comfortable discovering the DR totally opposite to the 5 star super clubs. Not really suitable for the first time or less experienced traveller. Be prepared to discover public transport guagaua mini busses and shared local taxis to get around or rent a car. The beach house has its own cat. No local restaurants or grocery stores, be prepared to shop in Cabarete or Sosua. Basic conversational Spanish language skills are required.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

19 Nov 2016

Carolina, Florida Keys

I arrived amidst the flood that was ravaging the northern shore of the DR. Our driver braved high levels of flood waters to get us to Casa Costello. Arrived at night and waded the driveway to the entrance. Adventure from the get go! Experienced power outages twice and water came into the house a couple times. Back up power performed beautifully. Local staff put things right quickly without fuss. Went to mountains for river rafting. That was a powerful experience with the flood conditions. Horseback riding will have to wait till next time as the horses had been moved to higher ground for safety. Fun times were had in the cabana, beach combing and enjoying local eateries in Gaspar Hernandez. Discovered I like goat. Who knew. Will definitely return and NOT during a flood of the century. LOVED the Fresh Real Food.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

18 Nov 2016

Girls Week Off

Great romantic get-away for long walks on the beach and snuggling close to that special someone. Plenty of things to do within travel distance, i.e. Horse back riding on the beach, White water rafting, chilling on the beach watching the submarine races. Quiet local without the noisy neighbors to disturb your peace and tranquility. Abundance of local flora and fauna. Will be back with my stud-muffin for some quality time.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Michael C.

18 Nov 2016

Great Hide-away!!

Beautiful Beach house with direct access to the ocean. Spent hours playing in the surf and just chilling out. Great place to just relax and let the worries of the world slide by you while you drink a rum punch. Close to local stores for replenishing those important ingredients for Cuba Liberas! Warm tropical nights for those walks on the beach with that special someone.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

2 Sept 2016

Beautiful way to escape and live in a nice house on a gorgeous beach

From the time you turn off the main road to your first look inside this gorgeous home, you will know you pick the right place to rest, relax, have fun, and reconnect with your loved one, friends or family. Out of the hustle and bustle of the main tourist traps, yet close enough to some wonderful locals that you can get you anything and take you anywhere, this is the place be. The house is styled to immerse you island beachfront life complete with gazebo over looking the beach and second floor terrace off the masterbed room also over looking the beach. The beach and the water were perfect with nice double breaking waves to play in and act as a natural massage thanks to a submerged sand bar about 20 yards off the main beach. I went swimming 3 to 5 times a day (sometimes for hours at a time), and I'm not usually a beach person. Once and awhile we would see a local on the beach, but 9 out of 10 times it was just our group and no one to be seen in any direction. Come for the relaxation, the fun and the local rum, but be warned ... the rum is smooth, tasty, and sneaky. My thanks to the property owners on offering this to our group.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mary O., Fremont

15 Aug 2016

Your own Caribbean Vaca without the resort hustle

This was the way to go. We did a Sandals once and it wasnt nearly as restful and relaxing as staying here at a privately owned villa. Just steps to the beach. Private. Quiet. Rented a car and sew the countryside and i would recomend this to anyone who is in search of peace.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Michelle B., Michigan, USA

8 Aug 2016

Great, private getaway

The property is well maintained. You are steps away from the beach. Quiet, serene, and relaxing. No hustle and bustle. You are on own island time. Literally your own private getaway. Perfect for couples :) Book now

About the host

Hosted by Angie Costello

I'm Angie Costello, I believe in balancing work and play as equally as possible, and cramming in as much as I can before I get old or die. Travel has always been important to me, and the best part of travel are the people and cultures you encounter along the way. I travel around for various occupations, and I'm not quite ready to retire to paradise.... yet.

It gives me great satisfaction to know my home is waiting for me. I want to share it with folks like me, who can only afford to see this beautiful world on a budget. I can't afford fancy resorts< (hate them anyway,) and I figure there are lots of other folks like me, who would love this place, and if I rent it enough to help take care of it, that's enough for me.

Why they chose this property

I wanted tranquility, beauty, and my own beach. I found it online, and immediately fell in love. The first time I saw it, I knew it was the right place. Maybe the last good place.

Built by a Canadian artist, more than 20 years ago, there is charm in every chip of tile and seashell imbedded in the walls and floor. There is some sort of indescribable magic in this place that calls me home every chance I get. Too good not to share.