53 Reviews of Property 255627 in Mal Pais, Costa Rica

Go to vimeo dot com and search for Jeff Dowling. We have posted a video called Costa Rica pura Vida. check it out

Really can't describe how incredible this setting is. Perched perfectly in the hills, spectacular views of the ocean. Nature fills this house with beautiful sounds to compliment the picturesque setting.

We had a group of 8 that slept comfortably for the week. Lucked out with amazing weather and had all we needed. Found ourselves missing the house when we were in town which made it all that much better coming home in the evenings.

Great indoor kitchen for cooking, outside kitchen for grilling. Whenever we had a question/concerns, we were promptly helped.

Check out the video at the bottom. It will give you a little taste of everything. Great shots of the house in action and everything it has to offer. My suggestion for transportation is that everyone rents ATV's. Makes it so easy to get into town from the house, cruise around, and get back up. It would be a pretty long walk. Cars also work fine but everyone in our group thought the ATV's were the best choice ( we didn't rent until the end of the week)

All I can really say is "WOW." I've been to Mal Pais three times now and this is by far the best house I've had. The owners were ALWAYS willing to answer questions and addressed any concerns immediately. The onsite caretakers were wonderful as well, helping out with anything we needed. The location is perfect, assuming you aren't scared of doing a tiny bit of four wheeling on the dirt road to the house (nothing the local 4x4 rentals can't handle). All part of the charm of Mal Pais!

If you're trying to decide where to vacation in CR, choose Mal Pais if:

1) you either surf or want to learn (I fall in the latter category)
2) you like yoga
3) you don't mind frizzy hair due to humidity
4) you want a place that feels off the beaten path, but with AMAZING restaurants (I argue that Koji's for sushi is one of the best places on the planet (have the snapper carpaccio)!

I will most certainly be looking to book the house again, the sooner the better!

Thanks to all for making the stay in Mal Pais wonderful!

We wanted an unusual location for a birthday celebration and family reunion, somewhere where we could all enjoy a stress-free time in a luxury setting. Villa CasaBlanca delivered all this and much more...it is a dream home in a perfect setting, with all mod cons and views to die for. From my first contact with Mike, he was responsive and unfailingly helpful in making sure we got all our travel arragements coordinated. We were a bit surprised that it was literally off the beaten track, a 10 minute drive up a very steep rough road above the coast road, but we did eventually get used to it. The roads generally in Costa Rica are pretty hair raising and at the moment very dry and dusty so travelling anywhere is not that pleasant. But the villa's slight inaccesibility means that when you get up there, it literally is away from the crowds. With 8 of us, it was anyway more enjoyable to cook at home in the wonderful open plan, well-equipped kitchen and eat outside in the informal dining area by the BBQ. Having said that, one of the highlights was having a personal chef come in to cook my birthday dinner, one of the most amazing meals I've ever eaten. Another highlight was the early morning fishing trip with a local fisherman which gave us a great catch to put on the BBQ, and relaxing massage sessions on the cobana.The staff were unobtrusive but always there when you needed them. It would be an advantage to have some command of Spanish though to communicate with everyone in a more friendly way! Mal Pais is a laid-back surfer dude spot with rough and ready places to eat, but obviously great for keen surfers! I would definitely recommend this place as the perfect holiday location for those who really do want to get away from it all.

This was our second trip to Costa Rica and the Mal Pais area, and by far, Casa Blanca left us speechless. The pictures do not do justice for the house or the awesome views. The owner Mike, personally, worked with us in making our stay at Casa Blanca one that we will never forget. Eduardo, Lourdes, and his family were wonderful. Even though my Spanish is very limited, Eduardo explained how to work everything in the house and TV/Media Room. We were looking just for rest and relaxation and found it and more at Casa Blanca.

This is a fantastic property with a wonderful view. The drive up the hill is intimidating at first but then becomes part of the joy of the rental. Inside everything is in great shape and the design of villa accentuates the beauty of the location and the jungle and ocean. Been lucky to have rented lots of nice places over the years but Casa Blanca is truly special.

This house is absolutely magnificent! It far exceeded our expectations. From the fantastic views to the exquisite amenities and the remarkable landscaping, there is nothing better we could have hoped for. This is truly paradise tucked away in private little setting where you can forget the rest of the world even exists. The caretakers of the property were outstanding. They made everything easy and comfortable, such a pleasure to meet them. The details of our of our stay were handled flawlessly due to the much appreciated help of the owner. The chef he recommended for our in house dinner was spot on perfect. We will indeed recommend this rental to others and hope to visit Casa Blanca again. A truly awesome vacation experience.

Truly a magical and beautiful place! The drive alone to the house on top of Mal Pais was such an adventure. Steep, rocky and with sharp turns but well worth the trip to be in paradise. Perfect place to go and bring a few close friends to celebrate your bday ;) or just relax and enjoy the beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean by the infinity pool or even from the room or roof top. The cabanita tucked on the side of the house has a hammock and provides a intimate spot to read a book or enjoy the view. The caretakers of the house were very accommodating and kept the place very clean. This was really such an experience and a great one to share with friends. I look forward to returning to this place and highly recommend it!! Pura Vida!

From morning hops off my balcony into the pool to midday siestas in the massage and relaxation cabina to nights falling asleep listening to the waves of the ocean, my experience at Casa Blanca was a fantastic opportunity to simply rest and enjoy the beauty all around me. The house's clean modern design always feels cozy and comfortable, and yet can be completely opened up to invite in the cool breeze and the quiet sounds of the environment. The view is extraordinary, with unobstructed view of the ocean on one side and lush forest on the other. The area around Mal Pais offers many beautiful beaches and trails to explore, although if you are like me you might prefer to relax around the house occasionally enjoying a mango or bite of ceviche made from the freshest catch you can buy from the local fishermen.
The house provides all the amenities one would hope for, always feels clean, and is well-maintained by the helpful staff. My family and I had a fabulous holiday at Casa Blanca, and would absolutely recommend the house for anyone wanting a memorable vacation in paradise. We hope to return soon!