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Caballitos del Mar Central: Surf spots are only steps away

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December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Caballitos del Mar Central: Surf spots are only steps away

Indoor pool
Indoor pool
Property grounds
On the beach, beach towels
On the beach, beach towels

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 7204 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pool
    Pool
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Ballena, Puntarenas (province)
  • Playa Dominical
    5 min walk
  • Sunset Surf Dominical - Day Lessons
    6 min walk
  • Costa Rica Stand Up Paddle Boarding
    9 min walk
  • Quepos (XQP)
    30 min drive

Room options

About the area

Ballena

Located in Ballena, this villa is on the beach, within a 5-minute walk of Playa Barú and Playa Dominical. .This beach villa is 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from Sunset Surf Dominical - Day Lessons and 0.5 mi (0.7 km) from Costa Rica Stand Up Paddle Boarding.

What's nearby

  • Playa Dominical - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Costa Rica Stand Up Paddle Boarding - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Hacienda Baru - 20 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Hacienda Barú National Wildlife Refuge - 8 min drive - 7.0 km
  • Nauyaca Waterfalls - 11 min drive - 10.1 km

Getting around

  • Quepos (XQP) - 30 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Scala - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Tortilla Flats - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Restaurante La Parcela - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Coco's Restaurant - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Fuego Brew Company - ‬12 min walk

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Caballitos del Mar Central: Surf spots are only steps away

If you’re going to rent a place in Costa Rica that’s on the beach, make sure it’s actually on the beach! Villa Central, one of three gorgeous villas in Caballitos del Mar, is as close to the beach as you can legally build in Costa Rica, yet the jungle and gardens that surround it provide privacy and intimacy with proximity. Villa Central has a gorgeous tiled pool that wraps around the expansive terrace, and it’s where you’ll spend most of your time. Outdoor dining allows you to hear the ocean and smell the salt spray regardless of the water, with large eaves if it rains, and an overhead fan for comfort. The kitchen is close at hand through large sliding glass doors, so the chef doesn’t feel left out of the conversation, or the views.
The three large bedrooms all have A/C and two have ensuite bathrooms, but you’ll end up opening the screened windows so you can let the sound of the ocean lull you to bed. The upstairs bedrooms even have private balconies where you can watch the waves and check the tide. All linens and towels, for pool and bath, are included. There’s also a large living room, and dining area downstairs, surrounded by native plants, palm trees, and some primary forest trees that are 100’ tall.
One of the reasons the south Pacific coast is so popular is the town of Dominical, a quiet surf town with great restaurants and convenient stores. Villa Central is only 5 minutes away from Dominical by car, or when the tide is out, it’s a gorgeous 20 minute stroll on the beach. Known for having great surfing, Dominical also has a broad beach that extends out 100 yards or so during low tide. Walk to breakfast, or grab a drink at sunset, without having to get in a car to get someplace.
There’s only one type of tourism in Costa Rica, and that’s ecotourism. Villa Central is truly central to the wide variety of excursions that allow you to explore this renowned area. North about 45 minutes is Manuel Antonio National Park, and south about an hour is the gateway to Corcovado and the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse places on earth. The concierge service at our property manager’s office can hook your family up with horseback rides to waterfalls, ziplining, birdwatching safaris, kayak torus of mangroves and sea caves, and river rafting. It’s all good, and it’s only a phone call away.
Villa Central is one of three identical villas on the same property, so if you have a large family (or a class reunion), you can rent two or three villas at the same time for up to 25 people. No one gets short changed since the villas are identical and all have gorgeous pools. Contact yougethere.com for more information on renting more than one villa.
Caballitos del Mar and the three villas are about 3 hours from Juan Santamaria Int’l Airport in Alajuela (San Jose), and renting a car is easy. All roads are paved and you won’t need a big four wheel drive to navigate mountain roads: the driving is straightforward and any rental car can handle it.
There’s a lovely Tico couple that lives on the property, and they can provide light housekeeping services, and they keep the pools and gardens in primo condition.

Villa Central: convenient to the things you want most, and secluded for privacy. The perfect combination of Pura Vida.

Guests Reviews
The house itself is spacious and comfortable; we loved the air-conditioned bedrooms after days filled with adventures and tours. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and we all enjoyed sitting outdoors and watching interesting birds and lizards. The private pool was an absolute highlight... it's far bigger in person than it appears in the pictures. The beach, a mere 30-second walk about the back door, was absolutely spectacular. During low tide, Dominical was a 25-ish minute walk on the beach. The property managers and on-site caretakers were friendly and helpful. When we return to Costa Rica, I will absolutely be looking to book this property again!

The home was very well equipped with kitchen supplies, beach towels, bath towels and plenty of seating. This was by far the cleanest VRBO I have stayed in. The staff/housekeeper went above and beyond to make sure our stay was pleasant. The home is close to the beach but we didn't swim in it because of the rip tides. The pool was amazing and perfect for our kids. The 3 houses are very close which would be great for families or friends staying close by. We loved the iguanas that hung around the pool.

Check-in times are between 4:00 PM and 8:30 PM.
Check-out times are between 5:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned villa, which features a private pool. There's a private balcony. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected.
Pamper yourself with onsite massages or enjoy recreation amenities such as an indoor pool. This villa also features concierge services and barbecue grills.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property manager

YouGetHere Property Management

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Private pool
  • Indoor pool
  • Massages

Internet

  • Free Wi-Fi, with a speed of 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices)

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking options include a garage
  • On-site parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Blender
  • Spices
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Shower
  • Towels provided
  • Hairdryer
  • Toilet paper
  • Soap

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • TV with cable/satellite service
  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have any requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair-accessible
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Limited housekeeping
  • Safe
  • Chef
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone
  • Local meal delivery service

Location highlights

  • Near the ocean
  • Near the sea
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Swimming nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Horse riding nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Fishing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 2200 sq ft (204 sq m)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Villa Central Steps to the Beach Jungle Ocean
Villa Central Steps to the Beach, Jungle & Ocean Ballena

Caballitos del Mar Central: Surf spots are only steps away Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 30 out of 31 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 31 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 31 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 31 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 31 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sarah W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome time!
We are 2 couples that visited. We have been here before and loved it then. On this trip we did the recommended Jungle ATV tour - fabulous! We had great meals at La Parcela and of course the wings at Jolly Roger’s! This villa is perfect for great walks on the beach, relaxing by the pool and has a great kitchen to prepare any foods or beverages desired. Easy travel to Manuel Antonio and Uvita for night life, and quiet if you wanted to stay home. We truly love this area and will be back for sure!!
Stayed 16 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Randy V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Beach House
My wife and I along with another couple stayed for 7 nights. Very convenient location to restaurants in the area, The house and pool were clean and they cleaned both twice during our stay. We noticed the sound of a few trucks downshifting on the road in front of the villa, but it was not a big deal. The beach was very quick to access and stunning! The management company for the villa was quick to respond to all our needs. 5 stars.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katie R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Easy to get to home close to the beach
The home was very well equipped with kitchen supplies, beach towels, bath towels and plenty of seating. This was by far the cleanest vrbo I have stayed in. The staff/housekeeper went above and beyond to make sure our stay was pleasant. The home is close to the beach but we didn’t swim in it because of the rip tides. The pool was amazing and perfect for our kids. The house is right off the road which makes it accessible but there is a lot of noise from the street. The 3 houses are very close which would be great for families or friends staying close by. We loved the iguanas that hung around the pool.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ray M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great waterfront location
Nice home overlooking the ocean. Steve was very helpful abd made the experience that much better. I would love to rent the place again next year.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

liz a.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect vacation house
We stayed in caballitos 2 for 1 week. The house was perfect for our group. The management was wonderful to work with and the caretaker was lovely . Having the beach right out front is amazing. It is not safe for swimming because of rip currents but at low tide there are wonderful tidal pools that the kids enjoyed. The house was clean and very well appointed. There is air conditioning in each of the bedrooms but not in the main living area. I highly recommend having a rental car as you can not walk to town during high tide unless you are on the main road. Overall we were very pleased with our stay and would definitely recommend this house.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Pura Vida!
Caballitos del Mar was perfect for us. The house was spotless and the grounds were beautiful. The Yougethere management team was very available and resourceful. Being able to walk the beach into Dominical (at low tide) was a bonus. We hope to return before too long!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jerri N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing! We will be back
Absolutely no complaints here! This property is fabulous. It is well equipped with everything you need (just provide the groceries)! We could not get the kids to leave. The ocean is private, and we felt very safe and secure. Will definitely return :)
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sarah W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful vacation
My husband and I stayed in Villa 1 a couple years ago with our kids and loved it. We brought friends this year and we’re in Villa 2. Loved it! The only downside - to this villa only- is the pool has full sun through the entire day, so the pool stays really warm and hard to cool down when it’s hot. Even with that - would rent here again !
Stayed 11 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melissa F., Canada

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome
Amazing stay. Beautiful house
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2021

8/10 Good

Gina S.

Great Family place
Great house in front of the beach. Perfect for family vacations.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Craig L.

Phenomenal
Great location, great beach, great pool. Great times.
Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Lora A.

Beautiful setting for relaxation
We rented two houses for a family reunion. The location was wonderful and the houses were just what we needed. We spent most of our time in the large pool. We had all of the assistance we needed to answer all of our questions.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Renee F.

Excellent property and exceptional management / staff
This is a beautiful property, exactly as described. Entire property is very well maintained with a tremendous attention to detail throughout. Kitchen is very well equipped; linens, bedding and furniture is all top notch. Kids loved the pool! Wifi worked well. Nora and Rolando were great. Steve, Josue and Claudia were extremely helpful and knowledgeable. We booked several outings through them and it was all amazing! An amazing stay!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Karen K., Mechanicsville, MD

Wonderful home close to Dominical and Uvita
We had only a family of four, but this house will sleep up to 7 comfortably. The ocean is just a short walk away, and you can see and hear it from the house. There were enough plantings to draw a variety of birds. The on-site staff were extremely nice and helpful. Having a washer and dryer right in the house is a bonus when you have dirty clothes from the awesome local fishing and other activities The highway noise can be loud, but that was just a small annoyance. Bedroom air conditioning worked well, but it was so hot during our stay that we wished we had central. But that's just a few spoiled Americans talking... We loved it so much that we are booking again for next year.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas R.

Paradise by the sea
The home itself was amazing for our family of 6. Our kids ages 10, 8, 6, and 3 loved the pool as well as jumping in the waves of the ocean. The beach is nearly private and mainly sandy although during high tide the large rocks along the shore may get in the way. Dominical is a short walk down the beach which is a sleepy surfer village with a couple of great restaurants. The house was clean and extremely spacious. Nora and Rolando were extremely nice and made sure our stay was as magical as it could be. The kids loved the iguanas that visited us everyday in the yard. The location of the home is close to Manuel Antonio (40 min drive and Monkeys Galore) as well as Hacienda Baru which was perfect for our family for zip lining. Overall it was an unforgettable stay with beautiful sunsets, wonderful swimming, and overall a great vacation destination.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2018

10/10 Excellent

Julie M.

It was heaven on earth
Our group of 15 all loved these villas! There is nothing not to love about beautiful houses tucked in on the edge of the rain forest and just feet from the most beautiful beach ever. We had an amazing time and want to return as soon as we can.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2018