Costa Rica Traveler Testimonials

August 3

Manuel Antonio Estates is a cluster of million-dollar properties named for birds and set amongst foilage, creeks, and hiking trails, on a hillside overlooking the Damas Islands and within walking distance from Quepos. The villas have a nice, tropical feel with Jacuzzis, pools and ocean views. Visitors also benefit from established community perks such as the Asian-style Raindrop Spa offering Swedish massages and the appetizing-sounding ¨Choco Therapy¨.

Developer Richard Lemire has kept in step with changing times, moving here from Vancouver in 1991 to build and run Hotel California, then after nine years switching to create this residential project offering managed rentals and looking to add a condo project next year. There are eight villas priced at $2,100 a week to $4,900 a week (seven-bedroom, eight-bath), plus a chalet for $950 a week—the only unit without a pool.

The Tico Times, Popular English Newspaper in Costa Rica.

July
Exquisite and Sublime. The staff was impeccable, particularly Desare, who couldn't have been more professional and cheerful. Kudos!!!
Portland Maine USA

July
We had a wonderful week! Beautiful view – nice walks – nice people. Wouldlove to come again.
Lyn & Terry Burke Montreal

February
House was very very nice. Had a great time here. First time here and will come back. Took House Tour and it was great. Service here was great. Didn't see monkeys.
Eric, Gene, Tim, Renee

February
We've been very happy here. A magical place. Wildlife, activity, great support from the folks here. A perfect balance of things. We would like to return some day. Had a wonderful time and were well taken care of.

February
This is a wonderful place. Extremely helpful staff. Much wildlife to see. Central location helpful. (Off the beaten path means quiet). Pura Vida.
Jim and Dee New hampshire, USA

March
Our third trip to Quepos and our second time here at Manuel Antonio Estates. Needless to say, we love it here!! In response to the disappointed re:not seeing monkeys on the previous page, while we have seen them at other times (three squirrel monkeys right by thye house yesterday mid-afternoon) the safest bet is to walk down to the Tucan House, about 5 o'clock. There are a few Cappuchin monkeys that swung across the road via the tree tops, then they cross in front of both Villas Tucan and Mot Mot. You can almost set your watch by it - - sometimes. Few minutes before or after 5. Our favorite tours are the Damas Island Mangrove Tour and the walk through Manuel Antonio with a Guide. We also took the Sunset Cruise this time with the Sailboat vs the Catamaran and enjoyed that a lot too. Favorite restaurants El Gran Escape (downtown Quepos) Mar Y Luna ( on road to Manuel Antonio) and El Avion (on road toMA even closer to the park) Also very good pizza at Escalofrio (downtown Quepos) For coffee,of course, café Milagro. Their iced coffee drinks put Starbucks to shame. At about half the price. Breakfast there are very good as well. Enjoy!! We surely did! Nothing better than a quick dip in th epool when you arrive back at the house after one of the local tours!
Margaret, Mary, Chris and Mike Chicago

May
When we arrived to the Jacana House we were greeted with a basket full of fresh tropical fruit, vases filled with exotic flowers and an incredible view. Beautiful scenery and much fun on the TITI Canopy Tour and the ATV Waterfall Tour. Lots and lots of Cappuchin (white-faced) monkeys on the Manuel Antonio Park Trail and the Damas Island Tours. One of our favorite experinces was the superior massage and facial at the jungle setting 'Raindrop Spa'. We will recommend this stay at the Jacana House to others.
Laura, Scott, Dennis & Brian Norton Laguna Niguel, California

June
This place is absolutely breathtaking. We loved it so much. We will definitely have to come back. It has been an unforgettable experience. This country is a beautiful one & as for the monkeys, we saw a whole family our first week. The little birds seem to be having a problem they keep flying into the glass window,poor things. We will miss this Villa,these nice and caring people, the Food, the beautiful scenery. Desiree especially – you were wonderful. Always happy. We will miss you. Be back soon!!
Paula, Jeff, Aubrie, Peyton  New Orleans, Louisiana

June
Janice and Jeff Richards Honeymoon:
We landed in san Jose 9:00 am local time after 24 hours of prep into LAX, all night at the terminal waiting for first class on Taca ( our honeymoon to Costa Rica, First Class is mandatory). We walk out of the terminal, next door to the fire station and book a flight, 10 minutes before take-off,on Sansa Airlines, 20 minutes later we land at a jungle airstrip in Quepos. The taxi takes us to Manuel Antonio Estates to meet our friends, the Murphy's, who own a house here. We hang out at tyhe House, where troups of Squirrel monkeys met us about 5pm. We attract about 20 of them, they went bananas, but they don't really like bananas and act pissed, but hang for awhile anyway. We have dinner at BBQ Cantina where Bill Murphy sits in with the band and jams. The next day we are visited , inside the Jacana house, by a 2 foot Lizard. We chase him down the stairs, he knows where the front door is and scurries out. What a trip. All day and all night the jungle sounds are crazy, crickets, frogs, birds, this truly is a sensory experience. The next day, White water rafting, very recommendable, 1 hour in the Unimog, 4WD through the jungle to the river. It poured rain some of the time, but it didn't matter – Very Cool and Very fun! We went to Plimio for dinner, very good asian cuisine. The next day we hung out, slept in late, went tothe Blue Monkey for Lunch and Internet. Janice went tothe Spa and truly enjoyed the experience.
That night we went to El Avion – The Airplane – for dinner. Don't miss it. Our 4th day we went on the TITI Canopy Tour, doing the zip lines, an exhilerating time. We cruised into town on Friday night. Downtown Quepos on Friday night is something else. It's such a busy little city, so much going on. The next morning we got up early and went to Manuel Antonio National Park and beach, very pretty. It's our last day here and we are off to Los Suenos for our last 3 days of our Honeymoon. Everyone here at Manuel Antonio Estates has been great. Richard, Thierry, Marta, Desirae, and housekeeping all are so great. It's been a great time here and we'll come back someday! Pura Vida
Jeff and Janice

July
OMG! Like Totally cool beach and apartment. The staff was pretty Hawt. I mean, like I was at the pool and thought, 'that's hot'. I had a great time especially watching the dolphins, they are soo cute!
Thanks! I'm planning to come back!
Sondra

February
Pure visual overload & we Love it! This is Heaven, Spa Indonesian delight, with the staff so nice to help in every way – We ended up buying 2 lots.... We've been coming here for 10 years.. Now is 'The' Time - -
Pura Vida!
Linda & Jeff B.

April
Wonderful Stay – Loved the Views, the beautiful Indonesian Architecture, Friendly & Helpful Staff. 
Food was great – ate in Manuel Antonio.. Mar Luna was greta but Barba Roja was Awesome! The food was outstanding and Live Music was very good. Enjoyed Manuel Antonio Park and the Horseback Riding Tour was wonderful – I would highly recommend it Saw the monkeys playing down at the Spa ( behind the spa) at around 4:00pm. The Iguana suns himself on the side steps every morning around 7:30-8:0 am. Also, the Spa was great Terrific staff and the atmosphere is out of this world Thanks for the great massage Laura!!
Namaste,
The Roberts Family

June
I love Quepos!! I'm coming back as soon as I can. Absolutely beautiful weather, landscape, and people!! Pura Vida!
Rachel Brownjohn

June
Great place! Very comfortable living arrangements. The staff was fantastic and always made us feel athome. I am already planning a vacation back. Thanks for such a great time!
Pura Vida!
Elissa Goad

June
This was a fantastic home away from home! The Raftingand Canopy Tour were our favorites. Ask about the nighht time Canopy Tour – small group but no children allowed. The staff at the Spa (yoga-yea) and Office were exceptionally friendly and helpful. Also, the Villa Vanilla Tour is wonderful and more interesting and informative than it sounds.
Hector Goad
Patricia Woolard
Texas

June
We passed some fabulous days in this house. The view was very beautiful. The monkeys are very nice and so cute. The Costa Rica is the Paradise of the world.
Leonie, Josee,Michel,Emil Quebec

December
I came for a long weekend to rest. It was the peefect spot. In the 4 days we were here it was not possible to do it all and rest, so we limited ourselves to the beaches @ Manuel Antonio, walking the trails and enjoying the view. Oh, and of course, the Spa. The Villa was soo relaxing. We spent a good bit of time just here looking at the views and jumping in the pool. The staff is fabulous. We travel CR a lot. This place had the best accomodations and relaxing atmosphere. We will certainly be back each time we come to Manuel Antonio.
Peggy Miami

January
Visited here to see Family doing Missionary work in Quepos. The views here were marvelous! We had Monkeys playing out by the pool & were visited by an Iguana and a few other lizards, along with Geckos.Barba Roja – great for snacks by the outside bar at sunset. Went fishing and caught a Marlin, a Swordfish and a Mahi Mahi. Restaurant El Gran Escape cooked the Mahi Mahi for us. Thank you!
The Claytons

March
I don't want to leave Quepos or Villa Jacana but alas I must head back north to Portland, Oregon. My time here with friends was fabulous, 3 weeks of relaxing, eating, cocktails, local friends, adventure and just plain dreaming. Oh yeah, monkeys poolside. Unbelievable. I can't wait to come back. Thank you Costa Rica! Thank you, Ticos.
Matt Kramer

March
We brought Matt and his frined Dave down here for their first time. It's such a pleasure to see the expressions of wonder and awe on our friends faces the first time we share our beloved Costa Rica with them!Our own dreams are “Poco a Poco” coming true. We've our own piece of Paradise now, and we are embracing the opportunity to become 'Tico-ized”.
Manuel Antonio Estates has been our home-away-from-home for several years. Service is always excellent, the staff always friendly, and “Los Monos” have paid us several visits. You will find yourself mesmerized by the beauty of the country and it's precious people.
Carl & Cindy Engelgau.

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