Tropical Homes of Costa Rica

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El Destino condos Costa Rica

My second foray into visiting the many vacation rental properties of Tropical Homes took me to the beautiful and extremely well designed El Destino condos.  Located right on the beach in Playa Potrero, the three story condominium building immediately impressed me, and then I got to go inside!  I rode my bike to the property from central Playa Potrero, and the sun that day was particularly brutal.  Needless to say, I had plenty of heat and exercise by the time I walked through the front gates into the complex.

I was greeted by a cool breeze blowing off of the ocean through the shaded, open atrium that serves as the entry way to all of the condos.  The floor and building is cement and stone, so the atrium always stays cool regardless of the temperature outside, much cooler, and the ocean breeze completes the sensation.  Symmetric stairs take you from the atrium and two first floor condos to the two second floor units, and more stairs take you all the way up to the penthouse on the third floor.

El Destino condominiums pool area

The pool area and yard of the complex are incredibly shaded by the building and lush, green, tropical trees and bushed.  All of the units have large, glass windows that open onto the shaded wading pool, the green, well kept lawn of Bermuda grass, and the sparkling blue ocean.  A path continues from the atrium straight to the pool and lawn area, and another path takes you to the beach that awaits at the end of the yard.  I had to spend a good amount of time in the pool, to ensure that it works correctly, and is up to the standards of any potential renters.  And I must say, it is quite relaxing, and I approve.

The first floor condo unit 1B is very complete and cozy, offering every amenity and comfort of your home.  This condo is well shaded by the trees and the building, and as a result maintains a very cool temperature even during the hottest parts of the day.  The covered porch is designed so you don’t have to walk too far from your lounge chair to the pool.  The entertainment center is for the days when you need to veg and stay inside, or if it rains.  With 2 bedrooms and a pullout couch, it sleeps 6 people and is perfect for couples or a fun family adventure.

The second floor condo unit 2A lets you get all of the serenity and privacy that you desire.  The kitchen and living area are very open with plenty of space to move around and entertain.  The covered balcony has a stunning view of the beach and ocean, and is a great place to have dinner and drinks with friends.  The large glass windows can let in as little or as much sunlight as you want, for the days when a nap is of the essence.  With two bedroom and space to sleep four, find everything you are looking for with this condo.

The second floor condo unit 2B likewise is wonderfully well designed space.  Perfect for a couple, it has everything that a person needs for a long term or semi-permanent time in Costa Rica.  The covered balcony has amazing plants that make you feel like the rain forest continued growing up to your living area.  This unit also receives plenty of shade, so feel free to bask in the sun outside or stay in the cool, comfortable space inside.  With 2 bedrooms and sleeping space for 4, the 2B unit is another great option at the El Destino condos.

The view from the El Destino condos

The penthouse condo unit is spacious and relaxed, with high ceilings and plenty of sitting and lounging room.  This unit is designed to comfortably support large groups, and can easily sleep multiple families.  With a master suite, a guest suite, 2 bedrooms and a total 4.5 bathrooms, the penthouse can accommodate 11 people and still have plenty of room to breathe.  The master suite connects to the balcony that spans the length of the condo, and its Jacuzzi also boasts an ocean view.  A large, open kitchen and communal space, complete with a bar, provides a great common and eating area, and is perfect for celebrations.

Perhaps the best thing about the El Destino condos is that you have an amazing amount of privacy.  The lots on either side of the property are empty and undeveloped, which really helps make the area quiet and private.  When you make your next trip down to Costa Rica, perhaps you will want to make this place a part of your vacation.

 

Written by Adam Lanka, contact me at adam@infinitevibes.net or visit with me at The Wanderlust and Infinite Vibes.

Welcome back to the latest edition of the Tropical Homes local news update!  It is official, the rainy season is here and it already appears to be the return of real, true rainy seasons of the past.  The month of may brought many showers along with the flowers, and the world is blooming before our eyes.  The now muddy and rocky road through our towns received its first grading of the season the other day, followed by the first power outage and loss of internet.  It seems a rogue bulldozer struck a telephone pole in the process, leaving much of the area without electricity for a short period of time.  The internet took a bit longer to repair, however, and intermittent issues persist, at least at this citizen’s roost.

Though the past few rainy seasons have been mild, and almost considered even to be drought by regular standards, this season is here with a vengeance.  Be sure to stock up on candles, board games, and gas burning stoves for the inevitable cave-man time ahead.  I personally am embracing our only true season change, and running through the rain as often as possible.  But enough of that, let’s see what’s going on around our wet, tropical rain forest of a town.

  • The Happy Snapper restaurant in Brasilito is finally finished with its renovations, and is now open once again!  Stop by the new and improved restaurant to take advantage of seafood served fresh in a beautiful beach location.  For reservations, call 2654-4413.
  • The CIMA Hospital in Liberia is expected to announce its opening date in the near future.  The new medical center features state of the art equipment, its own lab, pharmacy, radiology department, and first class emergency/operating rooms.  Not only does the hospital create jobs, but it provides a reliable health option in the Guanacaste area, and will undoubtedly boost development and demand in the region.
  • Both the restaurant El Castillo and the Super Guido permanently shut their doors to business this week.  Sadly, these are the first but definitely not the last local establishments to close up shop or move to greener pastures during the rainy/low season.
  • The Costa Rican Coastguard (Servicion Nacional de Guardacostas) is increasing its presence in the region lately.  A new station is being built in Tortuguero, on the Caribbean side near Limon, and the US is said to be investing $1.25 million for the development of infrastructure for the Flamingo station.  They also claim to be boosting their presence on the Pacific in the town of Murcielago.

That’s what’s happening in the world around here lately.  Go enjoy the sun and the rain in our tropical paradise, and thanks for stopping by!

 

Written by Adam Lanka, contact me at lanka.adam@gmail.com or visit with me at The Wanderlust.

Greetings to one and all who find themselves either here in Costa Rica, thinking about a vacation and renting from Tropical Homes, or sitting safely at home and wondering about what is going on right now!  Well, one thing is for certain, the rainy season has begun.  Within the past week we traded our piercingly hot, dry, desert climate for the humid, overcast, and rainy climate that is here to stay until November.  The rains are pleasant enough, the Earth doesn’t weep all day long and it keeps the dust down, but I have pity on anyone who owns a working vehicle as the roads are again a maze of holes and water.

While the tourism may be temporarily slowing down, life in our beautiful beach community continues on as normal.  Let us take a look at what exciting things and rainy season specials are popping up around town.

  • The Village Community Center continues provide many great services to the community, and Tuesday the 22nd is the organic farmer’s market.  Come check it out to find some fresh organic produce, cheeses, smoked meats, honey, and whatever random superfruit happens to be in season at the time!  For more information on the Village Community Center, send an e-mail to info@conchalvillage.com or call 8355.9993.
  • Maxwell’s Cafe and Bar boasts limited hours this week, but amazing deals on a delicious, home cooked meal everyday for under $10.  Wednesday night the 23rd is dollar wing and guys game night, including pool, bocce, horseshoes, and others.  Thursday night is also the famous Maxwell poker night, stop by if you like to gamble!
  • giant swell is washing up on our beaches today, an 18-19 second period SSW swell that has local beaches and surf spots alike breaking with overhead to double overhead waves!  The water and tides are still extremely high from the remnants of the supermoon last week, and the beaches are very steep.  Be aware of the waves, they are beautiful yet also powerful, so respect them!

That’s all for now, stay tuned for the next local news update and feature property post coming soon.  Cheers!

 

Written by Adam Lanka, contact me at lanka.adam@gmail.com or visit with me at The Wanderlust.

The waking of the day finds sunny skies and a cool, lazy wind in the peaceful land of Costa Rica.  Outside Tropical Homes, the roosters are crowing, the cows are mooing, the waves are crashing, and the iguanas are scrambling crazily away at the first sight of any threat.  The low season is temporarily upon us, as May always quiets down considerably before the return of tourism in June and July.  Rain has been making itself a constant companion of the land, blowing in quickly and fiercely to drench the land and return the green to all of the plants.

Although the world seems to be slowing down a bit, local life continues on in paradise just as it did the day before.  Let’s take a look at the news around town in case you feel the need to stretch your legs or crack a smile among friends!

  • The Restaurant Coco Loco Flamingo Beach is temporarily closed until June 8th.  The new seafood restaurant right on the beach will return with more delicious deals, fun events, and scrumptious plates, so patiently count the days until you’re eating on the beach again with Jean Luc and Coco Loco.
  • The School Board, Board of Education, and Playa Grande’s School Direction are hosting a fundraiser on May the 19th, starting at 5pm.  The event is to raise money for Playa Grander schools, and includes bingo, a food sale, anda  garage sale.  For more information about the school contact Tatiana Raust Dussin at (506)8706-8358.
  • Happy Mother’s Day (US and Canada)!  Many mother’s day specials are available at Marie’s Restaurant in Flamingo.  Stop by to check out arts and crafts as well, many local and hand made, as well as delicious food!
  • The waves are here!  A large swell of about 4-7 feet is gracing our beaches with head high to bigger waves.  If you like to surf, get to Playa Grande or Playa Langosta asap, or have some fun body surfing and swimming on the beach.  But be careful, that is a lot of water, so respect it and get in the ocean!

That’s everything for now, thanks again for stopping by, and take care!

 

Written by Adam Lanka, contact me at lanka.adam@gmail.com or visit with me at The Wanderlust.

The ocean view from the mountains in Potrero, Costa Rica

I had the pleasure the other day of visiting Casa Vista Magnifica, a beautiful home rented by Tropical Homes in the town of Playa Potrero, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.  From the town center, up the mountain through Pacific Heights we drove, crested a giant cliff and arrived at our destination.  The trek up the mountain itself was breathtaking, but the first glance at the enormous Villa perched on the mountainside was even more so.  Even this did not prepare me for the moment when I first entered this majestic house.

I set foot into Casa Vista Magnifica, and I felt immediately home.  The opening room of the house is a beautiful zen water garden with large stone steps over the water, beckoning you forward into different parts of the house.  A relaxed, open air atmosphere permeates the entire first floor of the house, filled with lush green plants, gentle breezes, and cool smooth stone.  The foyer room also leads to the second floor, opens onto a bedroom suite, and opens to the kitchen/dining area, bar, and pool porch.


The view from the infinity pool stretches from one side of the horizon to the other, with an aerial and bird like view of Playa Prieta, Las Islas Catalinas, and mountain coastline to the north.  The patio area is immense, and shades can be drawn to protect from the sun or completely open.  All of the house is full of amazing windows and mirrors, lending reflective and multiple perspectives on everything.  Bedrooms with private outside showers open onto the patio at each end, and the ‘vista magnifica’ greets you every morning when you wake up.

The high ceilings in all the room add to the depth and feeling of open space that you feel while in the house.  The second floor is another immense patio with a television/reading room and two bedrooms.  The bedrooms are at opposite ends, with windows that open up to the Pacific Ocean and private outdoor showers.

The entire house feels alive, full of plants and flowing wind.  The openness and airiness of the home let you live surrounded by the beautiful, Costa Rican tropical paradise.  What a great place to live the ‘pura vida’ lifestyle on vacation and experience the amazing natural beauty of the country.

Written by Adam Lanka, contact me at lanka.adam@gmail.com or visit with me at The Wanderlust.