The Villa Mariana

Here is what is included with your reservation: Concierge service prior to your trip and during your trip for booking shuttles and taxis (once in Costa Rica), answering questions and booking excursions for the group, making reservations for restaurants, and assisting in planning of the first few chef meals (if you have the chef service). Our concierge will also assist with any issues or problems that arise during your stay at The Villa Mariana. Daily housekeeping, except Sundays and major holidays. She will tidy up the house each day, wash towels, and wash any of your clothes that are left in the clothes hampers in each bedroom a few times during the week. Daily groundskeeper, except Thursdays and major holidays. He will open and close up all of the sliding doors throughout the house (if you would like) each day as you come and go. Between all of the projects that he has on property each day, he will also point out all of the wildlife to the guests (sloths, monkeys, iguanas, toucans, macaws). Our private chef is included in your booking as well for up to 10 guests. For groups of 11 or more, a chef's assistant is required for an additional fee for the week. Please inquire. You can read more about the chef service here.

If your reservations are 60 or more days out from check in, you may change the dates of your trip, granted they comply with Saturday changeover and our nightly minimum for that time frame. In addition, you will want to check the seasonal rates to see if your new requested dates will require an extra charge or a partial refund.

Our nightly minimum is 5 nights all year with the exception of high season. High season has a 7 night minimum, which begins mid-December and ends the last week of May.

To keep our calendars clean across all booking websites, we do not make exceptions to the Saturday changeover day. However, you do have a couple of options: Option 1: Book in the green season with a 5-night minimum. This way, you can check in anytime between Saturdays and stay for only 5 or 6 nights. Option 2: Book and pay for two weeks and check in / check out anytime that you would like between the first Saturday after 4pm and the last Saturday before 10am.

We strongly recommend that the guests purchase a travel protection insurance policy from a reputable seller that covers trip cancellation, delay, interruption, and other unforeseeable circumstances. Please keep in mind that no partial or full refunds will be given for trip delay or interruption due to inclement weather, natural disasters, or any other circumstances beyond the control of the owners or the guests. Any cancellation must be submitted via email. For normal reservations (excluding holidays), if the guest cancels 61 days or more before the scheduled check-in date, the owner will refund all amounts already paid. If the guest cancels 41-60 days before the scheduled check-in date, the guest may receive a certificate for the value already paid towards a new reservation within 12 months, based on availability. If the guest cancels 40 days or less before the scheduled check-in date, the owner is not obligated to refund any amounts already paid. For holiday reservations (Christmas and New Year's weeks), if the guest cancels 91 days or more before the scheduled check-in date, the owner will refund all amounts already paid. If the guest cancels 61-90 days before the scheduled check-in date, the guest may receive a certificate for the value already paid towards a new reservation within 12 months, based on availability. If the guest cancels 60 days or less before the scheduled check-in date, the owner is not obligated to refund any amounts already paid.

If the guest provides written notice (via email) at least 61 days before the initial scheduled check-in, they can postpone their trip without incurring any penalties, and all payments made will be refunded. This policy applies to all weeks throughout the year, except for Christmas and New Years weeks. If the guest provides written notice (via email) 60 days or less before the initial scheduled check-in, they can postpone their trip with a 50% penalty, and 50% of payments made will be refunded. This policy applies to all weeks throughout the year, except for Christmas and New Years weeks. If the guest provides written notice (via email) at least 91 days before the initial scheduled check-in for a Christmas or New Years booking, they can postpone their trip without penalties, and all payments made will be refunded. If the guest provides written notice (via email) 90 days or less before the initial scheduled check-in for a Christmas or New Years booking, they can postpone their trip with a 50% penalty, and 50% of payments made will be refunded. The guest must ensure that the newly requested dates have the same rate as the originally paid rate; otherwise, additional fees may apply. Additionally, the newly requested dates must be within 15 months from the original contract date. If the guest chooses dates outside of their original seasonal or discounted rate time frame, additional fees may apply.

Check-in is at 4:00pm (or after). Check-out is no later than 10:00am. The Villa Mariana is typically rented back-to-back weeks, so the check-in day is almost always the same day that another group is checking out, and vice versa. Early check-ins and late check-outs may be arranged with the concierge depending upon availability. To ensure the property is properly cleaned and meets quality standards, we recommend that the guests have alternate plans before 4:00pm on the check-in day and after 10:00am on the check out day.

Yes, a 48-hour hold can be placed and the full payment must be received within that 48-hour time frame to keep the hold. If the deposit has not been received within 48 hours, the week is released for a full 24-hour period to allow other potential guests to hold/book that same week. Once the 24-hour period has ended and there are no other requested holds for that week, one additional 48-hour hold can be placed by the same guest. A third 48-hour hold is not permitted. Upon receipt of 50% of the total payment (or 100% if the check-in is within 45 days) and the signed contract, the reservation is then considered to be “confirmed” and no other group will have access to that week.

You can find the current rates for 2023 at 2023 Rates. You can find the current rates for 2024 at 2024 Rates.

If the check-in date is 60 or more days out, 50% of the total will be due within 5 days of holding the requested dates. The final 50% payment, along with a refundable $1,000 security deposit, will be due 45 days prior to check-in. If the check-in date is 59 or less days out, 100% of the total + a refundable $1,000 security deposit will be due within 5 days of holding the requested dates. If payment and the signed contract are not received within 5 days, the week will be released for a 24-hour period (no exceptions) to allow for other groups to have the opportunity to hold/book that week. If the week is still available after the 24-hour period, the week can then be held for another 5 days. If the deposit and contract are still not received, a third 5-day hold is no longer permitted.

We have several payment options to choose from: Bank Wire Transfer Credit Card Zelle Venmo Paypal As of July 2023, we no longer accept mailed checks.

Yes, we collect a $1,000 security deposit that is refundable. It is due at the time of your final payment (due 45 days prior to check-in, unless your booking was made 59 days or less prior to check-in). Once the guests check out, the housekeeper will clean the house and will report back with any damages or inventory shortages. It is extremely rare that any damages or inventory shortages are reported. The security deposit will be refunded back to you via mailed check or through the original portal that it was received (Venmo, PayPal).

Yes, guests have access to a washer and a dryer located in the laundry room next to the kitchen in the main house. Keep in mind that your rental includes daily housekeeping (except Sundays). Flor will wash, dry and fold any clothes that are left in the clothes hampers in each room occasionally. If items are not left in the clothes hampers, they will not be washed. Unless it's imperative for you to use the washer and dryer, we would hope that you could relax a bit more on your vacation and allow the staff to do that kind of work for you. Fine print: Please do not wash shoes in the washer. This will damage the unit. Also, please do not place any items in the washer or dryer that have sand on them. If sand is found in either unit, we will withhold a portion of the security deposit for repairs.

All of the bedrooms have their own air conditioning units as well as ceiling fans. When the bedroom doors are closed, the air conditioning units will cool a warm room at the 21 degree setting in about 5-10 minutes. If guests are not in their rooms for an extended period of time, we ask that guests turn off the units so that they do not freeze up. The common areas DO NOT have central air conditioning. When the front door and all of the glass doors are open in the living room, dining room and kitchen and the ceiling/floor fans are turned on, the common areas are very comfortable.

Main House - 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Bathrooms, Outdoor Shower Guest House - 2 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Outdoor Shower Yoga Deck - Outdoor Shower Main House - sleeps up to 12 guests Master Suite: King Bed + One Daybed; Full Bathroom with two sinks, shower and jet tub Heliconia Bedroom: King Bed + Optional Pack 'n Play; Full Bathroom with one sink and shower Ginger Flower Bedroom: Two Queen Beds; Full Bathroom with one sink and shower Madera Room: King Bed + Optional Twin Bed (which must be assembled prior to arrival, so please be sure to plan this with the concierge before you arrive); Full Bathroom with one sink and shower Note: The main house can accommodate up to 12 guests plus one baby if the group would like to share spaces. To view the photos of the space in the Main House, check out our photo gallery. Living/Dining Area: Half Bathroom Swimming Pool: Outdoor Shower Yoga Deck: Outdoor Shower Guest House - sleeps up to 4 guests Downstairs Master Suite: Queen Bed; Full Bathroom with one sink and shower (includes an outdoor shower on this room's deck as well) Upstairs Master Suite: Queen Bed; Full Bathroom with one sink and shower Note: The guest house can accommodate up to 4 guests in 2 queen beds. There is an additional nightly fee to rent the guest house (please inquire). This will allow up to 16 total guests in both houses. To view the photos of the space in the Guest House, check out our photo gallery. Living/Kitchen Area: Full Bathroom with one sink and shower

Yes, there are 8 total TV's at The Villa Mariana.The living room TV in the main house is the largest at 46" and is equipped with cable and Apple TV for our guests.

No, it is not necessary. Each bathroom at The Villa Mariana has it's own hair dryer.

No, we have plenty of pool towels and beach towels (located in two separate baskets labeled appropriately in the dining room). We recycle the nice pool towels once they have been used for a while and are faded and they ultimately become our beach towels. Please refrain from taking the nicer pool towels to the beach.

The electrical outlets are the same as in the United States.

Flor, the housekeeper, keeps the house tidy throughout your stay and works each day from 8am-4pm with Sundays and major holidays off. You can feel free to pack light and throw your clothes in the hamper. They'll be washed and folded during a few days of your stay. Flor has been with The Villa Mariana for 13 years and knows the house like it is her own.

Yes, there is space for up to 3 rental cars in the parking area, located within the electric gates.

Our villa boasts fiber optic internet, ensuring that our guests enjoy a fast and reliable internet connection during their stay. With fiber optic technology, our guests can seamlessly stream their favorite shows, work remotely, and stay connected with family and friends back home. Whether you're traveling for leisure or business, you can trust that our villa's internet connection will meet all of your connectivity needs.

This is completely subjective and should be at your discretion. Be sure to take a look at the photo gallery before making your decision to rent the property. There are not any areas of the property or houses that are wheelchair accessible. There are stairs, balconies, raised areas without railing and swimming pools on the property. Children are certainly welcome but must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Children may not be left unattended on the premises.

The Villa Mariana is located 154km or 95 miles from the SJO airport (Juan Santamaria Airport). There are several modes of transportation available for travelers arriving at the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica, who are looking to get to The Villa Mariana in Quepos. The best option is to take a private shuttle, which can be pre-booked through Lenin, our concierge. This is the most cost effective, comfortable and easy option and will take about 2.5 hours door-to-door. Alternatively, visitors can rent a car at the airport and drive themselves to the villa. You'll need a valid driver's license, your passport and a Visa or Mastercard that has some room for approximately $1,500 as a "hold". Additionally, some visitors opt to take a domestic flight from San Jose to Quepos, which can be a convenient and relatively quick option for those who are looking to avoid a long car ride. Keep in mind that there are some hefty luggage restrictions and it can be costly for an average group of 8 people traveling together. The group will require a shuttle or taxis to get from the Quepos airport to the villa, which is about a 15-minute drive. Ultimately, the best mode of transportation will depend on your budget, travel preferences, and the size of your group.

As the owners, we highly recommend using the shuttle service (our concierge will book this for you), which takes about 2 to 2.5 hours door to door from the airport to the house. The cost can be anywhere from $160 to $300, depending on the number of guests that you have in your group. This transportation service makes the process very easy. Your driver will be waiting outside of the airport for you, holding a sign with the name "The Villa Mariana." The driver will make a stop at Crocodile Bridge, the halfway point, for everyone to see the crocodiles, get some snacks, drinks and use the bathroom. Feel free to check out the flight options from SJO to Quepos as well, but consider the baggage limitations on these small planes, as well as the taxi charges from the Quepos airport to the house. The time savings is only about 10-20 minutes when compared to the shuttle.

Keep in mind that most of the excursions that you go on will include transportation, so you will not need cars during that time. You will, however, want to have a car or take taxis when going into the town to go shopping, go to restaurants, the beaches, etc. Taxis are extremely easy and are a very inexpensive way to travel around the town. Lenin can coordinate taxis for your group. If you plan to go a longer distance on your own (Dominical, Jaco, Uvita), you will want to have a rental car. Also keep in mind that there are rental car companies in Quepos and Manuel Antonio, so you have the option to rent cars close to town only when you actually need them.

We have taxi cab numbers on the wall in the kitchen. They are inexpensive and easy to use and they take US$ (but they give colones in change). If there is a day where you would like a rental car (or a few days of your trip), the concierge can coordinate with one of the local car rental offices to deliver a car to the house and pick it up when you no longer need it. You can do all of the paperwork at the dining room table. Just let the concierge know if you want to get a quote. You can walk to Quepos, but you cannot walk to Manuel Antonio (because the main road is narrow and too windy/hilly with lots of traffic). If you want to go to the beach, Dominical to hike to the Nayauca Falls on your own, restaurants, etc, you’ll need to take cabs or have a car.

You’ll be surprised at how much you WILL NOT want to leave the property once you get there. However, since you’ll be in Costa Rica where there are TONS of other activities to do, you’ll want to take advantage of that as well. Depending on what you all do, excursions can be $85 per person to $185 per person. Deep sea fishing and renting a private catamaran for a relaxing day can be priced out for you. Our concierge will assist you in booking the best excursions and activities in the area. There are plenty of adventure tour companies in the area that will also provide transportation to and from The Villa Mariana and most of them include at least one meal, sometimes two meals if they are all day excursions. You can choose from ATV tours, canopy tours, ziplining, white water rafting, tubing, rappelling, spice tours, buggy tours of the palm plantations and catamaran tours. The Marina Pez Vela is within walking distance (if your group is okay with stairs down and then back up or taking a taxi back up to the house). Also, the best fishing tours will leave out of this marina. Once you book the house, you'll be introduced to the concierge to begin assisting your group in planning your time in Costa Rica.

There are several beaches within 1-2 miles of the villa. You can get to the private beach behind the house, Playa La Macha, by foot if you like to hike — no cars are allowed down to this private beach. It takes most groups about 25 minutes by foot, depending on physical activity level. All other beaches can be driven to within 3-5 minutes. Playa Espadilla is our favorite; at low tide, you can drive your car on the beach and find a great place to park and bring all of your beach gear! Playa Manuel Antonio is the most popular beach in the area where you can easily rent chairs, loungers and umbrellas. There are also plenty of surf instructors, massage therapists and food vendors along this stretch of beach.

If you plan to do workouts while on vacation, Quepos is a great place to do just that! Here are a couple of workouts that we love to partake in: 1) “The Hill” - this is BRUTAL if you wait too late. We recommend doing this workout prior to sitting down to your chef-prepared breakfast. Take a gate fob with you and make your way to the front gate for the property. Open the gate and turn left. Start making your way down the hill. When you arrive at the bottom of the hill at the Super Enano store (you can buy bananas here for SUPER cheap, by the way!), turn around and make your way back up the hill. Some people run, some jog, some walk, and some just barely crawl! It’s a great workout as long as you get out early before the sun is too hot. We challenge ourselves by doing “The Hill” 3x before breakfast. Feel free to come up with your own goal. 2) “The Hill + The Steps” - take it one step further and add in the steps down to the marina (down and up) in between your hill workout. The steps are located halfway down the hill on the left side of the road when you see the view of the marina. It’s absolutely beautiful right here! Take in the view and get in an awesome workout at the same time! 3) Playa La Macha - this is the private beach that sits behind the house, but it’s a hike to get there. Depending on your physical activity level, you can get to this beach within 20-45 minutes (my 72 year old dad who does NOT ever work out got down to the beach in 45 minutes and back up in 55 minutes). If you workout a few times per week, you can easily get down to the beach and back up to the house within 45 minutes, but be sure to do some body surfing in the ocean once you get down to the beach to make it a full hour! To get there, go outside of our front gate. Turn left. Make your first left along our fence line. That dirt road splits at the back of our property and you’ll stay to the LEFT. At that point, you’ll want to stay to the right when the trail splits a couple more times. You should begin to hear the waves and see the water, where you’ll see a trail to the left to get down to the beach. Be sure to check the tide schedule online before you head down to the beach to make sure that you’ll actually have a beach! 4) There is a gym located in Manuel Antonio (MA Fitness) that has everything you need for a great strength/cardio workout. 5) There is a walking trail on the property. It starts behind the guest house (walk around the deck to the back of the house and follow the steps) and ends at the back of the main house. Feel free to check it out!

Yes, absolutely! We have a beautiful yoga deck on the walking path around the property. Just contact the concierge to plan this for you.

Yes, absolutely! Just contact the concierge to book appointments at the spa or to book massage therapists to come to the house for you and your group.

Chef service for up to 10 guests is included in your stay for the preparation of up to two meals per day for: Up to 6 days of your 7-night stay (you choose the chef’s full day off any day from Sunday through Friday) All days of your 5 or 6-night stay For groups of 11 or more guests, a chef's assistant is required for an additional fee for the week. Please inquire. The cost of food is extra. You can coordinate your first meal through Lenin, the concierge. He will coordinate with Chef Ana to purchase the necessary groceries for your first meal. After that, you can discuss your menu and the exact time that you would like the meal “ON THE TABLE” directly with Chef Ana. All meals need to be ordered at least 8 hours in advance of the meal to give the chef enough time to go to the marina or supermarkets for the freshest, local products to prepare your meals. Chef Ana will give you the supermarket receipts every few days so that you can settle up with her in US dollars or Costa Rica colones. It is best to bring enough cash for the food from the chef meals instead of relying on the ATM machines in the area. Some of them do not work at times, there could be daily limits, and it takes time out of your vacation to locate one.

Your cost of groceries will depend on how large your group is and what the group is ordering. We have found that when the group takes advantage of BOTH meals during the day, the daily range can end up being $15 per day per person on the low end and up to $30 per day per person on the high end. That completely depends on what the group is ordering. If the group wants to have meals like Steak and Lobster, Seafood Paella, Seared Ahi Tuna and orders a dessert every night after dinner, the receipts will be on the higher side. Having a chef will save time (shopping), hassle (cooking and cleaning) and money!

All meals need to be ordered at least 6-8 hours in advance to give the chef enough time to go to the marina or supermarkets for the freshest, local products to prepare your meals.

Chef Ana can accommodate up to 2 different types of diets/restrictions for each meal (maximum). Follow @tvmmeals on Instagram for photos and descriptions of many different meals that Chef Ana can make for you! Our printed menu is only a tiny portion of the many meals that she can prepare.

The chef will be buying only the items needed to prepare the food for that meal (or day, if you give her the order for the full day all at once). The chef will present all of the receipts to you each day or every couple of days. She can convert the Costa Rica colones to the US dollar. You can also take the receipts from her and convert into US dollars, then pay her in US cash or Costa Rica colones (your choice).

Our concierge can pre-stock the house for you with regular non-perishable groceries (and some perishables for a limited time, like limes and bananas). The chef will be happy to purchase perishable items throughout the week and any ingredients to prepare the meals that your group orders.

Yes, feel free to ask Lenin to pre-stock the house for you with everything that you may need prior to your check-in. Lenin can pre-stock the house with non-perishables or very limited amounts of perishable items. Chef Ana will purchase any perishable food for chef meals or on an as-needed basis throughout the week.

Most of our guests choose option 1 below, but you have several options: 1) Ask the concierge to pre-stock the house for you with everything that you may need prior to your check-in; 2) The local supermarket, Super Joseth, will deliver groceries to the house as you need them. The phone number is listed on the wall in the kitchen. Please make sure that someone is in the kitchen or dining room during delivery to open the electronic gate once the delivery representative rings the bell. You can pay in US$ or Colones, just keep in mind that you'll get Colones in change if you pay in US$. Please make sure that the grocery delivery person is walked to the electric gate and let out and that the gate is closed again. 3) If you have a rental car, there are several supermarkets in Quepos and Manuel Antonio. The concierge can give you directions to any of these supermarkets.

This is one tip that I like to give to our guests because it can save you a FORTUNE if any of your group drinks wine, champagne or liquor. Option 1: Buy alcohol at Duty Free in your country of departure. If you buy alcohol at duty free in the US or any other country prior to arriving at SJO, you can purchase up to 5 liters PER PERSON. They are strict about that at duty free shops as you are flying from another country in to Costa Rica. Option 2: Buy alcohol at Duty Free in SJO when you land. You will go through Duty Free when you land at the SJO airport just after passport control. Our advice is to buy specialty liquors at Duty Free in your home country (ie. Deep Eddy’s Peach Vodka) and then buy all of your wine, champagne and basic liquor at this Duty Free shop in San Jose when you land. The selection at Duty Free in the San Jose airport will vary depending on what time you land and if any other flights are landing at the same time as yours. OVERbuy any liquor if you have liquor drinkers in your group because once you arrive in Manuel Antonio, the prices for liquor are about 40% more than what you'll find at Duty Free in the airports and you do not want to run out! Wine and champagne are just a tiny bit pricier in town than at duty free, but we still recommend purchasing some at duty free because they always have special deals on 2-packs and 3-packs. The local beer is inexpensive everywhere, so if you have any beer drinkers, you can purchase that at any of the local stores and not pay high prices.

You will want to prepare for giving tips for the staff as it is customary in every rental home in Manuel Antonio. If you have 11 or more in your group, you will also have a chef’s assistant, who you’ll also want to include in the tips. The amount that you tip is up to you, however, here are some customary Costa Rica tipping suggestions. Feel free to tip more or less depending on the level of service provided and depending on the size of your group. Mauricio (Groundskeeper): $3 per day, per guest Flor (Housekeeper): $3 per day, per guest Lenin (Concierge): $5 per day, per guest Ana (Chef): $5 per day, per guest Chef Assistant (only for groups of 11 or more guests): $2 per day, per guest We recommend hand-delivering the tips to each member of the staff individually, keeping in mind their days off and their work schedules to make sure that you do not miss them. We also recommend collecting the cash from your group on the front end of the trip and keeping it in one of the safes until you are ready to distribute it out to the staff. This will avoid trips to ATM's at the last minute, which takes away from the enjoyment on the last couple of days, especially when many of the ATM’s in town are broken or out of cash. The staff will all take very good care of you!

Yes, typically a 10% gratuity is included. As always, if you had excellent service, feel free to add a bit extra to your bill.

We suggest adding $10 per guest to the tip jar at the end of an excursion. For example, if you are a couple, you would add $20 to the guide's tip jar.