The Villa Mariana

At The Villa Mariana, our in-house chef service provides a refined dining experience featuring fresh, Costa Rican-inspired cuisine prepared in our gourmet kitchen, utilizing local seafood, tropical produce, and regional specialties. This service is included for groups of up to 8 guests and covers up to two meals per day (breakfast, lunch, or dinner). Grocery costs are additional, though the added convenience enhances your stay considerably. Below is an overview of the service structure: Service Details For 7-Night Stays: The chef is available for up to 6 days; you may select their day off (any Sunday through Friday) to accommodate your schedule. For 5- or 6-Night Stays: The chef is available for all days of your stay. For Groups of 9 or More Guests: We recommend adding a chef's assistant for an additional $300 per week to ensure efficient service and an enhanced experience for larger parties. Booking and Menu Planning First Meal: Coordinate through Lenin, our concierge, who will collaborate with the chef to procure groceries and prepare your arrival meal (such as a welcome dinner or breakfast). Subsequent Meals: Communicate directly with the chef regarding menu preferences and desired serving times. The chef is experienced in accommodating dietary requirements, group sizes, and customized variations. Advance Notice: Meals must be ordered at least 8 hours in advance to allow sufficient time for sourcing the freshest ingredients from the local marina or markets. Payments Grocery Costs: Reimburse the chef every few days based on supermarket receipts, payable in U.S. dollars or Costa Rican colones (CRC). Recommendation: It is advisable to bring adequate cash for these expenses to avoid potential issues with local ATMs, which may have limitations or intermittent availability. Lenin can provide estimates tailored to your group's preferences. This service allows guests to enjoy the authentic flavors of Manuel Antonio with minimal effort. Upon booking, we will introduce you to Lenin to initiate planning. For inquiries regarding menus or dietary accommodations, please contact him directly.

The beauty of our in-house chef service at Villa Mariana is fresh, customized meals without the markup—your grocery costs are straightforward and depend on group size, meal choices, and how many of the two daily options (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) you opt for. Based on past guest experiences, expect a daily range of $15 to $30 per person when enjoying both meals. Simpler, local-inspired dishes keep things on the lower end, while indulgent feasts push toward the higher side. It's all about what tempts your taste buds! Examples of Menu Magic Budget-Friendly Bites (~$15/person/day): Think vibrant Tuna Poke Bowls with fresh local fish, or fluffy French Toast topped with tropical fruits—perfect for laid-back mornings. Indulgent Upgrades (~$30/person/day): Go gourmet with Steak and Lobster surf-and-turf, aromatic Seafood Paella, or Seared Ahi Tuna, plus nightly desserts like coconut flan for that wow factor. Pro tip: These are just starters—our printed menu is merely a teaser. For endless inspiration, follow @rpropertiesmeals on Instagram to drool over Chef Jose Mario's creations, from sizzling Costa Rican empanadas to herb-crusted Seabass with "special" fries. His repertoire draws on Manuel Antonio's bounty for everything from casual poolside lunches to sunset dinners. Best of all? Having Chef Jose Mario on hand saves you time (no shopping treks), hassle (no cooking or cleanup), and even money compared to dining out. Lenin can help estimate based on your group's vibe and dietary preferences—just chat with him early to plan your first feast!

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.

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

The chef will be buying only the items needed to prepare the food for that meal (or day, if you give him 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, depending on your needs. He can convert the Costa Rica colones to the US dollar. You can also take the receipts from him and convert into US dollars, then pay him 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.