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Eco-Home At One with Nature - Total Privacy, Mobility Friendly

Eco-Home At One with Nature - Total Privacy, Mobility Friendly

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Your Vacation Destination
Madreselva is nested in the rain-forest- we wake up to birds & howling monkeys
View of pool and palapa
Views from the palapa
Relax in the hammock, read a book, or just dream...

Overview of Eco-Home At One with Nature - Total Privacy, Mobility Friendly

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
4 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 13465 sq m

Popular amenities

  • PoolPoolPool
  • Hot tubHot tubHot tub
  • Breakfast includedBreakfast includedBreakfast included
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi

Check out the area

Map
Uvita, Costa Rica, Puntarenas
  • Popular LocationCatarata uvita15 min drive
  • Popular LocationMarino Ballena National Park18 min drive
  • Popular LocationUvita Beach26 min drive
  • AirportBuenos Aires (BAI)102 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 13)

Bedroom 4

1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Bed

Bunk Room

2 Double Beds and 2 Single Beds

Master 1

1 King Bed

Master 2

1 Queen Bed

5 bathrooms

Bathroom 4

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Bathroom 5

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Bunk Room Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Master Bath 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Master Bath 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Eco-Home At One with Nature - Total Privacy, Mobility Friendly

Located in the mountains above Uvita, Costa Rica, an area known for its wildlife, pristine beaches, and friendly locals, lies “Refugio Madreselva”. The spacious four bedroom, four bath home enjoys complete privacy surrounded by rainforest and expansive views of the Pacific coast, including the Marino Ballena National Park, and its icon, the Whale’s Tail. The stunning vistas of both ocean and mountains are sure to take your breath away.

Our staff is ready to pamper you - On weekdays, Carolina, our housekeeper will serve you a delightful breakfast made from local ingredients. She will also do a light housekeeping that includes tidying up, making beds, cleaning bathrooms and doing one load of laundry per day for your group. Carolina also provides (free of charge) concierge service to help you plan and organize your trip, such as transportation arrangements, vehicle rentals, tour reservations, on-site massage and private yoga classes. Carolina also offers additional services, such as grocery shopping, and preparing special meals for lunch and dinner (clean-up included!). As you can see from many of our reviews, her food is highly praised by our guests.

Madreselva is more than a home - it a wildlife refuge, encompassing 25 acres of forest and 2 creeks, and nested inside the Oro Verde Private Reserve. Madreselva is ideal for the nature lover, birdwatcher, photographer, and anyone looking for peace and relaxation.

Inside Madreselva, you will notice that we have an eye for detail. The house was designed to be at one with nature yet offer all the conveniences and charm our guests may desire. The open floor plan takes advantage of the ocean breezes, big views and incredible sunrise over the mountains. The HOUSE HAS NO STAIRS and is WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY. The gourmet kitchen is spacious, enjoys high-end appliances, and granite counter tops. There is a TV room with a flat-screen. The 4 bedrooms have high quality, comfortable mattresses that will leave you refreshed and ready for days of adventures. The yearly daytime average temperature at the house is 85 degrees & the evenings are normally a pleasant 69-73 making it perfect for sleeping! Gather your group together for a meal at the large ten person table that overlooks the beautiful (heated) pool, valley, and ocean.

Each morning you will be awakened by the howler monkeys. At Madreselva, you are surrounded by the wonders of nature and wildlife. Sit by the pool and watch the clouds roll by, waves crash onto the Whale’s Tail, and birds fly everywhere. The thatch roofed palapa (called 'rancho' in Costa Rica) hangs over the valley offering seamless views, and is a perfect place to enjoy your morning coffee or a sunset cookout on the BBQ grill. The outdoor spaces are complete with hammocks and comfortable furniture perfect for napping or reading that book you have been dying to finish. In the evening the delightful fragrance of the Ylang-Ylang waft through the breezeways, and the stars on a clear night will remind you of life before city-light pollution.

You can take advantage of our trails for hiking, bird watching, or taking photographs of our diverse wildlife. A short walk in our forested trail will take you to a small waterfall, where you can sit on a comfortable bench and enjoy the sound of the running water and the sounds of nature. With little effort you are likely to see morpho butterflies, strawberry frogs, and on occasion howler and capuchin monkeys.

Madreselva is also the perfect home-base from which to launch a number of exciting excursions. You can choose among a dozen beaches, surfing, whale and dolphin watching, horse riding, birdwatching, water rafting, kayaking, zip lining, fishing, and day as well as night-guided nature tours. Near us you can hike to 3 magnificent waterfalls through primary forest, as well as swim and play in the local river.

Uvita is only minutes by car and offers a wide array of services including super markets, banks, a health clinic, dentist, pharmacy, veterinarian, and much more. There are several good restaurants in our area, and Ojochal, the next town south, has several excellent restaurants receiving high reviews. If you are a golfer, the San Buenas 18 holes golf course is only 25 minutes away.

Madreselva is a 'green home' - we are proud that we rely on solar energy for power and hot water. The home was built to the highest ecological standards and best practices in tropical architecture. The roof is made from recycled plastic, the pool tiles are recycled glass, and the wood throughout the house comes from local wood, certified as being sustainably harvested. Even the dining room table was crafted from a hardwood tree that fell on the property decades ago.

We hope you will choose Madreselva for your next vacation, family get-together or yoga/meditation retreat. The balmy breezes, private setting, and lush jungle surroundings will leave you relaxed, refreshed and looking forward to your next visit to our beautiful country.

Important: Our private gravel road (1 mile), while in excellent condition, is steep and thus you will need a 4x4 car to access our property.

Bedroom Configuration:
- 1 master bedroom with a Queen bed, ensuite bathroom, and outdoor shower.
- 1 master bedroom with a King sized bed, ensuite full bathroom.
- 1 bedroom with a Queen bed and a Single bed, full bathroom across the breezeway.
- 1 bunk room with 2 Double beds below, 2 Singles above that can sleep up to six people. It also has an ensuite bathroom.

Property manager

Claudia Alderman
Premier Host
Premier Host
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Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Breakfast included
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Pool not fenced. Children under 7 need permission

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Pre-approval is required

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No-smoking strictly enforced as per contract
To access the home you need a 4 wheel drive vehicle (4x4). The beautiful view means a steep road. It is worth it! No exceptions
A signed rental contract (see template) is required before check-in.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 25
Note from host: Pre-approval is required
Long-term renters welcome
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Ballena

Located in Ballena, this holiday home is in the city centre. Punta Uvita and Marino Ballena National Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Sunset Surf Dominical - Day Lessons and Costa Rica Stand Up Paddle Boarding. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Uvita, Costa Rica, Puntarenas

What's nearby

  • Catarata uvita - 15 min drive
  • Marino Ballena National Park - 18 min drive
  • Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary - 19 min drive
  • Playa Hermosa - 24 min drive
  • Uvita Beach - 26 min drive

Getting around

  • Quepos (XQP) - 60 min drive

Restaurants

  • La Choza de Alejo - 14 min drive
  • Restaurante Marino Ballena - 13 min drive
  • Sibu - 12 min drive
  • Pizzeria La Fogata - 13 min drive
  • Uvita Beer Garden - 15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Eco-Home At One with Nature - Total Privacy, Mobility Friendly have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is Eco-Home At One with Nature - Total Privacy, Mobility Friendly pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Eco-Home At One with Nature - Total Privacy, Mobility Friendly?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Eco-Home At One with Nature - Total Privacy, Mobility Friendly?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Eco-Home At One with Nature - Total Privacy, Mobility Friendly located?

Located in the heart of Ballena, this holiday home is within 6 miles (10 km) of Playa Hermosa, Catarata uvita and Secret Lau Pool. Punta Uvita and Uvita Beach are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 83 out of 84 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 84 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 84 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 84 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 84 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Meredith C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Madreselva
We enjoyed our week at Madreselva! Carolina made everything so smooth from helping arrange our excursions, providing exceptional meals and warm hospitality. The grounds are beautiful and we were able to see many different animals, birds, butterflies and frogs. I'd highly recommend this property!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Skyler E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
An INCREDIBLE property/one of a kind views!
We were so excited to stay at this house. The pictures made it seem like the most incredible property and even as great as those pictures were, the actual views and property far exceeded our expectation. There are views from every spot in the house. The kids spent the entire time in the pool. Having 2 master suites was perfect for us and our friends to each have our own private space. The journey to the house made the trip even more epic. It felt like an adventure each time we drove up to the house. If you have the chance to have Carolina and her husband cook for you, definitely take it. The food was amazing. WE had the chicken and rice with homemade brownies and it was the best meal we had while visiting Costa Rica. My kids haven't stopped talking about it. Carolina was great to work with and very accommodating. If you're in the Uvita area, I can't recommend this place enough. We hope to plan a return trip soon.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rob W., Rocklin, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Paradise
My friends and I had such an amazing time here. I can't recommend it enough. The house manager Carolina was such a wonderful person with such an attention for detail. She makes wonderful food and will always make sure you're taken care of. The property itself is in a very tranquil setting in nature. You can see plenty of wildlife. The house is designed with nature in mind and it's beautiful. You will not be disappointed staying here.
Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

James K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Foley Kazura family
Wonderful stay! Beautiful setting overlooking Pacific Ocean. Loved the birds, insects, and monkeys in the vicinity. Local caretaker and her husband who maintained the property were extraordinarily helpful and friendly. Would definitely return!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Darrell F., Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing vacation home
If you enjoy nature book this place , The house is stunning waking up every morning to the sounds of birds also sleeping at night with just the screens open so you can listen to all the wildlife at night . The house is landscaped so it attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and lots of other bird species . The view is unreal you can literally sit in the pool and birdwatch. The porch off to the side is also an excellent place to just sit and watch the jungle . The nature trails right on the property are a big bonus as well. I saved the best for last , Carolina and Rumenigg the property managers were a huge help with booking tours and organizing excursions,recommending restaurants etc. I had a flat tire which Rumenigg repaired for me and got me back up and running . The waterfall tour is really exceptional and just up the road .The only tour I did not have a good time was the one I booked by myself without Carolinas help. Her meals were amazing and she is just a pleasure to be around . Mucho Gracias Amigos Darrell and Nicholle
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024

About the host

Hosted by Claudia Alderman

Host profile image
The owners, Claudia and Harold Alderman spent their honeymoon almost 33 years ago in Costa Rica. While there, they fell in love with this beautiful country and fantasized about someday retiring in Costa Rica. In 2014 their dream came true with the purchase of 25 acres in the Oro Verde Reserve. With Harold's enthusiastic support, Claudia spent the entire year creating Madreselva as an eco-home and wildlife refuge. Claudia is an environment specialist, who devoted her career to promoting biodiversity conservation and the improved management and financing of protected areas in Latin America. She has a Master's Degree from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental studies. Her thesis focused on the economic and ecologic benefits of private protected areas. When torn away from Costa Rica she is based in Washington DC.

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