Entire home

Just Steps from a Gorgeous Beach, 3 Bdrm, 3 Baths, Lovely Pool, Fast Wifi

Photo gallery for Just Steps from a Gorgeous Beach, 3 Bdrm, 3 Baths, Lovely Pool, Fast Wifi

Indoor pool
On the beach, beach towels
Property grounds
Indoor pool
On the beach, beach towels

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 7204 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Pool
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Just Steps from a Gorgeous Beach, 3 Bdrm, 3 Baths, Lovely Pool, Fast Wifi

If you’re going to rent a place in Costa Rica that’s on the beach, make sure it’s actually on the beach! Villa Central, one of three gorgeous villas in Caballitos del Mar, is as close to the beach as you can legally build in Costa Rica, yet the jungle and gardens that surround it provide privacy and intimacy with proximity. Villa Central has a gorgeous tiled pool that wraps around the expansive terrace, and it’s where you’ll spend most of your time. Outdoor dining allows you to hear the ocean and smell the salt spray regardless of the water, with large eaves if it rains, and an overhead fan for comfort. The kitchen is close at hand through large sliding glass doors, so the chef doesn’t feel left out of the conversation, or the views.
The three large bedrooms all have A/C and two have ensuite bathrooms, but you’ll end up opening the screened windows so you can let the sound of the ocean lull you to bed. The upstairs bedrooms even have private balconies where you can watch the waves and check the tide. All linens and towels, for pool and bath, are included. There’s also a large living room, and dining area downstairs, surrounded by native plants, palm trees, and some primary forest trees that are 100’ tall.
One of the reasons the south Pacific coast is so popular is the town of Dominical, a quiet surf town with great restaurants and convenient stores. Villa Central is only 5 minutes away from Dominical by car, or when the tide is out, it’s a gorgeous 20 minute stroll on the beach. Known for having great surfing, Dominical also has a broad beach that extends out 100 yards or so during low tide. Walk to breakfast, or grab a drink at sunset, without having to get in a car to get someplace.
There’s only one type of tourism in Costa Rica, and that’s ecotourism. Villa Central is truly central to the wide variety of excursions that allow you to explore this renowned area. North about 45 minutes is Manuel Antonio National Park, and south about an hour is the gateway to Corcovado and the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse places on earth. The concierge service at our property manager’s office can hook your family up with horseback rides to waterfalls, ziplining, birdwatching safaris, kayak torus of mangroves and sea caves, and river rafting. It’s all good, and it’s only a phone call away.
Villa Central is one of three identical villas on the same property, so if you have a large family (or a class reunion), you can rent two or three villas at the same time for up to 25 people. No one gets short changed since the villas are identical and all have gorgeous pools. Contact yougethere.com for more information on renting more than one villa.
Caballitos del Mar and the three villas are about 3 hours from Juan Santamaria Int’l Airport in Alajuela (San Jose), and renting a car is easy. All roads are paved and you won’t need a big four wheel drive to navigate mountain roads: the driving is straightforward and any rental car can handle it.
There’s a lovely Tico couple that lives on the property, and they can provide light housekeeping services, and they keep the pools and gardens in primo condition.

Villa Central: convenient to the things you want most, and secluded for privacy. The perfect combination of Pura Vida.

Guests Reviews
The house itself is spacious and comfortable; we loved the air-conditioned bedrooms after days filled with adventures and tours. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and we all enjoyed sitting outdoors and watching interesting birds and lizards. The private pool was an absolute highlight... it's far bigger in person than it appears in the pictures. The beach, a mere 30-second walk about the back door, was absolutely spectacular. During low tide, Dominical was a 25-ish minute walk on the beach. The property managers and on-site caretakers were friendly and helpful. When we return to Costa Rica, I will absolutely be looking to book this property again!

The home was very well equipped with kitchen supplies, beach towels, bath towels and plenty of seating. This was by far the cleanest VRBO I have stayed in. The staff/housekeeper went above and beyond to make sure our stay was pleasant. The home is close to the beach but we didn't swim in it because of the rip tides. The pool was amazing and perfect for our kids. The 3 houses are very close which would be great for families or friends staying close by. We loved the iguanas that hung around the pool.

Check-in times are between 4:00 PM and 8:30 PM.
Check-out times are between 5:00 AM and 10:00 AM.

Property manager

YouGetHere Property Management

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Indoor pool
  • Massage
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the villa: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car required
  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Chef service
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • In-room accessibility
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (limited availability)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Meal delivery service
  • Phone
  • Safe

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital
  • Near the ocean

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 2,200 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

Property is also known as

Villa Central Steps to the Beach Jungle Ocean
Villa Central Steps to the Beach, Jungle & Ocean Ballena

About the area

Map
Dominical

What's nearby

  • Hacienda Baru - 3 min walk
  • Playa Dominical - 15 min walk
  • Sunset Surf Dominical - Day Lessons - 2 min drive
  • Playa Dominicalito - 3 min drive
  • Nauyaca Waterfalls - 12 min drive

Getting around

  • Quepos (XQP) - 30 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Scala - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Tortilla Flats - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante La Parcela - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Coco's Restaurant - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Fuego Brew Company - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Just Steps from a Gorgeous Beach, 3 Bdrm, 3 Baths, Lovely Pool, Fast Wifi have a pool?

Yes, this property has an indoor pool.

Is Just Steps from a Gorgeous Beach, 3 Bdrm, 3 Baths, Lovely Pool, Fast Wifi pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Just Steps from a Gorgeous Beach, 3 Bdrm, 3 Baths, Lovely Pool, Fast Wifi?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Just Steps from a Gorgeous Beach, 3 Bdrm, 3 Baths, Lovely Pool, Fast Wifi?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Just Steps from a Gorgeous Beach, 3 Bdrm, 3 Baths, Lovely Pool, Fast Wifi located?

Nestled on the beach, this Ballena villa is within a 15-minute walk of Hacienda Baru and Playa Dominical. Playa Dominicalito and Sunset Surf Dominical - Day Lessons are also within 2 miles (3 km).

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Just Steps from a Gorgeous Beach, 3 Bdrm, 3 Baths, Lovely Pool, Fast Wifi Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 31 out of 32 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 32 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 32 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Ray M.

Great waterfront location
Nice home overlooking the ocean. Steve was very helpful abd made the experience that much better. I would love to rent the place again next year.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

Pura Vida!
Caballitos del Mar was perfect for us. The house was spotless and the grounds were beautiful. The Yougethere management team was very available and resourceful. Being able to walk the beach into Dominical (at low tide) was a bonus. We hope to return before too long!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah W.

Awesome time!
We are 2 couples that visited. We have been here before and loved it then. On this trip we did the recommended Jungle ATV tour - fabulous! We had great meals at La Parcela and of course the wings at Jolly Roger’s! This villa is perfect for great walks on the beach, relaxing by the pool and has a great kitchen to prepare any foods or beverages desired. Easy travel to Manuel Antonio and Uvita for night life, and quiet if you wanted to stay home. We truly love this area and will be back for sure!!
Stayed 16 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Randy V.

Beautiful Beach House
My wife and I along with another couple stayed for 7 nights. Very convenient location to restaurants in the area, The house and pool were clean and they cleaned both twice during our stay. We noticed the sound of a few trucks downshifting on the road in front of the villa, but it was not a big deal. The beach was very quick to access and stunning! The management company for the villa was quick to respond to all our needs. 5 stars.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katie R.

Easy to get to home close to the beach
The home was very well equipped with kitchen supplies, beach towels, bath towels and plenty of seating. This was by far the cleanest vrbo I have stayed in. The staff/housekeeper went above and beyond to make sure our stay was pleasant. The home is close to the beach but we didn’t swim in it because of the rip tides. The pool was amazing and perfect for our kids. The house is right off the road which makes it accessible but there is a lot of noise from the street. The 3 houses are very close which would be great for families or friends staying close by. We loved the iguanas that hung around the pool.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

liz a.

Perfect vacation house
We stayed in caballitos 2 for 1 week. The house was perfect for our group. The management was wonderful to work with and the caretaker was lovely . Having the beach right out front is amazing. It is not safe for swimming because of rip currents but at low tide there are wonderful tidal pools that the kids enjoyed. The house was clean and very well appointed. There is air conditioning in each of the bedrooms but not in the main living area. I highly recommend having a rental car as you can not walk to town during high tide unless you are on the main road. Overall we were very pleased with our stay and would definitely recommend this house.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen K., Mechanicsville, MD

Wonderful home close to Dominical and Uvita
We had only a family of four, but this house will sleep up to 7 comfortably. The ocean is just a short walk away, and you can see and hear it from the house. There were enough plantings to draw a variety of birds. The on-site staff were extremely nice and helpful. Having a washer and dryer right in the house is a bonus when you have dirty clothes from the awesome local fishing and other activities The highway noise can be loud, but that was just a small annoyance. Bedroom air conditioning worked well, but it was so hot during our stay that we wished we had central. But that's just a few spoiled Americans talking... We loved it so much that we are booking again for next year.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jerri N.

Amazing! We will be back
Absolutely no complaints here! This property is fabulous. It is well equipped with everything you need (just provide the groceries)! We could not get the kids to leave. The ocean is private, and we felt very safe and secure. Will definitely return :)
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sarah W.

Wonderful vacation
My husband and I stayed in Villa 1 a couple years ago with our kids and loved it. We brought friends this year and we’re in Villa 2. Loved it! The only downside - to this villa only- is the pool has full sun through the entire day, so the pool stays really warm and hard to cool down when it’s hot. Even with that - would rent here again !
Stayed 11 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melissa F., Canada

Awesome
Amazing stay. Beautiful house
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2021

8/10 Good

Gina S.

Great Family place
Great house in front of the beach. Perfect for family vacations.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Craig L.

Phenomenal
Great location, great beach, great pool. Great times.
Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Lora A.

Beautiful setting for relaxation
We rented two houses for a family reunion. The location was wonderful and the houses were just what we needed. We spent most of our time in the large pool. We had all of the assistance we needed to answer all of our questions.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Renee F.

Excellent property and exceptional management / staff
This is a beautiful property, exactly as described. Entire property is very well maintained with a tremendous attention to detail throughout. Kitchen is very well equipped; linens, bedding and furniture is all top notch. Kids loved the pool! Wifi worked well. Nora and Rolando were great. Steve, Josue and Claudia were extremely helpful and knowledgeable. We booked several outings through them and it was all amazing! An amazing stay!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Holly B.

Perfect!!
I can't say enough great things about this rental. My husband and I and one other couple stayed in Villa #2 in March. It is the only rental, along with the 2 other villas (at least that we could find) that is directly on the beach. It was more perfect than we imagined. Huge house, all the amenities we would ever need, beautiful pool (that we spent A LOT of time in) and steps away from the beach. Watched beautiful sunsets, walked to town from the beach, etc. Never wanted to leave. The property management staff were great - responsive, helpful -- couldn't ask for more!

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas R.

Paradise by the sea
The home itself was amazing for our family of 6. Our kids ages 10, 8, 6, and 3 loved the pool as well as jumping in the waves of the ocean. The beach is nearly private and mainly sandy although during high tide the large rocks along the shore may get in the way. Dominical is a short walk down the beach which is a sleepy surfer village with a couple of great restaurants. The house was clean and extremely spacious. Nora and Rolando were extremely nice and made sure our stay was as magical as it could be. The kids loved the iguanas that visited us everyday in the yard. The location of the home is close to Manuel Antonio (40 min drive and Monkeys Galore) as well as Hacienda Baru which was perfect for our family for zip lining. Overall it was an unforgettable stay with beautiful sunsets, wonderful swimming, and overall a great vacation destination.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2018

10/10 Excellent

Julie M.

It was heaven on earth
Our group of 15 all loved these villas! There is nothing not to love about beautiful houses tucked in on the edge of the rain forest and just feet from the most beautiful beach ever. We had an amazing time and want to return as soon as we can.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Cecily V.

Great Multi-Generational Family Vacation
Our family recently spent a delightful week at Caballitos del Mar Villa #2! Situated just steps from the ocean, the house is in a great location on a secluded stretch of beach and still less than a mile from the heart of Dominical. Steve greeted us and thoughtfully explained the workings of the house. The house has very spacious bedrooms which stay nice and cool in the July heat, and the common areas were big enough for us all to enjoy the couch, cooking together and eating meals as a family. The time we weren't in the ocean, we were in the lovely pool. Steve provided us with lots of tips about Dominical and the ocean. He was very friendly and knowledgeable. Steve even gave our young boys surfing lessons; they appreciated his kind and patient instructions. Nora, the housekeeper, was very available and amiable. Every day, she took out the trash and once a week cleaned the house. When we ran out of an item, she quickly provide it for us. Massages at Alegra were both good and inexpensive. Next door,Café Mono Congo, has tasty and healthy offerings. Close by is a well-stocked natural food store. Fuego Brewery has delicious food and a great setting (Steve recommended) Our stay at Caballitos was a 5 star experience!!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Dominical at its best!!
This was our first time in Costa Rica and we thoroughly loved the experience. Dominical is a pleasant drive from San Juan, with much to see along the way. When we arrived at the villa, it was exactly as shown in the pictures…inside and out. The home is very open and airy and complete with virtually anything you might need during your stay. While at the villa, we spent much of our time outside, enjoying the sounds of the ocean, the serenity of the pool, and the privacy the setting provides. We loved grabbing our morning coffee and heading the short distance to the beach for our daily walks. While the beach is public, you seldom see others walking it. It is as close to having your own private beach as possible. Since we visited shortly after the hurricane in November, the weather was not entirely cooperative. Nonetheless, there are so many wonderful sights to see and adventures to pursue, our days were full from sun-up to sundown. The time we spent in the area flew by so quickly, we would have loved to have extended our stay for a few more days. Unfortunately, work commitments wouldn’t allow for that. A review of the property wouldn’t be complete without mention of the caretakers…Jorge and Cindy. Jorge and Cindy live on the property and took great care to ensure our experience at the villa was a memorable one. These are two genuinely wonderful people that you will enjoy meeting during your stay!!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Derek G.

Best spot in all of Dominical!!!
We love the Dominical/Uvita area and have stayed in that area many times over the past 6 years. Hands down this is my favorite spot. We had a large group and rented all 3 houses to accommodate us. There was ample room for all of us as described and just enough privacy in each home setting with the ease of simply walking around some tropical plants into the adjoining properties. Jorge and Cindy were fantastic hosts. Both the interior and exterior areas where kept very tidy daily. Jorge turned us on to some great local spots for waterfalls and fresh fish Cindy made us a fantastic lunch on our last day. The places are great and honestly if its something you're concerned about the AC units in the bedrooms work extremely well. The beach behind the homes is great, there a bunch of large boulders and rocky formations that are exposed creating tidal pools and allowing you to walk to the closest restaurant about (200 meters) and even all the way to "downtown" Dominical. Long of the short, I am planning to stay with them again when I return this coming April.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Albert W., Palatka, FL USA

A wonderful vacation
I stayed with my two children, their spouses, and two grandchildren for 8 days in this beautiful slice of heaven. The house was beautiful, right on the ocean, and fully equipped. The check-in and check-out procedures were efficient and friendly. While the bedrooms were air conditioned, the main house was not. That did not provide any problems, but visitors who need cool spaces should take note. We used the pool a lot as an alternative to the fairly rough surf which was great for the surfers, but not so good for the children. We enjoyed walking on the beach to Dominical which was about 20 minutes away but not accessible during high tide. Taxis were inexpensive and available; however, we ended up renting a car there for better travel options. I look forward to returning.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Fantastic family reunion
Three generations of our family came to spend a week together at Caballitos del Mar. It was fantastic. We ranged from grandparents and two families with children from two years up. We had a great time sampling all of the local adventures from zip lining to the national parks. The house was great with three suites for the three family units and the pool was a special hit with all. It's a great place to relax or to adventure out. We did all of the above. Dominical is a great place with excellent food and a lot to see. The staff did a great job of recommending and reserving activities for our whole family. We can't wait to do it all again.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Anne S.

Amazing Home on the Beach
This was our first trip to Costa Rica and it exceeded all of our expectations. We have traveled several times to Hawaii and were not sure what to expect, but the beaches, weather and beautiful home were beyond amazing. There were 3 couples and this home was absolutely perfect as it had 3 master suites. The home was open and airy, had a pool and loungers and was just steps away from the ocean. The sandy beach was perfect for morning walks down to Dominical and just as much fun in the evening when the tide was out. We had fabulous dinners at restaurants close by and a spa for massages and facials. The husbands absolutely loved the fishing. There was a local fishing guide that they went out with twice and had great success. They also went fishing on their own and thoroughly enjoyed the local hospitality. The caretakers for this home were amazing. You could not have asked for kinder more attentive people. Their home was located on the property and they were always accessible if we had any questions or needs. We will definitely be back and will definitely stay in this property.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

bill p.

Caballitos el Mar
Wow.... What else is there to say. If you want to surf some great to incredible swell, be near a traditional C.R. type town without the tourist traps that Tamarindo or Los Suenos offer, this is your spot. The home was all its' photos made it up to be, and more. Nothing but great beaches that stretched for miles all to ourselves, and surfing like Dominical proper 150 yards from the pool. We loved the peace and quiet, and having a festive atmosphere and market to stroll around, but literally 3 minutes away in Dominical. As for the team of people that handled all the arrangements, from Mr. Harding, Steve, and the local reps, each was professional and fantastic. Their guidance in finding the best of the local services was without comparison. 5 stars means 5 stars. I have to mention Jorge and his family and what an asset they were to our stay as they live and work to keep the properties and the residents in total comfort with enthusiasm. They were always available if you needed some on the spot assistance, and my family has made life long friends. I couldn't recommend a better location. Take it from someone who has been from San Jose through La Fortuna and Mt. Arenal, to Tamarindo and the coast all the way south to Golfito and Zancudo, this was grade A Costa Rica. Bill
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

carla g.

awesome place
this house s fantastic. well equipped, comfortable beds, great ac in bedrooms. we have been to costa rica many times but this was the only house we were able to find that is directly on the beach. this worked great for us as we have 3 teen boys who are old enough to go swim in the waves on their own. very relaxing and beautiful! also walking distance to Dominical and restaurants.