Where Casa Grande del Mar Sits
Perched on a hilltop in the southern Costa Ballena, near Uvita and Tres Ríos, surrounded by its own private jungle preserve — deeply secluded, with the rainforest and the ocean stretching out below.
Casa Grande del Mar is one of the area's newest and most private estates: set within over seventeen acres of protected rainforest, it feels like a world of its own, while the beaches, waterfalls, and towns of the southern zone are a drive away. For the region itself, see Where You Are: Costa Ballena.
Arrival & Access (the 4x4)
Reaching the estate is part of its seclusion — a genuine 4x4 is needed, and guests say it's well worth the drive from San José.
A four-wheel-drive vehicle is required, or a driver who knows the way. Most guests fly into San José (SJO) and drive about three and a half hours south, or take the short flight to Quepos and continue by road; the team arranges 4x4 rentals and shuttles, and the local host (Adrian, whom guests call “phenomenal”) meets you to guide you in. The full picture is in Roads, Rental Cars & Transportation and Getting Here.
“Worth the drive from San José! Shannon has a very responsive host, Adrian, who was phenomenal. The house is exactly as it appears, but a million times better.”Guest review · 5.0/5
The Estate & Its Preserve
What sets Casa Grande del Mar apart is the land: over seventeen acres of private rainforest preserve, home to monkeys, toucans, sloths, and an abundance of other wildlife, with the house at its centre.
This is less a villa with a view than a private nature reserve with a luxury home in it. The scale of the protected land means real privacy and a property that's genuinely alive with wildlife — the kind of place where the animals come to you. It's a recent, high-end build, finished to the standard guests expect of the collection's newest estates.
The Home, the Pool & the View
A stunning, comfortable home with a pool set to take in the jungle and the ocean beyond — clean, well-appointed, and oriented toward the view.
Guests describe the home as “stunning,” “very clean,” with comfortable living throughout and the best night's sleep of the trip. The pool and terrace look out over the preserve to the Pacific. As with any pool on a hillside, supervise children closely around the water (more in Families & Multi-Generational Travel).
A Closer Look
A few moments from around Casa Grande del Mar — the pool and the view, the home, the preserve. (Photos to come.)
Bedrooms & Sleeping Arrangements
Four bedrooms sleeping eight, comfortable and well-appointed, with the rainforest and ocean as the view.
The home suits a family or two, or a small group of friends, and guests single out the comfort of the beds and the calm of the setting. Tell the concierge how your party splits and they'll set it up before arrival.
Wildlife & Nature
With seventeen acres of preserve around the house, this is one of the most wildlife-rich homes in the collection — monkeys, toucans, sloths, and more, right on the property.
The private preserve is the point: guests describe being “surrounded by nature and wild animals” while keeping every comfort of a luxury home. Sightings vary by week and season, but the density of wildlife and the depth of the quiet are constants. More in Wildlife & Living in Nature.
Food, Chef & Service
A responsive local team makes a remote estate easy — private chefs, massages, groceries, and tours, all arranged for you.
The concierge handles check-in and anything you need: private chefs, in-villa massages, grocery pre-stocking, drivers, and tours. The markets, fish vendors, and restaurants of the southern zone are covered in Food, Groceries, Chefs & Eating Well.
What to Understand Before You Book
Two honest notes, so the home is exactly what you expect.
First, the 4x4 is required and the estate is genuinely remote — plan a proper four-wheel-drive or a driver, and arrive in daylight the first time. Second, the seclusion is the whole point: nothing is within walking distance, and the trade-off is privacy, quiet, and wildlife on your doorstep.
Who Casa Grande del Mar Suits (and Who May Prefer Another)
It suits nature-lovers, families, and couples who want a brand-new, private estate immersed in wildlife — with the comfort of a luxury home.
If you want privacy, a private preserve, and a recent, high-end home with a great view, this is a standout. You may prefer a different home if you need easy paved access with no 4x4, want to walk to the beach, or want to be close to town — the team can point you to homes like Casa Ola Vista instead.
“The villa was simply amazing! The views are beautiful and the villa itself has everything you need.”
Guest review · 5.0/5