WOW - I can't believe how nice Ed and Lorrie are! Their villa is beautiful, they live on the top level so if there is any problem (like you forgot your beach towel or how to play hearts) they can deal with it immediately - amazingly hospitable. Within the first 3 hours we had already taken a video to entice our friends to come with us next year. I am sure it will work - positive.

The Villa oozes of Spanish decadence and the spaces are large, accommodating and host a wealth of amenities - with a full kitchen, living room, internet, cable, washer and dryer,outdoor kitchen, tiled pool and Jacuzzi. Best part - a shower the size of my car.

It's about 2 minutes to the beach, which Playa Ocotal is one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. The sand is like black glitter.

Seriously, if you are going to be in Guanacasta or... Costa Rica for that matter - you'd be doing yourself a serious injustice to not stay here.

This vacation started with trip advisor. I regard and value each review. This is where I found Villa Vista Mar and finalized the whole vacation. The owners Ed and Lorrie were extremely helpful with all our plans. Many months ahead of the vacation, we sent emails back and forth and they made very helpful suggestions. They helped us find a great place at Arenal Observatory lodge for the first part of our trip and helped us with an affordable very kind driver (Rafael)) to transport us from one place to another. We did not rent a car.

The villa itself is beautiful. It is safe, clean and reasonable. I love having my own kitchen and use of a washer and drier. We stayed in apartment 3 (the largest). Perfect for a family of 4.

Ed offered to drive us to get groceries and down to the beach for our sail excursion. He then came and picked us up in Coco after the sail. We watched the howler monkeys move from one batch of trees to another. Apparently they do that every morning and every evening.

If you are looking for peace and quiet this is the place to be. If you are looking for more as in walking to shops or more than one restaurant (father roosters) or night life, you will need to have a car and drive to the nearby town of Coco.

Wonderful Place, clean, beautiful and away from the crowd but close enough to
go to town, and plenty of places to eat, close to the beach.
Great place to stay, and Ed and Lorrie are great hosts.

If you want the party crowd this is not the place but if you want peace quiet and
serenity...you cannot go wrong here.

Located in a quiet, residential area, ten minute walk to choice of two beaches. The Villa has three apartments, beautiful swimming pool and lovely terrace. I stayed two months in Apt. 1 on the lower level.
I travel solo so safety was a key issue for me. The villa was very secure as was the neighborhood. I birded every morning, walking through the hills and never felt threatened or uncomfortable. The birding was very good. The owners, Ed & Lorrie, live on the premise and are there to assist their guests in any way they can. Considerate, kind, helpful people. I didn't have a car to get into town (Coco, 2 1/2 miles away) but was invited to ride in with them for groceries, errands, etc. The Villa is immaculately maintained. It is spacious, elegant, and easy to interact with the other guests. During my two months stay there were Seniors, mid-age couples, and parents with teenage kids, a good cross section. It was a quiet spot, very low key, and no loud parties.
At the end of the day it was always fun to hear of the other guest's adventures. There was good snorkeling on both beaches once the water cleared up. This is a lovely place to stay if you want a peaceful, unique experience in Costa Rica.