A stunning villa moments to the beach in beautiful Playa Junquillal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
The Property & Location
Tucked away in a stunning location, Casa Bella Tortuga is a private oasis only 75 meters from the ocean and 1:20hr from Liberia International Airport. Located in Playa Junquillal, an authentic Costa Rican "Blue Zone" beach community, is the perfect retreat for the entire family or a group of friends looking for a relaxing getaway. Unwind by the salt water pool, play in the sand and surf at one of several local beaches, or seek out a multitude of adventures like mountain biking, surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving, horseback riding and more. It's a short walk to both Playa Blanca (quiet and secluded with welcoming tide pools and snorkelling), and Playa Junquillal (long with silky soft walkable sand and a strong left hand beach break) or a 40-minute walk or 10-minute drive to Playa Negra, one of Costa Rica's premier surfing destinations.
The Space
Casa Bella Tortuga (formerly Casa Woodbox on AirBnB) is a striking modern three-story home featuring unique architectural details: cathedral ceilings, a spiral staircase, open spaces and up to 6 spacious bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. The two ground-level bedrooms are easily accessible for those with ambulatory challenges or seniors. And unlike many vacation rentals in this area, Casa Bella Tortuga is a short easy walk to two wonderful beaches; there's no need to jump in a car to go to the beach...unless you really want to.
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The property is 1:20 hours from the Liberia airport. It is fully fenced for your security with onsite parking for 4 cars.​
Open Concept
Cathedral Ceilings
Dedicated Work Spaces
The common areas of the home are open concept with a soaring, three-story cathedral ceiling. There is a work desk in every bedroom and a printer can be made available, and excellent fibre optic internet and wifi if you are looking to telecommute, zoom with family or friends, or watch a movie.
Chef Quality Appliances
The recently renovated kitchen includes a large focal-point island, concrete countertops, five-burner gas stove, large fridge with ice maker and a coffee station featuring local beans and 4 ways to make your morning brew! The dining room table seats 12 and you can chill and BBQ by the pool.
Tropical Garden
Whether lounging by our salt water pool, finding tranquility on the yoga platform/chill zone or relaxing on a hammock, enjoying a late afternoon drink on the second floor patio while listening to the gentle rhythm of nearby waves, or playing on one of the local beaches, there's a relaxing and rejuvenating place for everyone at Casa Bella Tortuga.
Ground Floor
The ground floor of Casa Bella Tortuga is open concept from the kitchen to dining area to living room (with a 1/2 bathroom and work desk). Large French doors lead outside to the tropical garden, covered patio, BBQ and pool area.
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A large bedroom/flex room (with TV) on the ground floor can be configured as a second living room with couch and a trundle day bed. Or, if your group is a little bigger, this room can be set up with a king bed or two twin beds as well as the two single beds in the trundle day bed. This room can have up to 4 single beds. This room also features a gorgeous Balinese-styled outdoor tropical shower and sink. Just off this room is a large 4x6 metre yoga platform, sitting area and hammocks.
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The other ground-floor bedroom has a three-piece ensuite bathroom with accessibility handrails, shower seat, and a sliding door to the outside which makes it ideal for seniors or people with ambulatory challenges.
Second Floor
The second floor features a large outdoor covered patio on the oceanside of the house, close enough to enjoy the rhythm of the waves 75 metres away.
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There are two bedrooms on the second floor: A primary large king bedroom with 3-piece ensuite, and a bedroom with two queen beds and a dedicated adjacent 3-piece bathroom. A single bed can be added to the king room as needed.
Third Floor
The third floor has two bedrooms, one with a king bed and a single bed, and the other with a queen bed and a single bed. The king bedroom is large with windows on three sides of the room. Each bedroom has an ensuite toilet and sink and an ensuite screened outdoor shower on the balcony.
Great for all ages
Casa Bella Tortuga is a wonderful space for multi-generational families as it features 2 ground-floor bedrooms and a pool larger than many Costa Rican "plunge" pools. There are also 2 high chairs, 2 pack 'n' plays, boardgames, cards, lego, pool toys, snorkelling gear, boogie & surf boards, a kids beach tent and more for guests to use. It's also great for multiple couples or families as the bedrooms are generally separate from each other and have their own dedicated bathroom. There are places to congregate together and spaces to get away from the action if that's what you're looking for.
Commitment to Sustainability
The Nicoya Peninsula is one of a handful of "Blue Zone" areas of the world where people live longer because their culture and environment helps sustain a healthier lifestyle. Playa Junquillal is also a certified Ecological Blue Flag Beach, a designation reserved only for Costa Rica's cleanest beaches. We want to do our part in keeping this place beautiful and the natural environment here at its best, and we ask that our guests be a part of that legacy.
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As part of this goal, we provide bulk, all-natural, organic, spa-quality, reef-safe, locally sourced and Costa Rican produced shampoo, conditioner, soap, shower gel and insect repellent from Raw Botanicals.
Our pool has recently been converted to a more natural and environmentally friendly saltwater pool. Saltwater pools have considerably less chlorine and heavy chemical scent, and are gentler on your eyes, body, bathing suit and clothing. Any questions about the saltwater pool please don't hesitate to ask.
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Reusable bags and coolers are provided for shopping, and a large-volume water filter in the fridge helps to reduce the need of plastic water bottles. Although the Playa Junquillal aquifer is excellent and the water is drinkable at Casa Bella Tortuga, we realize many people are more comfortable with the added precaution of filtered water.
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Activities Galore!
Costa Rica is famous for its amazing and varied outdoor adventure. Whether you're looking for more independent exploration, or organized tours, there's something for everyone. From surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling and paddle boarding to hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, off roading, guided nature tours or volunteer experiences ... it's all possible within an hour or two of Casa Bella Tortuga.
We're happy help source those experiences for you. Let us know what you're interested in .
Our Favourite Place!
Verdi Azul:
Conservation, Education & Rescue
Verdi Azul is a non-profit community-driven organization that runs an education and conservation program at Playa Junquillal. Over the past 18 years, this organization has helped to increased the survivability of four species of sea turtles (Black, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley and Leatherback) on a variety of beaches in the area. They run a turtle hatchery on Playa Junquillal and offer volunteer experiences at the hatchery and patrolling the beaches at night for nesting mother turtles. When the babies hatch, VerdiAzul invites the community and visitors to the hatchery to witness the beginning of their epic life's journey. It's a magical experience you will not soon forget!
Verdi Azul, and the work they have done in the area to help rejuvenate turtle populations and keep this Blue Zone beach clean and healthy is why we bought our Costa Rican home here. Help us support this incredibly worthy group of dedicated locals and volunteers and the important work they do!
James Stewart, Toronto, Canada
“We had a magical yet all-too-short stay at Casa Bella Tortuga. Patricia is amazing and the villa really is a perfect vacation destination. Close to the airport, stunning pool, baby turtles, Pura Vida! It will be awesome for our larger family gathering in the spring. Fun! Can't wait to come back!"
Fiona Dyer, Squamish, BC
"My two weeks at Casa Bella Tortuga were relaxing and rejuvenating. It's a beautiful home in a great central location. The beaches are wonderful for chilling, playing or walking as there's hardly anyone on them. The sand on Junquillal is so soft. And the baby turtle release at the Verdi Azul hatchery is truly an unforgettable experience. The look on the kids faces as the baby turtles were released was priceless."
Liane Kotler, Toronto, Ontario
“We normally go to the Nosara area of Costa Rica but we decided to switch it up this year for a more authentic laid back Tico beach town and a more family oriented experience. Casa Bella Tortuga was perfect. It has a chef's kitchen, large bedrooms and a lovely outdoor pool area in a lush tropical garden. Playa Junquillal and Playa Negra still have that relaxed vibe of the Costa Rica that we crave. The beaches are long and quiet and the baby turtles are magic.”
Getting Here
The easiest way to get to Casa Bella Tortuga is to rent a car near the Liberia Airport. An AWD or 4X4 vehicle is not necessary to get to the villa as the road is paved all the way except for the final 900 meters but it is recommended if you want to explore the area to its fullest.
We can also help arrange a pick up by car or van at the airport.
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And if you're looking for car rental try Adobe through mytanfeet.com
Send us an email and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
Or look for us on Airbnb to book. Casa Bella Tortuga, Playa Junquillal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
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