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Overview
Amenities
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Location
Host

9.6

Exceptional

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6111 sq m

Popular amenities

Breakfast available

Kitchen

Barbecue grill

Free WiFi

Outdoor space

Washer

Explore the area

Cabo Matapalo, Puntarenas

Pan Dulce Beach5 min walk
Playa Matapalo9 min drive
King Louis Waterfall9 min drive

Most relevant reviews

10/10 Excellent

We had an excellent off grid experience with Casas SonRita. The only thing that would be better is if we did not travel ...

Diane M.

Jul 28, 2023

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

Casa Sonrisa, Bamboo Rainforest Beach House

Casa Sonrisa is a 5-star ranking recipient of 12 Traveler's Choice Awards and 12 Excellence Awards. Recommended by Lonely Planet. Casa Sonrisa is one of four beach houses making up the Casa Bambu resort property. (If Casa Sonrisa is reserved for the dates you want, see the listing for Casa Bambu, Casa Linda, or Casa Pina .) At Casa Sonrisa our on-site staff is available 24/7.

Costa Rica vacation rentals: there are hundreds to choose from. Yet we are told again and again that Casa Sonrisa and our other bamboo beach houses are exceptional. So if you're ready to take a walk on the wild side, this is the place! This Costa Rica beach rental offers nature lovers an ideal vacation. It sits on a beautiful beach, in the rainforest, on the coast of the Osa Peninsula. This unique setting lets you experience the true Costa Rica, one of the most amazing areas on earth; relax on the beach; and enjoy countless natural wonders. All this while keeping you comfortable and secure in a private rental house on the beach. At Casa Sonrisa the ocean waves lull you to sleep and the roar of the howler monkeys awaken you to a glorious sunrise over the Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf). A pristine beach is literally steps away, and the rainforest and wildlife are all around. If you love nature in all its wild beauty, this is the place for you.

After visiting vacation rentals around the country, Lonely Planet's Costa Rica recommends Casa Sonrisa as a place to stay. Men's Journal touts Casa Sonrisa in its review of Costa Rica vacation homes in its vacation guide cover story How to Rent a Dream House Anywhere: Your Own Private Resort. It says: “For the jungle experience, visit the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica’s wild southern appendage. Its few paved roads lead to tiny fishing villages, like Cabo Matapalo, where you’ll find unspoiled beaches and rental houses like Casa Sonrisa on a plot of pristine rainforest teeming with monkeys.” The Denver Post Travel section featured Casa Sonrisa in an article about Costa Rica, the Osa Peninsula and Matapalo. The Fine Living Channel included Casa Sonrisa in its program Around the World in Eighty Houses, which focused on remarkable vacation houses throughout the world, including Casa Sonrisa. The Sunday Post of Scotland, an international publication, featured an article by a Casa Sonrisa guest about her vacation with us.

Our Costa Rica beach house rentals offer:

A perfect location: right on a gorgeous beach (and near several others), with a spectacular view, in the rainforest, surrounded by abundant wildlife and scenery.
A handcrafted, clean and safe vacation rental home, from which to enjoy your fantastic surroundings.
Many activities for the whole family.
Three other bamboo rentals, equally wonderful.
When natives of Costa Rica greet each other, they often say “Pura Vida,” or pure life. When you visit Casa Sonrisa, you’ll truly understand what this means.

Property manager

Kirk Ulbricht

Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

Outdoor space

Ocean view

Pool

Kitchen

Outdoor space

Living/dining area

House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Important information

You need to know

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

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 not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Puerto Jiménez

Located in Puerto Jiménez, this holiday home is on the beach. Puerto Jimenez Pier and Golfito Marina are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Corcovado National Park and Corcovado National Park Office. Travelling with kids? Consider Casa Orquideas Botanical Garden, or check out an event or a game at Fortunato Atencio Stadium. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Cabo Matapalo, Puntarenas

What's nearby

Pan Dulce Beach - 5 min walk
Playa Matapalo - 9 min drive
King Louis Waterfall - 9 min drive
Corcovado National Park Office - 19 min drive
Puerto Jimenez Pier - 20 min drive

Getting around

Puerto Jiménez (PJM) - 52 min drive

Restaurants

‪Buena Esperanza - ‬14 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Casa Sonrisa, Bamboo Rainforest Beach House pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Casa Sonrisa, Bamboo Rainforest Beach House?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Casa Sonrisa, Bamboo Rainforest Beach House?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Casa Sonrisa, Bamboo Rainforest Beach House located?

This family-friendly Puerto Jiménez holiday home is located on the beach, within a 5-minute walk of Osa Peninsula and Pan Dulce Beach. Playa Sombrero and King Louis Waterfall are also within 2 miles (3 km).

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.8/10

Cleanliness

6.0/10

Amenities

6.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Diane M.

28 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Off the grid awesome

We had an excellent off grid experience with Casas SonRita. The only thing that would be better is if we did not travel here at night that was a mistake. The timelines are not in the direction that so it was pretty stressful getting there at night. Once we were there everything was as expected. Surprisingly very few bugs. How old are monkeys did wake us up about sunrise or a little before so if you’re not expecting that bring earplugs - we got used to them serenading us. Corcovado perk was good exercise, but we saw a few animals and most of the animals were around areas where people were even the sides of the roads. It definitely helped having a guide with a spotting scope. William was awesome except spoke no English, so it helps to have a little Spanish with him. The tours they arranged were amazing, especially the boat with captain, Josh we saw a whale and her baby right by our boat. Dolphins were everywhere and the kids got to swim with him which was wonderful or I should say the dolphins swim with the kids! Overall it was fantastic.

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa V.

9 May 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Vacay

property is exactly as described. Host provided us with very helpful information and set up tours for us. Manager William also very accommodating. We had a great stay!

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth F.

8 May 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bambu-tastic!

What an amazing experience! I just can't give enough praise to Team Bambu for thinking of every last question and concern during our 3 nights in Casa Sonrisa. The house was beautiful and well appointment with everything one might need off grid, but the staff truly went above and beyond. We left Cabo Matapalo feeling like members of the family having enjoyed some time with William and Leda and Olive. Elena was right there to help with arrangements and answer questions even on short notice. And they even retrieved an item that was inadvertently left behind. The animals and the bay and the beach and the hammock - It's all just so wonderful. If you're on the fence, just go! You won't regret it!

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

27 Apr 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, communication

First time living in an open air house. The experience was unforgettable. Kept closing the front door just to look at the wide open walls. Everything we needed was provided. Perhaps the only thing to improve would be to improve the signage should someone not have cell phone service. I was amazed that we found the place in the dark. Thank you so much for sharing your slice of heaven on earth with us.

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica H.

13 Apr 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing location and hospitality

Casa Sonrisa was even better than we thought it would be! From the outdoor living room you can check the waves breaking at Pan Dulce and the house gives you an authentic Costa Rica jungle experience but with a well stocked kitchen, comfy beds, and a huge dining table to gather around at the end of the day. William was an absolute hero and took care of us throughout our stay. He helped us fix our flat tire and our never ending car problems . I highly recommend!

Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

ryan k.

24 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Jungle Retreat

Casa Sonrisa was perfect for our family jungle/beach retreat. The property is beachfront, but the house is set back about 250m from the beach. Very private and tons of wildlife. All the houses down here are very “open” so know what you are getting into. If you know what to expect you will not be let down. Perfect for birders, nature lovers and surfers. Walk to numerous breaks and enjoy creation. William was an amazing manager and Kirk is a kind and gentle soul.

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nathaniel G.

9 Apr 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great

Epic

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Haley M.

14 Jan 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Experience

We were in the area for a wedding and Kirk and his team made it so easy to check in and answered all of our questions. Such an amazing trip!

Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2020

8/10 Good

Sean S., Fountain

11 Aug 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

A little slice of heaven.

We were absolutely stunned by the beauty and solitude of Casa Sonrisa! It was exactly what we envisioned as far as the offgrid experience. We didn't want an all inclusive resort type vacation. We wanted to be immersed in nature with the ocean waves close. We had the perfect accommodations for our dream trip! The grounds are magnificent. Wildlife viewing is off the charts. We saw so many troops of monkeys, tropical birds and countless other animals throughout the day. We miss the sights and sounds immensely! We highly recommend going on the Corcovado hike with William as your guide. He truly has eagle eyes and goes all out to ensure a once in a lifetime experience. William has an amazing personality and we all enjoyed our time with him. We only had one hiccup that we would like to share. There is a radio to contact William if you need anything. The only problem is we literally could never reach him on it. He does live right on the property but initially we were reluctant to invade is family time. Since we didn't rent a car this may have had a been a bigger issue for us. But my advice is to try to catch William at his home or contact Kirk. To save some frustration. 😁 Kirk is very informative, easy to reach and responds quickly. Can't say enough good things about all the information that he shared prior to our trip.

Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Carly L.

15 Mar 2019

jungle immersion near the beach

My daughter, her 2 young children (7 and 11) and I stayed in this house the end of February. Several years ago we stayed in another of the houses in this small group of homes owned by the same family. That one being booked, we stayed here and loved it. It is more separate from the other houses, is up the hill from the others and as such catches the breezes off the ocean nicely. And the many animals (monkeys, pecaries, scarlet macaws, blue morpho butterflies, tucans etc) roamed through the yard daily and seemed more plentiful in the more remote location than the previous house.We know the Matapalo area well having surfers in the family, but this house and the other 4 are very close to a quiet sandy beach where the kids could swim. The surfers took a walk to the surf breaks. We love the truly jungle experience of the house. The building is made entirely of bamboo, the beds are enclosed in mosquito netting although we were not bothered during the day by bugs, the louvered windows of the bedrooms open to the outside without the need of screens and can be closed tightly at night. The big kitchen, dining area has big flaps that pull up during the day for total experience of the outside. And then there is a very comfortable outside porch where there was alot of hammock swinging and reading stretched out on couches. This is a dynamic area for exploring the still wild areas of Costa Rica.

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Robert S.

23 Feb 2019

Beautiful Osa setting with wildlife galore

We had high expectations for our week-long stay on the Osa Peninsula, and Casa Bambu exceeded them. Owner Kirk and guide William live on the premises and were able to suggest or arrange activities-- a boat excursion, a long hike into Corcovado National Park, shore fishing, kayaking, local hikes (including a night hike), birding-- that made the days fly by. The hillside setting above Golfo Dulce provided gorgeous views, and the sustainably built houses were airy, comfortable and spacious. The diversity of wildlife was incredible-- expect to wake up to the sounds of howler monkeys and scarlet macaws. On our hikes we saw amazing mammals we'd never even heard of, like tayras and tamanduas. Mosquitoes were minimal, as it was the dry season (mid-December-April). Casa Sonrisa offers simple lodging that is about a 40-minute bumpy ride from the nearest town, Puerto Jimenez. We took a wonderful short flight from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez and booked a van for the return to San Jose. Local tours and transport appear to be pay-as-you-go. All our local drivers and guides were extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Casa Sonrisa and the other houses at Casa Bambu are highly recommended!

6/10 Okay

Juan M.

29 Jan 2019

Increíble lugar, linda casa, el servicio debe mejorar

Casa Sonrisa es una casa tal como se la ve en las fotos, simple, sencilla y muy práctica. Esta ubicada a 150 m de la playa Pan Dulce que es un lugar muy lindo , con una playa tranquila y mar ideal para bañarse en marea alta. Pero creo qué hay una cosa que se puede mejorar y el la limpieza. La casa la limpian cada 3 días y eso no alcanza ya que se juntan muchos desperdicios y suciedad en el piso. Hay algunas cosas que tienen ya mucho uso, como la parrilla, los barrenadores y algunos implementos de cocina. William, el encargado, es un buen guía pero no está siempre disponible para solucionar los problemas. Más allá de esos inconvenientes, hemos pasado una muy buena estadía y creo que es un lugar que vale la pena conocer.

Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2019

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn F.

19 June 2017

Outstanding time in Costa Rica!

We were a group of three couples staying at Casa Sonrisa for nine nights and had an absolutely amazing vacation. The house was the perfect size and the open air living area provided for great views of all the monkey troops that would travel across the property each day. We loved everything about the house, just beautiful and fully equipped with everything we needed to cook our meals; we had provisioned in Puerto Jimenez. The property itself is gorgeous and we had a very large yard with all kinds of vegetation; very much a jungle experience. We spent most of our time in the area; lots of places to hike, swim, kayak and just explore. Kirk, the owner was extremely helpful in planning the trip and making sure we had everything we needed during our stay. We took a night hike with William, the property manager to a waterfall and went swimming in the dark in the pool below....amazing and unforgettable! One couple in the group had been to Costa Rica a few times before and they said this was by far the best place they have experienced. We will all be back again and have not stopped talking about this outstanding little slice of paradise!

About the host

Hosted by Kirk Ulbricht

Twenty-seven years ago, while visiting friends on the Osa Peninsula, Kirk found his heaven. He bought six acres of overgrown cow pasture by the Golfo Dulce, cleared it of brambles and weeds, and began to transform it. With neighbors, they planted 1,000 trees (now part of the monkey trail) and built Casa Bambu with the help of local friends. Kirk completed a second bamboo house, Casa Linda, in September, 2002; a third, Casa Piña, in August, 2003; and a fourth, Casa Sonrisa, in December, 2007. All the houses are solar-powered with artesian wells, beautiful tropical yards and on a pristine beach.
Back in the U.S. Kirk has been a 'green' builder and home designer in Austin, TX. His houses are ultra efficient - utilizing passive solar techniques, proper siting and other applications that conserve energy while providing comfortable shelter. His heart, however, is in Costa Rica, where he relishes life in the rainforest and can fulfill his lifelong love of the sea.

What makes this property unique

Unique pristine wilderness on a gorgeous unspoiled surfing/swimming beach with wildlife all around.
World-famous birdwatching, ocean kayaking, rainforest tours, on foot or horseback (including world-famous Corcovado National Park), Golfo Dulce boat tours, wildlife sanctuary tours, pristine beaches, Puerto Jimenez is a 30 minute drive and offers several banks, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, and grocery stores, We can set you up with great guides, as well as lodgings in San Jose and in-country travel.