A Clifftop Architectural Gem
A cool, contemporary jungle home created with plenty of moxie by architects for an architect, this clifftop glass house offers unexpected luxury deep in a jungle canopy alive with monkeys, tropical birds, and slow-moving iguanas. The house is set on top of a 40-meter cliff that the owner remembers scaling as a child, and was brought to life in 2016 with the help of multi-award-winning Cañas Arquictectos, who describe the project as a "logistical nightmare" but one very much worth the effort. As they say, "Few can say they get to enjoy the sea breeze from a literal cliffhanger."
With walls of glass and daring decks that cantilever out over the ocean, it’s a stunning showpiece on its own, before we even get to the Pacific views over Montezuma Bay, the velvety waters of the infinity pool that stretches right along the house, or the cool, Japanese mid-century-mod-inspired entry with its textured concrete and floating wood stairs suspended over a manicured river stone garden.
Bedrooms and baths enclosed by walls of glass mean you can watch the sun rise or set from the fluffy beds or the deep soaking tub, and indoor living areas are also glass-fronted, facing the ocean. The home stands as a true indoor/outdoor living pavilion. Teak decks are set with patio chairs and dining tables, concrete terraces stretch poolside, shaded by the angled roof, a sitting area overlooks the infinity pool stretching like a river into the trees, and a sleek catwalk extends outward from the bedrooms upstairs, a wood plank walkway out into the void, entangled with the cocobolo tree that gives the home its name.
This home can be rented with an adjacent property, Casa Ceibo.
What we love
Arrive before the sun goes down. The glass walls, the pool at the edge of the cliff, the jungle dropping to the Pacific below. Guests consistently say they weren't prepared for how good it actually is. Saturday mornings there's an organic market on the beach in Montezuma, small and local, worth knowing about.
Layout
Three bedrooms are arranged across two levels, with ocean views from every room. The primary suite sits on the upper floor behind full-height glass, positioned to catch the sunrise from the bed. Two further bedrooms share a floor below, one king and one queen, each with panoramic glass walls and smart TVs. The living room, kitchen, and dining area occupy the ground level—fully open-plan, glass-fronted to the Pacific.
Sleeping
Bedroom 1 — King, en suite, soaking tub, ocean views, direct access to cliff viewpoint
Bedroom 2 — King, shared bathroom (twin configuration on request)
Bedroom 3 — Queen, shared bathroom
Experiences
The house sits above a 30-hectare private reserve that doubles as a wildlife corridor. Guided hikes through the property reach a series of waterfalls between three and 17 feet high, with natural freshwater swimming pools along the river. The concierge team can arrange surf lessons at Playa Grande, kayak or stand-up paddleboard hire, snorkeling at nearby coves, and transport to the Romelia Wildlife Reserve, a working turtle sanctuary and hatchery 15 minutes from the house.
Good to know
Casa Cocobolo sits above a cliff on a 30-hectare jungle reserve. The access road is unpaved and requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The concierge team can arrange transfers. A late-arrival fee of $100 applies for check-ins after 8PM. Housekeeping runs Monday through Saturday, four hours daily; Sunday service is available at additional cost. The open architecture invites wildlife and insects into the living areas, which is by design. Drone use is not permitted on the property. Base rate covers two guests; each additional guest incurs a fee. For groups of up to 12, the house can be reserved together with neighboring Casa Ceibo.
Around
This villa for rent in Costa Rica is named for the cocobolo trees that surround it, covering a 30-hectare private reserve adjacent to a national refuge. This deep jungle location makes it a wildlife bridge, with iguanas, monkeys, butterflies and boldly colored tropical birds residing in the canopy surrounding the home. Montezuma Beach curves brightly below the property, and the home has a private river with numerous waterfalls and natural swimming pools accessible via a hike from the home.
Montezuma is known as a hippie/yogi outpost at the furthest tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. Each Saturday, the town hosts an open-air beachside market known as the Feria Organica, and there’s also an artisan’s market in town, famous for its macrame artists. The town focuses on sustainable tourism, marking businesses with turtle icons that represent particular strides made, such as the responsible handling of organic and inorganic waste or minimizing energy consumption. Montezuma’s white sand beach is home to all water sports and beach lounging pursuits, and a trail through the jungle and around some coves leads to Playa Grande, a surfing destination. The Romelia Wildlife Reserve is a turtle sanctuary and hatchery, and the town boasts its own iconic waterfall and a series of cascading pools.
Location
Montezuma, Costa Rica. Nearest airports: Tambor (11km), San Jose (102km)
Best time to visit
Costa Rica has two clear seasons, each of which offers unique advantages: dry season (December to April) and green/rainy season (May to November). The temperature remains fairly consistent year round.
