Clandestina

Open to Nature, Minutes from the Waves

"Clandestina" is the Spanish word for hidden, and this villa for rent in Costa Rica certainly lives up to its name. Located on the quieter side of world-class surf destination Playa Guiones, it's tucked away in a secret refuge. An original beach house that's been given a striking modern makeover, Casa Clandestina is an oasis of calm surrounded in nature and only five minutes' walk from the beach.

Enter through the front gate and wander through the palms past a 100-foot tall Guanacaste tree. It's there you'll find an oversized steel door that takes you into the house. Glass walls bring the garden with you, retaining the connection with nature that Costa Rica is famous for. The space opens into a loft-like interior with high ceilings and glass doors that lead out again, this time opening the house up to the infinity pool and the back garden, with its abundant birds and visiting monkeys.

The house was designed using a combination of existing structures and modern updates. The original home became the guest rooms and a studio, while the lofty living area with its glass walls, plus the ensuite master bedroom with its large glass doors leading into the back garden, are new additions.

This house is only available for a few weeks every year, making it a very special hideaway. It has two master bedrooms with king beds and ensuite bathrooms, a second bedroom with a queen bed and bathroom, plus a fourth bedroom with twins that's ideal for kids. To top it all, the house manager offers a full concierge service, stocking the house with all you'll need for a carefree (and well hidden) holiday.

AROUND

This villa for rent in Costa Rica is five minutes' walk to the beach at Playa Guiones. Nosara is a mellow, franchise-free, yogi-centric community that is one of the world’s five Blue Zones, or areas where residents enjoy extraordinarily longer, healthier lives than average. Here, the rhythmic roll of the big waves adds to the area’s easygoing, energetic allure, and it is filled with family-owned and operated surf shops, cafes, boutiques, and grocery stores.

Nosara is located on the Nicoya Peninsula in an area of limited commercialism and intentional undevelopment. In addition to Playa Guiones' world-class surf break, nearby Playa Pelada offers a thriving reef offshore and a tidal blowhole. The village is located near the Ostional Wildlife Refuge and is a well-known sanctuary site for animal rescues and refuge initiatives.

Yoga studios and workshops are a major draw to the area, surfing of all kinds is possible, and jungle hikes, river cruises, horseback and ATV tours offer access to the area’s lush jungle vegetation that hides crashing waterfalls, and colorful bird and animal life.

LOCATION

Playa Guiones, Nosara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Nearest airport: Liberia (2½ hours); San Jose (approximately 4½ hours)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Visit these villas for rent in Costa Rica year round