Leave the Cold behind, Winter in the Safe Quiet Paradise of Costa Rica Reviews, Deals & Photos 2025

Q: Does Leave the Cold behind, Winter in the Safe Quiet Paradise of Costa Rica have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Q: Is Leave the Cold behind, Winter in the Safe Quiet Paradise of Costa Rica pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

Q: Where is Leave the Cold behind, Winter in the Safe Quiet Paradise of Costa Rica located?

Located on a river, this family-friendly holiday home is within 12 mi (20 km) of Minas Del Aguacate, Turu Ba Ri Nature & Adventure Park and Aguacate Mines. San Ramon Municipal Market and Carara National Park are also within 20 miles (32 km).

10/10 Excellent

Richard D.

15 Mar 2025

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

Hidden Gem in San mateo

Best place to stay for the true culture of costa rica. The Host and Hostess were fantastic they made our stay feel like we were right at home. The property is well maintained and beautiful.

Stayed 10 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Thomas S.

4 Mar 2025

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

The best!

Love the casita owned and operated by Grace and Ivan. Property is rural and secluded but close to everything one might need or want. A vehicle is a definite must. Grace and Ivan are fantastic hosts who will provide all the information you need or leave you alone if all you want is a restful escape from reality.

Stayed 48 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Keith M.

12 Nov 2024

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

Wonderful Casita close to Ecovilla

We came to San Mateo to visit the area and meet with builders for our new property in San Mateo Ecovilla. Ivan and Grace are really great and were helpful with great feedback and recommendations about San Mateo. They have 5 dogs that are very well behaved and friendly, but are also well trained to stay off the terrace of the casita. We had a wonderful time and plan to stay there again.

Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Richard L.

17 Jan 2023

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

Excellent

Stayed 17 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Anne & Brad D.

1 Mar 2023

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

Our month long holiday

It was wonderful! Our hosts helped us see the country and drove us around to different sites. They were kind and generous with us. The guesthouse was perfect too. It has everything you'd need. We'd definitely recommend staying in here.

Stayed 28 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael G.

16 Dec 2024

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

San Mateo Costa Rica Vacation

Our stay at Grace's Guest House could not have been more perfect. Our hosts, Grace and Ivan, are commited to giving their guests the best Costa Rican experience. Graces suggestions from the best beaches and restaurants to where to park was spot on. Not to mention the perfect recipe for making your own American creamer! Our Costa Rican vacation was truly memorable. With out a doubt, the time spent with our hosts and the friendship that developed was the highlight of our trip. The guest house was very clean and had everything needed for a relaxing vacation. Both the indoor and outdoor areas were beautiful, relaxing and well taken care of. Ivan and Grace thank you for your gracious hospitality. We enjoyed our conversations, cofffee and time in the pool.

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pamela R.

6 Mar 2024

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

We Had A Lovely Stay!

We can't say enough about our great stay in Grace & Ivan's Casita! Their home is in a quiet, peaceful, gorgeous location. All amenities needed are already in the home, beautiful pool & comfortable king size bed. Both Grace and Ivan went above and beyond and also helped us with our car repair problems-THANK YOU so much again! We take away from this nice stay a bonus of having two additional great people we call friends, Always Pamela and Josef

Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

20 Jan 2022

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

Grace's Guesthouse is the best!

The casita is beautiful, spacious, clean, private and very well-equipped. Internet is fast and reliable. Local amenities are conveniently close. Can use Uber or taxi for local trips. Quiet scenic walks. Hosts Grace and Ivan are the best. Friendly and helpful beyond any normal expectation.

Stayed 28 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lorna D.

10 Jan 2023

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

Disliked: Location

Welcoming and helpful owners

We had a great time staying at Grace's casita in San Mateo, the property is beautifully landscaped with lush gardens. The house was exceptionally clean with all amenities needed for our comfort. Grace and Ivan were very helpful in showing us around the different areas, where to shop, best beaches and much more. Although the property is located in a small town its ideally situated within close proximity to San Jose, and other provinces. The only thing I would recommend is that you need to have a rental car. Overall this was a wonderful vacation.

Stayed 29 nights in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

Duane R.

3 Jan 2024

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

Outstanding Hosts

Owners Grace and Ivan live on the property 50 Yards away in the main house. Wealth of information provided by them and very helpful in understanding the area. Made to feel very welcome there and Ivan had no problem with me borrowing items to keep the rental clean. Location is within 10 to 15 min drive to 2 smaller towns that will have most of what you need. San Mateo does have a good bakery. Jaco a bigger place with beach 30 miles away but will take an hour to get there. You will need a car at this property. Very friendly dogs on the property that will come and greet you most days, just need to let Grace know before leaving and coming back so dogs can be secured. Enjoyed our stay here and meeting with Grace and Ivan. Tao keeps the property well maintained and looking good.

Stayed 32 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jim D.

27 Sept 2023

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

Relaxing retreat!

We arrived at the end of August and stayed for a month. We decided not to rent a car because our hosts, Ivan and Grace, were available to take us (for an agreed upon fee) when we wanted to go for a restaurant meal (we mostly ate in), get groceries in San Mateo or Orotina or go to a dentist appointment in San Jose! They also picked us up after our first night in San Jose and then took us back to the airport at the end of our stay. They are a lovely couple and helpful with advice on restaurants and things to do. We had never stayed anywhere for a month and we were so glad we had a lovely spot from which to work and relax. The shared pool is absolutely divine, their grounds are well kept. The casita itself is just what you see in the pictures. As this was our 4th trip to CR we wanted to have just peace and quiet and that is what we got! Thank you Grace and Ivan for a lovely stay.

Stayed 28 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Richard L.

19 Mar 2023

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

Fabulous in San Mateo

Fabulous. The house is as described, a private oasis on the large property that includes a superbly well maintained swimming pool. The magnificent large, old, tree right in front of the "casita" houses a variety of animals, including iguanas and squirrels. Sitting on the covered veranda in front of the "casita" allows for the quiet observation of more animals than you see in many natural parks, including a large variety of birds. Often, in the early morning, you can hear howler monkeys that are apparently in the large trees behind the property and a distant river. The "casita" itself is spacious, while its kitchen has all modern appliances that make it possible to live there conveniently and full time if desired. Necessary purchases can be made in one of the many retail outlets, a short taxi drive away. Spending part of the snowy northern winters in this place is a bit like being in paradise. The stay in this casita is further made very agreeable by the pleasant and helpful hosts, Grace and Ivan and their groundskeeper Teo. Yes, highly recommendable if you can get it.

Stayed 14 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Peg T.

2 Apr 2023

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

A Little Bit of Paradise

This little gem of a place is the perfect spot for exploring the Costa Rican countryside and culture. It is located under an hour from the San Juan airport and less than an hour to beaches or mountains depending on which direction the wind takes you. Grace and Ivan have a lovely little casita surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. It is a quiet, cozy retreat that is impeccably maintained. We could not have asked for better hosts! Both Grace and Ivan speak English and they were incredibly helpful to a couple of non-spanish speaking gringos. They provided insights into local culture and travel advice for exploring days. They will help you with anything you need! They will provide transportation at a reasonable cost and are very willing to show you the sights and sounds of Costa Rica. We took advantage of their offers but we also rented a car for part of our stay which we highly recommend. We also enjoyed seeing Teo's (security/grounds keeper) smiling face each morning. The Costa Ricans are beautiful people with ready smiles and warm hearts. The country is clean and trash-free unlike other countries we have visited. If you want a great experience, give this place a whirl. You won’t regret it.

Stayed 14 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Barry F.

29 Feb 2024

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

4 Weeks of Excellence - second time in CR

All is true as per the previous on line 5 STAR reviews of Grace's Guest House Set in a rural area the location is fairly central to all of our interests (beaches, golfing, nature, sight seeing, shopping, restaurants and supplies) The car rental was essential for us.All in all great vacation as Ivan and Grace took us to places we would have never found on our own. The Casita was perfect for our needs and very well equipped as well as being privately located on the property. The property is truly a resort like setting( giant banyon trees, manicured hedges and variety of plants and flowers and iguanas and birds). Only steps from a well maintained pool. As for the hosts, Grace and Ivan are simply the best. You will not find finer people. We knew them for many years from when they lived in Canada but really got to KNOW them this past month. What a pleasure and a treat. Ivan and I coached our son's hockey team years ago so we had a lot in common .We are both Edmonton oiler fans and we got all the games on TV so good. And Grace, a real pistol with a huge heart. She has 5 rescue dogs that she has taken in. We called them our Walmart greeters as they happily met us at the gate every time we returned to the Casita. Great to meet Grace's CR family and friends .Grace and Claire clicked well. Don't worry about the doggy-do-do as Teo the grounds keeper and security guard was out every 6:00AM searching and picking up after the doggies.On days off Ivan or Grace had the pleasure.

Stayed 29 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

jerry w.

28 Mar 2022

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

casita stay

very nice property and very helpful hosts.

Stayed 14 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

terence M., ormstown

25 Feb 2022

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

Perfect Winter Getaway

The guest house is a beautiful cottage in the San Mateo country side. Great, well equipped, very homey & comfortable. The landscaping is stunning--so many different trees & flowers blooming. The pool was refreshing and you feel like you are in an oasis with the landscaping. Our hosts, Grace & Ivan, were fantastic. Very helpful giving us information on local sites (parks, beaches, restaurants) and directions. They took us to a look out in the mountains to see a spectacular sunset which we really enjoyed. We would definitely recommend this cottage to anyone wanting to go to Costa Rica.

Stayed 14 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nancy D., HAPPY VALLEY

8 May 2021

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

Best Hosts Ever

1st the property: The casita itself is immaculately maintained and clean from top to bottom. It comes with everything you might need to enjoy a comfortable stay in San Mateo. The yard is beautiful and equally attended to complete with fruit trees and tropical plants (the large tree in the middle is amazing). The pool is large and accessible for all swim levels as there is a shallow seating area perfect for younger children. Also well cared for. Next the hosts: Ivan and Grace made us feel welcome and comfortable from the moment we arrived until the end of our stay. They asked us what groceries we might want to have stocked ahead of time and cooled down the casita before our arrival (which was after midnight). We were fond of them right off the bat and by the end of the week we felt like members of their extended family. We took in our am coffees together and enjoyed many conversations. They catered to us beyond what anyone would expect and made us feel right at home. We loved all 5 of their well-behaved dogs who filled the void from missing our own. The place is perfect whether you'd like privacy or to be in the company of the finest people you'd ever meet. Thank you Ivan, Grace, Teo (groundskeeper) and perros Lobo, Toto, Benji, Roxy and Doggie!! We can't wait to see you again soon! - Nancy, Jeremy & Canyon

Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

LEE AND JOANNE B.

28 Feb 2019

Beautiful spot - Highly recommend!

Grace and Ivan's casita was perfect for what we wanted / needed. The Casita itself is spacious and set far enough back from the main house that privacy is not an issue. Our hosts Grace and Ivan Lund are exceptional to the max - they speak both English and Spanish and are pleased to help with anything - and were even kind enough to be our tour guides on a couple of outings. We highly recommend this Casita for anyone wanting to stay in that area.

10/10 Excellent

Tim H.

9 Feb 2018

Wonderful guesthouse! Relax and enjoy!

We would absolutely stay again at Grace's Guesthouse! The owners/hosts ~ Ivan and Grace Lund are "great people"! Kind, friendly, funny, extremely helpful and also very knowledgeable about the area. Grace's Guesthouse ~ the 'casita' ~ has personality, charm, and privacy. The casita and property are extemely well maintained, beautifully decorated and landscaped. Whether you stay a week or four weeks as we did the casita has all you will need and if you're missing something or have a question just check with Grace, Ivan or their 'right-hand man' Tao! There is a very handy laundry room in the casita, covered carport just steps away, and a wonderful covered veranda to sit out on ~ for meals, reading, listening/watching for the many birds, visiting with Ivan, Grace or Tao, or watching the amazing sunsets. The pool is just a short walk down a paved path which is partially shaded by an enormous tree! The pool is large and very well maintained. It is great for floating or lap swimming! The pool area has deck chairs, pool floats, music, and a convenient changing room/bathroom. Grace's guesthouse was very convenient for us as it was a quiet place to enjoy time by the pool and convenient to travel to many sights ~ National Parks of Manuel Antonio and Carara, Rainmaker Conservation Project and the LaPaz Waterfall Gardens just to name a few we went to. We were also able to take a 5 mile hike right from the casita, shop at a local farmers market in San Matteo, shop in Orotina, meet some of Grace's wonderful family, and eat at several local sodas. We woke many mornings to the sounds of howler monkeys, roosters, and owls! With the help of Tao we saw green iguanas, different lizards, and a variety of birds. To top it all off we enjoyed making friends with Ivan and Grace's six dogs ~ ALL very well behaved! We were greeted each morning with a tail wag!! To sum up this long review ~ we look forward to a return visit to see Grace, Ivan, Tao and our six new 'fur' friends! :-)

10/10 Excellent

Keith K., Winnipeg Canada

10 Jan 2018

Leave the Cold behind, Winter in the Safe Quiet Paradise of Costa Rica is exactly right!

We spent two weeks at Grace and Ivan’s Casita and it was “Paradise”. Firstly, Grace and Ivan are just amazing they made sure we were comfortable and treated us just like family. They invited us to their traditional family Christmas dinner, which was amazing in itself and such a pleasure to meet their family! The casita is surrounded by beautiful trees, plants and flowers and inside was just as beautiful and so comfortable. It has everything you need (even an ice maker, rice cooker, blender, it’s all there) and the Apple TV was perfect for us “Winnipeg Jets Hockey Fans”. Keith and Ivan had so much in common especially when it came to hockey and Keith really enjoyed chatting with Ivan (often to the point of interrupting his work day :)) We also really enjoy having their dogs around, they are all so friendly and love to be around people. We did have a vehicle as we were travelling to various parts of CR but Grace and Ivan were more than willing to drive us to different places, which was great as they are so knowledgeable about the area and can recommend things to do and see. Great hosts and tour guides! We have formed a friendship with Grace and Ivan and will be returning to their Casita on our next trip to CR!

Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2017

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

10/10 Excellent

Frederick C.

27 Jul 2017

Perfect for first time Costa Rica travelers!

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay! We chose not to arrange transportation due to the high cost of the rental and fuel (they pay by the liter not the gallon). Ivan is an alertive and conscientious driver. We were not used to the driving there but got acquainted with it really quickly. Thanks to Ivan's driving skills, this was/is no concern. Ivan and Grace took us around to all of the spots we requested and helped us time our leaving so we would not get rained out as we came on the tail end of the rainy season and it rains very early in the afternoon. They charged us a very reasonable fee and saved us a ton on the transportation costs. The guest house is incredibly charming and the pool was great. We don't typically care for dogs, but their dogs are very friendly, mellow, and greeted us at the gate every day we returned. We really enjoyed ourselves and are thankful we stayed with them, as there were a lot of unknowns we would have been challenged with without their assistance. We even had the chance to hang out with their delightful friends and family. I highly recommend staying with them if you are looking for an authentic experience and need someone to hold your hand through the experience. Thank you Ivan and Grace! God bless.

Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2017

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

10/10 Excellent

Lisa C., Floresville, Texas

16 Mar 2017

Pleased beyond expectation

This was our last stop on our three week CR getaway. It was awesome to meet the property owners and visit about life in Costa Rica. They provided us with information about tours and places to dine. We decided on Volcano Poaz but I forget about the advice to wear long pants and take a jacket but still glad we went. The views are up close and there is a small museum in the park. We also did the Calypso Tortuga Island Tour out of Puntarenas. We had a great time starting with breakfast and ending with the sunset. The casita is spacious, well stocked, comfortable, secure, and beautiful. The property is full of native trees and plants. It was cashew harvesting season and I was was happy to learn all about it. I loved the flavor of the natural nut and fruit.

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

10/10 Excellent

Brian S.

9 Feb 2017

Marvelous experience

Grace and Ivan were excellent hosts, right from the beginning when they met us at the airport. It was a long day of travelling, and they ensured we started our vacation without a hitch. We accompanied them out for dinner our first night, which was also a great experience, and we revisited that particular restaurant again. The casita was very comfortable, we loved dining on the front patio. The kitchen was well equipped with everything we needed to make our meals. I loved the great drinking water, and the ice machine. The yard was very well maintained, and the amazing tree in front of the casita provided us with many enjoyable hours of bird watching. The location was great for many day trips, and there were lots of things we got to see thanks to the great tips we received from our hosts. The pool was also wonderful. I loved having the dogs around, they are so well behaved, and for anyone who didn't want to interact with the dogs, there is lots of fencing. I, however, found it very comforting to have them around, and to be greeted each day with wagging tails. I was quite attached by the time we left!! All in all, it was one of our best holidays, Grace and Ivan made us feel very welcome, they went above and beyond to ensure that our vacation was wonderful, and I highly recommend their casita!!

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

10/10 Excellent

John (Jack) H.

21 Nov 2016

The only thing more lovely than the casita were the hosts.

Great location, near one national park and not too far from others and the water. Beautiful cottage, exactly as described. The hosts were truly wonderful. Can't wait to get back.

Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2016

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

10/10 Excellent

Michael I.

8 Mar 2016

We thoroughly enjoy our time in San Mateo.

We have been to this property several times and it suits us perfectly as a way to escape the Canadian weather. We particularly enjoy listening to the Ottawa morning radio show via internet and hearing reports of -25 deg. weather back home. The accommodation is great. The property is very well maintained and Dona Carmen comes in regularly to clean the casita. The owners are very helpful and friendly and willing to correct any problems that occur immediately. The property is in a rural setting so you will need a car to get around. The location is perfect for touring the countryside, going to the beach or visiting San Jose.

Stayed 23 nights in Feb 2016

Leave the Cold behind, Winter in the Safe Quiet Paradise of Costa Rica

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