PLAYA LAPA is a PRIVATE BEACH FRONT RESIDENCE located in Carate, adjacent to the beautiful Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula, in Costa Rica. The Casa sits on 1.6 hectares of lowland rainforest palms and exotic botanicals, including 6 types of producing fruit trees, and numerous flowering ornamental landscape plants, extending from the Carate road to the Pacific beach.
A sturdy footbridge from Playa Lapa’s back yard crosses over the fresh water slough that feeds the adjacent Pejeperrito Lagoon. Sand dunes and coconut palms protect the Casa from the pacific surf just fifty feet beyond.
A beautiful off-grid, custom built home of teak and purple heart wood, the Casa has 2 bedrooms, a bathroom on each level, an outdoor shower house, and an open-air cathedral living area. A spiral staircase of purple heart and cara de tigre provides a stunning architectural accent rising up through the center of the living area, with a master bedroom, guest room and railed walkway to the second level deck overlooking the ocean. There are views of the beach or the ocean from almost every room in the house. The spacious southwestern style kitchen has a gas stove with oven, an energy efficient chest refrigerator, and a lunch bar. Included are full service place settings of china, glassware, stainless flatware, and commercial quality cookware and cutlery, as well as all bed linens and towels.
The furnishings throughout the house have been custom fabricated by a local craftsman from zebrawood and include a colonial trestle dining table with benches and chairs, two comfortable futon armchairs with ottomans, and a matching futon sofa that folds out into a double bed. With a queen bed in the master bedroom, and a full size bed in the guest bedroom, Playa Lapa has a sleeping capacity for six (3 adult couples). In addition the fold down recliners and chaise lounges provide youth size beds for 4 children. Maximum occupancy is 6 persons total.
Additionally, 4 hammocks on the “beach decks” acomodate siestas any time.
There are spacious covered decks on the front, both sides, and the back of the first floor, with table and chairs for dining, and a large covered deck with hammocks on the second level. Small personal size fans are also provided for guest comfort. Due to the proximity to the ocean, there is a steady off shore breeze by day, and an onshore breeze through the night.
The house is fully screened, with steel security on all windows and doors surrounding the living and sleeping areas.
The casa is ideal for couples and small families, who prefer to cook their own meals, privacy, spacious outdoor living areas, steps from the beach, and walking distance to the Corcovado National Park.
The emphasis within the Carate community and Playa Lapa is on good stewardship of the environment and conservation of sustainable resources–There is no land line telephone service, nor municipal electric power. Therefore, functioning in harmony with nature, energy is harvested from the sun via solar panels on the roof which feeds a battery bank that supplies power for essential appliances in the casa, such as the refrigerator, lights and fans. Hot water is available during the afternoon in the outdoor bath house: enjoy a refreshing shower to remove sand after beach and hiking activities before entering the Casa, or a warm shower in the middle of the day via the solar hot water system. In addition, all water entering the casa is safe to drink, having passed through a filtration system.
There is a WiFi internet signal at the Casa for your email and WhatsApp communication. Cellular Internet is also available a few steps from the casa near the beach gate. The national cellular network (ICE) can be received in Carate using a KOLBI SIM card, which you can purchase either at the airport on arrival, or in Puerto Jimenez before driving to Carate.
- Kayaks (must be reserved in advance), beach chairs, beach towels, boogie boards, personal fans, board games, nature reference books (library).
- Supplies: Trash bags, cleaning supplies, dish soap.
- Linens: Queen, full and twin size sheet sets and cases; bath towels, dish towels and beach towels; pillows; mosquito nets.
- Cookware: Pots and pans are steel and Farberware; cutlery and serving ware are stainless steel.
- Flashlights, personal supplies
- Paper products (tissue, napkins)
- Food for the length of your stay, including spices, salt and condiments (these cannot be stored at the casa)
- Extra medications in case of delays
- WiFi/cellular enabled smartphone for communication and KOLBI SIM card
- Hiking and other tours: please see lists on Eco-tours page. Corcovado Day hike
NOTE: More photos of the Casa can be seen in the Gallery Casa Playalapa