Casa Tortuga

Welcome to Casa Tortuga

Your perfect vacation rental in Junquillal, Costa Rica, where relaxation meets adventure in a stunning natural setting.

90 minute

5 minute

easy walk to the beach

easy drive from Liberia Airport (LIR)

The Backstory

Who We Are

We are Canadians living abroad since the '90s, looking for that perfect spot to end up when the real work is done. We think we found it.

Why Costa Rica

The nature, the weather, the diversity, the people, the proximity and the Pacific are just a few reasons why we chose Costa Rica. Come visit and you'll see.

Our goal is to make this kind of view a daily occurrence, for at least half the year. So we invested in Costa Rica and started working the plan.

The Long Term Plan

Know Before You Go

Getting Around

We prefer the flexibility of a rental car, and if you do too you MUST use Waze to navigate. Make sure you use it before you visit, as it is a little different than the the other standard GPS apps.

Spending Money

The local currency is called the colones and is loosely pegged to the dollar at around 500 to 1. Many places give you the choice to pay with either one, and credit cards are accepted just about everywhere we have been so far.

Forget iPhone messaging and other apps, absolutely everyone uses WhatsApp...and the more I use it I can see why. All efforts to speak Spanish are appreciated too, so if you don't speak the language make Google Translate your friend.

Communication

1

500

The Destination

Guanacaste

A diverse and very popular tourist destination in northwestern Costa Rica, known for its Pacific coastline, tropical dry forests, volcanoes, and rich cultural heritage, offering a mix of adventure, relaxation, and luxury for all.

Junquillal

A tranquil, undeveloped community in Guanacaste, known for its long, golden beaches, powerful surf, and rich biodiversity. Key attractions include its spectacular sunsets, a significant sea turtle hatchery, and opportunities for surfing, kayaking, and beach hopping.

A peaceful, remote beach ideal for relaxation and nature lovers. The beach also boasts an "Ecological Blue Flag" status for its clean practices and provides a relaxing alternative to the busier tourist hubs.

The Playa

The Property

Easy & Secure

After your 90 minute fully paved and easy drive to the house, easily pull right in and park in a fully secured spot for your car, then easily unpack. Did I mention it was easy?

Quiet & Comfortable

With no direct neighbors and a large jungle plot right behind us, it is more than quiet enough to hear the surf while relaxing in the private pool. The Ranchero is a great place to sit comfortably with a coffee/beer, listen to the waves and the resident howler monkeys at dawn and dusk.

Whether you are a couple on your own, 2 couples sharing the house or 2 small families, you'll have all the space and modern conveniences you'll need. 3 types of coffee makers, a full stove and microwave, a large fridge with ice maker and drinkable tap water, all in full air conditioning.

Versatile & Complete

Things To Do

Verdiazul Turtle Hatchery

The inspiration behind the name of our casa, this special group of people work tirelessly to protect the 4 species of sea turtles that nest at Playa Junquillal, all less than 1 mile from our front door.

You can learn more at https://verdiazul.org/

So many beaches

Playa Blanca, Callejones, Negra (shown here) and Avallanas are all within 20 minutes and special in their own way. Another 30 minutes north is Playa Tamarindo and Playa Grande, two must see beaches during your visit.

From La Leona hike and waterfall swim (shown here) to estuary tours in Tamarindo to howler monkey sanctuaries to horseback riding and swimming in the Rio Celeste, the adventure opportunities in the region are endless.

Adventures

3 of the 7 places to eat within 1 mile

Mundo Milo

One of our favorites, the outdoor restaurant at this lodge is impressive, with a menu to match. Lots of options based on a mix of European and local cuisine.

BernarDos

You can't get any closer to the beach here, right next to the turtle hatchery. The food is great, and the service is excellent . A perfect place to end a day at the beach.

Another great option, with a varied menu including amazing local cuisine. Service is also excellent, all at a reasonable price.

Restaurante Lochito's

Places to Stock Up

Junquillal Supermarket

Located less than 1 mile from the casa in Plaza Tierra Pacifica, this convenient store has all the essentials you can easily grab in a pinch.

Mini Super Campeon in Paraiso

Located about 2 miles from the casa in the small town of Paraiso, this much larger market has a wide selection of everything you will need for your entire trip.

This super store has way more than just food, and is a great option for stocking up on your way down from the airport.

Maxi Pali in Santa Cruz

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