Notes from the host
Finca Manglar
FM is a private oasis that is perfect for adventurous families who want to explore the wonders of the Osa Peninsula. This luxury, rustic rainforest retreat allows you to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the peace and tranquility of nature. The property boasts spectacular gardens, abundant wildlife, and FREE guided tours, including fishing, beach visits, mangrove tours, tubing, horseback riding, kayaking, waterfall hikes, and relaxation by the indoor or outdoor pool. ALL OUR LOCAL TOURS ARE INCLUDED. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GASOLINE FOR THE BOAT. This rustic two-story home boasts an open layout and provides a very private setting. It features three bedrooms, one-and-a-half bathrooms on the second floor, and a wraparound porch that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding gardens and mountains. The house is located in a tropical paradise, surrounded by fragrant, flowering plants and the soothing sounds of nature. Finca Manglar is situated in the Osa Peninsula rainforest and is the perfect destination for a relaxing vacation. We also provide excellent Wi-Fi for those who need to stay connected. Our location, bordering the Sierpe River, offers endless opportunities for adventure. You can spend your day fishing, taking mangrove tours, observing wildlife, or visiting our private beach on our motor boat. You can also kayak in the mangroves, hike to a refreshing waterfall, go horseback riding or tubing, or relax in our natural freshwater pools or hammocks while sipping on fresh coconut water from our many palm trees. Our property is home to many bird species that visit us daily, creating a lovely ambiance. From our location, you can also take a day tour to Corcovado Park, Caño Island, go deep-sea fishing, or enjoy dolphin and whale watching. We have a new extension with air conditioning that can sleep up to 4 people available upon request for an additional fee. You also have the option to purchase very delicious authentic Tico-style meals from Raquel and her sister. Raquel and her twin sister Ruth run a small cooking business, and Raquel is an excellent cook. We highly recommend hiring her for a taste of Tico cuisine. They offer breakfast for $10 per person, lunch for $15 per person, and dinner for $17 per person, including delicious natural juices. If you plan to purchase meals during your stay, you can buy all three or just one. Please inform me at least a week before your arrival if you have any allergies to ensure that Raquel can travel to Palmar to get your supplies. The house is well-equipped with essential items such as toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags, salt, pepper, sugar, hand soap, dish soap, a sponge, and a Tico-style coffee maker that makes great coffee. The water supply at the house is pure and delicious, originating from our natural spring. You need not purchase bottled water. However, if you still prefer to purchase bottled water, you can get it from Sierpe or Palmar Norte as there are no stores nearby. We advise you to plan your food supplies wisely. As you are away from civilization, it's better to have more food than you think you'll need. It's not convenient to go back to town for food during your vacation time. Therefore, it's better to have enough food supplies to last your stay. Please remember the following instructions: Raquel will be waiting to welcome you when you arrive. Feel free to make yourself at home. Although he doesn't speak English, he communicates well enough to ensure you have a comfortable stay, even if you don't speak Spanish. To preserve the environment and reduce waste, we clean the house, replace sheets and towels, and change the bed sheets every three days. However, if you don't need your sheets changed, please let us know, and we'll just make the bed. Each bedroom has an extra sheet in case you feel cold at night. If you need cleaning more frequently, please inform Raquel or Ruth. Additionally, if you require anything, don't hesitate to ask. Finca Manglar also has: • Motor Boat with life preserves, you are only responsible for the gasoline • Natural Spring 2- small pool 1 indoor and one outdoors • 6 Horses • Kayaks with life preservers • Tubbing with life preservers • Cooking services available for a fee • Linens and bath towels • Beach towels • Complementary Daily housekeeping - Fans in each room • On-site caretaker - manager and staff • Comfortable furniture • Laundry service is available for a small fee of $10 per load • Hammocks • Landscaped yard with flowers, tropical fruit trees • Indoor and outdoor showers • Drinkable Natural spring water • Guided tours of Corcovado Park and Caño Island available with a local tour company • Private deep-sea fishing is available with a local tour company • Whale and dolphin watching is available with a local tour company • Two Floor spacious living areas-porches with Garden views • Large dining area with handcrafted hardwood table and chairs for spacious dining • Three large bedrooms with 3 singles and 2 doubles, with custom fitted netting, are on the second floor. One master bedroom with a king-size bed. Two Futons on the first floor (sleeps 11) • Fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, blender, stove, oven, toaster, coffeemaker and hardwood shelves, counters and island The Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica's "little Amazon" and Finca mangler, is a private 65-acre farm located in some of the last, unspoiled regions in Costa Rica, if not the planet. If you are looking to discover the magic of Costa Rica’s rainforest, wildlife, and pristine beaches. We are located amongst acres of private rainforest reserve, which directly adjoins the Terrane-Sierpe National Wetlands and the Rio Sierpe. This area is one of the most remote, pristine, spectacular, and wildest regions in the country. It is home to 2.5% of all of the world’s biodiversity and has been dubbed by Nations Geographic as “The most biologically intense place on earth.” The Osa harbors a diversity of habitats and species unheard of elsewhere for an area of its size. Between two to three percent of the flora of the Osa exists nowhere else on earth. It contains 13 major ecosystems: rainforests, lowland forests, cloud forests, mangrove and freshwater swamps, lagoons, beaches, and coral reefs. Home to the vast Corcovado National Park, known as the "crown jewel" of Costa Rica and Caño Island. Luis, our caretaker, lives in the house next to the main house. You have the option of having complete privacy at night. He could sleep at his farm, which is approximately 2 miles away, and return at the time you want to start the tours. House manual The guests will have exclusive access to the entire 65-acre private property. Only one family or group will be accommodated at a time. The property features a freshwater river that connects to the Pacific Ocean via a 30-minute boat ride to the mouth. From there, a third-party tour company can provide access to Caño Island and Corcovado National Park. FREE TOUR ACTIVITIES: -Horseback riding with a local guide of up to 6 horses. -Mangrove tour in our motor boat with a local guide (you are responsible for the gasoline) -Secluded waterfall tour with local guide: -Kayak in the Sierpe River (you are responsible for the gasoline) -Fishing in the Siepre River in the motor boat (you are responsible for the gasoline) -Secluded Jungle hiking tour with local guide: -Playa Blanca beach day in the motor boat (you are responsible for the gasoline) -Tubbing (you are responsible for the gasoline) Third-party local tours are available. We could make reservations for you. They will pick you up at a nearby pier. •Caño Island, snorkel •Corcovado National Park •Private deep-sea fishing •Whale and dolphin watching When you check out, please leave the keys to your bedrooms, and any leftover food in the kitchen. We will make sure it does not go to waste. Please double-check the house and safe for all your belongings before leaving. If you accidentally leave something behind that you need back, please inform us, and we will do our best to return it to you in the US. However, you will need to cover the shipping costs in such a scenario. Direction to Finca Manglar: We are located 35 minutes from Sierpe in the town of Sabalo. Once you cross the ferry, we are 14.7 km from the ferry. The last ferry from Sierpe is at 5pm. Follow the sings to Sabalo. Once you cross the ferry, the road will split after about 10 km; stay to the right. At 12.4 km, the road will split again and stay to the left. You will see the entrance on the right after seeing a big corral with a red roof. You will then see a gate and the entrance to Finca Manglar. We are 1.5 km before Sabalo Lodge. If you get lost please call me. If I email you pictures with maps, screenshot them since there is no service closer to the farm. Suggested things to bring: Life on the Osa Peninsula is simple and casual. Beach clothes and swimsuits are the usual attire. Especially important items: proper footwear for hiking and water activities; at least 30 SPF sunscreen. • Quick drying clothes • T-shirts, tank tops, shorts • Long-sleeved shirt and lightweight pants for San Jose • Binoculars if desired • Suggested footwear: • Sport sandals; • Sneakers for long hikes: We have a few rain boots that we provide in different sizes • "Aqua sox" (mesh and rubber water shoes) for ocean or creeks; Flip flops and/or crocs • Sunscreen (at least 30 SPF. At 8 degrees from the equator, 50+ is better). • Sun hat • Sunglasses • Insect repellent • Antibiotic ointment and bandaids • Swimmer’s ear prevention drops • Camera • Books • Cash if you are purchasing meals and for the gas money. • Tipping is optional but always welcome Upon arrival at San Jose International Airport, you will find plenty of taxis available. It's good to know that U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere. In general, the prices of things are similar to what you would expect to pay at home. Although some produce may be less expensive. If you need to withdraw cash, there is a bank with ATMs in Palmar Norte. In case the ATMs don't work, you can always go to the bank, but you will be required to show your passport. Most places in the area accept credit cards, and you can use both Costa Rican colones and U.S. dollars for cash transactions. However, please note that if you want to pay for gas or meals with Raquel, only cash is accepted, either in U.S. dollars or colones at the current exchange rate of the day. If you need to exchange USD to colones, there are two money changers in the baggage claim area that offer the bank rate. Alternatively, you could go to a bank, but you may have to wait for up to an hour to get your money changed. If you are flying into Palmar Norte, you could take a taxi to Sierpe, which is about a 15-minute ride. Once you arrive in Sierpe, Luis will pick you up in our boat. You will only have to pay for the gasoline used during this trip. In case you are flying to Drake Bay, there is a water taxi available that goes to Sierpe at 2:30 pm, which costs $20 per person. When you take the water taxi, make sure to tell the captain that you will be getting off at Pailon. Luis will pick you up there in our motorboat. If you are flying to Puerto Jimenez, I could get you a private transfer to Finca Manglar. I am always available by phone. If you need anything please call or text me. The Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica's "little Amazon" and Finca mangler, is a private 65 acres farm located in some of the last, unspoiled regions in Costa Rica, if not the planet. If you are looking to discover the magic of Costa Rica’s rain forest, wildlife and pristine beaches. We are located amongst acres of private rain forest reserve which directly adjoins the Terrane-Sierpe national Wetlands and the Rio Sierpe. This area is one of the most remote, pristine spectacular and wildest regions in the country. It is home to 2.5% of all of the word’s biodiversity and dubbed by Nations Geographic as “The most biologically intense place on earth”. The Osa harbors a diversity of habitats and species unheard of elsewhere for an area of its size. Between two to three percent of the flora of the Osa exists nowhere else on earth. It contains 13 major ecosystems, including rainforests, lowland forests, cloud forests, mangrove and freshwater swamps, lagoons, beaches, and coral reefs. Home to vast Corcovado National Park, known as the "crown jewel" of Costa Rica and Caño Island. We are located in a premier spot, by bordering the Sierpe River you could spend the days, fishing in the Sierpe river, mangrove tours sightseeing a wide variety of wildlife, visiting the private beach on our motor boat, kayaking the mangroves, taking a day tour to Corcovado Park, Caño Island, Dolphin and whale watching tours, visiting the refreshing waterfall, horseback riding, hiking, tubbing or just relaxing in our natural fresh water pool or our hammocks reading a book and drinking fresh coconut water from our may palm tress and hearing all the many birds that visit everyday. Automobile: From San José to Sierpe it is about a 5 hour ride. Once you arrive at Sierpe, you must board the ferry that cost $8 which will land on a narrow unpaved road. It is a direct 35 minute ride to the farm. ***Strongly suggest a 4x4 for the unpaved road. We don't recommend you drive from Sierpe to the farm at nighttime. Flight: You could take a flight to Palmar Sur, Drake Bay or Puerto Jimenez with Sansa airlines. Sansa Air and Is the only airlines that offer flights to the Osa Peninsula. These airlines operate small airplanes with a capacity of 12 passengers, therefore there are some baggage restrictions. - Sansa Air airport is located next to the San Jose (SJO) International Airport. ***When you arrive to Palmar Norte, you can take a 15 minute taxi ride to Sierpe and from there Luis will can pick and drop you off, to and from the farm, in our boat. You just have to pay the gas money. ***If you fly to Drake Bay you could take a water taxi that goes to Sierpe at 2:30pm. ($20pp) Tell the captain the you are getting off in Pailon. Luis will pick you up there in our motor boat. ***If you fly to Puerto Jimenez, It is an hour drive to Finca Manglar. Transportation is $140.00. Bus: There are several departure times at the Central Bus Terminal of San José or other bus terminals in Costa Rica, which will take you through Palmar Norte to Sierpe. Depending upon your departure time, the trip to Sierpe will take approximately 5-6 hours. We have a new extension with air conditioning that can sleep up to 4 people. It is available upon request for an additional fee. Luis, our caretaker, lives in the house next to the main house. You have the option of having total privacy at night. He could sleep at his farm, which is about 2 miles away, and he will be back when you want to start the tours.
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