BeachHouseRental Archives - Casa Las Brisas Costa Rica

Horseback Riding Adventures

Becky McHugh Casa Las Brisas June 25, 2023June 26, 2023BeachHouseRental, horesebackadventures, horsebackridesonthebeach, PlayaFlamingo, vacayinparadise, whattodo 0 Comment

Guanacaste, Costa Rica is cowboy country. Everywhere you go, you’ll see cattle, sheep, goats, farmland and wildlife. Taking a horseback ride allows you to view this world from a different perspective. Keep your eyes open for various species of tropical birds, reptiles, and even monkeys that inhabit the region. Ride the hidden back roads and gorgeous beaches that make up the Gold Coast of Guanacaste.

Pause along the way to swim and snorkel, or take pictures of the beautiful flowers and wildlife you encounter on your ride. Horses are matched up to riders’ ages and experience level, and the guides are well trained to ensure you have a wonderful experience while focused one your safety at all times. It’s an adventure the whole family will never forget.

At Borinquen Lodge near Rincon de la Viejo, you can enjoy an exciting journey through the mountains and pastures , with beautiful panoramic views of the volcano, mountain ranges and the Northern Pacific coast. Ride trails through the forest to waterfalls; you can hike go on horseback. There is no other way to experience authentic and rural Costa Rica, you will be immediately immersed in a unique cultural experience.

Craft Breweries in the Area

Becky McHugh Casa Las Brisas June 25, 2023June 26, 2023BeachHouseRental, craftbreweries, Guanacaste, microbreweries, PlayaFlamingo, whattodo 0 Comment

For years, Costa Rica was the land of Imperial and Pilsen, but in the past few years, new microbreweries have been popping up all over the country. Craft-beer culture has taken over in Costa Rica. There are dozens of small home and local breweries producing a wide assortment of different beers. Some are even incorporating ingredients such as pineapple, mango, coconut, and cacao, all native to Costa Rica. Trying a traditional Costa Rican beer during your visit is a must, but we highly recommend that you give some of the craft beers a go too!

BOA “Brother’s of Ale” Brewing

BOA Brewery is strategically located between Play Flamingo and Playa Tamarindo. BOA is served at many local restaurants and bars and strives to grow organically and in a way that maintains strict levels of quality control from raw ingredients to that deliciousness in your glass.

For the most authentic experience, we encourage you to stop by and visit the brewery at the Clubhouse near Huacas. Here you can try their complete range of styles of beer while relaxing in the outdoor patio, tasting area, and restaurant! They have an awesome covered patio with misters to keep you cool while having a delicious lunch, sample various beers or cocktails, and play a lively game of corn hole!

Potrero Brewing Company

Potrero is a beach town located just two kilometers north of Casa Las Brisas. It has tons of great restaurants, coffeeshops and bars. It’s also home to Potrero Brewing Co which has a wide diversity of good beer from clean and crisp lagers to dark porters and stouts to big American-style IPAs. Their tap wall usually has 10-12 beers on tap as well as many others in cans. They also offer non-alcohol options for those that don’t drink beer, or wines and cocktails if that is what you are in the mood for.

Volcano Brewing Company

Their story: In 2001 we went on a surfing adventure, driving a bus from San Diego to Costa Rica in search of epic waves and the PURA VIDA life. We found paradise in a sleepy surf town called Tamarindo. Life was almost perfect, but unfortunately Costa Rica did not have any pale ale. We started Volcano Brewing Company so we could share quality craft beer with thirsty surfers and wandering travelers from around the world. Enjoy their vast selection on the beach in the tasting room, El Vaquero and Eat @ Joe’s.

Costa Rica voted “Most Desirable” country in 2022

Becky McHugh Casa Las Brisas November 16, 2022November 16, 2022BeachHouseRental, CostaRica, ecotourism, familyvacay, Guanacaste, PlayaFlamingo, vacationinparadise, VacationInPlayaFlamingo, whattodo 0 Comment

Costa Rica was awarded the recognition as the “most desirable” country in 2022 during the twenty-first installment of the Wanderlust Travel Awards. These awards are given by the renowned British magazine Wanderlust in London.

Costa Rica was also recognized for being a pioneer in ecotourism and possessing an “extraordinary tropical forest”. Also for the exuberance of its coasts and for being home to more than 500,000 species that include sloths, toucans, sea turtles and many others.

By obtaining the main prize of the night with the gold category as “best desirable country”, Costa Rica outvoted other finalist destinations. Among them were Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Japan, Peru, South Africa and Jordan.

Wanderlust is the UK’s oldest and most established travel magazine. It is also recognized for being at the forefront of sustainable travel for almost thirty years.

Why it’s Great to Visit in the Green Season

Becky McHugh Casa Las Brisas May 21, 2022May 21, 2022BeachHouseRental, CostaRica, FlamingoBeach, greenseason, Guanacaste, VacationInPlayaFlamingo 0 Comment

Guanacaste is known as “dry tropical forest,” with the “dry” indicating that it doesn’t rain here as much as it normally does in other tropical regions. It can be cool and wet up in the mountains but 92 and sunny at the beach. Much of the cattle ranching is in this part of the country. The bougainvillea thrives!

December through April is called “summer” where there is literally not a drop of rain, while the Green season from May through early November is called “winter.” Temps are milder but never get below 70, with highs in the 80’s. Perfect beach weather! There is no spring and there is no fall.

I love the rain. It sounds awesome, with fat droplets hitting the palm fronds. It smells earthy and fresh. The first downpour washes everything clean – every leaf in the jungle. The rain also prompts fresh growth, making new plants spring up everywhere. A few good rains and everything greens up instantly; hence the Green Season. Our gardener once told us that all you have to do is spit a seed in the ground and something will grow!

One interesting feature of the Costa Rica rain is that it almost always occurs late in the afternoon or overnight. This means the mornings and early afternoons are sunny and have glorious blue skies. Even in the height of the rainy season in September and October, everyone can go about most or all of their day without getting wet. Play golf, go for a sail, surf, take a hike, go zip lining, lay around the pool, take a walk on the beach.

Sometimes it’s raining across the bay but sunny and dry over at Casa Las Brisas. It’s great fun to watch the storm move across the water and frequently miss our beach house completely. There are also awesome light shows where the lightning bolts snake across the sky sideways, upwards, or straight down, with the rumble of thunder in the distance; just stunning.

So if there is an occasional downpour, you find a hammock, sit on our covered terrace or curl up and take a nap. You read a book, a magazine, play some cards, some backgammon, you check Instagram. Also a perfect time to find an open air bar serving up cold Imperials, a local brew or an icy tropical cocktail. Embrace it; Pura Vida!

Unique Benefits of Our Property

We purchased Casa Las Brisas after looking at properties all over the coastal region. Although there are many beautiful spots, we felt being in Flamingo was ideal for our family, and that being on a ridge directly above the ocean was the perfect location. We have stunning panoramic views of both the mountains and the Pacific, quick, easy access to the beach below and the soothing, rhythmic sound of the crash of the surf. We decided to add a second story onto the house in 2007, which gave us an additional Master Suite with a bathroom shower that boasts the best view in town! You step out onto a large outdoor terrace where you can spend the mornings listening to the birds and monkeys while drinking your Costa Rican coffee, and watching the hummingbirds and butterflies flit from tree to tree. The pelicans fly by in formation. It's also the perfect spot to gather at sunset for cocktails each evening. In 2017 we completely renovated the kitchen and bathrooms on the main level, and replaced all the outdoor tile with native Colombian Coralina stone. In 2018 the pool area was renovated to add a stone waterfall and jacuzzi that spills into the pool. The built in Weber grill off the kitchen out by the pool provides a great space to cook and entertain. The lush gardens are filled with limes, mangoes and bananas to make refreshing drinks. We are excited to announce the new guest house completed in 2020. Casita Las Brisas is a separate structure built on the property which is ideal for a couple or small family, or can be rented together with the Villa to accommodate larger groups. Same level luxury, same awesome views! Casa and Casita Las Brisas are a true tropical paradise!