Villa Bahá is 4,000 square feet of contemporary Mexican Country-style living space thoughtfully integrated into the pristine rainforest and jungle of Costa Rica. Exuberant tropical gardens enhance the dramatic white water views of the Pacific Ocean and the serene valley vistas. Each day, Villa Bahá enjoys a beautiful sunrise and even more stunning sunset.

Immediately upon entering the gated driveway of this private, 11-acre property, situated 1,000 feet above sea level, you know that you have arrived at an exceptional destination. Villa Bahá’s distinctive architecture, manicured lawns and vibrant gardens emerge from the jungle looking intriguing and unexpected. “Bahá”, meaning “glorious” in Arabic, is a fitting description for this luxurious property. The scents of ylang ylang and other fragrant species perfume the air while the sounds of nature serenade you, welcoming you to your home away from home. Bougainvillea, helaconia, and ginger provide tropical color and graceful palms and bamboo sway in the breezes.

Costa Rica is known for its biological diversity, and Villa Bahá shares its glorious location with many species in tranquil harmony with nature. Toucans, parrots, flycatchers, hummingbirds, mot-mots and tanagers are daily avian visitors; pizotes, frogs, geckoes, butterflies and lizards are regulars, as well. Troops of capuchin monkeys pass through from time to time. The gardens are planned not only for your visual delight; they attract and nurture our many animal friends.

Built in 2001 and recently updated inside and out, the main house is entered though a gated, courtyard which features a dramatic Mexican wall fountain and a colorful butterfly and hummingbird garden. A covered entrance veranda creates a shady spot from which to relax and enjoy this charming, private retreat. 

The interior of Villa Bahá is dominated by a dramatic, curved staircase which leads to the upper floors. Careful attention to detail is evident throughout. The principal first floor rooms flow in an open, contemporary manner and are decorated with an eclectic mix of classic, Mexican and antique furnishings enhanced with dramatic lighting. The garden-view living room has comfortable seating for six and is suitable for reading, family games or surfing the internet (bring your laptop or borrow ours). An entertainment armoire contains a TV with satellite Sky TV and DVD/CD/MP3 player.

Beyond the living room, the kitchen and dining room share the captivating view of the Pacific Ocean.  The dining room features a soaring, 20-foot beamed ceiling and is linked to the veranda pool area by French doors. The large, cook-friendly kitchen is playfully decorated with colorful, hand-painted Mexican talavera tiles on the countertops and cooking island. The kitchen is fully equipped with all that you might require to prepare and serve anything from beer and nachos to a full holiday meal including a 4-burner gas cooktop, oven, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher, toaster, blender, juicer, coffee maker, coffee grinder, cooking utensils, serving dishes, ceramic and plastic dinnerware, glassware, flatware, table linens, and convenient cabinets, drawers and walk-in pantry. A large capacity washer and dryer for guest use is in the attached garage.

The lushly landscaped outdoor spaces are the true focal points of daily life at Villa Bahá. The swimming pool features both a 40-foot swim lane for exercise and graceful, wide steps for fun and relaxation. Swimmers will appreciate the gentle, eco-friendly salt chlorination system. While it is possible to spend the entire day enjoying the expansive Pacific Ocean view and watching the peaceful and inspiring parade of wildlife from this outdoor lounge, around the corner, just beyond the kitchen garden, is an equally delightful outdoor space. On the kitchen veranda and its adjacent stone patio, guests can dine while listening to the hypnotic sounds of the nearby cascading, hand-carved Mexican fountain and enjoying its tropical garden backdrop. This large space, further enlivened with a colorful mural painted by a local artist, is also equipped with a full-size ping pong table and both gas and charcoal grills. Large groups will find that Villa Bahá offers something for everyone and plenty of space for everyone to spread out. 

On the other side of the house, also on the first floor and enjoying both ocean and garden views, is the very private and serene master suite furnished with a king size bed. A large dresser and walk-in closet allow you to unpack your bags and make yourself at home. The master bedroom has a comfortable chair and lamps for reading and large mirrors that reflect the view and bring the outside in. A screened door to the outside allows nighttime breezes in and also gives private access to the rear veranda and pool area, perfect for late night swims under star-filled skies. The amazing, Spanish-style master bathroom features his and hers talavera sinks, an inviting sunken soaking tub and shower, and floor-to-ceiling windows providing garden views and natural light.

The entire second floor can serve as an additional master suite for a second couple. The bedroom contains a queen size bed, writing desk, and built-in closets. French doors lead to a private veranda and terrace with views of the surrounding mountain ridges and valleys beyond Villa Bahá’s formal gardens. Within the range of both of Villa Bahá’s Mexican fountains, rocking chairs and potted plants make this area a charming, romantic spot for quiet morning coffee or evening drinks. The full bathroom features more Mexican tile and a rainforest mural. The second floor media room has comfortable lounge seating for viewing TV and movies (with Satellite SkyTV and DVD/VCR). Bookshelves contain a small library of novels, wildlife guides, travel books, surfing videos, current and classic DVD and VHS movies and board games.

For groups requiring more than two bedrooms, Villa Bahá can be expanded to suit your needs. The 2nd-floor media room can be reconfigured to serve as a third bedroom with two twin beds and/or a queen size Aerobed.

Beyond the villa and its formal tropical gardens, the 11-acre property also includes a fruit orchard, an herb garden, an upper garden with steps cut into a hillside for an easy climb to trails and the mirador above the villa, and a lower trail down through the jungle to a quebrada and a small grove of fruit trees far below the house.

For a relatively new property, Villa Bahá already has a well-documented history. In 2000, Martin Rice and his then-wife, Robin, purchased land in Lagunas and built the casita, where they lived while supervising the building of the main house, which they called Casa Pacifica. Rice documented the experience of building this home in his 2004 book, At Home in Costa Rica–Adventures in Living the Good Life, a must read for anyone contemplating the ex-patriot lifestyle in Costa Rica.

Villa Bahá is located in the safe and friendly, residential area of Lagunas de Barú, just outside of Dominical. Houses dot the finger ridges of Lagunas, giving a sense of community while still maintaining total privacy. Our bi-lingual property manager is very close by, ready to greet you and assist you as necessary during your stay.

Villa Bahá and its tranquil interrelationship with the ocean and rainforest can be the focal point of your visit with short trips to Dominical and surrounding towns for supplies, or it can serve as your base of operations for an active, adventure-filled exploration of the South Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The choice is yours. Please contact us at info@villabaha.com for a reservation and begin planning your adventure in Costa Rica today.

Amenities:

Wireless Internet, 2 Televisions, both with Satellite SkyTV, VCR & DVD/CD/MP3 Player, iPod docking station,  Library of DVDs, VHS Tapes and Books, Portable CD Player, Binoculars, Ping-Pong Table, Ceiling Fans, Fully-Equipped, Modern Kitchen with Gas Cooktop, Electric Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Refrigerator with Ice-maker, Coffee Maker and Small Appliances, Serving Dishes, Utensils, Tableware and Table Linens, Bed Linens, Beach and Bath Towels, Washer and Dryer, Private Pool with Pool Lounges and Floats, Beach Chairs, Gas and Charcoal Grills, Housekeeping Services and nearby Property Manager.

Nearby Activities:

Swimming and Surfing Beaches, Ocean and Mangrove Swamp Kayaking, River Rafting, Snorkeling/Diving, Whale-Waching, Eco-tours, Zip-Lines, Horseback Riding, Quad-Tours, Waterfalls, Hiking, Butterfly Farm, Serpentarium, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing, Shopping, Fruit Stands and Farmers’ Markets, Restaurants, Sightseeing, Spas.