Discovery Beach House: A Story of Nature, Adventure, and Romance in Costa Rica

"Welcome to the Discovery Beach House," our personal concierge says as we step between two giant, fan-shaped, traveller palms and enter our private sanctuary at Manuel Antonio. "We've been expecting you."

Sculpted into the jungle as if by nature, we quickly realize this is no ordinary luxury rental house.  This is a home, full of personal flair, with as much to discover inside as out.  Decorated with artefacts from exotic cultures from the owners' extensive travels, this distinctive, eco-friendly home pays homage to all those before us and after who respect their natural environment.  

A staff of smiling, attentive faces awaits, eager to provide what they proudly call "six-star service," comparable to the finest luxury hotels.

Once inside, I stop and turn on my heels. A wall of French doors accented by tribal masks from Asia, Africa, and South America curves through the Great Room, bringing the exotic inside. Elegant, dark almond stairs step up an impressive stonewall, where niches hold still more artifacts.  Immediately, my eye is drawn upwards to a glass bedroom suspended over the Great Room.  I grab my husband's hand and squeeze.  He squeezes back.  I know we have chosen the perfect vacation spot to celebrate our wedding anniversary.

Although our instinct is to head upstairs to see what other surprises await,
we know there is more to explore on the ground floor. 

Our concierge, Susan, directs us to the gourmet kitchen, where bright, spirited colours and hand-painted tile reproductions of Frida Kahlo's artwork embellish an inviting breakfast bar.  Fresh, locally roasted coffee beans and a large bowl of tropical fruit sit on the countertop.  I smile, knowing we already have everything we need for a first-day breakfast.

After a walk-through of the household electronics, Susan demonstrates how to use our two-way radio to connect with the 24/7 outdoor security/support staff.  "Yacuzzi, por favor," she says with a grin.  Within moments, the bubbles kick on.  We look longingly at the luxurious hot tub, surrounded by lush gardens and the ocean beyond, and know we are just moments from pampered, jungle bliss.

After a quick tour of the Balinese-inspired, first-floor bedroom suite with private kitchenette, full-bath, and outdoor terrace, I realize my biggest problem will be deciding which of the home's three luxurious bedrooms to choose. 

We head upstairs to the glass bedroom.  It suddenly becomes my new favourite.  Surrounded by fuchsia bougainvillea and a gorgeous view of the Japanese gardens and fruit orchards below, I feel cradled in the arms of nature.  I could curl up in the window-seat right now, but there is still so much more to experience.

We enter the master bedroom and are immediately swept away by the romantic, hand-carved, four-post bed, draped in designer, African fabric.  Our housekeepers, Lilliam and Manuela, smile shyly.  They have left us an anniversary present on the bed: a three-tiered, towel-origami, wedding cake.

My husband takes my hands.  Silence fills the room. He winks at Lilliam and Manuela. For a moment, I think he is going to drop on his knees and propose again.

"I'd marry you again in a heartbeat."

I nestle into his arms.  "Me too."

Back in the hallway, we pass a floating gallery of pictures illustrating owners Evelyn Gallardo and David Root's vast experience as wildlife photographers-mountain gorillas in Rwanda, orangutans in Borneo, and now, this idyllic haven for capuchin, squirrel, and howler monkeys in Costa Rica.  We will continue to encounter these inquisitive faces throughout our stay, sometimes in the most unsuspecting of places.

"Shall we go over the week's scheduled activities?" Susan asks.  We sit down in the sitting room to review our printed itinerary, but again, I am distracted.  I lean over the glass coffee table and peer inside. "It's jewellry from the Maasai tribe," she advises.  I make a mental note to return later to explore the display more closely.

Our children are arriving tomorrow to share in our celebration, and Susan has arranged everything.  From airport pick-up to a week of adventure-packed activities (canopy tours, horseback riding, 4-wheeler tours, and waterfall treks), everything has been seamlessly planned from their doors to ours.

Michael and I plan to take it easy this trip, and the location could not be better. Manual Antonio National Park is just a leisurely ten-minute stroll along the beach.  Espadilla Beach is just at the end of the property. And when that seems too far, a gorgeous infinity pool awaits us right out the back door.

Michael splurges and books a half-day deep-sea, fishing adventure for the boys and a poolside "Pura Vida" spa treatment package by Holis Wellness Center for the girls.  Then, he surprises me.  He has booked Personal Chef Désirée to cook for us.  "This is one trip you will not be spending in the kitchen," he says, smiling.  I melt.

Susan departs. Within minutes, we are strolling hand-in-hand through the gardens admiring the purple orchids and rare, sexy pink heliconias. We step under umbrella-shaped almond trees and onto the white sand. Gentle waves lap at our toes as we stroll along the mile-long stretch of secluded beach, one of three easily accessed from the property.

As the horizon turns to crimson and orange, we decide to head back to the house for sunset. We slip into organic cotton robes and sit down on the upstairs terrace, overlooking the pool.  Lipstick-red tanagers flitter inside the thick emerald palms that line the property, providing total privacy. Three reproductions of Easter Island Moai statues flank the pool, adding to the warmth and mystery.

We hear a rustle in the trees, and within moments, capuchin monkeys are everywhere. A mother and baby descend on the statues to nibble on fallen seeds; two males chase each other over the monkey bridge, while others opt for the adventurous route, freefalling from tree to tree high above the canopy. Then as if on cue, the capuchins move on.  Suddenly, a flash of metallic blue catches my eye.  We sit, mesmerized, as our first, shimmering, Morpho butterfly flits up the path right before our eyes. And just when we think we have seen it all, the Jesus Lizard appears and, in true form, "walks" across the pool.  Nowhere have we been more entertained by nature than here at the Discovery Beach House-and this is only day one.

After a nice soak in the hot tub, we realize we are both a little tired from our travels.  We check the refrigerator and to our delight discover cheese, crackers, olives, and an assortment of beverages-compliments of our hosts.  Michael opens a bottle of red wine.  We toast.  What a wonderful way to spend our wedding anniversary.

We initially thought a week immersed in this kind of private luxury would be financially prohibitive.  But at $4,900 a week (high season) for six adults, it is still less per couple than most luxury hotels in comparable beachside locations-without the privacy and customized details.  And with services offered a la carte, it is easy to cater the stay to budget and fancy. 

With the same attentiveness we were welcomed, the staff now sends us off. As they line up outside to wave goodbye, we feel as if we have been in the company of friends. Jose, one of the gardeners, hands us two fresh coconuts just cut from the garden and inserts two straws.  Fresh coconut water for our journey-just another small, but appreciated, heartfelt gesture that distinguishes this luxury rental from others.