Accomodations

Accommodations: Hotel Brio & Surf House Rentals

Opening to its first customers in early 2007, Hotel Brio occupies nearly three acres on the hillside immediately behind Playa Gigante. A five to ten minute walk to the beach, at present Brio consists of seven rooms and a restaurant/bar. Expansion plans for the next couple of years include 6-10 more rooms, a swimming pool, a game room, and a sand (beach) volleyball court. We installed a new communications satellite in March 2007 giving us internet access and a U.S. phone line, rare amenities along this coast. When not in the ocean or in class, play darts, board games, go mountain biking, or watch a movie from our DVD collection with the big screen projector.

Guest rooms are large and well-appointed, and the staff is friendly and professional. Costa Nica Tours’ clients will enjoy beautiful views, privacy, security, and special facilities for surfboards and fishing gear. There is a balcony where guests can lounge in a hammock and take in the sunsets over the Pacific.

The restaurant is currently open to hotel guests only. Typical breakfasts include such items as: eggs, gallo pinto, fresh fruit, pancakes, and of course strong Nicaraguan coffee. Lunches consist of chicken, fish, and fresh local veggies.

To contact us:

U.S. phone: 512.535.5386

Nica cell phone: 011.505.433.9737

E-mail: info@costanica.com

The Maderas Monkey House (Casa Mono) was built in 2000 and was the first of several beach houses to be constructed in the hills above Maderas/Playones beach, the popular surf spot and “home break” for surfers based in San Juan del Sur. Located just eight kilometers to the north of SJDS, the house is fronted by a green area with large tropical forest trees. The name comes from the howler monkeys who frequent the tree canopy above the house. The surf break at Maderas is a 7-minute walk down the creek bed next to the house (not recommended, very rocky, overgrown) or a 12-minute walk on the road (your best bet).

The set-up: the house has two bedrooms and one bath, with a refrigerator and a small kitchen for cooking. We’ve got dishes, utensils, pots/pans, a refrigerator, a coffee maker, a hotplate, and an electric skillet. Bedroom #1 has one double bed, and bedroom #2 has one double bed and a bunk bed (two adult singles). The house sleeps four comfortably, but can sleep six in a pinch (two each in the doubles, plus two in the bunk bed).

Access & Food: It is best to have a rental car when you are staying at Casa Mono. This allows easy access to and from San Juan del Sur and other nearby attractions. San Juan del Sur was recently rated one of “10 surf meccas” in the world by Transworld Surf magazine (see Dec. 2007 edition cover at left). A 4wd vehicle is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED during the May-October rainy season. There is no telephone at Casa Mono, although cell phones can be used at the house.

Price: All prices for one week, which is the minimum rental period (7 nights):

$450: Low Surf Season: Sept 1—April 30th (except Christmas/New Years and Easter Week/Semana Santa)

$550: High Surf Season: May 1– August 31.

$650: Christmas/New Years. Easter Week

Playa Maderas, Nicaragua

Casa Rosada - part of the new wave of innovative and eclectic architecture taking shape in the area around Pie de Gigante, Nicaragua - is now available for rent. Completed in February of 2008, Casa Rosada overlooks the beautiful Pacific from the hills above Playa Gigante. Located about a kilometer up the road from Gigante Beach, this is one of the very few homes in Gigante available for long or short rentals. Two bedrooms provide easy accomodation for 4, plus other areas that can serve as sleeping quarters for up to 4 more people.

The set-up: Main floor—living room/kitchen with clerestory; two bedrooms, each with double bed; shower; 2 bathrooms; separate vanity area; breezeway.; Lower floor—bedroom (2 single beds);storage/garage/electricity center; Huge roof deck with sink, grill, electricity; Cuidador House—caretaker apartment; upstairs studio apartment sleeps 2. Your rental comes with the services of a house cleaner / cook.

Access & Food: Casa Rosada can be accessed via taxi or rental car. The house is 1 km from Playa Gigante village, a 5-minute drive to Playa Amarillo, and a 10-minute drive to the Colorados trail. You can cook your own food, have Nicaraguan fare cooked by the house attendant, or you can eat at hotel brio or one of the other restaurants in Playa Gigante Village.

Price: $550/week or $90/night (2-night minimum), $650/week with cuidador’s apartment included.