If you enjoy nature book this place , The house is stunning waking up every morning to the sounds of birds also sleeping at night with just the screens open so you can listen to all the wildlife at night . The house is landscaped so it attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and lots of other bird species . The view is unreal you can literally sit in the pool and birdwatch. The porch off to the side is also an excellent place to just sit and watch the jungle . The nature trails right on the property are a big bonus as well. I saved the best for last , Carolina and Rumenigg the property managers were a huge help with booking tours and organizing excursions,recommending restaurants etc. I had a flat tire which Rumenigg repaired for me and got me back up and running . The waterfall tour is really exceptional and just up the road .The only tour I did not have a good time was the one I booked by myself without Carolinas help. Her meals were amazing and she is just a pleasure to be around . Mucho Gracias Amigos Darrell and Nicholle

We traveled to Costa Rica and stayed at Refugio Madreselva the last week in December. We were 2 families traveling together with kids ranging from 7-13. Everyone (adults and kids) both LOVED staying here. Carolina was so great with communicating prior to the stay and assisted w/ booking care rentals, airport transportation and excursions. She made us feel welcome and her and her husband prepared delicious breakfasts and dinners for us. The kids and adults loved just spending time at the house watching all the birds, admiring all the vegetation and most of all taking in the view of Whale Tail Beach. This is definitely on our list for a repeat trip. 5/5 recommend.

We had a family/friend group of 10, 6 adults and 4 teens. This house was absolutely perfect. The views, the gardens, the outdoor spaces, and the extra large, well stocked kitchen made our stay wonderful. Of course, the icing on the cake was Carolina and her husband, and the amazing meals they cooked when we wanted a break. Carolina's organization in advance of our trip was so helpful, she communicated with local tourguides and made sure we had a perfect itinerary, even when we needed to make changes and adjustments. Can not say enough good things. We loved waterfalls, scuba, snorkeling, fishing, zip lines, and everything about Costa Rica. Grocery stores are convenient, and well stocked. Definitely do not ignore the guidance about a good 4 wheel drive vehicle. The first time up the hill was a little scary but it got much easier after that. Pura Vida!

What a fantastic vacation we had at Madreselva! A very special thank you to Carolina and her husband for amazing service, food, hospitality and concierge. We highly recommend staying here. Unforgettable experience!!!

This was one of our favorite trips yet - beautiful location, kind people, welcoming & stunning home. After researching hundreds of homes & having an age spread of 3.5 to 70+, we needed to find a place that would be accommodating for the entire family. We settled on Madreselva after reading so many positive reviews & speaking with people who highly recommended the Uvita area. The owner provided useful information about the home & the area. Carolina (house manager) was VERY helpful with the planning/booking of transportation & activities. We added on 2 dinners during our stay - the Arroz Con Pollo was SO good! The provided breakfast was a bonus, too. The home was always clean & straightened & they even provided fresh beach towels each day. Carolina made sure we could reach her anytime. Large kitchen is very well stocked. Bedrooms & bedding were quite comfortable (2 main bedrooms offer breathtaking views). Temps on the mountain were VERY comfortable! Our twin nieces spent most of their time in the pool. You do need TRUE 4-wheel drive - driveway is long & steep, but no scary drop-offs & you get used to it quickly. There are bugs - but nothing like I was expecting! A healthy coverage of sunscreen & Repel kept us bite free the entire trip. We are grateful to Claudia for making Madreselva available for others to utilize & appreciate. We made many special memories, & several dreams came true. Thank you to Carolina & her husband - we truly look forward to seeing you again soon!

Wish we could have stayed longer! The house is beautiful and the views are breathtaking! Carolina and her husband were so accommodating and made us feel so welcomed. The food was absolutely delicious and she even managed to keep my picky kid eaters pleased! It was such a blessing to have clean laundry done when we left the house to head home. You will not be disappointed with this house! Book it!

Our group of 10 enjoyed the views from this beautiful home! There was plenty of space for everyone to spread out and enjoy this slice of paradise. We enjoyed watching the sunrise and animal spotting on the property. The hammocks were occupied whenever we were home. The road up was not bad if you have 4- wheel drive and a confident driver. Prior to arrival Claudia sent a comprehensive Welcome letter and FAQs that provided lots of information on the house and things to do in the area. It was extremely helpful in planning our trip. Carolina was a master at coordinating our complex transportation needs, as we had people coming and departing from different areas on different days. It was great taking a shuttle to the house and then having our rental car delivered. We did the Santa Lucia waterfall hike. The waterfalls were incredible, and we had them all to ourselves! The hike itself can be rough in parts, as you walk across some slippery wet rocks and uneven, muddy trails. My mom couldn’t make the hike, so Carolina arranged a massage for her at the house while we were gone, she loved it! The boat trip to Cano Island was a highlight of our trip as the snorkeling was spectacular. We got lucky and had great visibility even during the rainy season. We also spotted a mama humpback whale and her baby along the way!

Madreselva is truly an Architectural Gem which captures the character of the valley as well as the sea view!! The “breezeways”make the whole place come together and work very well. Loved the property trail to the waterfall and the pool and gardens are magnificent! Start your morning early as it is the Best part of the day, and Carolina’s Hearty breakfasts are Amazing…The changing weather is Beautiful from the mountain view, and more fun anyway than straight sun. Lots of local adventures to be had and Carolina can organize them all for you. Both Carolina and Claudia were delightful company and VERY helpful. Lots of wildlife to see ( toucans,coati,tayra,) and hearing the howlers are a great way to start each day! Carolina and Rumenigg made us a Wonderful fresh dorado dinner for a Lovely and quiet romantic evening ( with background music from the frogs and howlers!) Very much Looking forward to our next adventure at beautiful Madreselva…🙏

This was our first trip to Costa Rica and We really wanted the opposite of a resort experience but we still wanted a house that was both beautiful and off the grid. We got both and even more. The house is literally on top of the mountain and the journey UP is legit ! LOL thankfully my husband LOVES this type of challange and the kids thought It was the best adventure. The views are INSANE ! I’ve traveled all over the world and never seen a view like this. WOW ! The pool was perfect and plenty of places to chill or go for a quick hike. Carolina and Rume- house managers- are the BEST! I truly found a new friend with Carolina. Meals were great and she really went above and beyond to make sure everyone was happy. Santa Lucia Waterfalls were our favorite adventure. It’s work to the top but the results are a dream and it’s all private so not a single soul except for your family . We explored a lot and just soaked in the local culture. Then coming home to our own piece of paradise on the mountain was perfect. This was a very chill and easy trip. Don’t over pack - you need bathing suits, and a couple coverups . Nothing fancy here. Just bask in the Pura Vida

This is the best VRBO property and experience our family has had. Hands down. Please do not pass this amazing property up if you are considering a Costa Rican vacation! The house, the grounds, the pool, and all the wonderful accommodations this place provides are all top-notch. An amazing house, with an amazing floor plan, perched high on a hill in an amazing jungle setting, and it all overlooks the wondrous Pacific Ocean and Marino Ballena National Park's Whale's Tail. What sets this VRBO apart, though, is how awesome Carolina and her husband, Roman, are and the wonderful care they showed us. Carolina was so instrumental and helpful in planning our excursions, the rental cars, and the transportation to and from the SJO airport. It made our experience so much easier with her leading the way. And she and Roman are such wonderful people - it was truly a pleasure to get to know them over the 8 days we were there. Their hospitality is unmatched! We made such great memories at Madreselva and I'm so thankful for the experiences we had. Our family would go back to this wondrous place in a heartbeat - it was that great! Thank you so much! Warmest Regards, The Catlin and Stickel Families

What a week at Madre Selva! Carolina and Rumenigg treated us like family and were such wonderful hosts. Breakfast each day was delicious and the house is clean and comfortable. The ride up and down the mountain is definitely treacherous, but we got the hang of it after a few runs. This location is fairly remote and requires a long drive from San Jose, but the views are worth it. The views are even better in person than the pictures online! Overall our stay exceeded my expectations- thank you!

This house is beautiful, well-made, and you can feel the love of the owners. Both Claudia and Carolina were very attentive and generous. The beds and pillows are wonderfully comfortable. I did find the drive to be a bit exhausting. Make sure you are comfortable with four-wheel drive roads before booking this location. If you do stay here, I highly recommend going to the local water hole. It was gorgeous and we had it entirely to ourselves. Carolina is a great help with anything you need. Overall this is a very special place!

We stayed as 2 families with kids 15, 11 and 6 for 3 nights. The gorgeous pictures do not do this place justice. Beautiful property and views! We spent much of our time in the pool, hammocks and exploring the trail. Carolina was a wonderful host and made us delicious breakfasts in the mornings as well as a couple of wonderful dinners. She was so helpful and engaging. We can’t wait to return to Madreselva and the exciting drive up the mountain!

The best house ever! The property and views are so beautiful, the pictures don’t even do it justice. We woke up every morning with the incredible sunrise and with the sounds of howler monkeys and other animals on the property. Carolina was also amazing! The drive up to the house is steep but with a 4x4 and experienced driver it was fine, and so worth it for the views and privacy. There is so much to do in the area as well. We would love to come back!

All we can say is WOW!!!! Not only is the house and view unsurpassed, but wonderful Carolina & Rume we’re the best! Their food is fabulous, and they took care of us like family! In addition, Claudia was so wonderful and welcoming we can’t say enough about them all! This property is at the top of an incredible mountainous dirt road that is absolutely worth the drive! You end up in the jungle with the toucans and howlers monkeys! We travel a lot, and this was our favorite trip ever! Thank you again, Carolina and Rume! We will see you again soon! ❤️🙏🏼

We had a wonderful stay!! Madreselva is such a beautiful, spacious home with incredible views. Going to sleep and waking up to the sounds of the wildlife was incredible. Carolina is the house manager and made our stay even more special--she made wonderful food, was so friendly and fun to talk to, and quickly made inquiries and arrangements for any activities we wanted to do. Before our trip, she responded to any questions, and helped with our van and rental car arrangements. Our group was comprised of two families with a total of 3 teens. Our activities included: the nearby waterfall hike with the Nunez brothers which was so much fun, a half day at the "whale's tail" beach, a day trip to Manuel Antonio National Park, and a half day inshore fishing trip. We were all happy "lying around" the house too--with the gorgeous pool and plenty of space for everyone to go off and read or take a nap. We hope to be able to return to this amazing place!

This property is gorgeous!!! You truly feel like you're up on the mountain in nature, away from the city. It was so very peaceful and fun looking down at the "whales tale" below. We stayed here with our 4 boys (ages 11,9,8, and 5) and our favorite part of the home was the patio with its view. Carolina was such an amazing host - she was so helpful booking things beforehand for us and made delicious food for our family. I was not expecting some of the little details and effort that she put into making our stay special - our boys loved the towel animals she made and had on the beds at arrival, and she had vases of beautiful tropical flowers in multiple rooms. It was a treat to walk into the house after a day of hiking to waterfalls and find a load of clean clothes neatly folded on the table. My husband unfortunately had a little accident and needed to get to the clinic and was unable to drive and Carolina's husband didn't think twice about taking us. The way they treated us made us feel like family friends, which was amazing and above and beyond what I expected from a VRBO rental. The only thing I would note about the house for family's with younger children - all the bedrooms are separate and open onto a covered outdoor breezeway, which I didn't realize beforehand. The area is beautiful. The home is beautiful and a true gem! Thank you Claudia and Carolina!!

We loved our stay at Madre Selva! This was our first time coming during the green season so we got to experience living in the clouds for a bit! The tropical rain was very cooling and refreshing. Carolina and her husband took good care of us and made us feel at home. Definitely recommend having them cook arepas for you! The house is very clean, secure and safe. The view was spectacular. It took us a little while to get used to the dirt road down but we finally mastered it in the end.

Truly a gem! Amazing place and view. Lots of fun waterfalls to play in all around Uvita! Carolina and her husband are truly nice people and took great care of us! Carolina even made a cake for my son's birthday! Book this place. You will not be disappointed!

We just returned from a two week vacation in Costa Rica. It was our first time visiting this beautiful country and we had no idea where to stay. We viewed many VRBO listings and ultimately chose Madre Selva because we wanted the experience of living in the jungle! That’s exactly what we got! The pictures don’t even do this house justice. The views are incredible and the house is clean, spacious, and well-stocked with everything we needed. We loved the beautiful pool and the rancho. Every day we saw wildlife and the most beautiful birds. We enjoyed the ride up and down the hill each day. It was like a jungle safari! Claudia was so easy to work with and such an incredible help in arranging for airport transportation and car rentals. We absolutely loved Carolina and we already miss her dearly! Her breakfasts were amazing and we also enjoyed two delicious dinners. It was such a treat to have her there every morning. This truly was a trio of a lifetime! We made so many memories and Madre Selva will always hold a special place in our hearts.

The setting for this property is unbelievable! Absolutely can NOT find a better view or more beautiful grounds anywhere. Carolina and her husband took amazing care of us and even went above and beyond to get my camera back when I left it in our shuttle from the airport. My kids loved searching for the howler monkeys, capuchins, coatimundi, geckos, and all the beautiful birds around the house. We had a couple of baby birds born right outside our bedroom while we were there. You’ll see animals all different times of the day, but if you’re really interested in the wildlife on the property, try getting up at dawn one morning and walking around the property - you won’t be disappointed! And Carolina’s husband is an expert on the wildlife on the property. Definitely ask him where to look. Don’t miss out on Carolina’s cooking - she made us an amazing dinner the night we arrived - even when we arrived much later than planned, she was there waiting for us with a hot, delicious meal! Definitely do pay attention to the need for 4 wheel drive. The drive up is an adventure with about 1000ft in elevation climb, but the road is very well maintained and was just all part of the fun for us. Plus, it adds to the security of the property…along with 2 gates securing the property. We literally felt like we were in our world up there. The only downsides I can come up with for the property are 1. Because the house is not climate controlled (we were never hot, BTW) everything tends to stay just a tiny bit damp if there’s been a fair amount of rain and 2. The pool was just a touch chilly for SOME of us if the sun wasn’t out - again due to coming during the rainier season. But those things are not enough to dissuade us from wanting to come back. This is truly a special and amazing property. You won’t be disappointed!

We LOVED our stay here. The home was beautiful, spacious and so welcoming. The gardens were breathtaking and we loved the view of the jungle and ocean. Carolina was amazing and we miss her already! She took the best care of us and made sure we had everything we needed. We made memories to last a lifetime.

This home was amazing. It is very clean and roomier than it appears in the pictures. We loved our view and the pool but the best part was the hospitality of our house manager Carolina. She was amazing and made sure we had a great time. My only advice is to make sure you plan ahead and let them know your itinerary, Claudia was very helpful in helping us organize transportation. The ride up is a bit scary the first time but the view is worth it.

Our stay in Costa Rica was amazing! Particularly Carolina, she was so helpful and kind. The house was beyond! Thank you so much for everything

After a long break from traveling due to COVID, a stay at this house was just what we needed. The place is absolutely perfect. It’s nestled in the mountains, overlooking the coast and rainforest. We were woken up by a beautiful sunset and breathtaking views every morning. Carolina was the best. It was such a luxury to be made breakfast every morning, and we used a lot of her recommendations for activities (which was awesome because we are last minute planners). The house was also cleaned and stocked and very well maintained. It’s a long ride from SJO, but it’s worth it. We will definitely be coming back and I 100% recommend this house to anyone looking for a relaxing stay in Costa Rica.

WOW, Wow and again WOW!! Our daughter selected Costa Rica in December for her wedding with my wife and daughter visiting Costa Rica in January to plan all the details. It was to be a small wedding with just close friends and immediate family....about 35 people. My wife called me from Costa Rica ecstatic at finding what she called the most perfect reception and rental vacation home in one place at Refugio Madre Selva, high up in the coastal mountains of Costa Rica overlooking the beaches of the Whale's Tail in Uvita. The owner, Claudia Alderman, was extremely helpful with so many of the logistics that it brought my wife to tears in relief from her anxiety. Claudia was a godsend being very skilled in logistics and planning while being fun to work with! The wedding ceremony at the beach was beautiful and intimate and the reception at the home was spectacular! Again a huge thank you to Claudia and her staff headed up by Carolina who over the week became a good friend to our whole family. Carolina was so much help during the reception helping us prepare food, cooking, organizing the buffet and then making the most delicious desserts to cap off a five star dinner. The whole day and evening made for a lifelong memory. BUT WAIT.....there's more!! Did we mention the vacation home. WOW again!! The villa is perched high on the mountains overlooking the ocean. The views are absolutely breathtaking. When waking up to the sounds of tropical birds, distant monkey chatter and roars, the sea breezes rustling the fragrant flowers and trees one can easily forget the world they left. Serenity, peace, tranquility, majestic, adventure are just some words to describe this paradise. For accomodations my wife and I occupied one beautiful master bedroom with an ensuite architecturally relevant outdoor shower in one "building" of the home, Our daughter, & husband occupied another master bedroom and our 3 grandchildren took over a 4 bed kids room in another "building" of the home while our other daughter occupied another bedroom in the main "building" of the home which included a very large kitchen, big family sized dining area, TV room and a large sitting area. The way Claudia designed (she did!) this spacious home we never felt we were in each other's way. We can't wait to go back as a whole family again but this time with our newly married daughter & her husband. BTW....the night skies are so dark and the southern stars are bright!!

Wow, such a wonderful vacation. The home was amazing with beautiful views of the ocean, rain forest and lots of beautiful flowers. Our family of 12 adults stayed for my sister's birthday. Every morning I woke up to the sunrise and the sound of howler monkeys! So beautiful. Honestly, Carolina took our stay to the next level. She cooked us a wonderful breakfast each morning. This allowed us to relax and not worry about a thing. She was extremely helpful and and answered many questions. Carolina went above and beyond when we had someone hit our rental car. She stayed with us the whole time and translated for us to make sure we had everything we needed. She baked an incredible birthday cake and dinner on a leaf for one of our nights. Carolina felt like family by the end of the trip. During the day we went to see waterfalls, horseback riding, Quepos, bike riding and tried some of the road side ceviche. Yum. We will be back!!

My wife and I visit this area of Costa Ballena several times a year staying at different homes that we rent through VRBO. Over the years we have experienced many different styles of homes, views, and locations within this area. Reserva Madreselva is definitely one of the top experiences we have had over the last 6 or 7 years. The view is outstanding, the home is very comfortable with its layout and furnishings and the wildlife experience is tops. There is a garden directly beyond the pool which distracts you from the gorgeous ocean view with countless hummingbirds and butterflies not to mention every other beautiful creature that happens to wonder into view. The elevation of the property allows for extremely comfortable daytime temperatures with nice breezes and nighttime temps that are cool and pleasant allowing for mosquito (or any other biting bug) free evenings. The many positive reviews that you will find about this establishment are accurate and right on target. Carolina, who was available for making breakfast and cleaning couldn’t have been any nicer. This service is rare to find in most VRBO properties. She would make herself available when ever needed as well as give you your privacy when asked. If you choose to cook for yourself, the kitchen had absolutely everything you could possibly need for preparing your own meals. one other note, we would highly recommend having Carolina schedule an at home massage from a wonderful masseuse and her friend which can be performed on the lower cabana deck. They were the best we have had in Costa Rica. After many VRBO stays throughout the years, Reserva Madreselva is one home that we would highly recommend for anyone wanting to get the best of the Costa Ballena experience. Like most things beautiful, pictures and words find it hard to really describe the actual experience. If you are trying to find that perfect vacation home experience, you can't miss with this one.

We’ve been home a week and still talking about it. We had the absolute best time, it was our first time to Costa Rica and the country and hospitality blew our minds. Everything was just as said and promised and so wonderful. Claudia answered questions and we all loved Rosie so much.

What an amazing property. The view, location, pool, and villa are incredible.

We have stayed at many VRBO properties. This was the best equipped of all. Firstly, Claudia, the owner, was wonderful to work with. She gave us all kinds of guidance including that regarding COVID testing and arranged drivers from airport to Madreselve and car rentals. With COVID, our plans ended up being very fluid and Claudia was glad to rearrange when necessary. The villa is beautiful. The front deck faces the Pacific with a great view of the whale's tail, and is at very high elevation. We loved watching the sunrises, cloud formations, many hummingbirds and butterflies. Because it is up in the hills, it was much more comfortable than down below where it was quite hot. The gazebo is sweet. All ten of us stayed out there one night telling stories and playing cards. Having Carolina and Rosibel cook for 10 of us several nights and all breakfasts was a luxury. We saw toucans, lots of birds, agouti, and a tayra. Rosibel was wonderful arranging excursions for us. I do have one advisory: My husband and I are in our 70's. We do like to hike but the terrain is very steep and we encountered rain for several days, so the hiking was treacherous. This is not a criticism, just a heads up.

Superb