We had a great time at this property and would definitely come back!

Upon arriving at this well-appointed traditional style home we were all mesmerized by the initial impression and the spectacular view overlooking Playa Carrillo. The house had lots of room for 6 adults; one child. There are inside and outside games galore when not just simply relaxing or at the beach. The pool was a hit for the family and was the first place people would go after breakfast. We heard that this beach was the nicest in the area so we were happy to know that. We found several good restaurants in Samara. The food in Samara is very expensive- and even farther towns like Nicoya still had high food prices. At the end of our stay we did find a little butcher shop in Samara just on the left before the main road dead ends into the town. The bakery (where the road actually dead ends ) was very good. 2 Gringos and the El Calibri (steak restaurant) were our favorite. Our trip was enhanced by an engagement proposal under water scuba diving and our turtle excursion through Samara Infocenter! What a wonderful place to experience all from a breathtaking view each morning, a gorgeous sunset each evening, and the brightest stars at night you’ll ever see!

You will not disappointed with your stay! Maureen and the views made our experience extra special!! She is an amazing cook, my picky kids ate every bite. We also loved not having to clean every day. She made our trip feel like a vacation. The views from house are unforgettable. The house has four rooms- a master and a bunk room downstairs and two rooms upstairs that share a Jack and jill bathroom. It all worked out well to share with our families. This is our second visit and the first time we had a breeze, this time we were not as lucky. Fans would be a great edition. Thanks for a wonderful week!!! Pura Vida

This was our third trip to this beautiful, peaceful home. We have stayed in a few other properties in the area, but only because this property was booked. The others were good. They weren't this though. This place is magic. It's incredibly relaxing and welcoming, the beauty and rustic charm just can't be beat. Maury the chef was as always, amazing. She is kind and thoughtful and incredibly helpful. She also happens to be an amazing chef. If we could, this would be our permanent second home and Maury would be family.

We went as a group of 9 as a yoga retreat. Yoga every morning by the pool with a stunning view of the ocean below was incredible. We couldn't capture the beauty enough with our photos. We loved the open air main area and also having the pool to cool off in after days at the beach and exploring. Sunsets were amazing! We also got to see lots of lizards, howler monkeys right by the house, and beautiful birds. Maury the cook and one who cares for us was very kind and a great cook!! She cooked us amazing local style dinners we asked for and also great breakfasts. It felt healthy and delicious. We loved all the fresh fruit. The beds were very comfortable, and rooms beautiful in traditional I think ranch style. AC in the bedrooms to sleep was so nice since it is very hot here. We love this place and plan to come back. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful villa with us!

We had a great stay in La Paila, it's a very special place. It's not the most modern of properties but that's part of the charm, the location is superb with incredible views, the live-in housekeeper is amazing, great food, so helpful and brilliant at keeping the property tidy and clean. Her food was a big part of the joy of our holiday.

We first visited La Paila in Feb 2022 with my wife's family. We loved it some much we brought our kids their partners and our grandkids for the 2023 Holidays in lieu of a family christmas We love this place. It is peaceful, relaxing and within a short drive to beautiful beaches, and to the stores and restaurants of both Playa Carilla and Samara. If you are looking for relaxation, this is the place for you.

We stayed at La Paila with 2 families of 4 and the house was a perfect setup. The views from the property are incredible! Take me back! We had a wonderful time listening to the birds, watching the sunsets, swimming in the pool, listening to music and having drinks in the outdoor living space. The property caretaker Maury had dinner prepped for our arrival a cooked a few other meals while we were there and she was an incredible cook. It was such a special treat, we enjoyed her cooking so much, I had to take home one of her recipes. The AC worked great in all the bedrooms which was very nice. And the drive to and from town is easy. We especially enjoyed the beauty of Carillo and Sámara provides anything you could need between restaurants, adventure, shopping etc but also not too big of a town. It’s definitely special here. We had great communication with Andy & Christine prior to our arrival but had no need to reach out while we were there since everything went smooth. Good internet if that is needed. Thank you so much for sharing your slice of Paradise, it was a dream.

What a magical place to stay. Stunning vistas with lots to do or not do. Maureen, the cook and housekeeper is a major bonus. She made our holiday all the better.

Everything is awesome, and accurate as stated on VRBO. The only complaint's would be the overall cleanliness of the property, and the live in Dog. We loved the Dog, but it seemed that she had not received a proper bath for some time, when she was around you knew it by the smell. There was hair from the dog all over the open area and furniture, and smell of the dog on the furniture. Overall we would stay here again, but would request a cleaner house and clean dog.

We had a wonderful stay at La Paila. The house and property is beautiful. Maury was a great housekeeper and cook! We would recommend this rental to others.

We spent 9 glorious nights at “ La Paila.” The location of the home is incredible, Maury is an excellent cook and all around helpful and a pleasure to spend time with. Brisa the dog stole my kid’s hearts and nobody wanted to return home. The communication with Andrew, the property owner, is excellent if you should need anything or have any questions at all.

Our family loved our stay here. The layout of the open living space provided a unique experience. Maureen was fantastic and we loved our meals. Plenty to do in the surrounding area without much trouble. (Horseback riding, zip lining, coffee tours, beach…) I would recommend a 4x4/AWD for ease getting up to the house and some of the surrounding areas. Maybe not required but definitely a good idea.

Our stay at La Paila was nothing short of magical. The road up to the house was not bad at all and once you get there, the view is worth every second! It only takes about 5 minutes to get up or down from the house to the beach. We got lost on our way there and ended up not arriving until 10pm. Maureen was still awake and at the house and not only greeted us, but served dinner as well. The house itself is beautiful and nestled in the perfect combination of ocean and jungle views. You feel completely secluded but not disconnected. There was so much to do at the house, we were never bored. But the house was still close to the beach and other places, Carrillo about 5 minutes and Samara about 10 minutes. We had 6 people total and it was the perfect amount of space for all of us. Everyone had their own space/bedroom. Maureen was an absolute God send. She was one of the highlights of our stay. We really enjoyed getting to know her, learning how to cook and spending time with her. None of us spoke fluent or any Spanish and she was extremely patient with us. Even texted me store lists, with pictures, so we knew what we needed to get at the store. She was so attentive, and took care of everything for us but we also never felt crowded and had plenty of privacy. We absolutely adored the house puppy, Brisa. She was a doll and we loved having her around and a little piece of home. We truly could not have imagined a better way to spend our time in Costa Rica than at La Paila and cannot wait to return!

We enjoyed our stay at La Paila. The road up to the hillside perch was easier than anticipated (5 min, well-packed dirt road, not overly curvy), and the view and gardens would have been worth it being worse! A favorite was to sit in the recliners in the morning, watch the birds (we spotted a toucan!) and butterflies, and enjoy the ocean view! You do need to know -- we didn't totally realize -- that all the living space (not bedrooms or kitchen) is open to the air on the sides (well covered) like an old ranchero, I assume. We felt well-protected in rainstorms and usually felt a breeze...did not have the level of problems with bugs we feared...but it is not an air-conditioned living space. The bedrooms have ac. They are adequate, not particularly special, but that's not where you spend your time. The kitchen is quite dated but well-appointed and having the on-site cleaning and cooking was a real plus, helpful and friendly.

We enjoyed our short stay. They house is so clean. The view is amazing. The house was quiet. Maury was so sweet and always checking on us. My son spent days in the hammock relaxing with the dog by his side.

This was a good place to stay. This was our fifth trip to Samara/Carrillo and we enjoyed being somewhat out of town. The view was fabulous and the open air floor plan was fun. We saw howler monkeys in the trees and lots of birds. The listing stated that this is a four bedroom house but the main building only has 3 bedrooms - I'm not sure where the 4th room would be? My other issue was the cleanliness...I've been to Costa Rica many times and fully enjoy rustic accommodations. We have stayed in lots of homes/lodges with an open air plan. It would have been nice to have the animal leavings (waste) cleaned up each day and the rooms straightened up. The pool also could have used a good skimming - had there been one there I would have taken care of it myself. Overall we enjoyed our stay but I think a few extra touches would have made me feel it was more worth the cost.

This was a perfect property for our first stay in Costa Rica. It is close enough to Samara to have some activity and far enough away that you feel like you are experiencing the true Costa Rica. The property owners are very helpful and informative. Maury is an awesome cook and went above and beyond. Brisa, the dog on the property, made our experience even better with the warm welcomes we would receive every time we returned. Ending the day at La Paila with its views of the ocean and the mountain was nothing short of spectacular. You won’t regret staying here.

We loved the openness of La Paila with a pool and beautiful views of the sea. My husband and I stayed there 3 weeks and our daughter and 3 granchildren came for 8 days. The housekeeper kept everything clean and comfortable and prepared some delicious Costan Rican meals for us. A tranquil spot high above the ocean. We drove to the long beautiful Carrillo Beach which was about 10 minutes away. Samara is only a short drive where there are many very good restaurants and shopping. Samara is a small, relaxed town with a pretty beach and activities. A great spot for vacation.

We couldn't have asked for a better place to stay or better people. The house was like something out of scriptwriter's dream. The perfect location and the perfect chef/caretaker. Even the perfect dog! The pictures do not do this property justice at all. It's hard to even explain the calmness and beauty of the property. Having the addition of the chef was so perfect and made it like best of having a private residence mixed with a hotel. I can't recommend it enough and we are hoping to book another two weeks with our children for our next holiday.

Overlooking the ocean from the hilltop pool, waiting for an attentive cook to finish dinner preparations, it is hard to imagine ever wanting to leave La Paila. We were well cared for throughout our stay and enjoyed the slow pace, open architecture and quiet of this location. You are 1.3 miles and a thousand feet above the beach, which keeps the temperature a bit cooler in January too. This property worked well for an adult family of 5.

My wife and I had been to Costa Rica before. We stayed at an all-inclusive resort about 8 years ago. We were determined to return with the kids and this time, get a more local and authentic Tico experience. The pre-trip communication with Andy and Christine was perfect. They had all the answers and were able to introduce us to helpful local experts for activity and experience planning. We flew to Liberia and made the 2 hour drive in a rented van with our five kids, ages 4-12, Halloween week 2021. Over our 6 days, we spent a good amount of time in and around Samara, which is just about 10-15 minutes from La Paila. There we found great restaurants and shops and also the most convenient super market. Our favorites were Los Delphines for lunch as well as the restaurant right off the main street, on the beach just past the police station. The Roots bakery in Samara also has excellent coffee, hot breakfast, and pastries. Their empanadas were a big hit with our family. Johana and Randal, the on-site staff, were so hospitable and friendly. Johana's cooking is excellent and Randal was always around to offer fresh coconut water and he even makes a refreshing cocktail nicknamed "The Randal" (it's a coconut mojito). They live on the property - close enough to be available but far enough away so that it felt private for our family. The house is an experience; it's traditional but also very well-appointed with good-sized bedrooms, strong water pressure and powerful A/C to cool off at bedtime. It was very comfortable for our family of 7 and could have accommodated a few more in an unused bedroom. La Paila offers the most beautiful sunsets over Samara Bay, so we made a point to try to be poolside each late afternoon so we could experience them. We had a non-4WD vehicle and we were ok, but I'd recommend a 4WD for peace of mind because many of the roads around Carillo and neighboring towns, including the hilly road to La Paila, are dirt/gravel and often steep hills. I can't think of any cons at La Paila, but there are some jurassic-sized insects and other harmless critters at the property. And since much of the home is outdoors, they'll occasionally make an appearance in the living space. Brisa, the house dog, is great at chasing them away. One morning we woke to some messy mango remnants and empty banana peels one morning after we didn't put them in the kitchen. Our fault and all part of the experience. Book La Paila - you won't be disappointed.

Andy and Christine are very responsive. This was our first time in Samara/Carillo we really enjoyed our stay. House has a open livingroom layout, ensured everyone had a good time. Marilu, the housekeeper/cook is very pleasant and ensures that any issues are resolved immediately. Kids loved Brisa, Labrador- the house dog. We hope to return and stay in La Pailla again.

We just got back from a one month stay at La Paila. The pictures on the website don’t do this house justice. The house was perfect for our two families (4 adults and 4 kids). The outside living area and views are absolutely amazing. Sunsets by the pool every night were incredible. The house sits on a good size lot and creates lots of privacy. We also loved Marilu, the home’s caretaker. She took care of anything we needed and answered any questions we had. She’s also a great cook and we loved every single meal she prepared! I would highly recommend La Paila.

Perfection

La Paila is a great vacation rental. I was unsure about the open-air layout, but aside from toads and a few small bugs, it was nice to experience the sight and sounds of the surrounding nature on top of the hillside. I mean there's Howler monkeys in the backyard, and you may get a 'wake up' call in the early a.m. hours from parrots, but why sleep in when there's so much to see/do. Plus, it did get super hot and humid in the afternoon which often led to a nice and relaxing rain and thunderstorm in the evening. Thankfully mosquitos were not a problem for us either. Did I mention the views? It was the BEST spot for a sunset! Marilu was an absolute joy to work with and she made some very delicious breakfast and dinner meals. She really did a wonderful job and always kept the place nice and tidy. We fell in love with Brisa. She was a sweet and well-mannered dog. Our 10-year-old son absolutely loved playing with her (and the adults did too). We miss her already! Some of our trip highlights were: -Scuba Diving with Andy. This was my sons first time scuba diving and Andy did a really great job making sure he was comfortable and safe. He even took a ton of underwater pics and videos capturing the dives. -Horseback Riding with Rene (he's at Carrillo Beach next to a nursery). We did a 2-hour hike through the country and saw some incredible views at the top. We all had a blast! -Samara - we loved the vibe of the town. Great restaurants, bars, etc. -Samara Trails- Lovely hike and learned so much about the native plants and fruit. -Playa Barrigona - Was one of the best beaches we went to. We brought our hammocks and found a great spot in the shade. The waves were some of the biggest that we've seen. -Playa Carrillo - This beach is a quick 5 minute drive and is nice, clean and not very crowded. We had so much fun with the boogie boards here! Overall, a wonderful trip and can't recommend La Paila enough!

What a special place. This home is absolutely beautiful. The Costa Rican architecture and the family story behind it all only richened the experience. The views outstanding and the vibe of the place made it feel like home. The owner bent over backwards to help make this trip come true in a difficult time with the pandemic. He always answered our questions and was extremely helpful. Marilou who takes care of the home and cooks is a special lady. We enjoyed trying to use our Spanish and plan meals. She is a wonderful cook. We were sad to say good bye to her😢We loved our experience at this home!!! Thank you

What a special place. This home is absolutely beautiful. The Costa Rican architecture and the family story behind it all only richened the experience. The views outstanding and the vibe of the place made it feel like home. The owner bent over backwards to help make this trip come true in a difficult time with the pandemic. He always answered our questions and was extremely helpful. Marilou who takes care of the home and cooks is a special lady. We enjoyed trying to use our Spanish and plan meals. She is a wonderful cook. We were sad to say good bye to herWe loved our experience at this home!!! Thank you

We gather mainly to celebrate Mother's Day with my parents, my sister's family and my family. A group of 9 adults, a 6-year-old girl, a 10-month-old baby, and three small dogs. We were all fascinated by the wonderful place, full of documented history, which helped us to understand the place and enjoy it even more, knowing the effort of Dr. Davis G. Durham and his wife, may they rest in peace, to create such a place complete in all its aspects. Reading his story filled us with a lot of nostalgia, reliving each of the moments lived and enjoyed by Dr. Davis G. Durham and his family, once the construction was completed. At night, we were able to enjoy the fireflies, after many years of not seeing them, reminding us of our childhood. During the day, the majestic view of the sea in the distance and the greenery of the surroundings, was truly a gift for our senses and a source of great relaxation. We are very grateful to Andy and Christine, for the kind treatment and all the valuable information provided before our arrival; as well as the attentive and valuable help of Marilú, who delighted us with a special meal to pamper and celebrate Mother's Day. In short, we are all looking forward to returning soon to enjoy this beautiful house. Thank you very much Andy, Christine and Marilú! Blessings for all!

This is an amazing property in a perfect location. The house, with its open layout, was beautiful and incredibly unique. The owners were very responsive to our inquiries ahead of the visit and marilu, the onsite housekeeper, was very attentive during our stay. The house is located up the mountain, about 5 minutes from the beach. It offered gorgeous views and the sights/sounds of the jungle. We saw Costa Rican tree frogs, coati and howler monkeys during our stay.!! We did bring a small dog with us who enjoyed exploring the property. Mariluz warned us to watch the dog at night to make sure she didn’t bite any of the large toads that appear around the pool area. Apparently these roads are poisonous to dogs. We were really grateful for this tip and recommend that other families bringing pets take this into account during their visit. We would love to return to this lovely property in the future!!

Perfection!

It was an amazing stay from start to finish. Marilu and Danielle took great care of us, and the owners went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed. I can’t say enough great things about La Paila.