Getting to Casa Frondosa: drive or fly from San José
Two ways down from the airport, what each actually costs you in time, why the last stretch needs a 4x4, and the stops worth making on the drive.
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The blog
This coast, explained from inside it
Guides to the stretch of the Central Pacific we live on, written to answer the questions guests actually ask. No filler, no recycled itineraries.
Villa, casa, or house? What to call a place like this
Ask five people at a Costa Rican dinner table what separates a villa from a casa from a house and you will get five answers. Here is a useful sixth.
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Do you need a 4x4 on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast?
For the highway, no. For the good stuff in the hills, yes, and for Casa Frondosa it is an absolute requirement. How to book the right rental car.
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Manuel Antonio National Park tickets: how booking works now
Tickets are online only, capped daily, and sell out ahead in high season. A current, plain-language guide to booking Manuel Antonio the right way.
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Manuel Antonio vs Dominical vs Uvita: where should you stay?
An honest comparison of the Central Pacific's three big bases, from someone who lives between them, and the case for not picking any of the three.
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Playa Linda and Playa Matapalo: the coast's emptiest beaches
Two long, wild beaches sit between Manuel Antonio and Dominical, and most travelers drive past both. A local guide to the quiet stretch we call home.
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What is Portasol? Inside the rainforest community we call home
Casa Frondosa sits inside Portasol, a 540-hectare gated rainforest community above Portalon with its own waterfall. Here is what that means for a stay.
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Reading up for a real trip?
Skip the research spiral. Tell us your dates and what your group enjoys, and our concierge will map the good stuff out with you.
Local knowledge included with every stay.