LA OSA PENINSULA
Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Breathtakingly spectacular views characterize this LEED designed house located at the gateway to the Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, described by National Geographic as one of “the most geographically intense places on the planet”. Arquitect and design, by Robles Arquitectos, is a work of science as much as it is an achievement of design. This home, which is a dream location for many, is private and secluded, sitting atop its own mountain and a 74-hectare private reserve,it enchants the visitor with its 360 degree panoramic view of Carate Beach, a sweet water lagoon, as well as the Pacific Ocean and a primary rain forest.
Has won numerous awards for sustainability and design and generates its own power from solar panels and a Pelton wheel turbine, allowing for a comfortable but limited supply of energy. It uses both passive and active measures to fit the needs of its occupants. When I hear Costa Rica, I always think lush vibrant vegetation, blue skies, and ocean breezes. This home has all of those things and more, all through a tropical architecture concept. It provides a link between the visitor and nature. The house is the first stage of the institute, (Institute of sustainability, ecology, art, mind and investigation) therefore, its design will serve as a multifunctional place in order to host activities as investigation, meditation, training, Yoga and joy at the terrace located on the first level. It opens up to a large patio and swimming pool, great for entertaining and relaxation. The white steel and glass design yields open views of the environment and the sea below. The upper level, raised above the forest floor, is a private residence with all the creature comforts of an urban setting. The distribution of the house looks for a new way of living in which all activities have the possibility to be developed outside. This way the integration between the interior and the exterior become successful and natural, creating possibilities to enjoy nature in its original state as much as the occupants desire to. The home has been given an open, airy design that allows breezes and cross-winds to maintain a comfortable base temperature.
The distribution and other important assets are as follows:
The 2-story, 4 bedroom, 3 bath house has 2 king beds upstairs and one queen bed downstairs, comfortably sleeping three couples. Arrangements can be made to accommodate children in bunk bed in separate bedroom. There is one full size bed and one single bed. The kitchen is equipped with a 4 burner gas stove, gas oven, and refrigerator, and in the living room there is cable TV and a DVD player.
The beautiful upstairs wrap-around balcony has a dining room table that seats 12. Downstairs is the deck and pool (the latter featuring a shallow submerged platform for chaise lounges) in addition to another dining area for 8, next to the gas barbeque. The versatile first floor area can be used for setting up the ping-pong table or massage table, or be used for other purposes, such as meditation and yoga.
Daily cleaning maid service is included. Linen is changed two times in the week for conservation purposes. The maid can cook as well for an extra $30 a day to be paid directly to her. Transportation is available to and from the local airport in Puerto Jiménez (50 minutes away) only on weekly rentals or the close-by private airstrip located in Carate (2 minutes away).
High speed wi-fi Internet is available in the house. We can provide grocery shopping upon request on behalf of the customers at a fee. Do not forget to bring ice and flash lights for walking at night in the forest.
Kayaking and hiking on the private reserve is free of charge. There is a nice hike in the forest to a nearby waterfall.
Other: Corcovado National Park is a treasure and part of the country’s extensive national Parks system, featuring over 2% of the planet’s biodiversity. We can arrange guided hiking tours. 45 minutes away is Matapalo Beach with world class surfing. Boats can be chartered at Golfo Dulce (1.30 hours away) to enjoy a day of incomparable fishing on the country’s Pacific Coast. Horse-back riding tours around the lagoons and on the beach can also be arranged.