Casa Alfredo (a Serendipity private residence)
On this trip you can really see how native Costa Ricans live because we didn't stay in touristy places.
—Taylor N., 14, Waxhaw, NC, July, 2007
You forget which century we're in — except we do have the convenience of air conditioning in every bedroom, a telephone line and an internet connection (slow, but enough to make excuses for not responding sooner), and we have surrounding rivers for fishing and exploring with small silent boats.
Alfredo's house: a voyage back to my grandparents farm
Cows in the barn, horses in the pasture, ducks on the lake, nests in the trees, and birds, lots of birds. But here we also have monkeys in the forest behind, falcons diving through the small woods next to the terrace, the occasional sloth, and best of all, our beautiful private lake.
The lake can't be believed until you experience it — swimming with inner tubes at midnight, a bonfire near the beach, with no artificial light except back towards the house — the sky brilliant with stars to the horizon.
You can see Arenal volcano sticking up in the daytime — about 40 minutes away (via 4x4).
Between the house and guest houses, there are four bedrooms with king-size beds, one bedroom with twin beds, and one room with a king and one twin bed. Each room has a private bath, except the two interior rooms with single beds, which share a bath that is also used by the main house. Every bedroom has air conditioning and really comfortable beds. The hardwood walls and ceiling planks in the bedrooms give off a deep forest scent.
The main house hosts a kitchen that is always open for guests to make snacks. The indoor dining area seats 12 or you can eat your meals on the covered open air deck by the lake. Around the house, there are deck chairs and hammocks for lounging, and there are further lounge chairs and a pool table down by the lake.
Things to do from Casa Alfredo
Take off from the pasture in the balloon in the morning. Swim, jet ski, and paddle the canoe in the lake during the day. Ride mountain bikes from the property or on technical routes not far away (by 4WD), or ride horses from our nearby stables instead.
Go fishing in the river — our fighting rainbow bass (guapote) is world famous, and we've been told ardent fishermen call it the most challenging of bass fishing.
Shoot the waves on the nearest good white water rafting river. The Sarapiquí River is about 1 1/2 hours away (the area around Arenal volcano is quite flat). We have ways to take even 4 year old non-swimmers, and 80 year old arthritics (although adventurous spirit must be provided by you). At the same time we have the means to push even veteran white water rafters. Trust us, we can do that!
Finish the day with a soak in private hot springs at the base of Arenal volcano that rival Tabacón in beauty, but with a tranquility and privacy unavailable at the enormous and busy resort.
The lake near the house is shallow enough for kids.
Did I mention that the country house is also surrounded by abundant nature. We have our own platform in a primary forest for soaking in the primary rainforest or giving yourself a physical and mental challenge. For dense nature viewing, we have tiny little boats to explore the northern rivers where the birds and animals congregate.
It is all yours. You do not share it with other tourists. There are no intruders except the farm workers coming to work each day. Your Serendipity guide stays with you at the house to provide all your transportation, adventure activities, and meals. At Casa Alfredo with Serendipity Adventures you will have nature and adventure at your doorstep.
The first step to enjoying Costa Rica's from Casa Alfredo is to contact us.
