We had our best warm weather vacation ever, thanks to Ben Geren and his wonderful Playa Avellanas Beach house! We needed to escape our frosty home in Anchorage, Alaska, charge up on vitamin D, and give the kids a break from the back to school blues. We were hoping to escape the tourist path, yet stay safe, and give the kids a chance to experience some of the unique animal life and incredible beaches of Costa Rica.

Our expectations were overwhelmingly exceeded! The house with its two stories, had plenty of room for our two kids (8 & 10 years old) to spread out and give mom and dad some space. The hammocks were great for siesta time, and Netflix helped the kids stay connected enough with normal life so as not to get home sick. The kitchenette, including a full refrigerator, was perfect for allowing us to prepare meals so we didn’t have to eat out all the time. Ben’s super friendly dogs, Elvis the Rottweiler, and Bessie the Rhodesian ridgeback became frequent visitors—much to our kids delight! The bathroom is beautiful with the green stone from Guatemala and has a full shower, no tub—think beach house! Besides the domestic animals, in the morning hours, we could hear birds chirping and monkeys howling. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the resident iguana!

The property is surrounding by a cactus reinforced fence with a paddle locked gate. Very safe! A five-minute walk and you’re at Cabinas Las Olas, a fabulous outdoor restaurant—great for breakfast and lunch! Five more minutes and you’re at the Playa Avellanas, an amazing tropical beach!

As special as the property is, what really made this place extraordinary for us, was the incredible generosity and hospitality of Ben Geren. From restaurant advice to extra towels, Ben was there to help guide us to the best warm weather vacation we’ve ever experienced! Thank you so much Ben!