Reviewer - A traveler from Texas! We stayed at the Bahia Pez Vela Resort ([--]) at Playa Ocatal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica in June, 2008. We rented a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath ocean view villa for a week. The accommodations were very comfortable and exactly as advertised and pictured on the website. The villa was roomy, pleasantly decorated, and with all the amenities one could desire - A/C, TV, Internet, fully equipped kitchen, etc. The patio and upstairs balcony overlooked the ocean which was just a short walk down a hill away. There was ample patio furniture - even a hammock. The beach is a black sand beach - and you can snorkel right off the end of the beach. The resort's pool for guests is attractive. There is an on-site restaurant that is open all day 7 days a week - so one could eat every meal there if desired! The management people were very helpful in everything we needed. In arranging excursions, the connected us immediately with Amy at Avispa Adventures (www.avispasadventures.com). My family and I just clicked immediately with Amy - she is co-owner of the tour organization, and is from the States - so obviously, no language issues! We took 3 tours through Avispa - a riverboat ride complete with Tico wildlife, an all day adventure - canopy tour, hiking in the rain forest, visit to Rincon de la Piedra volcano, and horseback riding, and an all day beach tour - surfing and an ATV tour. On the first 2 tours we were accompanied by Amy and our driver, Carlos, and on the beach tour, Carlos guided us as I have enough Spanish to communicate. We were more than satisfied with all our adventures. The van was very comfortable and roomy, as well as air-conditioned. There were snacks and cold drinks of all varieties available - and lots of little touches like hand-wipes, towels, and garbage bags. We ate in several restaurants and the food in all was delicious and authentic, and the service and ambience were wonderful. The guides at the canopy tour, horseback ride, etc were just as helpful as Amy and her group are - friendly and accommodating in every way. You can basically tailor an “adventure” to whatever your group will enjoy most. The prices for the tours were quite reasonable and would include pick up and return wherever you are staying - virtually a must in Costa Rica where road conditions are poor and signs and maps are virtually non-existent. Avispa is very helpful and sensitive to any kind of special needs - I walk with crutches, and I was able to participate in all the activities thanks to Amy and her guides. While in Costa Rica, we did 2 activities that were not through Avispa - snorkeling and river rafting. Neither lived up to the standards we had come to expect from our tours with Avispa. I would whole-heartedly recommend this group for any and all needs in Costa Rica - I have traveled extensively and have to say that this was the most personalized, friendly, and accommodating group that I have ever encountered - they made our trip very special. The only potential downside to the Resort is location - it is about 10 minutes up a winding road from the town of Coco - and Coco itself is a little off the beaten path. However, Coco had a number of great restaurants that we ate at, and we did not find the location of the Resort to hamper our travels significantly. The accommodations at Bahia Pez Vela were well worth the trip and we would certainly return there.

Wow! Villa Calla far exceeded my expectations! The location was perfect to fly in or out of Liberia. The villa is beautifully decorated and the views are breathtaking!! We loved the whole resort from the pool overloking the ocean to the on-site resteraunt Picante. Everything was fabulous and right next door to your villa!! There is so much to do in the area as well. We rode horses on the beach, did sip lines through the forest and did a hot mud bath from naturally hot springs! The ower of this property was so helpful and welcoming and was a wealth of information of things to see and do as well as great places to eat. We had a great driver that I would highly recommend who spoke very good english and pretty much became our travel companion!! We could not have had a more pleasant, exciting experience in Costa Rica! I can't wait to go back. Happy traveler from Arkansas!!

For a first timer to Costa Rica, we ended up selecting what I consider the BEST location for a safe jumping off point to numerous local attractions. Bahia Pez Vela is close to Liberia Airport (about 45 min), and offered what was effectively a 'private' black sand beach (since there were few other vacationers around. It provides the comforts of a resort without the overpriced resort crush. Examples, a local oufitter delivered sea kayaks right to the resort beach; we used the reception staff to book an adventure tour at a local volcano; the massage therapists are available on the beach regularly; the Picante Restaurant staff were ultra-accommodating and helped me practice my Spanish; the kids played in the pool and on the beach with friends they met on site; the security into and on the resort was exceptional; we used Bahia Pez Vela as a starting point to beach-hop and restaurant hop in Playas de Coco, Conchal, Grande, etc - the list goes on. I've never returned to vacation in the same place twice, but I am strongly considering going back to BPV with friends or family !!

3 bedroom, 2 and a half bath Villa on-the-beach at Pez Vela for long term or short term rental. Two available, one with a pool, one without. See attached photos. Email: [-]