I stayed at this property in July with my husband and 3 teenage sons. It was absolutely the best part of our vacation. Rick makes you feel like one of the family from the very start. He was always available for a recommendation or friendly chat. He took our sons tarantula "spotting" of an evening and made sure our youngest got to feed bread to the visiting coatimundi at breakfast. The property is just gorgeous, the website doesn't begin to do it justice. It's up in the hills enough to be secluded, yet only a couple of minutes from the beach and town. The rooms are very nice and clean. The hammocks strung all around the porch were used frequently by our family. Very relaxing, don't look any further, this is the place to stay on the northern Pacific coast - the big resorts can't begin to compete with this property!

Superb place. Stayed there before surfing Witches Rock. The owner set up boats for us etc. Drinks were payed for via honor system. The place was set up totally cool. Owner made us feel like old friends.

Upon driving up the hill/mountain to the private estate, you are surrounded by beautiful flowering trees planted by the hotel's owner, Rick, and this should only whet your appetite for more beautiful views to come. I strongly recommend asking to stay in one of the rooms (6 and 7, I believe) that sit highest on the mountain. The estate overlooks Coco and the magnificent bay and the Pacific Ocean. At night, Rick brings out his telescope and shares a quick astronomy lesson with his guests (on our stay, we say the rings of Saturn and a beautiful, nearly full moon).

Additionally, I strongly recommend listening to Rick’s suggestions about activities that will most interest you. Unfortunately, our stay was limited to 2 nights but following Rick’s suggestion we went on a scenic river cruise, went to a cat rescue and to Miravelles Volcano. All 3 activities took the entire day (we were driving back at 8:00 which is not for the faint of heart), but we were so glad we did all 3—a perfect mix.

The estate combines both modern-conveniences (Internet access, satellite TV—neither were used by us) and a true Costa Rican feel through the art, sculptures, plants, and architecture. You’re bound to see all sorts of wildlife on the estate (numerous species of exotic birds, coatimundi, howler monkeys, etc.).

Rancho Armadillo is a warm and endearing place to stay. We will be back!

I feel very compelled to write a review for this private retreat, for many reasons. First I want to describe the serene surroundings, and gardens, and the way the estate lives with wildlife instead of against it. I learned many things about the third world on this trip, and I so appreciate the rainforest, primary, secondary and the dryer climate of the Pacific north west coast of Costa Rica, all beautiful in its own way. I couldnt get enough of the views from here and the quiet nights. I loved our room it was big and open and it felt hand crafted and real, no faux finishes here. The howler monkeys coming through the property regularly, the iguanas, the fertility garden, the private pool, the hammocks, the rustic beauty, is still is in my thoughts even though I'm at home now. I miss this place and I want to see it again, I want my friends to see it. The flower gardens and trees are beautiful, the fruit and pastries taste better here, so does the beer. I felt like I was at a friends home, not at a hotel. It changed my outlook on how I live in my enviornment I came home and filled my birdfeeders. If you are luck y enough to get to be a guest at Rancho Armadillo and meet the owner Rick, it will change you too. Maybe you'll get to see "Twitchie" the Coati. All very special experiences because of the attention to detail and a passion for this very special place on the planet.