Facilities
We are very proud of our facilities as you can probably tell but we recognize that our place is best categoriezed as a "boutique". We designed everything to accomodate primarily couples and families. As a result, we know our place is not for everyone. Take a look through our little slice of paradise through the following descriptions. You can click on each of these table entries to skip to the appropriate section for that topic and some current photographs. The photos are good but only the real thing can give you the full sensory impact of sight, sound, smell and touch.
| Amenities | Swimming Pool | Our Yard | Nature Preserve | Staff |
| Floor Plan | Bedroom | Bathroom | Kitchen | Patio |
| Living Room | Site Plan |
For a quick pictorial tour of our facilities, you can click on the link below to see a collection of 15 photos of various aspects of Villas Canadiense. Facilities Photos
AmenitiesEach of our units features a full list of amenities including the following:
Site Plan
Our complex is situated on level ground approximately 200 yards from the beach. The perimeter of the 2/3 of an acre site is fully fenced. The nature preserve is located at the back of the property. The nature preserve was once originally designed as a golf course segment of the subdivision. This golf course was never built. A group of residents purchased the golf course acreage and has since deeded this land to the national parks system. This wildlife preserve is intended to remain in its natural state in perpetuity. Of course, this part of the subdivision is home to all manner of wildlife and we like it that way. On the other sides of the property, we do have neighbours, but the site is intensely private given the location and the amount of flora on the property. Take a stroll through the property on a couple of white stone pathways that wind through the many trees and flowering shrubs that are maintained by our gardener. Our gated entrance is located on the street side of the property. Parking is available just outside the gate. Once inside the gate, you will first encounter the office and laundry facilities building. Straight ahead, you will see the ranchito and the pool. Sometimes the foliage is so thick that you make struggle to see the pool. On either side of the office / laundry building, you will find two side by side duplexes. Each duplex houses two of our units. Each unit is a mirror image of the other unit in the same duplex, each with their own private patio facing the pool. Click on the drawing for an enlarged view.
Unit Floor Plan
Our complex contains an office / laundry building in the centre with a duplex building on either side. Each unit in the two identical duplexes is a mirror image of the other unit. The four units are numbered 1 through 4 with Unit #1 being closest to the ocean. The layout of each of the four units in our facility can be seen in the floor plan diagram. You enter from the pool side onto the covered patio. From the patio, you enter the unit through a double set of doors. The outside door is a grilled screen door and the interior door is solid hardwood. Both doors are lockable. You enter the living room which contains the coffee table, futon couch and futon chair. Another table is located on the interior wall. Large, grilled and louvered windows cover the exterior walls to the yard and the patio. Next, is the kitchen eating bar and kitchen appliance area. This also has a large louvered window onto the yard. Next is the bathroom and finally, the door to the air conditioned bedroom. Another set of grilled and louvered windows in the bedroom open out onto the yard and the parking area. Click on the drawing below for an enlarged view.
Bedroom
Each unit has a large bedroom with a high vaulted ceiling, panelled in beautiful Pachote hardwood, a tiled closet space, a queen-sized bed and two night tables with lamps. The bedroom is air conditioned and also has an overhead fan. Two sides of the room have large screened windows with louvered wooden panels that can be closed down to shut out the light. Extra blankets are available but you may find that all you need for a comfortable sleep is the bedsheet and turn on the overhead fan. To get a full size view of the interior, click on each of these pictures and then click "back" to return to this page. The photos always look better in full screen view.
Bathroom
The bathroom has a large sink area, large mirror, vanity, toilet, large shower and lots of lights. And yes, we have hot water! For the men, we have a shaver outlet located on the wall opposite the sink, complete with an additionl light fixture for a great shave. The bathroom has a louvered frosted glasswindow to the outside. Handsoap is provided but you will need your own shampoo and conditioner. Extra towels are available as needed.
Kitchen
The kitchen is equipped with a refrigerator which has a freezer section for the mandatory ice cubes as well as frozen foods. The electric stove has 4 elements for cooking as well as an oven. Given the normal temperatures outside, few folks choose to do much intensive cooking but you can if you wish. The large double stainless steel sink is surrounded by a tiled countertop. This surface is connected to a tiled eating bar with four wooden stools. Cupboard space holds all of the necessary plates, cups, glasses, coffee pot, cutlery and cooking utensils. You will be provided with paper towels and coffee filters as well as dish soap. There is a large louvered window looking out from the kitchen area. An overhead fan provides air movement. Again, to get a full size view of the interior, click on each of these pictures and then click "back" to return to this page. The photos always look better in full screen view.
Living Room
The Living Room has a large futon couch, a futon chair and a coffee table. Large sections of louvered glass windows look out to the side and out to the front to the patio. Another hardwood table is centered on the interior wall where most folks keep the AM/FM radio. Another overhead fan from the high vaulted ceiling provides air movement. Again, to get a full size view of the interior, click on each of these pictures and then click "back" to return to this page. The photos always look better in full screen view.
Patio
The patio is equipped with an overhead fan and exterior lights. Each unit has a patio with a wooden table and four wooden chairs for casual eating or reading. All of our furniture is constructed from the beautiful local Pachote hardwood. Like the rest of the unit, the patio floor is tiled Again, to get a full size view of the interior, click on each of these pictures and then click "back" to return to this page. The photos always look better in full screen view.
We do have lots of pictures to share with you. You can click on each of these picture to get a full-sized view; then click "back" in your Internet web browser to return to this page.
The interior of the units feature off-white tiles on the floors and kitchen / bathroom surfaces. Beautiful Pachote hardwood tongue & groove panelling grace the high vaulted ceilings.The doors are also made of the same Pachote wood with the front entrance door fashioned black wrought iron with a screen backing. The furniture inside is made of the same beautiful Pachote wood as the ceilings. The patio, living room, kitchen and bedroom are also equipped with overhead fans. Again, to get a full size view of the interior, click on each of these pictures and then click "back" to return to this page. The photos always look better in full screen view.
Our swimming pool was designed and built for us by the highly respected pool construction firm - Roca Pools of Costa Rica and Spain. It is a large kidney-shaped pool with cool blue tile. We have a stainless steel handrail for safe entry into the shallow end and a long seat along one side for folks who just want to sit partially in the water and dangle their feet. The edge of each step into the pool is demarked with a darker coloured blue tile so you can safely see each step as you enter the water. The bottom of the pool has our special logo as part of the tile pattern - a typically Canadian representation. Here are a couple of photos showing the pool. All of the poolside furniture has been designed for comfortable lazing. Also, the pool-side "rancho" or "ranchito" provides some needed shade during the hot part of the day. Our amazing gardener, Chico is always hard at work adding more trees, plants and flowers that grow ever so quickly. Again, to get a full size view of the interior, click on each of these pictures and then click "back" to return to this page. The photos always look better in full screen view.
Photos of the Swimming Pool in Action
Following are set of recent pictures of the yard and the greenery around the pool and the units. You will find an amazing collection of trees, shrubs, flowers, fruit and spices arranged throughout the yard. Chico is appropriately proud of his work and so are we. Click on each image to see a larger view and then "Back" in your browser to return to this page.
Our property is bordered on two sides by jungle. An unpaved road borders the entrance to the property where you will park and enter through the front gate. The building you first encounter is the office which is connected to the laundry facilities. Two duplex buildings sit on either side of the office building. Beyond the office sits the slightly elevated pool area with the adjoining rancho. Behind the pool area is the nature preserve. The nature preserve was originally designed to be a golf course that ran through the subdivision. Years ago, this property was purchased by a group called the Friends of Nosara who ultimately deeded the nature preserve to the Costa Rica National Parks system in perpetuity. Hence, we will always have jungle as our closest neighbour.
The jungle setting is usually pretty quiet except for the troops of Howler monkeys that travel back and forth occasionally through the tree tops. They have been known to greet the sun rising in the east with their normal rousing collective cheer. The Howler is the second loudest animal on the planet. Do you know the loudest animal?
Traffic noise is minimal since the road is no longer a thoroughfare. However, we all experience the odd motorcycle that goes by early in the morning taking someone to work. There are no streetlights and the sun goes down at approximately 6:00 pm every day (we are only 10 degrees above the equator so the sun goes down at 6:00 pm and comes up at 6:00 am just like clockwork plus or minus a couple of minutes all year long). Hence, a small flashlight is a good item to carry for walks after dark unless there is a full moon.
The last set of pictures are of our staff. You can click on any of these photos for an enlarged view.
Chico
The first picture on the left is one of our gardener, Chico. Chico (or more formally, Fransisco) has the strength of two men and an incredible green thumb. Not only does he keep the place looking great, he has also planted a "Secret Garden". You will find (perhaps with some help), fruits, spices and flowers scattered around the property. Feel free to ask Chico anytime for a bouquet of fresh flowers for your unit or for some special spices to touch up your meal. Although, he only speaks Spanish, he understands a lot of English and you will find he will be delighted with your interest in his many plants and flowers.
Lelys
Next, we have Lelys (a rose for sure and pronounced "lel-iss"). She manages to keep all of the units neat and clean. She has a ready smile that would melt an iceberg always a positive outlook. Lelys is the mother of a wonderful set of children. She tends to be the favourite of our guests.
Ligia
One of Lelys's older daughters, Ligia (pronounced "lee-ee-ah"), also works as part of the housekeeping staff. She is shown here at work. As time goes by, she is picking up more and more of this work, allowing Lelys to enjoy her grandchildren.
Jorje
Our manager, Jorge Arrieta (pronounced "hoar-hay") is always ready to help guide folks to a great vacation. Jorge is shown here outside the office which is right next to the front gate. Jorge was born in Nosara and his family goes back many generations in the area. He serves on many of the vounteer boards in the community. You will find him extremely knowledgeable about our community and very service oriented.
Ellie
Finally, we have a photo of Ellie, our Reservations Agent who will likely be your first contact at Villas Canadiense. Ellie is not located on site but does all of her work over the Internet. She is very knowledgeable about the Nosara area and Costa Rica in general. You will find her helpful and flexible. If Ellie does not know the answer to your questions, she will dig until she gets the best information possible for you. Contact Ellie for information on availabilities, rates, transportation, area acitivities and any other questions you may have.