Taught by Katie Serino - Alliance Certified Yoga Instructor

WHERE..In the world is Casa Zen???

 (map page)

Our guest house is located 100 meters from the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean of Costa Rica, Central America.  The beach opens to a long gently curving stretch of beach in Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula.

The one minute stroll down the road to the beach leads you to a soft sand beach perfect for swimming, fishing, bathing in sandy tidal pools, hanging a hammock OR...

 .....a 10 minute walk down the beach leads you to the BEST surf break in Costa Rica.....The famous beaches of Santa Teresa and Mal Pais attract the international surfer scene.

Beginners take heart!  The variety of waves found along these beaches also offer optimal conditions for the beginning surfer.  Ask about surf lessons!

Casa Zen is located on the Nicoya Peninsula on Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast.  The Peninsula is reached by crossing the Paquera Ferry from the historically enchanting industrial/commercial boating town of Puntarenas.  For those of you traveling from the Santa Maria International Airport in San Jose you will thoroughly enjoy the change of pace from traveling by car/bus across the beautiful mountains and down to meet the gulf for an unforgettable ferry ride.

The Southern Nicoya Peninsula is a remote area where you will find solitary yet beautiful beaches meeting mountains that tilt precipitously upward to the interior of the half island. The Southern Nicoya Peninsula can be reached by road from the northern province of Guanacaste, but the easiest way from the Costa Rica mainland is to cross the Gulf of Nicoya by ferry from Puntarenas.

Check out our map page and travel information page for more information.

Tourism on the Nicoya Peninsula is mostly small scale with quaint villages and hotels. Vacations in the little beach villages offer something for everybody's taste. Nearby Montezuma with its stunning natural beauty and gorgeous waterfalls has a trendy village atmosphere that makes for a perfect day-trip. Other great nature-lover opportunities include day-trips to the Curu Wildlife Reserve, canopy tours, horseback riding, snorkeling off of Tortuga Island, or hiking at Cabo Blanco (the oldest nature reserve in Costa Rica).

While Guanacaste is known for its dry climate, the southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula receives more rain annually, making it a transitional zone between the dry forest climate and the tropical rain forest. The wildlife here is common to both ecosystems and many animals are seasonal commuters.

     Click here to tour Casa Zen. 

HISTORY..What is Casa Zen?

We are a small and inviting "casa de huespedes" or guest house.  We have a variety of rooms and apartment options  to meet every budget and travel need...including a full-service Thai-Asian restaurant, multiple seating areas, special party arrangements and wedding solutions!

Casa Zen opened in the green season of 2004 (winter to you norte americanos..).  Business is great!  Casa Zen was the brain-child of your hostess (see pic above).  Kelly created, planned and invested much sweat and joy into creating a place where friends - old friends and yet to be met friends - could come to "chill and recreate" on their own time.  Many of you may have heard that Costa Ricans are called "ticos" as a term of pride and endearment.  The country in general is on "tico-time".  This translates into a lot of people following their own internal clock (and they all run slow! ha ha!)  It's all good!  Pura Vida!  Casa Zen accepts and supports tico-time 150%!

MISSION..Why are we here?

 Casa Zen experience embraces the entire atmosphere -- a focus on a way of life that, for many, has no equal in everyday life.  If you need something, have a question (where to go? what to do? how do I get there?) ASK our very helpful staff!  We also keep a variety of interesting materials and guide books at our restaurant.  It helps people strike up a conversation and find our where you came from and how you arrived at Casa Zen!

Our guest book pages are filling quickly ---  Do not forget to sign the guest book before you leave!  We want all our friends to become a part of Casa Zen...

Most of our guests have "found" Casa Zen by word of mouth.  In fact we have even had a few repeat customers (Hi! Dave from New York!).  You can also check us out in a couple of different publications and links to other web sites ::::

Frommers Budget Travel Online

http://www.backpackers-planet.com

Let's Go! Costa Rica

Lonley Planet

Moon's Travel Guide (2008)

National Geographic Travel (2008)