Name: Raya Vida Villa
Address: Av 11, San José, Costa Rica, San Jose, San Jose, San Jose, 00011, Costa Rica
Rating: 8

Location

Tobias Bolanos Airport

Juan Santamaria International Airport

Guapiles Airport

Quepos Airport

Raya Vida Villa

The owner of the house has amazing hospitality. Michael was very welcoming to me and my friends. He gave us good recommendations for dinner, coffee and tours. We loved the place and his dogs are super cute and friendly. We would stay here again!

This was my second stay at Raya Vida Villa. I came back because I remembered the hospitality I experienced the first time. It was also an ideal choice due to the fact that it's in Aranjuez, about a ten minute walk to the heart of downtown San Jose. 

I had a few appointments in the city and this was near to all of them. There are many businesses, shops and hospitals nearby. If anyone is coming for a procedure at Calderon Guardia Hospital, it's up the block. 

I stayed in the room with its own little patio and fountain. There was enough room for both of us to sleep, relax and work. We had cable TV and internet. Just outside our room were some impressive pieces of artwork with even more impressive stories behind them. 

If you get to stay here, be sure to ask Michael about the art. There are so many pieces, it's like a museum, and he is really friendly and open to talk to you about the pieces or about getting around Costa Rica.

The dogs are also super friendly. I'm pretty sure one of them remembered me! They make the place feel more like a home than a stuffy hotel. It's comfortable, convenient and cozy. There is a library of movies and books and plenty of areas to relax with one of the books. It's the place to stay if you want to be comfortable, in a private place and near all the action of the city.

-Raya Vida Villa is a great choice because it’s in the heart of the city, yet it is hidden at the end of a dead end street separated by a garden and a gate from any neighbors.You can sleep in a tranquil and secure estate full of elegant decorations yet walk to many attractions within 12 minutes! Museums, parks, shops, restaurants, a zoo, and even a hospital are only blocks away. A taxi stop is also only 2 blocks away. It's a quiet place away from the noise of computers and crowds.
-The hotel was converted from a private residence and now could easily be a museum because of the extravagant collection of fine art! Art aficionados have no better option than this! Each bedroom has many special pieces. The living and dining room are full of interesting antiques and art from around the world. There is a collection of pieces from Costa Rican artists, a pair of works from India, and an original from a collection which has some pieces in the White House and the Smithsonian.
-One room is complete with a Jacuzzi tub! 2 of the rooms can accommodate a couple and, as all the rooms do, they offer private bathrooms with hot water. One of these is the most private room in the home as it is off the interior garden with the fountain. This is the one I stayed in. It was decorated with framed artwork, a beautiful hanging quilt, many nice lamps, a seating area, and heart shaped sconces with candles. The garden it opens up to is a great place to enjoy a good book or a snack. The last room is best for families as it has two beds as well as an extra table with chairs.  
-There is a lending library of books and DVDs, and a DVD player and cable in each room. You can easily find a relaxing place to read a book such as in a rocking chair on the front porch or on the balcony on the second floor.
-The owners are more than happy to share their experience with you by offering travel advice and helping you arrange tours and transportation. 
-Airport pick-ups and drop-offs are only $20, the best price I’ve seen! 
-The true owners of the hotel are the great pets who live there! There are a few dogs, a cat, and a parrot. They, just like their humans, are very welcoming and easy-going!

I have been staying at Raya Vida Villa since my first trip to Costa Rica in 2002, way before tripadvisor had posts to review. I had heard about Raya Vida bed and breakfast through a friend, and gave it a try. There are many fabulous reasons to stay here, but germane to your trip would be: Tina and Michael Long have been living in Costa Rica for over 20 years. Together, they have a wealth of information that they are happy to share with you to ensure a wonderful experience during your visit.

What becomes valuable is Michael and Tina’s help with tasks and logistics that are typically easy to accomplish in the USA (where I’m from), but in Costa Rica, can be quite different and often difficult. For example, Michael can arrange transportation to and from the San Jose airport - so that you don’t need to figure out which taxi to take, or how to get to a location in a country that does not have street addresses. You will most likely arrive to the San Jose airport late at night. It will be dark, and there will be many taxi drivers all wanting your business. With  Michael’s help, there is no need to worry about overpaying for a trip, or trying to explain where you want to go. Having a driver waiting for you at the end of a long trip is the first wonderful experience of your adventure in Costa Rica. Michael can assist with renting a car through a local company, which is always less expensive than using Hertz, Avis - or any of the big brand companies.

When my Costa Rica travels takes me to the San Jose airport, I always stay at Raya Vida Villa. This is a great central location to start and end your trip from, granting equal access to the Caribbean and west coasts.  This is not a chain hotel, it is a home for Michael, Tina and their extended family of pets. Some of you might even have read about Foss, the most famous wiener dog, who was even mentioned in a travel guide book!  Michael makes a mean Tico breakfast for you in the mornings, and sitting outside your downstairs bedroom in the patio with the fountain is heaven!

Remember folks, Costa Rica is a developing country. Go there and experience the culture and practices of the local Ticos. Michael and Tina have incredible insight to the pulse of Costa Rica - their words can be invaluable. Listen well! If you visit this beautiful, serene country and want it to be like an American vacation - go stay at the Marriott/Los Suenos for $400 per night! If you have trouble with the concept of placing all paper products in a waste pan instead of flushing it down the toilet like we do here in the United States, perhaps you should go visit a more developed country (Hawaii perhaps?)

Good advice and words of wisdom from Michael and Tina are not limited to just your vacation, but to all things important to future Expats who decide to join the community of folk that think Costa Rica is truly a wonderful place to live. Thanks to our frequent stays at Raya Vida Villa and the many tips and suggestions from Michael and Tina, we are now building our dream home there, and someday, hope to spend more time with Tina and Michael as our friends and neighbors.

San Jose

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A place you will remember and return to

Raya Vida Villa- peaceful stay near the action

Excellent place to stay for 1st time visitors to Costa Rica

Great place to stay!

Stayed with Michael at his property only for one night because I had flown into San jose and arrvied late night and it was a safe place to stay that a friend of mine had stayed at during another trip.  The owner was welcoming and gracious upon arrival.  I didn't mind his animals in the home, but I am an animal lover :) As it was my first night in Costa Rica i enjoyed Michael's stories about the enviornment, his experiences, and Costa Rica.  The place was nice and had some beautiful art. The room I stayed in was downstairs, queen bed, and cozy. Nothing fancy, simple, but adequate.  I would stay again if traveling through the San Jose area.

Raya Vida Villa

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