Testimonials

Read what our guests and now friends of Casi el Cielo have to say.


(These comments in their entirety can be seen on Trip Advisor. Thank you to all of our guests who have taken the time to say such very nice things about us. Everyone at Casi el Cielo appreciates your staying with us and your kind remarks.)

First of all, Barbara and her staff are incredible! The food was better than any restaurant here in D.C. Not only was the presentation beautiful but authentic, tasty and healthy… Barbara knows the area and the people of Dominical so well that she can make any plans you want! The Costa Rican women who work for Barbara… are so sweet and they are constantly wanting to serve you with such warmth and kindness. The views are so beyond anything that we could have imagined! … We listened to the Howler monkeys and watched the toucans and hummingbirds come within yards of us… We really miss Casi el Cielo and Barbara and her incredible staff.
Simply amazing! … Casi el Cielo … improves upon the amazing grandeur that is southern Costa Rica… First, the location is simply perfect… The views are breath-taking but what is more, there are at least 5 of my favorite beaches in Costa Rica within an easy (10-20 minute) drive from the property. Secondly, there are about a million other things to do if you don’t want to go to the beach. For instance, hike to Posa Azul, a waterfall about 45 minutes’ walk away. Or walk all over the mountain to see monkeys, toucans, and some amazing views of the Pacific. If you would like to fish, zip-line, horseback ride, or any of the other outdoor things for which Costa Rica is renowned, just ask Barbara. She knows everybody, and can help put you in touch with anyone you like. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, everyone at Casi el Cielo treats you like family. I cannot imagine feeling more comfortable, or more at home anywhere, except maybe, my home. And probably not even there. The food is amazing… The rest of staff—all of them-are simply wonderful. Words cannot describe how well they treat you. My bottom line is that you should go to Casi el Cielo!

 

This has a gorgeous venue. The Toucans stole our hearts. There are so many surrounding this gorgeous retreat. The service, amenities and food are beyond what we expected. This is a fabulous value. This is five star quality. This is a luxurious retreat away from the world. The dinners, breakfast or lunches are fabulous. 4WD is a must to reach the villa. You have a commanding view of the Pacific with stunning views of the sunsets.

My husband and some friends stayed at a villa, Almost Heaven, near Dominical. It is owned by a delightful woman who is originally from South Carolina. The pool is absolutely beautiful. The house is open, airy and perfect for relaxing. It is a short drive to wonderful places to eat as well as the beach. Some of our group went zip lining through the rain forest, off shore fishing and riding ATV’s. It was a wonderful trip.  

 

My husband and I live in Costa Rica. We are always traveling the country…and we came upon… (Casi el Cielo) and decided to give it a shot and were overwhelmed with the beauty of the place. Barbara, the owner, has a southern charm that is delightful and contagious. She immediately made us feel like this was our home. The house sits on a hill with the most breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The infinity pool lends the feeling that you are floating on a cloud. The rooms were impeccably clean with a patio where a thermos of coffee was placed each morning for us. I have never seen this type of hospitality anywhere, and that includes the United States. This is an owner who makes every effort to ensure your stay here is perfect. If you want to guarantee that your trip to Costa Rica will be memorable, this is the place to stay. I am planning to go back with my extended family.

Casi el Cielo far surpassed my expectations. The house was amazingly beautiful and the views stunning. The grounds were impeccable and teeming with colorful birds. We particularly enjoyed watching and listening to the toucans. Barbara (the owner) was a gracious, friendly, extremely accommodating hostess. She brought coffee to our private porches every morning, arranged tours, cabs and even gave us rides when we needed. She was always smiling, happy and willing to help. Her staff was also amazing. The chef made delicious meals and the maid kept the house sparkling. I can’t say enough about Barbara and this beautiful property. It was an A+. Thank you, Barbara!!  

  It is not an exaggeration to say that Casi el Cielo (“Almost Heaven”) is truly a vacationer’s paradise. We’ve stayed in many wonderful places around the world, but none so welcoming, lovely and comfortable as Casi el Cielo. Located in the breathtakingly beautiful Southern Pacific Zone of Costa Rica, Casi el Cielo is owned and operated by Barbara Kocak, a woman of amazing ability, charm and warmth… Barbara’s staff is amazing as well, and very patient with those of us trying to learn Spanish! In addition to everything else, Barbara provides all sorts of welcome assistance to her guests-arranging for tours, planning for special events, and just plain answering any and all questions. All in all, a perfect blend of comfort and serenity, without a hint of pretentiousness. We cannot imagine staying anywhere closer to heaven than Casi el Cielo.

We had a wonderful time at Casi el Cielo…Each room has a separate, private balcony on which you can enjoy coffee, delivered by the staff each morning. After waking at your leisure, sitting on the balcony enjoying the view of the ocean or pool or watching the Toucans flying around, you head upstairs for a large breakfast of local cuisine. The owner, Barbara Kocak, and her staff are very accommodating when it comes to meeting your dietary needs/desires. At night, Barbara and her staff serve a full dinner…cooked to perfection…and even pay close attention to detail down to the napkin rings and color coordinated flower arrangements, making the table visually pleasing. Barbara is also very attentive to your needs and can assist with arranging everything from transport to/from the villa to a day trip through the mangroves and snorkeling. The pool has a beautiful waterfall and bar where you can sit and enjoy a cocktail. I’ve been a travel agent for a long time and have stayed at many hotels and villas and would highly recommended Casi el Cielo.

 

  “Casi el Cielo is an awesome villa” a few miles away from Dominical in Costa Rica. It is located a few minutes up a mountain that is best to negotiate with a 4WD-once there you will be thrilled that you made the effort. The views of the coastline are gorgeous as are the gardens and pool. Amazingly, the mosquitos don’t make the trip up the hill so you can leave the doors wide open!…Overall, the service…was phenomenal. It is not inexpensive, by Costa Rican standards, but we felt the value was great. We will definitely return. Barbara, the owner, is a lot of fun and is very hospitable.


Email: casielcielo@hotmail.com

Telephone (Costa Rica): 011-506-8813-5614

San Martin de Escaleras Dominical, Costa Rica
Website: www.casielcielo.com

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