We had a great time at Happy House! It was clean and decorated in a fun, eclectic, beach/rainforest style. The beds were comfortable.
The owners were quick to respond to questions. The caretakers, Marco and Fabi, live on site and are friendly and helpful. They have a few rescue dogs and cats on the property. They are all friendly and well- behaved. Occasionally a couple of the dogs would follow us to the beach and hang out with us for an afternoon. They enjoy digging up crabs and are fun to watch.
There was no air conditioning, but there are ceiling fans in every room and our stay was quite comfortable. It cools down at night.
I’d recommend taking a light raincoat as it did occasionally rain for a short time. And even though it’s in the jungle, there were very few mosquitoes.
The fruit in Costa Rica is so much sweeter and juicier than what I get in the US. I guess because it hasn’t been shipped while it’s still green. Try it and see!
Happy House is surrounded by jungle and a couple times we were woken up by Howler monkeys nearby. That was an experience!
The beach is just a short walk away along a gravel path. We’d occasionally see other people walking down the beach, but for the most part, we had the beach to ourselves.
Walk down the beach towards Manzanillo and you’ll discover a shipwreck.
There is a supermarket not far away, in Ocles, where you can get groceries, beach supplies, beer and wine.
Gandoca-Manzanillo National Refuge is only a few kilometers away and we really enjoyed the hiking trails. Take your swimsuits, if you like, there are several beaches along the trails where you can jump in. Take your camera!
Definitely visit the Jaguar Rescue Center and Sanctuary in Punta Ocles. It’s not far. They offer tours in English, Spanish, German and French. Fascinating stories about the animals there.
Visit Puerta Viejo and wander in and out of the shops, have a meal and/or a cocktail overlooking the beach. Most everywhere will accept US dollars, but change will be given in colones. There is also a laundromat where you can drop off clothes to be washed and pick up the next day. And an ATM.
My favorite restaurant was El Refugio Grill. It’s just down the road. They were so nice. Offerings include several vegetarian options and everything was so fresh! Also, it’s a perfect place for a romantic dinner.
This trip to Happy House was a wonderful adventure and an experience we’ll never forget.
