20 years ago, the enchanting natural beauty of Costa Rica, coupled with its warm-hearted people and vibrant community, inspired the owners to invest in this special place. Villa Avellana was designed to be the perfect setting for cherished family reunions, significant anniversaries, rejuvenating wellness retreats, or the unforgettable adventure-filled escape you’ve always imagined with friends.
Published 14 August, 2024
“Reality is often much more fantastic than we can imagine.” — Dino Buzzati, The Colomber and Other Stories
While reality may often seem less exciting than imagination, Villa Avellana proves otherwise. Even on the calmest days, the dedicated staff ensures delightful surprises tailored to your tastes. Peninsula Papagayo is a must-visit, offering perfect waves and exceptional diving opportunities. This area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Área de Conservación Guanacaste—a vast, pristine wilderness roughly the size of New York City and its suburbs. It features four of the five major tropical ecosystems and houses two-thirds of Costa Rica’s biodiversity. Additionally, Marina Papagayo provides a cutting-edge facility for luxury yachts and sailing enthusiasts, with 180 slips accommodating vessels up to 220 feet.
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Everything in One Place
Surrounded by lush tropical dry forest on the largest beachfront lot within Peninsula Papagayo, Villa Avellana offers an exceptional blend of privacy, security, and seclusion. With over 33,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor living space spread across three acres, the property features a 25-metre infinity pool, walking trails and open areas that provide effortless access to every corner.
Villa Avellana is designed to merge elements seldom found together, creating a new standard for ultra-luxury holidays. It combines the intimate privacy of a family home, the scale and sophistication of a five-star hotel, and the personalised service of a private club. There are no limitations here—just a space tailored for all ages and interests.
Nestled at the end of the exclusive Prieta Estates neighbourhood, this villa is uniquely positioned to accommodate up to 23 of your closest family and friends, offering a diverse range of shared experiences. Designed by Sarco Architects, Villa Avellana was awarded “Best Architecture Single Residence in Costa Rica” at the 2022 International Property Awards.
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The villa staff have one request: to let them handle every detail. The team of 20 passionate hospitality professionals is dedicated to anticipating your every need and exceeding your expectations. “Anticipate” is their guiding principle.
From organising thrilling adventures and managing pre-trip planning to curating on-demand fine dining experiences and cultural immersions, they ensure every aspect of your stay is covered.
Inside, you’ll find 10 spacious bedrooms, including two large rooms with projectors and blackout blinds for film nights. The villa’s design emphasises eco-friendliness and sustainability. Outdoors, enjoy a private natural park featuring a bocce court, badminton area, and pizza oven. With a full-time concierge, a lifeguard for children when needed, and comprehensive night security, they’ve thought of everything to make your stay exceptional.
Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
The villa is just steps from Prieta Beach and situated within 400,000 acres of pristine wildlife reserve. Only 30 minutes from Guanacaste Airport, it offers both seclusion and convenience.
Peninsula Papagayo is globally significant for its tropical biological diversity, offering opportunities to spot rare plant and animal species. Villa Avellana is committed to the community, providing grants for local education and sourcing ingredients and materials locally. This part of Costa Rica is renowned for its picturesque farms, cattle ranches, volcanoes, and one of the world’s five Blue Zones. Within a short drive from the villa, you can drift along turquoise rivers, unwind in volcanic hot springs, explore vibrant tropical rainforests, or catch epic waves.
Nearby, you’ll find calm waters perfect for swimming, paddle boarding, snorkelling, bodyboarding, and fishing, along with a new aerial adventure park in a 200-acre nature preserve. The area also features an exclusive members-only Beach Club, which you can enjoy as a Villa Avellana guest.
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Mood for Adventure
Villa Avellana does things its own way. Experience private wellness treatments and yoga sessions in the tranquil treehouse retreat, and find fun and meaningful activities for everyone. Attention to creative use of local resources defines the Villa Avellana experience. With breathtaking ocean views and direct access to the protected waters of Prieta Bay and the open ocean, you can explore the area by zipline, water bike, mountain bike, or outrigger canoe. For boating enthusiasts, La Freya, a 42’ Boston Whaler 420 Outrage, offers trips to hidden beaches, dolphin-watching, and surfing at Witch’s Rock. Costa Rica’s renowned surf spots, including Witch’s Rock and Ollie’s Point, cater to all skill levels, ensuring safe yet exhilarating experiences.
Villa Avellana is also dedicated to family fun. Ocean safety advisors and expert guides are on hand to ensure children of all ages enjoy activities such as inner tubing in Prieta Bay, learning to surf, swimming, fishing, or scuba diving.
Back on land, enjoy the private Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course or the newly resurfaced Har-Tru clay tennis and pickleball courts. Culinary delights include unique offerings like traditional Latin American Asado. Meals are crafted by expert chefs to accommodate every diet and preference, with special experiences like rum and chocolate tastings or private chocolate-making classes. Villa Avellana’s staff is committed to anticipating your needs and surprising you with thoughtful touches.
Interview: Thomas Freitag, General Manager of Villa Avellana
What is one unique aspect of Villa Avellana?
The unique aspect of Villa Avellana is the all-encompassing service provided by our staff. We anticipate every guest’s needs before they even realise them, ensuring a seamless and extraordinary experience.
How do you assemble and manage a team of staff to maintain such a high standard of luxury and service?
When assembling our team, we focus on values and vision rather than just experience. In terms of management, we continuously invest in our company culture, which is essential for giving each team member a sense of purpose and a shared goal of creating memorable experiences for our guests and each other.
What’s an unexpected benefit of the villa’s location?
An unexpected benefit of our location is being on the Monkey Trail. Howler and white-faced monkeys frequently pass through the treetop corridor, sometimes stopping by to take a dip in our pool or sneak a banana from the fruit basket at the bar.
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Are there any upcoming projects planned to enhance the property or the guest experience?
While I can’t reveal too much just yet, we’re planning to transform an underground storage room into a secret adults-only lounge for added privacy and relaxation.
What is Villa Avellana’s trademark?
Our trademark is our mission: to deliver the ultimate beach vacation experience in Costa Rica.
What have you learned from working at Villa Avellana?
I’ve learned that behind the most meticulous and demanding requests lie simple human needs that we are entrusted to meet.
Can you share the most memorable feedback from a guest?
One of the most memorable types of feedback we receive is when guests rebook their stay before even checking out. Our guests often form strong connections with our staff, and their appreciation of our team is a common highlight in their feedback.
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Is there an interesting anecdote from the property’s history that you’d like to share?
One of my most memorable moments at Villa Avellana was with the matriarch of a guest group. At 85 years old, she ziplined, went horse riding, organised workshops for a local special needs school, and at our farewell party, she danced with more energy than anyone else—her children and grandchildren included. Our guests are truly extraordinary, and this one was particularly inspiring.
Are there any nearby events for which Villa Avellana is a great accommodation option?
Villa Avellana is ideally located for exploring Costa Rica’s incredible nature and wildlife. We are on a breathtaking peninsula where you can see whales and other marine life. If you venture inland, you’ll find one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, with stunning blue waterfalls, charming sloths, elusive jaguars, and tapirs hidden in the lush forest.
What dish do you crave the most at Villa Avellana?
Any cuts or preparations from our chefs that use wagyu beef from “La Josefina”. It’s a local family-run farm that we partner with and frequently visit. Our guests are always blown away with the quality and taste.
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What activity do you enjoy most as part of your daily routine at the property?
I love arriving at the villa, appreciating its design and how our gardens enhance the property, and then personally greeting and shaking hands with each employee before checking in with our guests.
From your perspective, what would a perfect day or weekend look like for a guest at Villa Avellana?
A perfect day at Villa Avellana begins with waking up in luxurious, high-thread-count bedding, embraced by cool air conditioning and the soothing sound of waves. Guests open the automatic blackout blinds to reveal monkeys playfully swinging in the treetops just beyond their balcony.
Breakfast is a treat with freshly baked sourdough, vibrant juices, and daily specials like chilaquiles or custom-made eggs, setting a delightful tone for the day. Post-breakfast, guests connect with their private concierge to arrange exciting activities—be it surfing, ziplining, or simply lounging by the pool with refreshing cocktails and chilled coconuts. For those seeking relaxation, a rejuvenating massage at the private spa awaits.
In the afternoon, a 42’ motor yacht, equipped with premium fishing gear and amenities, awaits at the beach. A dedicated guide and lifeguard assist with boarding, and the attentive crew ensures that guests are pampered with their favorite drinks and snacks while cruising. As sunset approaches, the beach transforms into a magical setting with tiki torches and citronella for an intimate dinner featuring Argentine asado. A Latin guitarist serenades guests while they savor fine wines paired with succulent Wagyu beef. After the kids are tucked in, parents might sneak away to the bar for nightcaps and enjoy one of our finest Nicaraguan cigars, sourced directly from the farm, rounding off their perfect day in paradise.
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