Indoor-outdoor living at its best

Villa Firenze in Los Suenos Resort and Marina is available for purchase and for vacation rental (by the week, month, season or year; three-night minimum).  Watch this 44-second video and then call us at 1.888.744.6599 for more information.  Click here to view the video: Villa Firenze

1) Costa Rica: Your Own Private Rainforest for Half the Price
Summer is shoulder-season for Costa Rica, meaning brief afternoon showers most days. But the bulk of the deals stem from a resort boom that has outstripped tourism demand, says Michael Brown of Mead Brown Costa Rica Vacation Rentals, which manages luxury rental properties. Deals on airfare are good, too — roughly $350 instead of last year’s $600, he says — thanks to new routes from budget airlines such as Spirit and JetBlue.

Sample deal: Through November, Mead Brown is offering one-bedroom rentals at the Los Sueños Resort and Marina for $175 a night, down from $350 last year. There’s also a deal to pay for six nights and get the seventh free. A family booking a weeklong vacation at the resort, which has its own private rainforest preserve and views of the Pacific Ocean, would pay $1,050 — a savings of 57%.

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The 2009 International Surfing Association World Surfing Games, sponsored by Billabong, will take place July 31 through August 9, 2009 in Playa Hermosa, 10 minutes from Jacó in Costa Rica.   Athletes from 40 countries are expected to compete; tens of thousands of spectators are anticipated as well.  In addition to surfing, attendees can experience the natural beauty for which Costa Rica is known, including rain forests, dolphins, sea turtles, scarlet macaws, toucans and stunning beaches.  The lively beach town of Jaco is home to many unique shops, restaurants and nightlife.  Live bands will be featured at many venues and sponsors will host parties throughout the competition. 

Mead Brown has many vacation rental properties that are ideally suited for sponsors, competitors and observers; these include Villa Antigua, the luxury oceanfront condominium residences of Vista Las Palmas, and Casa Ponte.  All three properties are in Jacó.

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The inspiration for Casa Ponte was the lack of large luxury homes that could accommodate groups or multiple families wanting to stay close together in Jaco Beach. Jaco is more or less the main hub of the Central Pacific…it’s also the closest beach town from the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose. Downtown Jaco has an abundance of shops, lively nightclubs, restaurants, grocery stores, the Friday farmers’ market and more. Casa Ponte is conveniently located about one mile from the downtown area of Jaco and has a stunning, panoramic view of the town of Jaco, Jaco Beach, the Pacific Ocean and the rainforest beyond; these are all enjoyably viewed from the rooftop hot tub!

Casa I

5 levels, featuring:
Deluxe master suite with living area, office and large spa-like bathroom w/ Jacuzzi bathtub
4 standard master suites, each with private bathroom
Large game room with pool table, air hockey table and pull-out sofa
Huge entertainment and living areas with large flat screen televisions and two ½ baths
Large gourmet kitchen
Dinning area
Elegant furnishings and fixtures
Large sparkling pool with Jacuzzi and swim-up bar, 32” flat screen television and barbeque
Roof-top deck with 10-person Jacuzzi and sundeck
Beautifully landscaped
5th floor observation deck
Unobstructed ocean, mountain and valley views
2 car garage
Laundry room
Flat screen TVs in all bedrooms and music system throughout the house
Sleeps 12 comfortably

For more information about Casa Ponte or to book it now, call us at 1.866.566.6779.
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Expats turn your Costa Rican siesta from lame to lavish.

Casa Mono Loco in Los Suenos Resort & Marina, Costa Rica

If you’re planning an escape to Costa Rica this year, be sure to check in with Mark Mead and Michael Brown of the eponymous Mead Brown, a full-service, vacation rental marketing and property management company specializing in the country’s Central Pacific Coast. The company is widely regarded as one of—if not the—best for travel to Costa Rica, a hard-earned distinction for its two founders. After all, Mead and Brown gave up fast-paced careers in the United States to set up shop in Costa Rica, where they drew on their own experience as tourists to create one-of-a-kind vacations for a market that had, in their eyes, gone uncatered to, or at least insufficiently so.

“After rewarding careers in the US, we knew we wanted adventure and to live abroad,” says Brown. “Several visits as tourists to Costa Rica illustrated the need—and business opportunity—for a professionally managed vacation rental company that could deliver to the expectations of North Americans. After a year of research and planning and the investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars into the best systems, we opened for business.”

The result was Mead Brown, which now boasts a diverse collection of privately owned beachfront villas, houses, condos, and fincas in the Jaco, Playa Hermosa, Herradura, and Los Sueños areas. Mead Brown has also become the preferred vacation rental provider for the Los Sueños Resort & Marina, where clients enjoy lavish condominium accommodations and leisure, sporting, and spa privileges.

Mead Brown also offers complete concierge services, meaning clients can craft the ultimate vacation package. Spa services, championship golf, world-class sport fishing, horseback riding, sea kayaking, and flora-and fauna tours are among the wishes and whims the outfit’s dedicated guest services staff can fulfill. There’s also the placement of private chefs, as well as air- and watercraft charters, housekeeping, and transportation.

“Service is what sets us apart from most of the vacation rental companies in Central America,” Brown says. Even when the most hedonistic at heart come calling, Brown, like a seasoned hotelier, has the answer: “We will do virtually anything to meet our guests’ needs, expectations, and wishes,” he says. “This is a promise not easily fulfilled in a developing country, but we give it our very best and we typically deliver.”

So how are these American expats adjusting to life in this business? “It’s been really gratifying and rewarding for us,” Brown says. “When [guests] leave, they tell us that they’ve never been so well taken care of. It seems a bit odd to us . . . it’s not as though we are peeling their grapes.” Maybe so, but we have a feeling that this hospitable pair would be happily willing to do just that.—Lindsay Lambert

Mead Brown’s accommodations range from fully equipped three-bedroom condos from $300 per night to seven-bedroom villas at $7,500 per night; all properties include daily housekeeping. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.meadbrown.com or call 866-567-1516.
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Vista Las Palmas on Jaco Beach

Mead Brown is the exclusive vacation rental agency for the newest, tallest and most luxurious residential building in Costa Rica:  Vista Las Palmas.  Every residence is oceanfront and every unit has an unobstructed view from one end of Jaco Beach to the other.  High speed wireless Internet, ocean front swimming pool and Jacuzzi and an air-conditioned fitness facility are among the amenities guests at Vista Las Palmas enjoy. 

Two-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom residences begin at only $185 per night; and 3-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom residences start at only $250.  This is an excpetional value for the finest condominiums on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast.  Each unit is as large as a house; the smallest units are more than 2,200 square feet!

This exquisite condominium was developed by Vista CR, the same developer who gave us Vista Mar two years ago.  Vista CR has a proven record of developing premium properties with excellent finishes; open, spacious and practical floor plans; systems that are well designed and thoughtful (such as the chiller system, which enables guests to set the thermostat in their own room…yes, every bedroom has its own thermostat) and products that are delivered on time and on budget.  That’s no small accomplishment anywhere, and it’s quite remarkable in Jaco.

For complete information, including photos, rates and availability, browse our properties online or call us. 

 Private Jacuzzi at Yang at Vista Las Palmas, on the 11th floor.

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This is a list of restaurants and their reviews.

Bagels

Breakfast

The Coffee Shop

• On the main street across from Pops, co-located with Parrilla ada Argentina
• Hearty American-style breakfast with terrific baked goods, all home-made

Chinese

The Dragon on Bohio

· A great menu with a variety of authentic Chinese appetizers and entrées; try the pot stickers and sesame shrimp.

· Located on Calle Bohio, next to the Poseidon Hotel. From the main street, turn onto Calle Bohio toward the ocean.

Chicken and Ribs

Pollo Parrillero

· Best chicken and ribs in town!

· They offer both fire-roasted and fried chicken; the pork ribs are the best you’ll ever taste. Their cole slaw (enselada repollo) is terrific as well.

· Beach side of main street, at the corner of the street to the Oz Hotel

Diverse Menu

Lemon Zest

· Very diverse menu of fish, lamb, beef, duck and other entrees somewhat unusual for Costa Rica. South end of main street, on the second floor above Bagelman’s

Los Amigos

• On the main street in the center of Jaco, at intersection with Pops
• Wraps, burritos, steaks, Thai, smoothies, salads, burgers
• 2643.2961
• Middle of Jaco on main street, across from Pop’s

Pacific Bistro

Located across the street from the Funky Monkey. This restaurant is owned and run by Chef Kevin Green who works solo in the kitchen. His limited menu has an Asian and Latin infused flavor and the food is top notch. Must try.

Wish Bone

· One of the most popular restaurants in the area, offering a very diverse menu from brick oven pizza to enchiladas, burritos and pitas. Their salads are famous as well. Portions here are large, and the service is exceptional. We suggest the mahi mahi pita, pad Thai bowl, seared tuna salad, pizza, or anything on the right side of the menu under Mexican type dishes. Bring your appetite as the portions are very generous.

· Located in the center of Jaco on the main street

Mexican

Jaco Taco

· Huge portions of American-style Mexican food plus traditional dishes

· Near the Best Western on the main street of Jaco

Pizza

El Picaro Pizza

• On the main streeet, next to Mexican Joe’s Internet Café
• Delivery service
• 2643.1147

Pizzeria Bocha

• Located 10 minutes south of Jaco on Playa Hermosa
• Lunch and dinner delivery to Jaco
• 2643.3696

Seafood

El Pelicano

Located on Herradura Beach. The menu is extensive and the food and presentation are terrific. Try their coffee and desserts, too. Drive down the same road as if you were going to Los Suenos Resort & Marina. Drive past the Los Suenos entrance about ½ mile and you’ll dead end at the beach.

Hicaco

· Famous for its all-you-care-to-eat lobster and seafood festival every Wednesday night from 6:00pm- 10:00pm for one price, including beverages and dessert.

• Located on the ocean in Jaco, south of Vista Mar and north of Vista Las Palmas
• Menu includes mahi mahi, tuna, steak, pork, salads, pasta and soups
• 2643.3226