Ocio Properties — Hotel in Cóbano

Run. Just run.

I hate leaving negative reviews, but I feel obligated to warn future travelers. We travel internationally several times a year and this was our 6th trip to Costa Rica—by far the worst experience we've had anywhere. We left after just one night.

Let’s start with a poisonous snake falling on my head. Yes — you read that right. I opened the front door in the morning, and a snake literally fell on my head.

No Lock on the Villa Door Going to sleep with children with you place unlocked wasn't what we were expecting. The front door doesn’t close or lock. At all. It's completely open, 100% of the time—no latch, no bolt, nothing. Safety and privacy were non-existent.

Non-Functional Fans and Poor Climate Control The ceiling fans in both bedrooms didn’t work. One needed a “new engine,” and the other had electrical issues. To make matters worse, the large floor-to-ceiling glass doors wouldn’t fully close, leaving massive gaps. See pic of spider getting into bed the size of your hand. This let in all kinds of bugs—mosquitoes included. The A/C units couldn’t cool the rooms, likely due to the open doors. Only one bed had a mosquito net, so we were basically eaten alive. Each of us had 5–10 bites the next morning.

Ineffective Fridge The fridge didn’t get cold—everything inside was damp from condensation. Totally unreliable.

Unsafe Pool Design I sliced my toe open on jagged rocks inside the pool. The edges are dangerously sharp and clearly not finished. Not only was this painful, but it’s a huge safety hazard—especially for kids. See pic of the sharp rocks surrounding the pool. Used to paved cement or something not sharp.

No Respect for Privacy A pool worker entered the villa at 7am without warning. Later, cleaning staff walked in unannounced as well. No knock, no heads-up, nothing.

Surprise Charges After Leaving Early After we checked out two days early, we were told we’d be charged for 4 beers and 2 sodas from the fridge. There was no pricing list anywhere, and we assumed they were complimentary since other snacks and drinks had clearly been left for us. Felt petty, especially after everything we’d already dealt with.

We’ve loved our previous visits to Costa Rica, but this was a serious letdown. The property was not ready for guests—plain and simple. For the safety, comfort, and sanity of your family, I recommend...

We decided to have our honeymoon at Ocio properties and could not be happier with our experience. The house was extremely clean, spacious, and offered incredible views all around. The indoor-outdoor spaces within the house gave us an immersive jungle feel, with an abundance of animals all around.

The concierge, Nicole was super helpful and fun. She gave great recommendations and even brought us on a private tour of the Montezuma waterfalls - a highlight of our trip. She was always on top of anything we needed whether it was making a reservation for us or organizing a meal at the house.

The chef, Marlene blew our minds with the fantastic traditional Costa Rican dishes she prepared for us. Each dish was made with a lot of love and she has the sweetest smile.

The house was cleaned daily and fresh linens replaced the used ones. Water, beer, and sodas were stocked in the fridges every day.

The only negatives about our experience were things that the property management had no control of such as the amount of bugs (including tarantulas) and the power outages caused by the storms. We were out of power one night for 14 hours and 5 hours the next night which made the rooms very hot and uncomfortable. However, the Ocio team was doing everything they could to get it back up and going. They also came and took care of a tarantula for us. We do just wish that the possibility of these things were warned when booking.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our honeymoon at Ocio and loved exploring Mal Paris/Santa Teresa/Montezuma. We can’t say enough great things about the staff and the property as a whole. We would definitely recommend others to stay here and hope to plan another trip here in the...

Ocio Villas in Mal País is truly a dream wedding destination. As a wedding photographer here in Santa Teresa, I’ve had the pleasure of capturing several weddings here, and every time I’m blown away by the breathtaking views, lush surroundings, and serene atmosphere. The villas offer a perfect blend of luxury and nature, creating the ideal backdrop for any celebration. The staff is attentive, making every event run smoothly. If you're looking for a magical, intimate setting for your wedding, Ocio Villas is the...