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Comments from Guests
We encourage guests to leave us comments about not only about their stay at Mother Dear Cottages, but also their experience in Puerto Viejo. If you have advice for future guests of this area, that would also be welcome here.
You can also see what people have to say about us on Trip Advisor or leave your own review of us there.
Both my husband and I cannot thank Jimmy and Debbie enough for our wonderful stay at Mother Dear. It was just what the doctor ordered! We were able to truly relax and unwind during our week-long vacation. Jimmy and Debbie were the perfect hosts: helpful, kind and a wealth of information. They are just as involved as you want them/ or not want them to be. The cottage is absolutely spotless and a true oasis. Every night, we would go to sleep with the sound of crashing waves and wake up in the morning to the same sound. We ended up cooking at Mother Dear more often than we anticipated because we simply enjoyed the cottage and environment so much. It is, without a doubt, the best place to stay in the Puerto Viejo area. If you're looking to go to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, this is the place to stay and unwind. Wonderful!
My new wife and I are generally laid back, kindergarten teachers from Tennessee. We enjoy our quiet time together at home and the company of friends and family when we do go out. That being said, taking our honeymoon to Mother Dear seemed like a perfect fit for our taste and it was. The beautifully constructed cabins are private and equipped with all the comforts one might need for an extended stay on the beach or a weekend getaway. We arrived and were instantly blown away by the hospitality of Debbie and Jim and the craftsmanship of the cabins. Upon arrival, they give you the grand tour of the gorgeous property and present you with the keys to the castle. They will also be there for you the rest of your trip to recommend adventures, local hot spots/restaurants, and arrange taxi services. While the tranquility of Mother Dear is certainly an endearing quality, Costa Rica has a wild side too! My wife and I could not ignore the excitement of rafting, hiking beautiful beaches, visiting the wildlife refuge, snorkeling and ziplining through the jungle. We became adventure travelers in one week. Most of the tour companies will pick you up or drop you off at the gates of Mother Dear. We loved the ease of creating daily adventures and returning to such a magical spot when our day was done. When we weren't adventuring, lounging around Mother Dear, or swimming in the ocean, it is only a 15 minute walk on the beach to the town of Puerto Viejo. We made this trip often, rain or shine. The town is full of restaurants, shops, and great people watching. The food was amazing! Casado from Lidia's was delicious and authentic Caribbean fare. Overall, it was a honeymoon everyone else should be jealous of! If you are considering traveling to Costa Rica, I highly recommend Mother Dear. Once you've been, you will not want to be anywhere else. Mother Dear is truly a magical vacation destination.
I chose to stay at "Mother Dear" because my mother and I were taking a 'mother-daughter' trip to Costa Rica and I found it fitting. It was my mom's first time out of the United States and I wanted to go to a place away from so much tourism. Mother Dear was a perfect place to relax after a day of adventuring. We awoke to the waves crashing on the shore then walked the beach into the center and enjoyed market day where we ran into Debbie and she showed us how to pick out the sweetest pineapple. Debbie and Jim are so nice and became part of our adventures because when we would return from horseback riding on the beach and through the rain forest, or swimming, biking all over the map of Puerto Viejo, or snorkeling, they were interested in our day, and we had someone with whom to share our adventures. We also got to learn a local perspective of living in Paradise! We enjoyed the hammocks, kitchen, porch, and the amazing view of the Caribbean, the beautiful shower (hot and good pressure!) and especially the comfortable bed! Mother Dear was our favorite place we stayed in Costa Rica (and we stayed in very nice places) because it had a simple, elegant charm that calls you back. We will be going back!
My husband and I just spent a thoroughly beautiful and transforming week at Mother Dear cottages. As I am a bit (okay, highly) particular about my lodgings, and quick to be disappointed, we selected Mother Dear after spending days and days online researching and even touring several places in the area upon arrival. We were thoroughly delighted with our choice. Mother Dear's location is excellent. It is oceanfront, so you are lulled to sleep by the sound of crashing waves, and you awake to the sound of crashing waves. And not only is it right on the beach, but unlike most of the other oceanfront options we saw while walking the beach from Manzanillo to Puerto Viejo, Mother Dear has a nice, perfectly empty stretch of beach in front of it. The cottages themselves are a perfect compliment to the bountiful, tropical flower gardens in which they are situated. They are crafted from a very fine quality almond wood. The design is simple yet elegant which allows one to commune with nature while feeling protected and pampered. The ocean-view balconies are so nice that it is a challenge to leave them for the beach or the town a few minutes down the road. We spent hours on them watching the waves crash against the shore, feeling the salt breeze against our skin and feeding the occasional wild horse which would meander onto the grounds. Privacy was a concern for us when planning the trip and I am happy to report that we felt as though we were the only guests. Also, I am normally not a people person, especially while on vacation, but Jim and Debbie were really very pleasant. They were also very very helpful. They gave us day trip ideas, connected us with guides, and made arrangements for one of the best massages ever. In closing, I would not hesitate to recommend Mother Dear. We will definitely be returning next year. As they are new, they are currently one of Puerto Viejo's best kept secrets.
I and my husband spent ten days in Costa Rica in March 2011 -first Monteverde, then Arenal and the end of our stay was in Puerto Viejo at Mother Dear (It was the most wonderful place we've stayed in Costa Rica.). I found Mother Dear on Tripadvisor and after seeing the beautiful pictures and excellent feedback posted by previous visitors I didn't hesitate at all to book it. The place looked gorgeous from the pictures, but I have to admit it was way more beautiful in real! Just takes your breath away! The location, the romantic room, the beautiful bathroom, the amazing balcony, nice kitchen - they couldn't be better. One of the nights we cooked dinner with a Swedish couple we met first in Arenal and then shared the same route to Monteverde and Puerto Viejo. We had our dinner on the terrace, watched the waves and stars and it was just magical! The beach in front of Mother Dear (called "Playa Negra") is excellent and you can go deep into the water and swim when the waves are not too strong. The beach was most of the time, if not all the time, just for ourselves. Debbie and Jimmie were extremely hospitable and kind and helped us organize activities for the Volio Volcano and a visit to a local house where they produced hand-made chocolate. We strongly recommend Mother Dear! It is the perfect romantic place! We will definitely go back there soon!
I've never written a review before but I feel compelled to let everyone know how special this place is. My wife and I had an absolutely fantastic vacation at Mother Dear. I highly recommend it for couples who want to get away, relax, rest, and recharge. The "cabins" are beautiful, comfortable, and catch a refreshing ocean breeze. We spent 50% of our week sitting on our patio, taking in the incredible view and enjoying the solitude. Town is only a 15 minute walk down the beach when you get tired of making your own meals. The place is wonderful. I hope it stays this way forever. The hosts, James and Debbie, are great people and will make you feel at home. We were truly sad to leave.
Lovely private cottage a few steps from a beautiful Caribbean beach. Deck is a perfect spot for a massage while listening to the waves. Beautiful gardens and walkways. Wonderful, knowledgeable on-site hosts.
This cottage is simple and beautiful. Everything you need is right here; eat in or walk to town, stroll through the garden to the beach or enjoy the magnificent view from your cottage. Debbie and Jimmy are so very welcoming and available for day trip planning or grocery advice. They truly want your stay to be wonderful. Honey, Tiny, and Minki, the family pets, complete the scene with their entertainment.
Jim and Debbie have a true slice of heaven in their hands. I felt that "at home" feeling the second I walked in the gate. I am truly grateful that my girlfriend put in the extra search time, found and booked Mother Dear. It was a truly relaxing experience, set among a beautiful location, quiet beach, and the envy of every passerby, but don't tell anyone that. Jim and Debbie are two of the kindest warm-hearted people a person could meet. Their wonderful attitudes and beautiful property were an absolute dream. I can't wait to bring my family and rent the whole place. At the end of my stay I was ready for the hectic life that lay ahead of me, but every day I am thinking that Jim and Debbie have got it figured out. Definitely a great place for couples in love that want a quiet, clean, and wonderful experience.
Mother Dear has got to be one of the most awesome cabinas on the Costa Rican Caribbean. Jimmy and Debbie have created 2 cabinas surrounded by luxurious gardens and elevated so that you look directly onto Playa Negra. It's a perfectly tranquil setting. Both cabinas are less than a year old and are expertly crafted with almendro wood that has been expertly finished. The cabina is finely appointed with hand-made furniture, a fully equipped galley kitchen, a king size bed, an exquisite bathroom and an outdoor porch with teak bar stools, hammock and cafe table. When we finally decided to descend it was 50 meters to one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. I'll be back...
If we were to build our own house on the beach in the comfort and style that make life most simple and enjoyable this would be the place we would call home. Mother Dear was the perfect place to spend a week and totally unwind. Listening to the pounding surf, watching the wild horses graze in the front yard, and hearing the sweet sounds of the myriad of birds surrounding us made for the perfect experience. The house was beautifully appointed, glistening from top to bottom, and just made our stay in Pto Viejo perfect. The location on the beach, the distance to town, and the incredible fusion food that we got to enjoy guarantee that we will return one day soon to this magical place. And if this wasn't good enough, our hosts exceeded our wildest expectations by their friendliness, helpfulness, and kindness. We have already recommended Mother Dear to all of our friends and have plans to return very soon.
One of the most important things to me when I travel is having warm and professional hosts. This is especially true when you are in a foreign country. As an innkeeper back home, I guess you could say that I have high expectations. I can truly say that Jim and Debbie fulfilled my expectations and beyond. The lodging also exceeds expectations. When I have stayed in cottage-style rentals in the past, I would often notice that the dishes, etc. were kind of funky. This is untrue for Mother Dear; whoever cleans does it immaculately. I recommend staying here for a comfortable, safe and enriching experience.
We were warmly welcomed by Debbie and Jimmy and shown to our meticulously clean, spacious cabin filled with all the amenities required. You could eat off the floor!! We arrived late and they were kind enough to stock our fridge with items to tide us over to the next day. The location was fabulous with an approx. 15-20 minute walk to town. The ocean front cabins provided a wonderful view to the ocean and beautifully landscaped grounds. Debbie and Jimmy were very accommodating and wonderful hosts. Honey and Tiny were friendly too!!
Jimmi and Debbie are the most gracious hosts I have ever had! I was welcomed with open arms and they had even grocery shopped for me (I'm a vegan so it's no easy task.). I felt as if I were family being welcomed for the holidays. The cottage itself has everything you could ever possibly think of wanting. The property has a majestic feel that is indescribably forcing you into a state of completeness. The location is perfect so that you have access to everything but can get away when you like. I spent 80% of my 10 day vacation relaxing on the patio listening to the symphony of birds and Caribbean Sea wash away my cares. I only wish I had planned to stay longer.
We knew that Mother Dear would be a special, stunning place, but it exceeded our hopes! We stayed there for the first few days of November. We were awed by the gorgeous woodwork of the building itself, as well as the thoughtful items included in the cabina. The owners, who treated us like family, thought of every detail that we could need. We wandered from there on a tarpon adventure but wished we could just come back to Mother Dear at the end of the day. Next time we will! Actually, to think that giant tarpon over 120 lbs live just a town away and they will take a fly, makes us want to come back to Mother Dear as soon as we can! We loved walking on the beach there, swimming in the warm water, and riding bikes into PV. The constant sound of the waves outside Mother Dear make for some of the best sleep of the whole vacation and it is a wonderful way to wake us every morning. We will recommend this spot to anyone looking for a relaxing, lovely vacation in a unique part of the world.
Debbie and Jimmy, we knew that Mother Dear would be a special, stunning place, but it exceeded our hopes! We stayed there for the first few days of November. We were awed by the gorgeous woodwork of the building itself, as well as the thoughtful items you included in the cabina. You thought of every detail that we could need. We wandered from there on a tarpon adventure but wished we could just come back at the end of the day. Next time we will! Actually, to think that giant tarpon over 120 lbs live just a town away and they will take a fly, makes us want to come back as soon as we can! Thank you for being such great hosts and guides. We loved walking on the beach there, swimming in the warm water, and riding bikes into PV; Casey will stay on hers next time. The constant sound of the waves outside make for some of the best sleep of the whole vacation and it is a wonderful way to wake up every morning. We will recommend this spot to anyone looking for a relaxing, lovely vacation in a unique part of the world. Best wishes, Casey and John
We are certain our week at Mother Dear will prove to be one of our favorite and most memorable vacations. From the moment we arrived we were pleasantly overwhelmed by the warm and sincere hospitality extended to us by our hosts James and Debbie. The property is paradise, but they insured our experience was truly superb. They went to great lengths each day to help with connecting us to local sites, guides, directions, restaurant recommendations, etc. We were also really impressed with how accurate the information on the website was. The pictures truly depict the property and accommodations. The cottage is beautiful, spotlessly clean and well stocked. We loved sleeping to the sounds of the ocean and local wildlife. The close proximity to the beach was why we decided on Mother Dear, and we were not disappointed. Many of the other properties say they are on the beach but fail to mention there is a road and other properties between them and the beach. Mother Dear has a beautiful and unobstructed view. We were also a little concerned about the lack of air-conditioning and all the talk of bugs. However, neither turned out to be a concern. The cottage is so well-ventilated and equipped with fans that it was always cool and comfortable. There are bugs in Costa Rica... it's the jungle...but they were not a bother to us and we didn't have a single bite! Our experience was truly wonderful. My only fear is it will not be available the next time we want to book because I know others will be returning and spreading the word!
Marina and I spent a couple weeks up and down the Carib side, staying the first couple nights at Mother Dear. We found the cottage to be new, clean, beautiful and secure. You can't imagine the gorgeous wood they used in building this beach house. Jimmy and Debbie were fantastic about making out stay memorable. (We got in late and everything was closed, so they even left some munchies a few 'cold ones' in the fridge to relax with). The beach was unbelievable, complete with occasional visits by wild horses. After leaving, we stayed at several other nice and interesting places in the area. But for our last few days in CR, we decided to go back to Mother Dear. We loved it so much and cannot wait to go back.
Debbie and Jimmy thank you so much for a restful and productive weekend!! As always the cabin was perfect and doing a Spay and Neuter clinic at the same time was Super!!! Jimmy came up with the idea of helping the neighbors by offering a low cost Castration clinic on the property; it was perfect and helped 19 cats and dogs. The veterinarians, animals and all the owners enjoyed the ocean views. It was a great get-together... so calm and pleasant. And many thanks to those who donated money to help pay for the street dogs.
Jimmy and Debbie want to offer their place again in three months to help the community and its animals... Thank you for your good hearts!!
Alison and Al Reinarz
These elegant cabins have a lovely and convenient beachfront location. They are the first beachfront cabins you reach in Puerto Viejo; all of the other are a longer drive. It's close enough to town to walk in for a night out, and it's far enough away to allow me to go for a long run on the beach with no one else visible. We heard only the sound of waves and birdsong. They also beat out the competition in attention to detail and care of construction. Since they are two story, they have a better view, better sea breeze, and are safer too. Jimmy and Debbie have carefully thought out all the details in their cabins. )Nice mattresses; good quality sheets; broadband wifi Internet; well-equipped kitchen; flowers in the room; good security; reading lights; a room safe; beach towels; good size refrigerator; a pleasant cross breeze; nicely finished hardwoods; romantic candles; a little library; big hardwood hooks to hang things; beautifully clean cottage; even sailorly knotwork on the hammock hooks) Since I'm a long time resident of Costa Rica, I especially appreciate the quality electrical and plumbing work and the water pressure. Grounded three-prong plugs! Everyone is turned on by different things I guess:-
If you yearn to experience the ocean and the tropical forest with all of your senses simultaneously, then look no further. “Mother Dear” has more than a noteworthy name; it is one of the finest accommodations you can find in this region. The Caribbean Sea is literally steps from your oh-so private luxurious cottage. Nestled in a luscious landscape, your beachside bungalow is crafted with an attention to detail. All of your needs have been anticipated prior to your arrival. Your most gracious and accommodating hosts, Jimmy and Debbie, will make your dream vacation a reality. Don’t delay, make your reservation now, adjust your travel dates based on availability and prepare to stay longer then you intended. Now the only thing you need decide is where to hang your hammock.
We spent the second week of our honeymoon at Mother Dear and it was absolutely fabulous. Debbie and Jimmy are so accomodating and the bungalow was spotless and the view was to die for!! Thank you for making our honeymoon unforgettable and we will be back!!!
Heeeyyy. FELICITACIONES Y MUCHOS EXITOS. Jimmy and Debie. Las cabinas y el lugar estan preciosos. UN PARAISO!!!.
Nosotros estamo planeando ir a Limon el 21 Agosto. Ahi les avisamos para pasar a saludarles.
SALUDOS,
Debbie and Jimmy, You have created an awesome environment on one of the most pristine beaches in the world. Having dinner on the cabana porch overlooking the 50 meter zone, beach and ocean was an experience we'll never forget. Mother Dear offers so much but then there's Puerto Viejo. The restaurants were great, the crowd eclectic and the birding adventures unbelievable. Thanks for hooking us up with the Grayline back to San Jose it was an easy connection to our flight back. We can't wait to return!!
Debbie and Jimmy, what a great place! You created a little heaven on earth - not only a perfect location but also a well designed and equipped interior. We are looking forward to start working with you!
Thanks for the little opening party we had at Mother Dear. We were all very impressed with the accomodations you will be offering. We consider your new beach cabinas as a real positive addition to the area and we wish you well.