Plan Your Stay
Paradise Is Easy When You Know What to Expect.
Getting here. What to pack. Where to shop. What to bring. What to expect. We've got you covered.
A little preparation goes a long way in Costa Rica.
Casa Cascada is tucked into the jungle above Ojochal on Costa Rica's Southern Pacific coast — close to restaurants, beaches, waterfalls and everyday necessities, while still feeling wonderfully removed from everything.
Here's what we'd want our own friends and family to know before coming.
🌴 Casa Cascada Trip Planner
Everything to know before you arrive.
Getting Here
Your Journey to Casa Cascada
Casa Cascada is located in Ojochal, Costa Rica, in the Costa Ballena region of the Southern Pacific coast. The exact address, Google Maps pin and final arrival instructions are shared privately with confirmed guests.
✈️ Flying Into San José — SJO
Many international guests arrive through Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). From there, it's a scenic drive south to the Southern Pacific coast — tap below for current route options and conditions.
Casa Cascada Tip: If you're arriving internationally later in the day, consider whether an overnight near the airport makes more sense than beginning a long unfamiliar drive after dark.
SJO → Ojochal Route →✈️ Other Arrival Options
Guests may also reach the Southern Pacific through other transportation arrangements or domestic connections. We're happy to help confirmed guests think through the best option for their itinerary.
🕓 Check-In
4:00 PM
Early check-in may be available if the villa is ready. Contact us before arrival to confirm.
🚪 Check-Out
11:00 AM
Rent the 4×4. You'll Be Glad You Did.
Costa Rica is made for exploring. And some of the best places aren't at the end of a perfectly paved road.
Casa Cascada's final approach includes an unpaved road and a steep driveway. We recommend a 4×4, particularly during rainy conditions.
A 4×4 also gives you much more freedom when exploring waterfalls, mountain roads and some of the adventures featured in our Explore guide.
This isn't meant to scare anyone. It's part of Costa Rica. And with the right vehicle, it's part of the fun.
Please don't choose your rental car based only on price. Choose it based on where you're going.
Explore Costa Rica Driving Tips →Finding Casa Cascada
We'll Send You the Pin.
Costa Rican addresses can work differently than many visitors are accustomed to.
Confirmed guests receive:
- Exact Google Maps location
- Written driving directions
- Arrival instructions
- Check-in instructions
- Property manager/contact information
Casa Cascada is located above Ojochal in the jungle.
Don't worry. We'll get you here.
When Should You Come?
There's No Wrong Costa Rica.
There's just a different Costa Rica depending on when you come.
☀️ Dry Season
More sunshine. Popular travel season.
The Southern Pacific generally experiences its drier period during the North American winter.
Great for: 🏖️ Beaches · 🌅 Sunsets · 🚙 Exploring · 🌴 Outdoor Adventures
🌿 Green Season
This is when the jungle shows off.
Rain transforms the landscape. Waterfalls become more dramatic. The jungle becomes incredibly lush. There may be fewer visitors, though rainfall can be heavy and conditions change quickly — guests should remain flexible.
Great for: 💦 Waterfalls · 🌿 Jungle · 📷 Photography · 😌 Fewer Crowds
What Should I Pack?
The Casa Cascada Packing List
Essential
- 👟 Comfortable walking shoes
- 🩴 Sandals
- 💦 Water shoes
- 🌧️ Lightweight rain jacket / poncho
- 🧴 Sunscreen
- 🦟 Insect repellent
- 🕶️ Sunglasses
- 👒 Hat
- 👙 Swimsuit
- 💧 Reusable water bottle
Really Nice to Have
- 🔭 Binoculars
- 📷 Camera
- 🎒 Small daypack
- 🔦 Small flashlight/headlamp
- 📱 Waterproof phone pouch
- 👕 Quick-dry clothing
- 🛍️ Lightweight beach bag
🌴 Casa Cascada Tip: Don't overpack. Costa Rica is casual. You'll probably spend considerably more time in shorts, swimsuits and sandals than you expect.
Money in Costa Rica
Dollars, Colones or Cards?
🌴 Casa Cascada Tip: Carry some colones. Don't spend your vacation obsessing over exchanging every dollar. Use banks or legitimate exchange sources when exchanging money.
Check Today's Exchange Rate →🔌 Your Phone & Electronics
Good news for U.S. & Canadian guests — Costa Rica generally uses 110V electricity and North American-style electrical outlets.
Most U.S. travelers will not need a basic plug adapter for normal compatible devices. Still, verify the voltage requirements of your individual electronics.
📱 💻 📷 🔌
📶 Wi-Fi at Casa Cascada
Yes. You can stay connected.
Casa Cascada has high-speed wi-fi plus a backup internet provider. This is particularly useful for guests who need to check email, work remotely, stream or stay connected while traveling.
But this is Costa Rica — brief service interruptions can occasionally happen. That's why we have backup connectivity.
See Casa Cascada Amenities →Download Before You Fly
Two Apps You'll Be Glad You Have.
WhatsApp is extremely common in Costa Rica and is the easiest way to communicate with many local businesses, restaurants, tour operators, property managers and service providers.
We strongly recommend installing WhatsApp before your trip and setting it up with your mobile number before traveling.
Get WhatsApp →🗺️ Waze
For driving around Costa Rica, we recommend having Waze installed on your phone. Local roads, construction, closures and rural routes can sometimes make navigation different from what visitors expect.
We use Waze as our preferred driving app in Costa Rica, especially around the Costa Ballena and Ojochal area. Google Maps is still useful too.
Get Waze →Stock the Villa
Everything You Need Is Minutes Away
One of the best things about Casa Cascada is having a full kitchen, a huge covered terrace, a pool and a view that makes you want to stay home occasionally. So before you start exploring — stock the villa.
You don't need to arrive in Ojochal with a week's worth of groceries. There are several places nearby for everything from everyday basics and tropical fruit to steaks, wine, organic foods, imported specialties and prepared meals.
🛒 Jucaloa
The Everyday Grocery Stop
Best For: Everyday groceries
Need eggs, milk, fruit, snacks, drinks, breakfast supplies or something you forgot? Start here.
Jucaloa is a convenient local Ojochal supermarket and a good choice for everyday groceries without driving into Uvita — it even stocks a surprisingly wide range of specialty ingredients.
🥩 L'Épicerie Super & Deli
Make Tonight Dinner on the Terrace
Best For: Steaks · Deli · Wine · Specialty Foods · Prepared Foods
This is where stocking Casa Cascada gets fun. L'Épicerie is Ojochal's gourmet grocery and deli, with a mixture of local and imported foods, quality meats, produce, breads, specialty ingredients and grab-and-go foods.
Pick up steaks. Grab some cheese. Find something for the grill. Add a bottle of wine. Then head back to Casa Cascada and have dinner beside the pool overlooking the Pacific.
Sometimes the best restaurant in Ojochal is your own terrace.
🥑 Origin Organic Market
Fresh + Organic
Best For: Organic · Natural · Specialty Foods
Looking for organic and natural foods? Origin is a small specialty market right in Ojochal offering natural and organic products and pantry items that can sometimes be harder to find in a conventional supermarket.
Perfect for guests who want to stock the kitchen with healthier options.
⛽ Supermercado & Servicentro Ventanas
Groceries + Gas in One Stop
Best For: Fuel · Drinks · Snacks · Quick Groceries · Beach-Day Supplies
Heading out for an adventure? This is an incredibly convenient stop. Supermercado y Servicentro Ventanas at Plaza Ventanas combines a fuel station with a surprisingly well-stocked market — the only service station between Uvita and Palmar.
Fill the rental 4×4. Grab drinks. Pick up ice. Get snacks for the beach. Then keep going.
🍍 Shop Like a Local
Costa Rica has another grocery store: the roadside.
Depending on the day and season, guests will find fruit stands, produce vendors, local markets and farmers selling tropical fruits and other foods around the Costa Ballena region. If you see a roadside fruit stand that looks good — stop. Try something you've never eaten before. That's part of Costa Rica.
Ojochal also has a weekly farmers market/feria — ask your host or check locally for current days and hours before planning around it.
🍳 Your First Casa Cascada Grocery List
Breakfast
Pool & Terrace
Fire Up the Grill
Beach Day
One Warning: Don't Buy a Week's Worth of Dinners.
You'll be tempted. Casa Cascada has a full kitchen. There's a grill. There's a huge covered terrace. And eating dinner beside your own pool overlooking the Pacific is pretty hard to beat.
But this is Ojochal. Nearly 20 restaurants and cafés are waiting just minutes away.
So cook breakfast. Grill one night. Have lunch at the villa. But leave room in your plans for sushi and wine, authentic Costa Rican food, Mexican food and live music, pizza and wings, ocean-view cocktails and some truly exceptional fine dining.
Discover Ojochal's Food Scene →Beach Day Essentials
Heading to Playa Ventanas or Another Beach?
👙 🧴 💧 🩴 🧢 💵 📱 🪡
Swimsuit · Sunscreen · Water · Sandals/water shoes · Hat · Some cash · Phone · Towel
⚠ Pacific conditions can change quickly. Pay attention to surf conditions, tides and local warnings.
You're Not Alone Out Here.
Listen. That sound in the trees? It might be a howler monkey.
Look up and you may spot macaws, toucans or other tropical birds. Look around the terrace and you may see geckos.
Casa Cascada is surrounded by a living tropical ecosystem. Wildlife is part of what makes staying here so special.
Harmless house geckos are normal in tropical Costa Rica.
Your First 24 Hours
Just Arrived? Do This.
Unpack
Drop the bags. Change into shorts.
Walk Outside
Stand on the terrace. Look toward the Pacific. Listen to the jungle. You're here.
Get in the Pool
You've traveled enough for one day.
Have a Drink
Sit on the terrace and do absolutely nothing for a little while.
Don't Overplan the First Night
Pick one of our nearby restaurants. Eat. Come home. Get some sleep.
Tomorrow...
Coffee on the terrace. Then choose: 💦 Waterfall? 🏖️ Beach? 🐋 Whale Tail? 🚙 4×4 adventure? 🐒 Wildlife? Or — stay right where you are.
Just in Case
Good to Know.
Costa Rica Emergency Number: 9-1-1
For confirmed guests, we also privately provide: property manager contact, Casa Cascada contact, local emergency/medical information, rental car assistance information, and the exact property location.
Official Costa Rica visitor safety information →Quick Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the house private?
Yes. Casa Cascada is an entire private home — you are the only guests on the property, with private access to the home, terrace, pool, jacuzzi, and grounds, except for clearly marked locked owner storage.
Is a 4x4 required?
A 4x4 is recommended, especially during rainy conditions, because the final approach includes an unpaved road and a steep driveway.
Is there air conditioning?
Yes, every bedroom has air conditioning.
How strong is the Wi-Fi?
Casa Cascada has high-speed Wi-Fi plus a backup internet provider. Brief interruptions can occasionally occur, as is common in Costa Rica.
How far are beaches and restaurants?
Playa Ventanas is approximately 10 minutes away, and more than 10 Ojochal restaurants are within approximately 7 minutes.
Is the pool private?
Yes, both the pool and jacuzzi are private to your group.
Are wildlife and geckos normal?
Yes. Wildlife and harmless house geckos are part of the tropical environment at Casa Cascada.
Can utility interruptions happen?
Occasionally, yes. Brief power or internet interruptions can occur in Costa Rica.
Is the exact address public?
No. The exact address and directions are provided only to confirmed guests.
Before You Leave Home
Casa Cascada Pre-Trip Checklist
Tap each item as you pack — your progress is saved on this device.
The Planning Is Done.
You know how to get here. You know what to pack. You know where to shop. You know what to expect.
Now comes the easy part.
Wake up to the jungle. Drink coffee overlooking the Pacific. Find a waterfall. Spend the afternoon at the beach. Have an incredible dinner. Come home. Jump in the pool. And do it all again tomorrow.
We'll Take It From Here.