Our story
A dream that keeps on going
Magic Place is owned and run by us, a Costa Rican family, not a distant management company. We live here, we know the town, and we are the ones answering to your messages and needs.
We built the place we wanted to stay in
We are Marianne and Rob. Marianne came from San José, Rob from North Carolina, and 25 years ago the two of us moved here, to this corner of the Nicoya Peninsula, and never left.
Magic Place was built slowly and by hand, with our two daughters growing up in the middle of it: helping plant the garden, helping paint the studios, helping welcome the first guests who ever stayed. When we started we had one simple test for every decision: would we be happy staying here for a month?
That is how the studios ended up with real desks and proper kitchens instead of just a bed and a mini fridge. It is why the wifi is fiber-optic and why there is a saltwater pool rather than a chlorinated one. And it is why there are seven studios rather than thirty: small enough that we still know everyone's name.
Marianne runs the day to day
Marianne looks after the day to day and is always available. If the wifi drops, if you need a doctor, if you want to know where to eat on a Tuesday night or which break suits a beginner, just ask.
Many of our guests stay for months, and a good number come back the following year. That is the part we are proudest of.
Rob, the man of many hats
Rob is Marianne's husband and part owner of Magic Place. He is a vegan chef, avid surfer, skater and music man. He currently works at one of our town's most prestigious schools as Head of the Food Department. In between his job, he always makes time to stop by Magic, check our gardens and make them even nicer, meet our guests and point them in the direction of the best surf and of course he'll let you know the best places where to eat!
Peace · Love · Joy
Peace
A quiet property, a quiet garden and neighbours who look out for each other.
Love
Built and run by one family, with the care that implies. You are a guest, not a booking number.
Joy
Fruit off the trees, the pool at midday, and the beach five minutes down the road.
Experience the magic. Feel at home.
