Villa La Perla

North Santa Teresa is the quiet end of town, where the road runs out of shops and the jungle comes back in close. The house sits on the beach side here, so there’s no road to cross. A private path through the garden leads down to a stretch of white sand that’s close to empty most of the day, with tide pools that fill at low water and the sun setting straight out over the Pacific. A beach restaurant sits a short walk along the sand, the surf break a little further. Town, with its coffee and boutiques, is five minutes away by car.

The garden is large and has been left deliberately wild, and it’s always busy. Monkeys move through the trees, iguanas sun themselves on the paths, birds come and go all day, and raccoons are regular visitors. The house sits in the middle of it under a thatched roof of sun-dried coconut palm, sewn by hand in layers, with bamboo and local wood throughout. Inside it’s bright and open. The living area and kitchen are one space, and the kitchen is properly equipped for anyone who likes to cook for a crowd. Doors open onto the terrace, the saltwater pool, an outdoor dining table with a barbecue, and an outdoor bath for a soak after the beach. Art collected from around the world hangs throughout, and the fabrics, linens and soaps were chosen with the same care.

There are three bedrooms, each one a master with its own ensuite, air conditioning and floor-to-ceiling windows onto the green, and each designed differently. A gallery above the living room has a TV and an extra queen bed, which works well for kids or a friend who doesn’t mind being part of the house.

Cleaning, laundry and concierge are included. The concierge team are locals and start planning as soon as you book. They can arrange domestic flights and transfers, private chefs, surf lessons, yoga at the house, excursions, babysitters and baby gear, restaurant bookings, and stock the kitchen before you arrive. Guests have the whole property to themselves ap