Magic Carpet Houseboat
Houseboat in Golfito, Costa Rica
- 4 guests
- 2 bedrooms
- 3 beds
- 1 bath
Hosted by Katie
- Superhost
- 14 years hosting
Listing highlights
Top 10% of homes
This home is highly ranked based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.
Amazing outdoor space
Guests mention the porch, grill, and deck as highlights.
Exceptional check-in experience
Recent guests gave the check-in process a 5-star rating.
Your floating alternative is here! Stay aboard an authentic and elegant houseboat moored to our dock along the Golfito Marina strip - town center on the bay.
The space
This fully appointed houseboat moored at our dock is a true 'On the Water' lodging choice. The handsome captains cabin offers a queen size bed and built in wardrobe. Additionally, the crew cabin can offer 2 single beds. Enjoy your own waterfront deck, a living salon with large smart TV and WiFi, hot shower and marine head on board. Access to Clubhouse patio for social lounging. Laundry services for a fee. If you enjoy a marina environment or want to experience the romance of the boat bum life, you'll love this elegant and well appointed novelty lodging.
Guest access
This prime location between the calm Golfito bay anchorage and the pristine wilderness of the protected rain forest reserve will be a highlight of your holidays in Costa Rica. The houseboat is "all yours". Conveniently centered between Banana Bay Marina and Fish Hook Marina just 2 kilometers to the Duty Free shopping area, you have easy access to the best of Golfito.
Other things to note
A marina environment can be quite active with boats of tourists or offshore residents coming and going. Our patios are open to social activity during typical hours so guests should be open to the lifestyle. Local charter captains are welcome to pick up directly at your cabinside decks. Local taxi boats can pick up at the houseboat if you'd like to go on a tour or explore the shores of the Golfo Dulce, the quaint coastline community and estuaries. Happy hours and international menus next door on either side offer great waterfront dining. A dozen options from sea food to local fare are in walking distance. Local groceries and cantinas are all in walking distance. Our BBQ galley on the deck is available to guests by request. Buses and flights in and out daily. Economical Taxis pass by 24 hours a day. Parking available on the road or driveway in front of the property.
If enthusiastic mutts and a bit of "dog love" isn't agreeable then this may not be a good match. Although the houseboat offers gated decks and a dog free zone, it's only fair to note we do enjoy the company of 4 small rescue dogs living up in our clubhouse areas. Out of respect for guests it is our intention that the dogs do not enter or "hang out" at the houseboat. But if you allow it, they will always thrill at the opportunity. There is a gate to the houseboat deck and they've learned it's "off limits" but that won't stop them if they think you're open to their visit. They will bark... at things going by on the street or waterside and they'll be "guarding" with their stern barks when they think it's warranted. They're great dogs and a warm part of the scene that most of our guests embrace along with the entire experience. But some renters prefer dog free environments so I felt it worth noting.... We are not that.
The space
This fully appointed houseboat moored at our dock is a true 'On the Water' lodging choice. The handsome captains cabin offers a queen size bed and built in wardrobe. Additionally, the crew cabin can offer 2 single beds. Enjoy your own waterfront deck, a living salon with large smart TV and WiFi, hot shower and marine head on board. Access to Clubhouse patio for social lounging. Laundry services for a fee. If you enjoy a marina environment or want to experience the romance of the boat bum life, you'll love this elegant and well appointed novelty lodging.
Guest access
This prime location between the calm Golfito bay anchorage and the pristine wilderness of the protected rain forest reserve will be a highlight of your holidays in Costa Rica. The houseboat is "all yours". Conveniently centered between Banana Bay Marina and Fish Hook Marina just 2 kilometers to the Duty Free shopping area, you have easy access to the best of Golfito.
Other things to note
A marina environment can be quite active with boats of tourists or offshore residents coming and going. Our patios are open to social activity during typical hours so guests should be open to the lifestyle. Local charter captains are welcome to pick up directly at your cabinside decks. Local taxi boats can pick up at the houseboat if you'd like to go on a tour or explore the shores of the Golfo Dulce, the quaint coastline community and estuaries. Happy hours and international menus next door on either side offer great waterfront dining. A dozen options from sea food to local fare are in walking distance. Local groceries and cantinas are all in walking distance. Our BBQ galley on the deck is available to guests by request. Buses and flights in and out daily. Economical Taxis pass by 24 hours a day. Parking available on the road or driveway in front of the property.
If enthusiastic mutts and a bit of "dog love" isn't agreeable then this may not be a good match. Although the houseboat offers gated decks and a dog free zone, it's only fair to note we do enjoy the company of 4 small rescue dogs living up in our clubhouse areas. Out of respect for guests it is our intention that the dogs do not enter or "hang out" at the houseboat. But if you allow it, they will always thrill at the opportunity. There is a gate to the houseboat deck and they've learned it's "off limits" but that won't stop them if they think you're open to their visit. They will bark... at things going by on the street or waterside and they'll be "guarding" with their stern barks when they think it's warranted. They're great dogs and a warm part of the scene that most of our guests embrace along with the entire experience. But some renters prefer dog free environments so I felt it worth noting.... We are not that.
Where you’ll sleep
What this place offers
Marina view
Mountain view
Waterfront
Kitchen
Wifi
Unavailable: Carbon monoxide alarm
Unavailable: Smoke alarm
5 nights in Golfito
Mar 10, 2024 - Mar 15, 2024
Rated 4.96 out of 5 from 122 reviews.
Guest favorite
This home is in the top 10% of eligible listings based on ratings, reviews, and reliability
Overall rating
- 5 stars, 96% of reviews
- 4 stars, 4% of reviews
- 3 stars, 0% of reviews
- 2 stars, 0% of reviews
- 1 stars, 0% of reviews
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for cleanliness
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for accuracy
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for location
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for value
Guest reviews mention
Where you’ll be
Golfito, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
The "Magic Carpet" houseboat is moored bay front, among the yachts of neighboring Fish Hook and Banana Bay marinas - both offering great dining and bars with daily happy hours. Your entry to our dock is via a private garden access from main street. Taxis pass by 24 hours a day. 5 minutes walk to groceries, cantinas, restaurant options and the central park area with it's iconic old locomotive from the by-gone era. Many say we are the best location you can get in this historical old town, formerly headquarters and loading dock of the Chiquita-Dole banana operations of Central America.
Meet your host
Where I went to school: California
My work: LandSea Services
Katie Duncan arrived to Costa Rica while traveling aboard the sailing vessel 'Caribbee', pleasure cruising with Captain Tim Leachman. With no previous thought to making a home abroad or settling permanently outside their home town of Santa Barbara, California, their cruise down the pacific coast was only meant to be a short escape - a season of fun on the ocean. But something magical happened during those first weeks at anchor in the port town of Golfito . The beautifully calm natural harbor, the verdant green and fantastical sounds of the surrounding jungle, the welcoming bustle of a quaint port town on shore.... It all conspired to lure them into staying longer than planned. One thing led to another and opportunities just kept presenting themselves. The chance for mortgage free property ownership, an easy infrastructure for setting up a business and realizing the dream of self employment, the lure of a more casual lifestyle among a culture of practical and economical living.... Yes, a life with this kind of adventure and joy was too tempting not to embrace! In Katie's words, "there was never a question- I loved Golfito from the moment we pulled into port. It just took a few years to really see and believe that we could make choices to stay and that we could succeed! It's an incredibly bold thing to take a new and unconventional route in life, but not nearly as difficult as one might imagine. Yes, there were challenges along the way. But looking back on it, overcoming the obstacles often made the journey even more exciting and brought more satisfaction and rewards than could have ever been anticipated."
Sharing the fun, the experiences and the expertise gained over the past 24 years is Katie's vocation - . and so obviously her pleasure! Katie and a team of competent people working along with her at Land Sea Services are very well equipped with the experience and ability to guide you into your adventures, assisting you all along the journey!
Katie is a Superhost
Host details
Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
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