Costa Rica Group Vacation FAQ: Booking a Private Resort
Capacity, prices per person, combining estates, airports, meals and booking direct. If your question isn't here, Karen will answer it.
About the estates
What is Costa Rica Private Resorts?
We're the team behind three private group resorts in Costa Rica: Bella Vista Private Resort in the central mountains, The Majestic Lodge at Arenal Volcano, and Johnny's Beach Bungalow on Playa Avellanas. Each is rented whole, to one group at a time, with on-site hosts who live there.
How many people can stay?
Bella Vista sleeps 28 across four homes, The Majestic Lodge sleeps 33 in ten en-suite bedrooms, and Johnny's Beach Bungalow sleeps 28 in six suites and a tiki hut. Groups of 12 to 28 fit best.
Can we host a wedding?
Yes, at all three. Bella Vista hosts up to 100 guests on its 2.5-acre mountaintop, Johnny's up to 70 for a beach ceremony and reception, and the Majestic Lodge up to 50 on its covered volcano-view deck.
Do you have pickleball courts?
Bella Vista has four private lit courts on the property — exclusive to your group. The Majestic Lodge has three covered courts about 20 minutes away and Johnny's plays at Hacienda Pinilla, 10 minutes away.
Who will we be talking to?
Karen is the first point of contact for all three estates — quotes, dates and planning. On the ground, the on-site hosts (Patricia and Felix, Beto and Leidy, Alberto and Karla) look after you.
Planning a trip across more than one estate
Can we stay at more than one estate on the same trip?
Yes — that's the reason this site exists. Most groups of 7 to 14 days split the trip between two or three estates (for example volcano then beach). We coordinate the dates across all three and our hosts can arrange the van transfers between them.
How far apart are the estates?
Bella Vista to the Majestic Lodge is about 2.5 hours, Bella Vista to Johnny's about 3¼ hours, and the Majestic Lodge to Johnny's just under 4 hours. Times are door to door in a group van and vary with traffic and stops.
Which airport should we fly into?
For a multi-stop trip, fly into San José (SJO) and home from Liberia (LIR). Bella Vista is 80 minutes from SJO and Johnny's is 90 minutes from LIR, so neither end of the trip starts or finishes with a long drive.
Do you arrange airport transfers and transport between estates?
Yes. Each estate has its own vans and drivers or trusted local drivers. Tell us your flights and the order of your stops and we'll quote the transfers with your lodging.
Prices, meals and booking
How much does it cost per person?
Whole-estate rates start at $1,250 a night at Bella Vista ($950 in May, September and October), $1,350 at the Majestic Lodge (breakfast included for 16, then $20 per extra guest) and $1,360 at Johnny's (breakfast included for 16, then $20 per extra guest). For a group of 24 that's roughly $52–$63 per person per night for lodging. The trip builder shows the exact math for your group.
Are meals included?
Breakfast is included at the Majestic Lodge and Johnny's. Every estate has an on-site cook who can prepare lunches and dinners, and both the Majestic Lodge and Johnny's offer an all-inclusive Presidential Package with meals, transfers and vehicles.
What's the minimum stay?
Three nights at Bella Vista and the Majestic Lodge. Ask us about Johnny's — it depends on the season.
Is booking direct cheaper than Airbnb or VRBO?
Typically about 10% less, because there are no platform service fees, and you deal directly with the team that runs the resorts.
When to go and staying safe
When is the best time to go?
December to April is dry on the Pacific side; July has a mid-year dry spell; September and October are the rainiest months on the coast and at Arenal, and they're the best-value months. See our month-by-month guide.
Is Costa Rica safe for groups and families?
Costa Rica is one of the most stable countries in Latin America and a very popular family destination. Use normal travel sense — don't leave valuables in cars, use licensed drivers. Staying at a gated private estate with hosts on site adds a layer of comfort many groups appreciate.
Rooms, rules and details for each estate
This page covers planning across all three. Each estate's own site answers the property-level questions: bed layouts, house rules, what's in the kitchen.
Prefer to ask an estate directly? Bella Vista contact · Majestic Lodge contact · Johnny's contact
Didn't find your answer?
Send your question with your dates and group size. Karen replies personally, usually the same day.
Planning the route first? Try the trip builder or the sample itineraries.
