We booked this property for our first visit to CR with a view to considering the country as a regular winter getaway from Ohio winters. We stayed the first night in San Jose where we met up with our friends two other couples and it was just as well we planned it that way as we had to wait until 7.30pm for Avis to deliver our Mitsubishi Montero 5+2 SUV. I would strongly suggest that you avoid nighttime driving as the last 50kms or so are on unlit, unlined, gravel roads. There are three routes into the property from the main north/south road on the west side of the Gulf of Nicoya, from N to S the first is a steep mountain road from Carmona (the first route we took (and we only took it once)), the second requires fording a river "large stream really" which had water in it the first couple of times but was dry the last time we drove through it in mid March from Juan de Leon, and the southern route from Jicaral which is the flattest run.
The property itself is magnificent from the first arrival through the gate, Jose the caretaker ran over to open it as we pulled up, the garden, the flowers, the palms, and you catch the first glimpse of the ocean and the sandy beach. Once we got all the luggage and supplies (from Walmart in Escasu on the way) we were able to start appreciating all La Gobetta has to offer. The open plan rancho is ideal for the location and has seating areas around the bar, a large dining table which can seat 10 two canopies with chairs and tables along with three loungers on the well maintained grassy area between the rancho and the beach. The two burner Propane professional range and the large Propane grill are set up on wheels with the gas bottles so they can be moved around from the enclosed kitchen area into the bar or dining areas to prepare meals. The two side by side fridge/freezers are a little elderly but work well except the water and ice dispensers are out of action. There are lots of ice cube trays and we kept a bag of ice from the local supermarket (there are two) in San Francisco de Coyote a short drive. There is a complete range of pots and pans, a good coffee maker a microwave and large toaster oven, plenty of dishes and cutlery, and a good old fashioned blender (essential for Pina Coladas) and Bulmar keeps it all clean. The water to all the sinks is cold only and the showers use electric shower head heaters which work well. All in all we have booked for two months next year. 5 stars are not enough!!