What is this place with over 400 “Excellent” reviews, we wondered? After reading all the rave reviews for some time, we finally had a business meeting in Santa Ana and took the opportunity to stay at Casa Bella Rita. We corresponded with Rita (who is the volunteer Event Coordinator of the animal welfare organization SASY here in Costa Rica) during the donation drive before we realized who she was. Between her community work and business responsibilities, we frankly don’t understand how she manages to pull it all off so well!

Staying at Casa Bella Rita is really like staying with friends. As cliché as that may sound, it really does best describe this traditional bed & breakfast experience in the best sense of the term. it is about personal service and attention to detail. Rita and Steve are gracious hosts who are there to greet you and welcome you in person. And like staying at a good friend’s home, the open kitchen allows socializing and a glimpse into what’s cooking. Although we arrived too late for dinner, Steve and Rita’s love of good food is evident judging from the produce and enticing scents wafting through the kitchen.

Like the wonderful hosts they are, and experts in appraising best restaurants at all levels, Rita and Steve are a wealth of information on the best places to eat in town, of which there are many.

Even though this was a business trip, it ended up being about meeting new friends. For the most secluded spot (the views to the canyon from the garden and pool are beautiful) and for the friendliest hosts with intimate knowledge of the area, Casa Bella Rita would be tough to beat in Santa Ana.

I have never written a tripadvisor review before but feel compelled to do so about our stay at Casa Bella Rita. We stayed for 1 night at the beginning of our trip and my only regret is that we didn't stay our last night as well. We arrived midday and Steve was there at the airport with a smile. We spent the afternoon on the patio with some other guests we met enjoying wine, cheese and that beautiful canyon view. Rita set up dinner reservations for us at her favorite restaurant as well as the taxi there and back and we all loved it. She also set up an amazing 2 day rafting trip for us which I highly recommend as well as a private transfer with her driver Luis who is also a real gem. He is so friendly and he chatted with us and pointed out all of the sights along the way. The morning we left the hotel we had a very early pick-up at a nearby hotel for our tour. Rita not only had the taxi there and waiting for us but she was right there at the ready with coffee and breakfast to-go at 5am! I have been a travel agent for more than 25 years and would highly recommend Casa Bella Rita to any one of my clients without hesitation. Rita and Steve have found a perfect piece of paradise and I feel very fortunate to have been able to experience it. They are the perfect host and hostess making everyone feel like a welcome part of the their family while at the same time taking care of all of the details and making it look effortless. It is without a doubt the best way to start and/or end your Costa Rica adventure. Thank you Rita and Steve for such an amazing place.

We got into San Jose and we had to wait a day before our friends arrive. Although San Jose is nice, we didn't want to stay in the middle of San Jose. I'm glad my wife found Case Bella Rita.

It was very relaxing and enjoyable to sit on the terrace overlooking the canyon. We have 2 kids (4 and 8) who were treated super by Steve and Rita. They we very busy attending to all of the guests needs, so I felt a bit uncomfortable when my daughter kept bugging Rita. She did that because Rita was so nice to her and engaged her in conversation about dogs, her favorite subject. In any case, we got so comfortable hanging out that our only excursion was to a magnificent restaurant with delicious local cuisine.

If you want to swing in a hammock, lounge next to a parrot reading a book, or just stare off into the hillside views, this is a great place to do it.

Agreed, a great place to stop off on our way to our Costa Rica vacation. A very relaxed atmosphere and a yummy breakfast made for us before we took off on a very early flight. We enjoyed relaxing and talking to other guests in the evening. We all ordered in from a very serviceable pizza place and had our dinners together