The nearest international airport is in Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. While one can drive the approximately four-hour scenic route through the mountains and then towards the country's southern Pacific coast, the more convenient way is by 45-minute flight to Las Delicias - either commercial flight to Palmar Sur, or to Las Delicias' own paved runway.   

Our visit in the fall of 2008 was hosted by Las Delicias' owner, a Roman family with homes in a number of international places. They visited and and fell in love with Costa Rica three decades ago. Upon our arrival,we were greeted by Victor the butler and his wife Dahlia, the cook,who together care for Las Delicias and its guests with service that is as exactingly professional as it is warm and welcoming. We could have eaten off the spotless hardwood floors, and their scrumptious meals were prepared from cherished family recipes and served in white-glove style by Victor. Overseeing the guests' activities both at the house and in the area is a lovely English-fluent hostess.

The home has all the personal touches of the multi-generational family that has loved it for so many years - photos of their time at the ranch,walls hung with their favorite riding and walking hats, several different sets of their fine china and flatware, gorgeous linens that are different for each dinner. Furniture is antique white wicker, cerulean blue fabrics and colorful Dhurrie rugs. In fact, the theme of blue extends to the house's exterior trim (a local tradition) and reflects the color of the clear skies that surround the nearby peaks.

There are six bedrooms, each with private bath, on two floors. Linens are fine, spotless and meticulously ironed by Dalia.

Serving as the daytime gathering place is a large hammocarium on the ground level, open-air and cooled by the breezes coming from the nearby Pacific. Lunches are most often taken there, followed by an afternoon siesta in one of the five locally-made hammocks - or a dip in the pool that overlooks the house's long and manicured lawn and gardens.

This is Costa Rican home cooking at its best. Breakfasts can be typical for the country: gallo pinto, homemade tortillas with cheese, fresh fruit, and Dalia's homemade banana nut bread;most often, they are enjoyed right in the cozy breakfast room just next to the country kitchen. Lunches are in the spacious and breezy open-air hammocarium and can include the freshest ceviche this writer has EVER had, arroz con camarones (rice and prawns) served in a half pineapple;my favorite was the typical Costa Rican lunch of black beans puree, baked plantano, fried cheese (absolutely delicious but understandably filling), homemade tortillas, sweet corn salad, and ending with Dalia's coconut flan. Dinners are most often in the beautiful dining room,with Victor serving in white jacket and gloves although the feeling is warm and homey; there is LOTS of fresh fish such as tiburon a la planca (grilled shark) served with a puree of carrots and potato, or grilled sea bass with sautéed fresh vegetables.

Of course, there is the requisite afternoon tea followed by a siesta in the hammocarium.

Las Delicias is a cattle ranch and rice-growing farm of 1,000 acres, so that, naturally, activities include horseback riding (for all ages and riding levels) on the wide-open fields,with the gorgeous mountain scenery on one side. Children can join the ranch's friendly sabaneros (cowboys) for ranch chores or to watch the harvesting of rice. There is also a tennis court, swimming pool and shuffleboard court adjacent to the house and, for more sedentary pleasure, a siesta-taker's paradise of five hammocks on the shaded and breezy terrace.

Long, almost-deserted, sandy beaches are about 15 minutes away by car, in one of Costa Rica's many national parks and nature reserves; picnic lunches can be customized to guests' orders and delivered to them on the beach, and horseback riding can be arranged. And what would a trip to Costa Rica be without visiting the rainforest mangroves? Our particular excursion was a serene, tourist-absent two-hour boat trip up a wide estuary,with an English- speaking guide to help us spot howler monkeys, yellow boa constrictors, orange-neck turtles, scarlet mackaws (four monogamously-mated beauties in ONE tree!), giant 6-inch lobster grasshoppers,American crocodiles (the fiercest of their species), and“Jesus Christ lizards” (they walk on water!) Also within 90 minutes are a seldom-visited Indian reservation and parks with Costa Rica's well-known canopying. But even with the varied excursions into nature-rich Costa Rica, our favorite pastime was to enjoy the comforts and quiet of the plantation house and ranch.

Many consider that the finest months to visit Costa Rica are its dry season, from December through June or July. But our visit was in September, and the rain that we experienced came in afternoon bursts, one or two hours long (nicely coordinated with our splendid siestas), and they were followed by bright sunshine. And, there were such lovely breezes that the house's overhead fans combined with ample screens to keep us marvelously cool.

For families and other parties of up 10 guests, the weekly rate is $22,500, inclusive of three meals daily (and a wonderful afternoon tea), the house wines, and soft drinks. Additional nights are $3,200.  Stays of at least seven nights are recommended to get the full enjoyment of the plantation and surrounding area. Subject to additional charge, if requested, are: specially ordered wines, champagnes, liqueurs and spirits, car rental (we recommend it for the wide variety of excursions), guided tours, musical groups, babysitters and massage. Transfers from the Palmar Sur airport are included, but transfers from the San Jose Airport are extra. Staff gratuities of 2% are added to guests' bills.