Our Story
CASA NELDA, MANUEL ANTONIO, COSTA RICA·SATURDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2019·
Bienvenidos a Casa Nelda! I visited Manuel Antonio for the first time in 1998 and, like many other visitors, I was captivated by the landscape, the people, the flora and the fauna. So the next year I came for a two week visit. Both times I returned back to Canada to my Bed and Breakfast Inn and teaching position at a commu
nity college with monkeys, palm trees and beaches on my mind. In 2002 Casa Nelda was purchased with the main house containing four apartments just constructed. The B and B in Stratford, Canada was refinanced and my mother provided the loan for the remainder. It is in her honor that the house bears her name: Casa Nelda, Nelda House. For 11 years I divided my time: six months running the B and B in Canada and six months here. During that time Casa Nelda grew slowly. A pool, parking pad, retaining walls, terraces, and two other buildings were added to the compound. I sold my Canadian stake and moved here full time in 2013. A few years later I decided to try hosting with Airbnb. I had already used them in traveling and found it to be a very reliable way to find accommodation. The extra room in my apartment wasn’t used all that much and the dogs were getting bored with just my attention. The Airbnb enrollment process was very easy. My first guest stayed with me for 11 nights. There have been many more since. I enjoy sharing my home and its tranquil setting with everyone. After a year, when a long term tenant moved out of a studio apartment, I converted that also to an Airbnb suite. Around the same time, I added another washroom to my apartment, allowing for the Airbnb room to have a private washroom. Today, Casa Nelda is principally seven apartments with long term tenants and, one studio and the second bedroom in my apartment for Airbnb guests. We are a pleasant mix of Costa Ricans, full-time residents and, at last count, six dogs and one cat. We welcome our visitors with open arms and hearts.
