Villa Alberti vs. Casa Pasha Beachfront Estate
Villa Alberti and Pasha Beachfront Estate both host groups of about 20 in fully staffed privacy on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, but they suit different trips. Pasha, often listed as Casa Pasha, is a beachfront jungle compound near Santa Teresa, spread across a main house and three separate villas. Villa Alberti is a single hilltop estate in Las Catalinas, about an hour from Liberia International Airport. The choice usually comes down to beach access, how the group wants to live together, and how far everyone is willing to travel.
Key Takeaways
Choose Pasha if stepping straight onto the sand matters most and your group is comfortable with a longer journey.
Choose Villa Alberti if a short, simple arrival and one shared house matter most.
Pasha splits guests across four buildings. Villa Alberti keeps everyone under one roof in seven equal suites.
Both are fully staffed, and neither should be assumed to be all-inclusive.
Villa Alberti vs. Pasha at a Glance
| Villa Alberti | Pasha Beachfront Estate | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Las Catalinas, a car-free town in northern Guanacaste | Playa Hermosa, just north of Santa Teresa on the southern Nicoya Peninsula |
| Setting | Hilltop estate with ocean views; beaches a short walk away | Jungle estate with direct beach access |
| Layout | One house, seven primary-standard suites, six levels with an elevator | Four-bedroom main house plus three two-bedroom villas |
| Capacity | Up to 21 guests | Up to 20 guests |
| Pools | Two pools, including an ocean-facing infinity pool, plus a jacuzzi | Main infinity pool plus private plunge pools at the villas |
| Team | General manager, concierge, executive chef, bartenders, housekeeping | Head host, chef, live-in 24/7 concierge, housekeeping, security |
| Arrival | About 1 hour by road from Liberia; chauffeured SUV included | About 4.5 to 5.5 hours by road from Liberia, or a small plane to Cóbano |
Pasha details are from published listings by Scott Dunn and My Private Villas and may change. Confirm current details with each property.
Location: Santa Teresa Surf Coast vs. Car-Free Las Catalinas
Pasha sits on Playa Hermosa, a few kilometers north of Santa Teresa, according to Scott Dunn. Santa Teresa is a surf town at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, known for consistent waves, yoga studios, and a lively restaurant scene. Its roads can be dusty in the dry season and muddy from May to November, and most visitors get around by ATV, taxi, or on foot.
Villa Alberti is in Las Catalinas, a planned town in northern Guanacaste where cars stay at the edge of town. The beaches, restaurants, and trails are a short walk from the villa, as described on our destination page. For more on choosing between the two Las Catalinas beaches, see Playa Danta vs. Playa Dantita.
Pedestrian streets in Las Catalinas, where cars stay at the edge of town and the beach is a short walk from Villa Alberti.
Getting There
This is the clearest difference between the two. Reaching Santa Teresa from Liberia takes about 4.5 to 5.5 hours by road, and from San José about 5 to 6 hours including the Puntarenas ferry, according to Tico Travel. The faster option is a small plane from San José to the Cóbano airstrip, a flight of about 30 to 40 minutes, followed by a short drive.
Villa Alberti is roughly an hour from Liberia International Airport on paved roads, and a private chauffeured SUV is included with every stay. A helicopter transfer can be arranged on request. For a group traveling with young children or older relatives, the shorter transfer can shape the whole first day.
Layout and Living Together
Pasha has ten bedrooms across a four-bedroom main house and three two-bedroom villas, each with king beds and en-suite bathrooms, according to My Private Villas. The villas have their own plunge pools and kitchenettes. That layout gives families or couples real separation, which can suit a group of several households that want their own space.
Villa Alberti takes the opposite approach. Its seven primary-standard suites, each with a marble en-suite, sit in one house across six levels connected by a private elevator, described on the accommodations page. Six suites have private ocean-facing terraces. Shared spaces include the rooftop bar, two pools, a media room, and a 40-foot interior waterfall, so the group gathers naturally without walking between buildings.
Plated canapés for a group dinner. At Villa Alberti, the executive chef plans menus around each party's preferences.
Service and Dining
Both estates are built around a dedicated team. Scott Dunn describes Pasha's staff as including a head host, chef, live-in 24/7 concierge, housekeeping, and security, plus a licensed nature guide for excursions. Breakfast is listed as included, with other meals and drinks tailored to the group at additional cost.
At Villa Alberti, the team includes a general manager, concierge, executive chef, bartenders, and housekeeping. The chef plans menus around the group's preferences, described on the dining page. Fully staffed does not mean all-inclusive at either property, so ask which meals, drinks, staff hours, and gratuities are covered for your dates.
The entrance to Villa Alberti, set on a private gated street with a dedicated guard in Las Catalinas.
Privacy
Pasha's privacy comes from acreage and jungle: a large beachfront parcel set back from town. Villa Alberti's comes from its setting: a private gated street with a dedicated guard inside a town with a single controlled entrance. Neither approach guarantees total privacy, and groups with specific security needs should discuss them directly. Our guide to celebrity-frequent villas in Costa Rica covers this in more depth.
Rates
My Private Villas lists Pasha's weekly rates at full occupancy from about $67,900 in the green season to more than $180,000 over the holidays, before a 13 percent sales tax and a 7 percent service fee. Villa Alberti's rates vary by dates and group, so request a quote and compare the full cost of each stay, including meals, drinks, and transfers.
Which Is Right for Your Group?
Pasha may suit you if beach access is the priority, your group includes surfers or yoga devotees, and you are happy with a longer transfer or a small-plane connection.
Villa Alberti may suit you if you want a one-hour arrival, a single house where every suite is a primary suite, and a walkable town with no cars to manage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Villa Alberti beachfront?
No. Villa Alberti is a hilltop estate with ocean views. Playa Danta and Playa Dantita are a short walk away through town.
How many guests do the two estates sleep?
Villa Alberti sleeps up to 21 in seven suites. Pasha is listed for up to 20 across ten bedrooms. Confirm sleeping arrangements with each property.
Which is easier to reach from the United States?
For most travelers, Villa Alberti, because Liberia International Airport receives direct flights from many North American cities and the villa is about an hour away.
Plan a Group Stay at Villa Alberti
Share your preferred dates and group details below. The Villa Alberti team will follow up to discuss availability and how the estate fits your group.
