KANYINI

Playa GrandeGuanacasteCosta Rica

Welcome to Kanyini

If you are reading this, you are perhaps interested in a home in Kanyini, or have already chosen one. Either way, welcome. We are glad you are here.

A surfer holding her board above her head at the water’s edge at sunset

Kanyini means

love with responsibility: to care for the land, our family, and all life.

It is a concept from the Aboriginal Pitjantjatjara people of Central Australia, a country our family has deep ties to. It sits at the heart of everything we are building together.

Why Playa Grande

We chose Playa Grande for what it is: jungle meeting the ocean, quiet nights, turtles on the beach and homes that sit gently among the trees.

Two surfers carrying their boards along a shaded jungle path — The path to the waves.

A surfer carrying her board on her head through the trees towards the ocean — Through the trees to the ocean.

Our vision

A small, close community of families who want to be part of the wider Playa Grande community, live close to nature and the beach, and step away from the rush and pressures of modern life.

The Chief Dreamer

For more than 30 years, alongside his career, Rob van Es has turned remarkable sites around the world into homes for his family, each one a passion project: a 16th-century canal house in Amsterdam, a 19th-century former hotel in Laren, various homes in Silicon Valley that brought northern European design to the Valley, and most recently a residence built into the rocks above Shelly Beach in Manly, Australia. He built every one of them for his own family, and every one raised the standard of its neighbourhood.

By profession, Rob is a Silicon Valley technology executive who has built and exited several companies. He brings the same discipline to every home: a clear vision, careful planning, strong teams, and close control of quality and budget.

A passion project

Kanyini brings all of that experience together, and it is the biggest adventure yet. Luxury beach homes set into the jungle, with direct access to the ocean, next to Las Baulas National Park. It is ambitious, it will be fun, inspiring and built with the same love and care as every home before.

Kanyini is his boldest creation yet.

A place where days are measured by tides and sunsets rather than by schedules.

Property overview

The property

Private jungle. A world-class break. A national park as your own front yard.

Tucked into a private stretch of jungle, Kanyini is just 200 metres from the town of Playa Grande, yet it feels a world away. A short path through the trees takes you straight onto the sand and into one of Costa Rica’s legendary surf breaks. Surfers who know Playa Grande will recognize the spot: beach markers 10 and 11 are right here on the property.

We are part of Las Baulas National Marine Park, a protected coastline where leatherback turtles still come ashore to nest. It is a front yard that, of course, will never be built on.

Homes: Luxury homes
Total land: 8 acres (about 3.2 hectares)
Beach frontage: 145 metres
Lot sizes: 1,250 to 6,000+ m²
Protected land: Includes Las Baulas National Park
Status: Permits for the initial phase approved

Site plan: aerial view of the land between the beach and Calle Pública, showing lots 1 to 10 with their areas, the internal road on the agricultural easement, and the beach lots 7 to 10 — Site plan showing the lots and the beach. Tap to view full size.

Home projects

The homes

Luxury homes, each designed for its own place among the trees.

Construction starting soon

Casa Mareas

5bedrooms
900+ m²development
Modern organicluxury style

Casa Mareas is a five-bedroom home in a modern organic style: natural stone, warm timber and soft plaster, shaped by a roofline that curves gently along its length. Deep overhangs keep the rooms shaded, and the house sits low among the mature trees rather than above them.

At the back, the living spaces open fully through tall glass onto the terrace, the pool and the sun deck, so inside and outside become one place. It is a home made for long days outdoors and evenings with family and friends.

Casa Mareas garden side: glass walls opening onto a terrace, a long pool with a timber sun deck and loungers, and a curved bedroom wing — The garden side: open living, the pool and a curved bedroom wing.

Villa Eitan

4bedrooms
325 m²home
Two levelsopen to the garden

Villa Eitan is a four-bedroom home over two levels. A broad, flat roof floats over the upper floor on natural stone columns, with warm timber ceilings beneath it and glass balconies that look out over the trees.

On the ground floor, the living and dining spaces open fully onto a covered terrace, the lawn and a plunge pool, framed by green hedges and tropical planting.

More homes to follow

New homes will be added here as their designs are ready.

Ask about the homes

Location & contact

Where to find us

Playa Grande, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Set into the jungle with direct access to the ocean, next to Las Baulas National Park.

Aerial view of a long curved beach backed by green forest, with a river estuary in the foreground and hills on the horizon — Jungle meeting the ocean on the Guanacaste coast.

KanyiniPlaces to stayPlaces to eat

Getting here

Kanyini is in Playa Grande, just off route 933, close to the beach and to the village’s surf hotels and restaurants.

Nearest airports: Tamarindo, 25 min
Liberia, 1 hr
Nearest towns: Huacas, Tamarindo and Brasilito
Beach: Playa Grande main beach, 1 min away
Nearby: Lots of great food options and adventure

Aerial view of a rocky point, turquoise water and a wide sandy beach backed by forest — Wide beaches, rocky points and warm water.

Get in touch

Email us