Boutique Vacation Rental Built from Upcycled Shipping Containers

If you’ve been hunting for a vacation rental in Costa Rica that pairs design‑forward style with serious eco‑credentials, Club Marina should be on your shortlist. Tucked into the greenery of Playa  Pelada on the Nicoya Peninsula, the intimate retreat proves that recycled shipping containers can deliver on luxury without the construction footprint of a conventional hotel. Below, we unpack how those steel modules became an Instagram‑worthy hideaway—and why shipping container architecture gives Club Marina an edge in Costa Rica’s sizzling hospitality scene.

1. Why Build with Shipping Containers?

Club Marina’s founders wanted a project that felt both modern and minimalist. Repurposed shipping containers ticked both boxes: they have standard dimensions, minimize on‑site waste, and shorten build times. By retrofitting three shipping containers into sleek apartments—plus adding a salt‑water pool and landscaped courtyards—the team sidestepped the carbon cost of casting tons of new concrete while giving existing materials a second life.

2. Three Distinct Shipping Container Homes, One Cool Retreat

• La Sirena – Ground‑floor, pool‑front, and perfect for travelers who want to pad from bed to beach in flip‑flops.

• Club Marina Suite – A standalone one‑bedroom unit with a separate sleeping zone and its own TV lounge.

• La Mariposa – The owner’s airy upstairs suite, elevated for extra privacy and jungle views.

Each shipping container unit has a full kitchen, spa‑style bath, king bed with luxury mattress, pull‑out sofa for kids, A/C, and its own patio.

3. Design Details that Soften the Steel

Corrugated steel construction can feel too industrial if left untouched. Club Marina pairs that vibe with:

• Locally crafted hardwood furniture that warms up interior walls.

• Natural fibers and imported textiles for a layered, home‑like feel.

• Oversized glass sliders that erase the line between shipping container and canopy, funneling daylight deep into the units.

• High‑efficiency insulation tucked behind shiplap to keep the rooms cool without over‑working the A/C.

4. Shipping Containers as Costa Rica’s New Luxury Builds

Costa Rica’s architecture scene has embraced shipping containers for a while now. The success of Club Marina signals a maturing market where recycled containers can be luxury retreats, not just backpacker hostels. Expect more developers to look at Club Marina’s blueprint and realize you can achieve rapid ROI, visual distinctiveness, and environmental credibility in one bold build.

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