Luxury With Purpose: Villa Punto de Vista Joins Make-A-Wish North Texas for a Night of Hope
Nearly 20 years ago, Villa Punto de Vista began as a dream our family had of returning to our mother’s roots—a homecoming of sorts. For our family, it was the ultimate chance to cultivate something in our homeland and hers that went far beyond the views, thread counts, and five-star service. To us, luxury has always been measured by impact. By how we transform the lives of our guests, our team, our community, our land, and our world.
This begins with ensuring that every stay with us is an opportunity to give back, to uplift communities near and far, and to remind that pura vida is not just a phrase confined to Costa Rica; it’s a way of life rooted in generosity, community, and connection.
That spirit was on full display this spring in Dallas, Texas, where Villa Punto de Vista proudly supported the 28th Annual Wish Night Gala for Make-A-Wish North Texas. This spectacular black-tie evening raised more than $1.6 million to help make life-changing dreams come true for children with critical illnesses.
A Record-Breaking Wish
Dinner at the Omni Dallas Hotel gave way to stories; stories opened the door to giving. The live auction wasn’t spectacle so much as momentum, a string of extraordinary experiences fueling hope across the 161 counties Make-A-Wish North Texas serves.
A South Africa safari. Paris Fashion Week. A snowy week in Telluride. A Tuscany dinner with world-class designer Salvatore Ferragamo.
And then our corner of the rainforest entered the room, featuring a five-night stay at Villa Punto de Vista, a fully staffed luxury villa in Manuel Antonio.
The paddle-raising swelled. When it settled, the villa package had raised $42,000, a record for the organization.
A Night of Hope and Heart
Throughout the evening, guests were reminded of why their generosity matters.
Wish Kids and their families took the stage to share their stories of resilience and joy. Alex Busby, who was born with a heart condition, had his wish granted to become Maui from Disney’s Moana. Allie Gonzales shared how her trip to Paris after a rare ovarian cancer diagnosis changed her life and inspired her to return years later as a Wish Coordinator for Make-A-Wish North Texas.
Co-owner and architect David Konweiser attended the fundraiser with his wife, Sabrina, and their two daughters to represent the villa and give back.
After, David shared, “We build experiences designed to bring people together, and that spirit extends far beyond our walls. Moments like these remind us what hospitality and service are truly about.”
In Dallas, far from the Pacific and canopy of Manuel Antonio, it was easy to see what he meant.
The night ended the way the best nights do: with gratitude and hope.
By the end of the night, more than $1.6 million had been raised to grant future wishes.
Yet the work continues: more than 1,100 children in North Texas are still waiting for their dreams to come true, and every 20 minutes, another child is diagnosed with a critical illness.
Rooted in Community from Texas to Costa Rica
While participating in the 28th annual Wish Night focused on our global giving efforts, this is one small facet of what we do.
Community support has always been at the heart of Villa Punto de Vista’s mission.
We designed the estate to host transformative experiences, yes. But it’s also about uplifting the communities and environment that make Costa Rica such an extraordinary place.
Every stay directly supports local initiatives, from providing new uniforms and equipment for children’s sports teams in neighboring villages to collaborating with guests on CSR activities. Just as we say there’s no request too big or detail too small for our guests, there’s no request too big or project too small when it comes to enhancing the lives of those around us and our world.
The team also ensures a portion of every stay contributes to the preservation of our 2.5-acre private rainforest reserve, a sanctuary where monkeys, sloths, and toucans thrive right alongside you on the terrace and in the treetops, waiting right outside the balcony of your private suite.
On a parcel this size, most would build. However, we chose restraint when defining the goals and architecture of our private villa estate in Costa Rica.
By deliberately containing our footprint, we’ve effectively extended Manuel Antonio’s green corridor, protecting the flora and fauna that make this coast so rare and keeping the jungle’s hush exactly as it should be. And precisely what makes it such a distinctive experience for our guests.
And this is just the beginning…
Travel That Gives Back
For guests who want generosity woven into their itinerary, Villa Punto de Vista partners with organizations such as Pack for a Purpose, which invites travelers to bring essential items like school supplies or hygiene kits that benefit nearby schools and families.
We also work with corporate and retreat groups to design custom corporate social responsibility experiences that align with their organization’s unique skill sets or mission.
For example, a recent guest, Mary-Anne Bowcott, known as The Lady Plumber on Instagram, joined the BuildHer Retreat hosted by Integro Builders. Each event she attends, Bowcott likes to lend her services locally, so our owners and pre-arrival concierge found a local retirement home in need of services, provided fiscal support and supplies, and worked with her to complete the project. This is simply one example.
Sustainability in Every Detail
Beyond this, our architecture tells a story of respect for nature.
The villa was built upward, not outward, to minimize environmental impact while maximizing water views for our guests.
Materials such as recycled glass, reclaimed wood, locally sourced Costa Rican Pink Sandstone, and sustainably harvested teak allow the design to harmonize with the surrounding rainforest rather than disrupt it. We also hire local mom-and-pop shops to support our build goals, not global conglomerates that put locals out of business.
The result is a space where luxury feels organic, where every sunrise over the Pacific and every laugh shared on the terrace becomes a reminder that beauty and responsibility can coexist.
The Legacy of Giving
Wish Night left us with a simple truth:
True luxury is leaving a legacy.
Whether it’s helping grant a child’s wish in Texas or protecting the land in Costa Rica that our family has called home for generations, each act of kindness creates ripples that extend far beyond a single stay or a single event.
With this, know that when you choose Villa Punto de Vista, you’re not just reserving a luxury private oceanview estate.
You’re joining a community that believes joy multiplies when it’s shared and that sometimes, the most beautiful view is the difference you help make.
Our impact, to date
Together with our guests and partners, we’ve raised over $500,000 for charities worldwide, including, but not limited to: Breakthrough T1D, UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center, Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Cup, The Rainforest Alliance, Cancer for College, Pack for a Purpose, and many more.
Giving back and supporting supporting local schools, conservation, and community initiatives isn’t a campaign here; it’s part of who we are.
Plan your stay at Villa Punto de Vista and be part of a movement where luxury and generosity meet. Every reservation supports local schools, conservation, and community initiatives in Costa Rica and beyond.
Christien Johnson is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Villa Punto de Vista Estate, an award-winning private resort in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. With nearly 20 years in luxury hospitality, he has helped make the estate a benchmark for private villa experiences, earning 700+ five-star reviews, 13 consecutive WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards (an achievement only secured by the top 3% of venues worldwide) and a vote as the #1 wedding venue in Costa Rica, as well as recognition from Architectural Digest, Condé Nast Johansens, and the Global Choice Awards as the Best Villa in Central America.
Christien also founded and manages Vista Destinations Luxury Travel Agency, Costa Rica Weddings, and Costa Rica Chefs, and advises brands worldwide on automation and AI in luxury hospitality, shaping the next era of high-touch, personalized travel as a trusted voice in private-estate and transformational travel.
