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Lake Arenal-Stunning views of the lake, volcano and jungle.

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Lake Arenal-Stunning views of the lake, volcano and jungle.

Interior
Outdoor pool
View from property
2 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, WiFi, bed sheets
Property grounds

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire chalet

2 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 5144 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pool
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
La Fortuna/El Castillo
  • Butterfly Conservatory
    13 min walk
  • Arenal Eco Zoo
    14 min walk
  • Costa Rica Sky Adventures
    10 min drive
  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal)
    54 min drive

Room options

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Lake Arenal-Stunning views of the lake, volcano and jungle.

Our 'Castle in The Clouds' is just seven km from Volcano Arenal, perched 700m above sea-level overlooking the volcano, rainforest, pastures and Lake Arenal and close to many of the most popular amenities the region has to offer . Wake to the sound of howler monkeys, toucans and parrots and enjoy your first cup of locally-grown coffee in our covered gazebo or in the 25 sq. metre sunroom. Our home features a splash pool to cool off after a busy day of eco-adventuring. You can walk to many attractions in the village, including several quaint local restaurants. The home features casual dining indoor or out, hot water throughout, and stunning views from every room. It is completely equipped with a full-sized fridge with ice-maker, gas stove, microwave and blender and includes twice-weekly cleaning service (more often optional on request). An optional personal laundry service is also available. Active or passive, this is the perfect home base for your Arenal vacation!


Although our small stretch of the road is usually in good shape it is steep and the road coming into El Castillo is very rough. We highly recommend a 4x4 vehicle for all your excursions in Costa Rica. We now feature a paved driveway, a separate covered Gazebo (perfect for al fresco dining) and the yard has been completely enclosed with a custom-made 5' stone and wrought-iron fence. You'll enjoy our garden paradise yard featuring a variety of local and tropical plants designed to maximize your Costa Rica experience.

Now-Book Local Tours and Attractions: Hannah and Tomas, our on-site hosts can help you book many local tours and attractions for you on your arrival, saving you the hassle of running around. From zipline tours, hot springs spas and volcano hikes to a horseback ride to a real eco-farm, you can be as busy or as relaxed as you like, but you'll never run out of things to do in the area. Just ask when you arrive and we can make recommendations and reservations for you.

July 2011: If you catch the new reality show 'Love in the Wild' airing on CTV in Canada or NBC in the US, you'll experience life in El Castillo. They were filming the series when we visited in March and almost all of the scenes were shot in and around our little neighbourhood.
Read about 'Love in the Wild' here http://www.ticotimes.net/Current-Edition/News-Briefs/Love-in-the-Wild-host-Darren-McMullen-tells-all_Wednesday-August-03-2011.
During your stay at this chalet, you'll be within walking distance of Butterfly Conservatory. Enjoy features like an outdoor pool.
  • Take a swim in the outdoor pool
  • Services include tour or ticket assistance
  • Within a 15-minute walk of Butterfly Conservatory and Arenal Eco Zoo
As a guest of Lake Arenal-Stunning views of the lake, volcano and jungle., you'll find an outdoor pool, barbecue grills, and tour/ticket assistance. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Peñas Blancas chalet is smoke free.

Property manager

Joe Anderson

Languages

English, French, German, Spanish

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Massage
  • Outdoor pool
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the accommodation: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2.5 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Yard

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • In the mountains
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • On a lake
  • On a river

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Unit size: 1,550 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, which will enable you to manage your booking.

Property is also known as

Lake Arenal-stunning Views Lake Volcano Jungle House
Lake Arenal-stunning Views Lake Volcano Jungle
Lake Arenal stunning Views of the Lake Volcano Jungle
Lake Arenal-stunning Views Lake Volcano Jungle House
Lake Arenal-stunning Views Lake Volcano Jungle House
Lake Arenal stunning Views of the Lake Volcano Jungle
Lake Arenal-stunning Views Lake Volcano Jungle
Lake Arenal stunning Views of the Lake Volcano Jungle
Lake Arenal Stunning views of the lake volcano jungle.

Lake Arenal-Stunning views of the lake, volcano and jungle. Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 88 out of 103 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 15 out of 103 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 103 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 103 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 103 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Erin C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family stay in El Castillo
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lindsey A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stunning property!
The house was everything you needed; cozy, quaint, stunning views, gorgeous landscaping and privacy. It accommodated everything we needed, which was surprising because we failed to realize there was no central air, and we have a ln 11 month old, but the area we were in stayed relatively cool, and even better at night (nice & cool) and they provided multiple fans to circulate the air. We were never uncomfortable. It was truly a treat for my son and husband who had so much fun checking out the frogs, snakes and stunning birds around the property, especially at night. The road leading to the house wasn’t bad at all, once you get up there the first time you’re not too worried about it but definitely do suggest 4WD. The drive to the house was beautiful and there are dozens of restaurants to stop and enjoy and take on the scenery. We absolutely prefer the jungle area over the beach towns! This house was a win!!!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alexis M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Everything we could have asked for!
We had the most incredible time staying here! From waking up to the sounds of howler monkeys to enjoying a nice afternoon visit with the neighbor’s horse to dinner with a volcano view in the gazebo we had everything we could have asked for and more. Anna and team were so responsive and helpful they even recommended local activities and restaurants we should try. When our luggage was left behind by the airline, she even offered to be available for the delivery so we wouldn’t have to give up time from any of our adventures - truly above and beyond! The house has everything you could need from the wonderful pool for recovery from adventure, a fully stocked kitchen to fuel your stay, and a great location for easy access to things like La Fortuna waterfall, the hanging bridges, and of course the water sports on the lake. We look forward to staying again on our next trip to Costa Rica!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scot B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing!
There aren’t enough superlatives for our stay! We loved the house, especially the view. We watched the sun come up over Arenal every morning. And when the volcano showed herself in all her glory that first morning it was magical. We loved La Mesa de Mama at the end of the road, too. Great local food with wonderful people. Can’t wait to come back for a longer stay!!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Antonia B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful place with outstanding views
This house was perfect for our family of 5 as a base to explore the La Fortuna/Arenal region. Everything was great, especially the incredible panoramic views and the lush garden with all types of tropical flowers and the kids loved the plunge pool. We didn't bother cooking at night so it was nice that there were a few close by restaurants on the street. Highly recommend La Ventanita for good prices, nice ambiance and delicious milkshakes. Only way the house could be improved would be a few more standing electric fans to supplement the ceiling fans as we were there in a hot spell and it took awhile for the rooms to cool down in the evening as we followed instructions to leave all windows closed when we went out in case of sudden weather changes.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deborah W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful location with awesome view of volcano
Located away from hustle and bustle of Fortuna, but close to many activities. Anna was a great help to us in suggesting activities and even helping us access some cash so that we could take the amazing horseback ride with Lilander to his secret waterfall. Highly recommend this stay and the warm people of El Castillo.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Tracia K., Pittsburgh, United States

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing views! House is rustic
So the views are amazing of the lake and the volcano. They have amazing gardens outside. The house itself is pretty rustic. There’s no heating or air-conditioning so you have to leave the windows open at night which is fine except for the jungle noises lol. Also, the sofa in the living room is a polyurethane fold out sofa and there is a support bar about every 6 inches. So we really couldn’t even sit there and watch TV and drink our coffee in the morning. It’s pretty remote. It’s close enough within 20 to 30 minutes of zip lining and thermal springs and waterfalls. The road was rough but we were used to that as we’d already been in Costa Rica for seven days. There is a pool, but it was too cold to get in during our stay. It’s a fine place. It’s a place to sleep, the beds are comfortable. The views are amazing and the garden is beautiful. It is not luxurious, sleeping on the couch is not an option.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Derek B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing place
We loved our stay in El Castillo. The people are incredible as well as the food. The hosts were very helpful and accommodating. I would highly recommend staying here.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Surreal location.
We loved our stay in El Castillo. High above the lake, adjacent to the slopes of Arenal, we enjoyed breakfast lunch and dinner with spectacular views. The property has wonderful gardens laden with many varieties of plants and flowers attracting hummingbirds and an array of Costa Rican birds creating a relaxing day or evening to enjoy the property. A four wheel drive is a must. The local village people are friendly and welcoming. A One mile walk up to the El Castillo camp affords magnificent views of the lake and the volcano. 35 minutes from La Fortuna this vacation stay presents a remote location among the locals and away from the tourists! pura Vida!
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kim P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing!
We loved staying here as a part of our CR trip it was definitely a highlight. Anna was nearby and so responsive and all her suggestions were wonderful. Our highlight was definitely lilander horse trail and waterfall. Lee is so kind and it was an unforgettable day. We loved the views from this villa all the birds so many tocans etc, heard the howler monkey's. It was very cool at night we were always comfortable. I would highly recommend
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dave S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful stay. Great access to La Fortuna but just far enough to avoid the crowds
Beautiful gardens and bountiful birdlife. The house was great and we did not have any problems. Definitely listen to the owners advice to arrive during daylight as the entrance is a little tricky the first time. Once you know where it is, it's easy
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Judy L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Breathtaking View
El Castillo village is an experience in true authentic culture. Our stay was wonderful. The property is a little challenging to get to because of the steep gravel road but the view and sunrises are breathtaking. Property managers were very responsive and helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nicole W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise
This home is exactly as pictured and featured beautiful lake and volcano views, a beautiful garden and well appointed furnishings. We arrived and it was sunny and beautiful and we just enjoyed the views. We also ate locally at the restaurants in El Castillo and they were great. We appreciated being out of busy, tourist trap La Fortuna. The local hosts arranged a horseback ride with he stable right down the street and my kids, aged 10 and 14, said it was the best horseback tour they've ever had. Everyone was friendly. My kids even asked if we could move while we had dinner at nearby El Patio. This is a great spot!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hali H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Can't beat the views!
The views of the Arenal volcano and lake were amazing! There may not be a better view of the volcano anywhere, even at the National Park where we hiked the trail to the lookout. We enjoyed waking up to the horses grazing outside of our window, and taking in the sights and sounds while eating breakfast in the gazebo. The grounds with all of the flowering plants were stunning, and, while we didn't see any monkeys, we did see a lot of beautiful birds. Inside, the artwork was also beautiful. The beds were comfortable, as was the furniture on the screened porch. I was really happy that they provided a pail for composting. Tomas and Anna were very receptive to our questions and so helpful and kind! Some suggestions: 1. Put a curtain on the window in the back bedroom, as the lights from the other houses shine in at night. 2. Change out the bed frames as they're a bit too big for the beds and the rooms. We bumped our shins on the corners countless times until we leaned pillows against them. 3. Provide storage containers in the kitchen for leftover food. 4. As the couch (pull-out sofa) in the main living area is not very comfortable, perhaps replacing it with a futon would be better. 5. Fans in the upstairs bathrooms would be helpful. These are minor issues compared to the benefits of staying here, and I would highly recommend El Millon to others. It was the perfect size for two couples, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Angela H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing place to stay!
We absolutely enjoyed the amazing home and incredible views. It is exactly as pictured/described, with a ton to do easily accessible from the home via car. The entire process was seamless, and we would highly recommend this as a place to stay, off the beaten path. I would note that it is difficult to walk anywhere besides one or two restaurants (be prepared to walk straight uphill on the way home), something to be cognizant of when booking!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

KRISTINA C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful private home
Amazing views, gardens, perfect space for 2 couples. A little hard to get to at first but once you know where your going it’s all good. Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan M., Kerrville Texas

Liked: Cleanliness
El Castillo
The home was perfectly located with views and enjoying nature. We enjoyed the village and people who were so friendly and the proximity to everything. Will definitely return.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Barbara M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic Adventure
This property was the perfect spot for the first portion of our Costa Rica vacation. We did a lot of hiking, zip-lining, and waterfall repelling all very close to this property. We loved relaxing in the plunge pool each day and enjoying the gorgeous gardens and views. Loved the cool evening air with the windows open. We would gladly return!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amy D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful place to stay near Fortuna
We loved our stay here. It was a perfect place to explore the Arenal/Fortuna area. We loved the quiet neighborhood/town that was still very close to all the activities and adventures near Arenal/Fortuna. We would absolutely stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joseph B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing!
The property itself is beautifully furnished and decorated on the inside yet it’s the outside grounds and picturesque views which steal the show. Hummingbirds are in abundance when you’re in the back patio/pool area looking at the postcard like view of the volcano and lake. It was truly a piece of heaven.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Norah M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent stay
We enjoyed this beautiful house and location. Stunning views and lovely garden. We did not have a vehicle so arranged transportation through a tour company as local rides are hard to find. Lots of excellent exercise going up the hill!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Josef K., Heidelberg

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Place in Paradise
We were looking for a quiet location with great views of the volcano and we found it here! The property is a little remote (which is what we wanted), but by no means too far away from anything. It was an ideal location for us. The beauty of the position of the house on the mountainside with it's lush garden and quaint pool with tremendous views of Arenal cannot be overstated. Amazing. Thomas and team were very quick with detailed communications and nothing went undone. The property is equipped with what you need to cook on your own if you would like (we did). The upstairs screened in porch was vast and easily accommodates a whole family or two couples. I would say a card playing two couples paradise! The property was easily accessible to all La Fortuna sites which we enjoyed every day with a short drive.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joanne D.

Liked: Cleanliness
El Castillo
Wonderful experience
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Susan P., Galena, Illinois

Liked: Cleanliness
Incredible house and spectacular scenery
The start of our vacation got off to a fabulously by renting this home. Each room was comfortable and inviting and every necessity was provided for us. It was "move in ready." The property itself was breathtaking with a huge variety of flowers, shrubs and trees. When the clouds dissipated the view of the volcano was unbelievable. The road to the house was a bit bumpy, but for frequent travelers to Costa Rica, we have come to realize this is the case in many of the most stunning places here in this country. We cannot say enough good about Tomas and his team, especially Anna. When I left my checkbook and checkbook register at the house after leaving, they promptly notified me and arranged for it to be delivered to Tamarindo. Additionally, the cleaning ladies did a spectacular job midweek. Not one complaint from us, other than a bit of rainy weather. For folks arriving from snowy and cold Illinois, we welcomed the warmth of the sun when it came out and of course, as always, the warmth of the people.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alicia A., Edina, Minnesota

Liked: Cleanliness
A house with a view
We enjoyed 2 nights at this hillside home that has amazing views of Arenal Volcano and the lake.The home is near a local yoga and spa retreat called Essence Arenal that has a nice restaurant. We did the 1968 Volcano hike that is about 2.5 hours through a forest. The roads are not in great condition and very steep. If you are a good driver and love adventure, then this is the spot for you. There is a bbq restaurant a little north of the tourism center over the bridge. It is a good lunch stop.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021