Angel & Jorge

Reviews

93 total reviews

89% Excellent

93 reviews

4.84

2014–2023

Cleanliness 4.8

Accuracy 4.8

Communication 4.9

Location 4.7

Check-in 4.8

Value 4.7

93 reviews

2BR Home in San Juan del Sur

Lou

Good, 2 years ago

Literally the most beautiful place possible. We were captivated by the beauty of the setting. The architecture in this house is crazy! The fact that everything is open makes the immersion in the forest very intense! Really great about that! 🤩 We knew the pool wasn't passable, but the communal pool could not be used as well. And as stated in the announcement, there are few Wifi you will be totally disconnected, do not consider this place to work. As the house is in nature, several visitors came to see us (as there are small entrances under the doors and at the walls). For example, several bats🦇, lizards and locusts🦎🦗, but also two scorpions in the room and shower🦂. It's quite normal given the setting, but for the last one it surprises! Think before you come if you are very afraid of insects, if not, feel free to come and discover this beautiful house! Thanks for the experience ☺️✌️

I absolutely loved this treehouse! It was exactly what I needed. Angelica and Jorge are also wonderful people. They picked me up in San Jorge when I got off the ferry and Angelica would shuttle me to anywhere I needed to go the whole time I was there. Not only that, but they make some of the best cheese I've ever had and she would bring me a variety of cheeses throughout my stay. The sunsets are fantastic. The walk to the beach is short and there is an excellent restaurant right on the beach with great WiFi if you need to work. My colleagues were pretty jealous of my beachfront office. I already miss Casa Arbol and hope to come back. It's a real treasure.

My only problem was the bad wifi signal but that's not the hosts fault. Sometimes like that in Nicaragua. Just have to adapt. Place was everythingwe wanted for peace and quiet.

Host Response

Merci beaucoup John pour votre venue et votre gentillesse.

First, the accommodation and surroundings were breathtakingly beautiful. The beaches were a 15-20 minute walk and fantastic. It is very important to pay attention to shopping beforehand, if you do not have your own car. BUT unfortunately there were also some negative things: We were offered a shuttle for $80 by Angelique in advance. In the village we found it for half, in the first hostel we asked in. When we arrived, the pool was completely dirty and not cleaned and due to damage that was not fixed throughout the stay, we had to turn off the water pump that was outside the house after each water use. Although there are probably regular power outages, there were no candles or flashlights in the house. On the day of departure we had no running water and did not get any help from Angelique. However, it was very nice that we were allowed to stay a few hours longer after check out.

Oh my word this was the best accommodation that we stayed at so far in Nica. Angelique and her husband are wonderful and we even visited their lovely French cheese shop in San Juan which you should checkout. They also offered very affordable transport services which made getting around much easier since we didn't have a vehicle. The house is something to be experienced... not only for it's gorgeous setting but also architecturally. A full nature immersion experience within a super setup home with amazingly comfortable beds, linens, high end kitchen items, etc. And great beaches not far off... a 15 minute walk got me to my favorite beach. Great spot with a little restaurant, clean facilities and good swimming conditions. Overall the rental was a fabulous experience which I HIGHLY recommend. Thanks so much Angelique and George! Looking forward to seeing you next time 😊

The location is SPECTACULAR! One of our favourite places in Nicaragua to stay - being in the canopy watching the monkeys and birds of pray soar just outside the window was so cool! It is such a special place. Its quite remote and difficult to get to with the roads - definitely you need a 4x4 and a brave driver, but it’s so worth it if you want some peace and quiet in nature. The beach nearby is just about walkable (sweaty on steep hills!) and spectacular. We saw some amazing animals on the walk too! As Angel said, in the jungle things can sometimes break a little, so there were a few issues with water and wifi at the beginning but Angel was super helpful and responsive and was really quick to fix things. If you can get there it is so worth it!

The house was amazing but the road to the house was horrible. Dirt road, with a lot of holes because of the rainy season. Definitely need an ATV or 4x4 to get there, but it’s still difficult by car. But the house was to die for! I would highly recommend you going there, the view was amazing and it’s close to the beach, the sunsets, omg! We got woken up every morning by the howler monkeys just outside the house. It’s really close to nature. The only thing I didn’t like, was the non existing warm weather in the showers. Otherwise I have absolutely no complaints. The host was so nice, and very helpful. We had a problem with the gas for the stove the first night at arrival, and within one hour it was fixed.

The house is located in the middle of the jungle, that’s at least how you feel. Definitely a 4x4 car is needed. You can also see and hear the sea. And of course some monkeys, which will wake you up in the early morning. The experience is amazing if you love to be in the nature. Of course, this also brings with it all sorts of insects and animals which will be your faithful companion the whole time :) We had a crab in the shower, a scorpion in the bathroom and a bird or bat in the bedroom - just to mention some of them. There are no moskito nets for the beds. The house itself was in a quite worn-out condition. Especially compared to other houses by balcones - this is definitely the most worn-out one. Unfortunately we‘ve had also a lot of issues which the two friendly owner tried to fix as soon as possible but that didn’t really help that at the end we’ve had all this issues and everything around it. The flushing of both toilets didn’t work. On the second day we’ve had a water leak. Water was running from the kitchen out of the pipe downstairs. We had no warm water for the shower the whole time. Also the shower had no pression. Impossible to wash the hair. The blender was broken. Then they repaired it - but it still leaked. Too many issues for that price. That’s why I won’t recommend this place and would prefer one of the other nice houses of balcones which were in a much better condition.

If you want to stay in a tree house in the jungle with a spectacular view,,,, then this is the place!! Certainly expect warm tropical evenings with just a fan to cool you down.... If you enjoy hiking and being with nature, this will not disappoint!! Close enough to town--does require a 4X4 for sure!! I rented an enduro motocycle from "El Gato Moto Rentals"!!!,,, it was fine, but when it rained it was difficult. You can walk/hike to the beach and explore!! Great food around town and friendly people everywhere. This is a must if you want peace and quite and spectacular sunsets!!!

If you are looking to escape your reality THIS is the place - the most incredible view, sunset and surrounded by so much wildlife - Casa Arbol is heaven on earth. The beach just down the road is the most incredible, chill beach we've been to. Juanita's is such a cute beach bar (pro tip: fish curry and pina coladas). Hill/mountain down to the beach is insane and if you're looking to shed some pounds this walk will do that haha. Angelique is the best host- and try her cheese at her shop in town.

What a fantastic place! Gorgeous architecture and incredible views. Angel was an excellent resource for suggestions around SJDS and will help you arrange anything you need. (Our motorcycle, for instance, was a breeze!) They also have a little shop that carries a multitude of local goods that you should DEFINITELY check out while you're there. We also HIGHLY recommend Juanitas. Great little dive on the beach accessed by the property's private access road. Best, least crowded beach we experienced down there and it's right in the back yard.

A really unique AirBNB experience with fabulous views. The house was clean and the hosts were very helpful in directing us, arranging a car rental and giving us any advice/information we requested. Wifi was intermittent during our stay and water supply is limited, but when asked, the hosts acted to refill the tank. The nearby beach is beautiful, the monkeys were a delight to hear and local people are very, very friendly. We recommend the nearby treetop trekking, a car trip to climb Mombacho (a volcano in a national park a couple hours away) and boogie boarding at the beach. If you’re planning to drive around, ordering a local driver to take you from place to place is considerably less expensive than renting a vehicle, but if you want to drive around every day, making several stops, a rental might be easier. Let them know in advance if the pool is important to you so they can have it cleaned as it takes a couple days. We really enjoyed it and would recommend it as a unique vacation option.

I had this airbnb linked saved for two years as one of my dream homes, and when I finally got the chance to stay there its surpassed all my expectations!The host take care of you in a manner I've rarely seen, not only do they make sure everything related to the house runs smoothly but on top of that they go above and beyond to make sure you're enjoying yourself during your trip. Angelique and Marco literally gave us an itinerary of nice things to do around the area. We encountered a problem with our car rental and they took care of the issue as if it was their own. The house itself is impeccable, the pictures will never truly do it justice you have to see it for yourself. Even for me who's not too comfortable in nature I was blown away by every aspect of the house. Marco and Angelique are a formidable team and you shouldn't hesitate to book with them. This is what airbnb is all about! 10 out of 5 ! Thank you and hopefully we get to comeback sometime in the future. Much love from Montreal Canada and happy holidays!

This place wowed us from the moment we saw it. Some of the most beautiful sunsets you will ever see and a variety of tropical wildlife around you. It’s an adventurer’s paradise. The screened windows allow for airflow and make you feel like you are a part of the jungle. Arguably the best spot of the house is the hammock overlooking the view of the hills and the ocean. It’s a fantastic place to relax, unwind and enjoy the beauty that is Nicaragua.

Amazing views, comfortable space very peaceful. It is worth noting that the neighboring home that shares the pool is very close. When heading to the grocery prior to heading up I would recommend stopping in Masaya if driving down. The Palí in San Juan has a limited inventory, we found in San Juan that the local markets and Miscelánea Sánchez had more selection even with basic items albeit somewhat higher prices. We would definitely consider staying again if our travels bring us to SJDS.

Wow! We had the best stay in this amazing house. Waking up each day to the view was unreal. We had everything we needed while we were there. The monkeys were so fun to watch in the trees right outside the screens. The feeling of being outside even while laying in bed is pretty unbeatable. Finding this house was a huge reason for traveling to Nicaragua and I’m so glad we did!

Host Response

Thank you for being such fabulous guests!

Your place was amazing! Gabriela was fantastic. We loved that she was our contact person — she took us around town and helped us get groceries before showing us the way up to our airbnb, and was so supportive when our flights were delayed by 8 hours and we missed our first day! We absolutely loved the space, the view, the sounds of the jungle at night, and the private beach! Lounging in the hammocks was wonderful to watch the sunset from. All the screens and netting worked great in keeping our sleep bug-bite free! The pool was clean and a delight to float in. As expected in the jungle, we had a critter friend in the house though we never actually saw them! We found that the freezer took a long time to freeze ice cubes solid—usually overnight and some were still watery, and I wonder if the fridge could be set colder as well. The stove ran out of propane mid-dinner prep but the maintenance staff was quick to replace it for us. All the maintenance and security staff are truly exceptional and we always felt well cared for and safe! We would definitely return when we can!

Host Response

Jenny- thank you for the spot on honest review! We are so glad that once you finally arrived, you enjoyed your stay. You are right about the fridge and a new one is in the works. We really hope that you come back sometime in the future too! Happy travels

Casa Arbol is definitely up there on my list of favorite experiences! Laura was great from the minute I booked the Airbnb. She got me in contact with all the right people including car rental and our Remax host, Gabi, who then greeted us once we got to San Jun Del Sur and even took us grocery shopping and drove us to the nearby beach and up to the house for the first time. Both Laura and Gabi were quick to answer all of my questions. We felt super comfortable and taken care of throughout the whole stay. Full disclosure, every night we found new creatures in the Airbnb but honestly it’s all Part of the experience! Scorpions, mice, spiders, and other little critters paid us a few visits but it’s definitely all part of living in the treetops. We woke up to the roars of howler monkeys and fell asleep to the sounds of nature. The house itself was clean and fully equipped. There were times we did not have hot water but to us it was the most refreshing after a long day in the Nicaraguan sun. All in all, it was an amazing trip from start to finish. Everything about it was perfect. Highly highly highly recommend this Airbnb and booking with them!

We had the BEST vacation at this spot! It was such a beautiful space and they provided everything you could need. They're not kidding when they say get a 4WD to get up there, because the road is rough, so definitely listen to that advice. It's the jungle so there will be some animals and bugs, but the house itself very clean. Before you're led up to the house the first time take advantage of going to the grocery store because you won't want to drive back down later. The beach is such a wonderful feature! We visited plenty of beaches in Nicaragua on our trip and the Balcones one (the one accessible from the house) was by far our favorite.

Very secluded and private but only 15-20 drive from downtown but if you have a rental/4WD it’s easy. Amazing view to watch the sunset and it is very much a treehouse! The house is open with screens to keep our most of the critters and you wake up to the sound of the jungle every morning. I requested a welcome basket as we arrived on Valentine’s Day with wine and chocolate was so nice and the chocolate was amazing. Thanks again! Aprille

First trip using Airbnb. I hope all of my future bookings can come as close to this wonderful experience! Beautiful home, with breathtaking views. Hosts were very accommodating when we had last minute flight issues. Elsi from the remax office took us all over town upon our arrival so we could buy some fresh fruit and seafood. Spent our first night grilling on the porch-enjoying fresh guacamole, shrimp, and ceviche from the local fish market, swimming in awesome pool, and lounging in hammocks. Saw howler monkeys on way to beach, and a crocodile down at Maderas beach. A great place to escape everything- it feels like an adventure from start to finish! A trip my wife, myself, and our three year old daughter will have a hard time topping.

2BR Home in San Juan del Sur

David

Excellent, 8 years ago

Amazing experience a staff! Stay here!

Host Response

Amazing guests! Thank you so so much!

Phenomenal space -- as other guests have noted, the awesome photos online just don't do the place justice. A great staff that is attentive and helpful, but leaves you in peace too to enjoy the place. Waking up to the sounds of the jungle and the incredible views of the Pacific is unforgettable. I've traveled all over the world and have to say that in terms of the views from this property, I've never experienced anything like it, even in Switzerland, Austria and on the Black Sea.

Host Response

Kevin thanks for your review and your private notes too! We are always looking to improve our guests stay so we value this info very much! Happy travels!

I loved waking up to the sound of monkeys! The home was beautiful and the beach nearby was gorgeous. I felt like the layout of the house, specifically the bottom floor, was a bit awkward in that you had to walk through the master bathroom to get to the other bedroom. The house is about 20-25mins from town and there isn't a supply of basic kitchen consumable items so you really need to bring everything with you to the house...salt, pepper, cooking oil etc. We appreciated how cool (weather wise) and quiet it was spending time up on the mountain. We really enjoyed our stay in this beautiful home!

Excellent communication, Elsi was great and very accommodating! It was so nice to have someone to meet you in town and take you to the house. It would have been difficult to find on our own. The house is beautiful and so is the view. 10 minute drive to the beach. The kitchen has everything tool-wise you need to cook whatever you like. Only room for improvement is the second bedroom: no ceiling fan and the bed is very squeaky and slides around the slick wood floor. The main bedroom however is as beautiful as the photos. And both rooms have a standup fan which is much appreciated. Overall, loved casa Arbol and would definitely recommend it!

I stayed here with a friend and we had a great time! It was the end of our trip, after being in Nicaragua for just under 1 month. It was a great way to end our travels. The view was breathtaking and the pictures are exactly as is. Very wise of the owners to require you to rent a vehicle. It was very handy, especially for the drive to get to Balcones. We were sent to rent a vehicle off of Dollar Rental. They were very nice and helpful, but there are other options in San Juan to rent that have a cheaper deposit if you are travelling on a budget. Also, the kitchen is fully equipped as says, and has everything you need to once you go shopping, but make sure to ask around for good places to eat around Playa Maderas if you aren't wanting to do too much cooking on vacation (one of our favourite spots to eat was Arte-Sano). Our guides from Remax were helpful and made us feel very comfortable with getting our rental and arriving at Casa Arbol. I would definitely recommend staying here if you are looking for incredible views, being surrounded by nature, being close to the beach and having a beautiful place to stay on vacation.

Host Response

Thank you so so much Carley! Come back anytime!

We were very happy with the environment where the house was located as well as the house in the trees. However , when we arrived Cleaning was not done and there were dirty dishes everywhere! Also, the pool is not private, we have to share it with another house which is not mentioned in the description of the house!! Imagine on one side 5 young people and on the other a small quiet family...Be careful there are a lot of ropes and insects coming into the house!

Host Response

Thank you for taking the time to write a review Sarajane! It is very well documented on all pictures of the home & pool, as well as the listing description and amenity that the pool is indeed shared. It is important that this is read carefully before booking to avoid confusion. In regards to the home being not ready on arrival our apologies. This is very unusual and was due to the previous guest not leaving on time.

Casa Arbol was great! Definitely a relaxing stay, and it was nice to be able to fall asleep to the sound of nature. The view was amazing as well. It's a beautiful home! You do need the 4WD, so definitely make the reservation. We booked with Dollar which was recommended to us. Elsi was also great and took us to the market to buy fruit and a couple of other stores to buy things for the beach. We ended up going to Pali on our way to Casa Arbol to buy the rest of our groceries so maybe the first trip to buy fruit wasn't necessary. I loved the secluded feel of the home and the drive as well. Also, I personally do not mind bugs, but my mom was not a big fan of them. You'll see spiders, roaches, and scorpions. Nothing too crazy (again you're in a well equipped treehouse in a jungle), but it is good to be a little cautious when putting on shoes or something. My son was fine with seeing bugs as well. I also loved that it was a short drive to the beach. We didn't use the pool, so not much to say about it. There was only one downside to our stay there. We didn't have hot water. I contacted Laura to see if it could be handled and she said the staff would take a look at it. I'm not sure if they did, but we didn't have hot water for our entire stay. Overall, I liked it.

Host Response

Thank you for the review Adriana. In regards to the hot water it is solar heated and unfortunately (and unusually) we had overcast skies for a few days coinciding with your arrival meaning the water didn't get to come up to it's usually hot temperature. Our apologies for that.

2BR Home in San Juan del Sur

Elizabeth

Excellent, 9 years ago

The treehouse is everything you imagine it to be! Secluded and beautiful. You have all the amenities you'd need for a great trip at your fingertips. An absolutely fantastic place to stay that I would highly recommend!

2BR Home in San Juan del Sur

David

Excellent, 9 years ago

Loved my stay here, 3 nights just wasn't enough! Breath taking views and it felt so at home with nature. Waking up in the morning had never been so good in fact the views were that great you didn't want to waste time with your eyes shut. It was also very clean and comfortable I'd recommend this to anyone. Great experience

Casa Arbol is amazing! The house is surrounded in screen, so you can see the out of doors from nearly every location inside the house. Having exclusive access to and parking at the beach was a bonus. The staff was very helpful and security visible doing their rounds in the evening. Sharing the pool works if you have quiet neighbors, which we did for three out of the four nights. Our faves: my teenagers loved the pool and hammocks, my husband enjoyed eating sunset meals outside, and I did a little birdwatching from the deck.

2BR Home in San Juan del Sur

Joe

Excellent, 9 years ago

This is one of the nicest places, if not the nicest place, I have stayed. Anywhere. The house is located atop a hill overlooking a valley of trees and the Pacific Ocean. It is a marvel of architecture, and Nicaragua (which I'd not been to before) was a terrific surprise. There are three beaches located close the house, and the second of these, Maderas was my favourite. Everything about the house and the locale exceeded my greatest hopes. I've shown the house on FaceTime to numerous friends using the wifi, and everyone has been amazed. The valley in front is teeming with birds, and the sounds of howler monkeys. The views are spectacular. The view from the bedroom of the moon over the Pacific is a memory I will keep.

Host Response

See you soon Joe. Casa Arbol and our community Balcones de Majagual are absolutely the best kept secrets in Nicaragua. Guess word is out now!

We had a fantastic stay in Casa Arbol, the property is beautiful; extremely secluded and situated right in the jungle. We enjoyed spotting the wildlife including monkeys, iguanas, chipmunks and even tarantulas! The REMAX team were extremely helpful throughout our stay, organising various activities, and sorting out anything which we had an issue with. I will be recommending the Balcones houses to anyone I meet! A truely amazing holiday thank you!

Casa Arbol was amazing! It has an incredible view and is very remote. Be prepared to have to rent a 4x4 car to get into and around town but it is certainly worth it. There was plenty to do. After we booked our stay, Angelique and Giuseppe connected us with Nicole, who manages the property, and Nicole made sure we had everything we needed for our trip. She gave us a tour of the town and helped connect us to the rental car place and boat tours. It was everything we hoped for!

We had an amazing week in San Juan at Casa Arbol. The house was exactly as advertised (although the views and evening sunsets were another level of sublime that can’t be captured in photos). The beach was pristine, and the staff and security were excellent. We felt taken care of throughout our stay- from the minute we got off the plane, everyone went above and beyond to make sure our trip went smoothly. I would highly recommend, and look forward to coming back again in the future : ) Thank you for making our trip so magical!

Our stay at Casa Arbol was amazing! The views from the bedroom and the first floor of the house were incredible. From the moment we got to San Juan del Sur we felt safe and our guide Gaby was awesome. She took us to were we needed to shop and told us what to check out. There is security at all times around the house. The town is about 30 minutes away from the house and the beach the Playones about 5-8 minutes away from the house since it is apart of the neighborhood itself. I totally recommend staying at this house.

2BR Home in San Juan del Sur

Kevin

Excellent, 10 years ago

We had a wonderful time at Casa Arbol for our honeymoon! Everyone involved was extremely easy to work with and the owners and greeters were very helpful. They assisted us in getting a 4x4 and when we got into town Nicole helped us gather up some groceries and we headed up to the house. The house is as advertised and looked exactly like the pictures, but it is significantly more beautiful in person and the sunsets are incredible. Pros: -Very secluded -Quiet -Howler monkeys were awesome -Beautiful Surroundings -On-site staff are nice and handle everything for you (if you run out of gas in the grill they replace it, take out garbage, and they put a guard above the house all night for security). -Private beach entrance is amazing, right onto Playa Majagual which is almost always empty. -The crickets, birds, howler monkeys, and waves crashing at night are amazing. Cons: -There is another house right next to this place and it was empty most of our trip. It seems like they book families and larger groups in the other house since it is bigger. We had no issues, but with larger groups it can be kinda loud since the house is entirely open. -The drive is a little longer than advertised (solid 35-40 minutes into town) -If you are looking for peace and quiet and to be in nature this place is perfect for you, but if you are looking to get out and see the area, you are going to be in the car a lot, so prepare for that. Book this place, you won't regret it!

Host Response

Thanks for such a great review Kevin- you were a pleasure to host! Regarding the drive to town, not sure why it was taking you 35-40mins- perhaps weather related? Or just all the cool things to see. We are 12km on a dirt road and when it is dry it takes 15-20mins and when it is wet 20-25 so it all depends on your speed and comfort driving. Hopefully it didn't affect your enjoyment!

The treehouse is a lovely place to stay while in San Juan del Sur. The views are spectacular, particularly of the sunsets every evening. You can fall asleep watching the thunder and lightning storms in the distance. You have easy access to several lovely beaches north of town. Angelique and Giusepe were very responsive. The kitchen provides everything you need. We stayed with our son and there was plenty of space for the three of us. Highly recommend.

We had a really wonderful, quiet time. We ended up skipping out on all the activities we considered to rest and enjoyed the view from the house. Nicole led my wife and I around town to grab groceries from a variety of stores/markets along with two other groups who were staying near by. This was a great intro to the area and made us feel comfortable and safe. The beach was nice and secluded, however it was extremely windy when we were there, so we didn't stay for too long. I imagine it would be really something if you are into surfing! The view was so great, even though it was a bit less green due to dry season. The home was what we expected. Off the grid, open air, and quiet. We loved cooking and enjoyed the adventure of traveling up the rugged, really steep hills in our tiny 4-wheel drive Suzuki Jimny. We also had the luck of next door being vacant, so the pool was all ours. :) Our final night, saw 6 or 7 howler monkey climb across our path looking for food. Wonderful view of sunsets.

The place is absolutely stunning, we loved the house, the beach and the amazing surroundings. We saw monkeys swinging through the trees one morning from our bed and there loads of beautiful birds- at night the animal sounds were incredible. You have a private road to the beach and the beach is beautiful and deserted. You can walk to playa Maderas in 10 minutes along the beach for tacos and beers to watch the surfers- it was ideal for us and a brilliant location for beach lovers. The town is a good drive away- not particularly far but the roads are bad so is a bit of an adventure! The parking at the house is tight- our only negative really as there is a small space meant for 2 cars on a steep slope. We highly recommend though and are hoping to go back one day to this beautiful place. The hosts were really really helpful all the way through and we were well informed of activities and arranged horse riding through them at rancho chilamate. Don't hesitate to go, you won't regret it!

Casa Arbol was a wonderful place to spend our honeymoon! Our only regret was not allocating more time to relax in the house and lounge on the 3 nearby beaches. Waking up to the sounds of the jungle with a fresh ocean breeze and dozing off in one of the several hammocks were some of our other highlights. Property managers Nicole and Laura were super helpful in making reservations and travel arrangements throughout our stay and were extremely accommodating to our schedule. We would highly recommend Casa Arbol to anyone looking to get away from it all yet still have all the comforts of home.

Angelique and Giuseppe have a beautiful home. Absolutely stunning views. The meet and greet staff were great - we had a lot of trouble with our car rental and Gabriella helped us out and dealt with our constant questions. Definitely trust the people/companies they recommend(we didn't with the car) - it'll save you a huge headache. Make sure you're comfortable with the people you're visiting with - there are no doors on the Master Bedroom/Bathroom and you have to walk through the bathroom to get to the guest bedroom(which does have its own separate entrance to the outside though, which was handy)

We enjoyed a really great week at Casa Arbol in January, 2016. The house is exactly as shown in the photos, and allows you to get a feel for the jungle even when indoors. We found it to be spotlessly clean, well equipped, and very comfortable. Playa Majagual (just down the road) is one of our very favorite places in the world, which is why we keep returning! The owners are very nice people, responded quickly to messages, and went out of their way to ensure a smooth check-in process and an enjoyable stay. Highly recommended!

No words can explain how incredible this experience has been . casa Arbol is the exact definition of charm. The place is literally in the middle of the jungle and you must have a 4x4. No questions about it. I personally loved the off road part but I can see some 'different' people struggling with it. The house is a gem , very stylish and beautifully decorated . Nicole and all the staff were amazing. We went there with our two young kids and each one of us had the best time. The staff was Helpful , professional and on point . This experience has left a strong mark on our lives

A great welcome by the local Remax ladies and a tour of where to buy groceries etc followed by their escorting us to the property. A really nice experience given to us by them so thank you! The house is very special with a tree top feel and basically no walls, just mesh everywhere to allow the breeze through. Pros: unique, beautiful, really in nature, close to best beach in SJ and great little horizon pool! Cons (for some but weren't for us): 20 min drive into town on dirt rd, you may see the odd scorpion, the rooms are really open/not sound proof so would be little privacy if you aren't a couple or close family.

Casa Arbol is beautiful! The pictures are pretty representative of what you can expect, but be prepared to work for the experience! The house is about a 20-30 minute drive outside of town (San Juan del Sur), and although there are a couple of nice beaches that are closer, you really can't walk to them. And when they tell you a 4-wheel drive vehicle is required, they aren't joking! Many of the dirt roads are very steep and bumpy and the house would be impossible to reach in a regular car. The house itself is quite well equipped and we found everything we needed. There are two bedrooms, but as the open layout is designed to promote airflow, don't expect much privacy if you've got a full house. There is another house right next door (you share the swimming pool with them), but other than that there are no other houses within sight. We didn't see any monkeys, but the view is incredible, especially at sunset, which is very early here (around 6:30 pm). We saw one scorpion (outside the house, thankfully), lots of birds, a couple of bats, and we had a mysterious nighttime visitor that ate one of our bananas right off the kitchen counter! Most of the homes in the development are used as rental properties, and the REMAX team from San Juan del Sur manages them all. Thus they are very familiar with the ins and outs of staying in Balcones de Majagual. Nicole was our contact person and she was very helpful! Prior to our arrival she set us up with a rental car and a surf instructor, and put us in contact with the folks at the Parque de Aventuras where we went zip-lining. She also arranged for a driver to pick us up at the airport - something I would definitely recommend as the two-hour drive to SJDS would be a challenge on your own. When we arrived she took us grocery shopping and pointed out some of the key spots, including a 24 hr medical clinic in case we needed it. There is a growing community of ex-pats in SJDS, and most people here speak at least some English so we were able to get by with our limited Spanish knowledge. Although we had a fantastic trip and enjoyed every minute of our stay, I think if we were to return we would probably stay somewhere in town or right on the beach as we ended up spending a lot of time driving back and forth.

Host Response

Thank you so much for such a thorough response Nicole- this information is so helpful for future guests and also for us of course! Casa Arbol is absolutely a place for people looking to simply sit, relax and enjoy the nature and the nearby beaches. Again- thank you for being such great guests and happy travels!

The house was incredible! The view is absolutely breathtaking, and the beautiful porch and large windows allow you to enjoy it even more. The house has all the necessary amenities and comforts: fully-equipped kitchen and bathrooms, wifi, entertainment. The hosts were very responsive and fast in taking care of small issues that arose. The on-site staff was very nice and helpful. Overall a great team! I will miss watching the sunsets seen from this beautiful house's porch! Will definitely recommend to anyone who comes your way!

Amazing. This place was breathe taking. A bit of a jaunt from town and the road is real windy and bumpy but that is half the experience. A car is required. The kitchen was awesome and has most things you need. There is lots of space, great TV and some movies. We really enjoyed our time! The remax office that manages the property is perfect and Gabriela is super helpful.

Host Response

Carolyn! Thank you so much for being a wonderful guest and we are glad you enjoyed your stay

We had a great stay at Casa Arbol! A beautiful house in an amazing setting. The house is open, airy, and perfect for viewing the wildlife that surrounds you. We saw monkeys every day and woke up to the sounds of the jungle each morning. Lounging in one of the hammocks or by the shared pool was such a relaxing experience. The house comes very well equipped with many things you need for an enjoyable stay. Thanks to all the support staff who made our stay easy! We had all the help we needed, from arranging transportation to and from the airport, to renting a 4x4, and arranging day trips. Be prepared for a little bit of adventure if you choose to stay here (or anywhere nearby) like steep unpaved roads, spiders, or scorpions!

Host Response

Anne! Thanks so much! We are so glad you enjoyed the adventurous part of Casa Arbol- that's what we like best too! That and lounging around the pool in the hammocks....!

This home is exactly how I imagined only better, from the adventure of needing a 4x4 to get to the home, to first walking in and seeing the view. Taking the private "road" to the beach reveals even more beauty as this was our favorite beach in Nicaragua. The home has all the amenities needed for a relaxing vacation, a great kitchen, comfortable living room, hammocks, a shared infinity pool, even a shower with a view of the ocean.

Amazing place to stay in san juan. The house is incredible, very nice, very nice to cut with the agitation of the city, at night you can hear the animals, the sea, the wind, beautiful spectacle! Nicol, before taking us to the house, showed us the important places and the "tips" we had to know. You have to be attentive and buy what you need to be able to eat at night or have breakfast in the morning because after that it is 30 minutes to get to the city! We recommend it by the way! We definitely went back and we had a blind eye! Nicol and Gabriela are nice people who are very attentive...

2BR Home in San Juan del Sur

John

Excellent, 11 years ago

What a great week at Casa Arbol! Such an incredible spot. I would highly recommend staying there! The crew did a great job taking care of us.