In the grounds of Nepenthe B&B, the owner´s hill top home is surrounded by tropical gardens and jungle in the rain forest of NW Costa Rica, has a breathtaking view of Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano and overlooks the town of El Castillo. The space Originally a barn, now an absolutely amazing newly remolded luxury home. The home has a spacious living room, a bar and a dining room with a table that seats 10 people. Has a "chefs dream" kitchen with granite tops, gas cook top, oven, micro wave, side by side refrigerator, and a dishwasher. Downstairs bedroom has a queen bed. Upstairs has two bedrooms (one with one king bed and a bunk bed and one with a queen and a twin). Sleeps 9 - 10. There are 2 bathrooms with showers, a tub and with on-demand hot water from the spring. Also, upstairs is a large sitting room with a deck for watching the jungle life. Rooms have wonderful views of the lake, jungle and the volcano. A large patio wraps around the house with swing chairs and rocking chairs. You can relax by the spring fed swimming pool or in the spring fed hot tub while enjoying the monkeys and birds and the solitude of the rain forest. Get away from the crowds and vacation where everything you want is waiting for you at this one-of-a-kind home and one-of-a-kind location. Guest access We have laundry service available upon request with charge. There is a game room with tennis table and shuffleboard table. Other things to note Because of our remote location in the hills, and gravel roads, we highly recommend renting a 4WD car. Some activities and scenic attractions require transportation.

## The Space

Situated on the grounds of Nepenthe Bed & Breakfast, the owner's hilltop residence is nestled within tropical gardens and jungle in the rainforest of northwest Costa Rica. It offers stunning views of Lake Arenal, Arenal Volcano, and overlooks the town of El Castillo.

Originally built as a barn, this newly remodeled luxury home features a spacious living room, a bar, and a dining area with a table that accommodates 10 guests. The kitchen is a chef’s dream, equipped with granite countertops, a gas cooktop, oven, microwave, side-by-side refrigerator, and a dishwasher.

The bedroom layout includes:

- One queen bedroom downstairs  
- Two bedrooms upstairs:
  - One with a king bed and a bunk bed  
  - One with a queen bed and a twin bed  

The home comfortably sleeps 9 to 10 people.

There are two bathrooms featuring showers, a bathtub, and on-demand hot water sourced from a natural spring. Upstairs also includes a large sitting room with a deck perfect for observing jungle wildlife. Each room offers beautiful views of the lake, jungle, and volcano.

A spacious patio wraps around the house, furnished with swing chairs and rocking chairs. Guests can unwind by the spring-fed swimming pool or relax in the spring-fed hot tub while enjoying the sights and sounds of monkeys, birds, and the peaceful rainforest environment.

## Guest Access

- Laundry service is available upon request for an additional fee.  
- A game room is provided, featuring a ping pong table and a shuffleboard table.

## Location and Transportation

Due to the remote hillside location and gravel roads, renting a four-wheel-drive vehicle is strongly recommended. Some local attractions and activities require transportation to access.

José

Bedrooms

Bathrooms

Maximum Occupancy

3BR villa

Oropendola House,  Amazing views & Free Breakfast! - Houses for Rent in El Castillo, Alajuela, Costa Rica

The house is very spacious, the beds are super comfortable, the breakfast is great, and the view is spectacular. Everyone's service was wonderful. A highly recommended place.

La casa es demasiado amplia, las camas super cómodas, el desayuno estupendo, la vista espectacular. La atención de todos fue maravillosa un lugar super recomendado.

Casa Oropendola is as indicated in the description. It has minor maintenance issues but has everything you need. We were a large group of 9 people and a pet. The access could be improved a bit (the street to the place?) but when you arrive the view is spectacular. It's extremely quiet and surrounded by nature. The included breakfast and service were excellent.

Casa Oropendola es tan cual indica la descripción. Tiene detallitos de mantenimiento pero tiene todo lo que se necesita. Fuimos un grupo grande de 9 personas y una mascota. El acceso podría mejorar un poco(la calle hacia el lugar?) pero al llegar la vista es espectacular. Es sumamente tranquilo y rodeado de naturaleza. El desayuno incluido y la atencion estuvieron excelentes.

Friendly people, good food and wonderful views but the house is not in the best conditions, the second floor shower leaks trough the kitchen ceiling and the first floor bathroom smells horrible.

The highlights of this Airbnb are the location and the great restaurant right down the road - Phoenix. The staff is so friendly at the restaurant and the ambiance is amazing. The Airbnb is in such a beautiful lush place with a nice view, even if rainy (as it was for our stay). The nearby butterfly conservatory was also really cool and informative. Some things that were not ideal: the pictures showed more bedrooms than were actually available. I suspect they were behind the two locked doors. We booked this place for 5 because it said it had 3 bedrooms but this was not the case. There were two bedrooms and the “third bedroom” was actually two small beds in the hallway upstairs with zero privacy. Parts of the house are beautifully renovated and other parts are a bit old and mildewy. However, Jose was great at communicating and we enjoyed our stay overall.

The stay was good, the communication with the host is great.

La estadía fue buena, la comunicación con el anfitrión es excelente.

Jose does not communicate very well. The description of the house mentions a patio/sitting room with a view into the rain forest, there are no chairs to sit totally useless space.  There is also mention of a hot tub, by the look of it, it has not worked for years. The kitchen stove did not work, so much for the gourmet kitchen. Our bedding was dirty and the bathroom smelled like raw sewage. I gave it 3 stars because the view was spectacular and the breakfast at the bed and breakfast was very good, and the staff very friendly. We stayed at the house which was supposed to be private, but the owners actually stay in a connected space. The electric did go out, which is not a problem but a little warning and showing us where we might find candles and matches would have been appreciated. The house does not have air conditioning but it gets nice and cool on the mountain and it was not needed.  I think Gaby tried hard to help us but he was new to the property. Communication is key and they don't have any.

The bumpy roads and distance are absolutely worth the time and effort to get here!  Walking into the home and yard is like walking into the garden of Eden.  We loved every minute, even with all the rain!  The people in this area are amazing, and truly treat you like a friend.  Pura Vida at its best!   

We felt like we had the complete Costa Rican experience staying in this home. The location is remote and the views are breathtaking. We enjoyed walking down the hill every morning for a delicious breakfast and took advantage of the restaurant most evenings for dinner. There are several trails, the National Park, and adventure type organizations close by. We enjoyed our stay!

WARNING! Do not be fooled by the reviews. Management has changed. The reviews on Airbnb are for Agustino. This booking with David has turned into a nightmare. We had a power outage for two nights in a row, where we were forced to stay in the car. There is no backup generator for emergency lights and one of us was injured trying to get downstairs in pitch blackness. The pool light and hot tub weren't working. We were not able to use either of them for the duration of the trip. There was a trespasser on the property at 10pm at night. Another night we came home to find our TV had been turned on when none of us turned on the TV for the duration of our stay. The manager let someone in the house while we were gone without so much as a warning. There is no safe in the house and all of our belongings were left out in plain sight. When we brought these issues up to David, he either said we were "complaining" or "imagining" things. The few times he assured us it would be taken care of there was no resolution. The bathrooms smell like mildew and there are no locks. There were quite a few discrepancies between the listing and the actual property. When we requested some compensation David began to threaten us. We had to open an investigation with Airbnb. Although the property owners seem like great people, they do not manage this property and have hired a manager to do so. In this case, management (David) has turned our several days on the property into a terrible vacation.

This is a fantastic place! The awesome view, the great staff, all is as described. We had a great time. Believe it when they say that you need a 4x4 to get there. Only little thing is that the plumbing in the house needs a little taking care off. Thanks to Augustin, the staff and Mrs. and Mr. Berg.

The Orependola home on the property of Nepenthe Bed and Breakfast provides you with the perfect secluded location with stunning views of Lake Arenal. The property is nestled at the top of a steep hill that overlooks the expansive lake and Arenal Volcano. Visitors will want to have 4 wheel drive vehicle to enter the property and navigating the surrounding park roads. The location is within 20 minutes of La Fortuna, and closer still to ziplining Outfitters and geothermal pools. The pool is an awesome amenity, and the outdoor setting provides the perfect spot to watch the sunset and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. Nature is all around, with howler monkeys, toucans, and other creatures visible in the nearby trees. As one would expect, bugs and little creatures abound since the home is located in the rain forest. Inside the home has several bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a large kitchen and living room space for lounging. There are plenty of restaurants within a short drive and you have the option to cook at home. Agustin was a tremendous host - very friendly and incredibly responsive to our needs. His recommendations for excursions were spot on, and he was always avaiable whenever we needed his attention. Morning breakfasts provided on the patio were delightful, and the property owner, Gordon, was very welcoming and full of great stories.

Amazing home! I definitely recommend this home for the outdoor enthusiasts who adore the nature Costa Rica has to offer. Fabulous rooms, beautiful views, free breakfast in the morning, and even saw toucans flying above the home. I want to give a special thanks to Agustin for being an amazing host and helping plan out our itinerary while we were there. Please keep in mind, this home is in the middle of the jungle/rainforest so there will be insects, bugs etc. Just be sure to keep your luggage sealed and doors closed at all times and you will be ok. Amazing home and will definitely come back!

Great place !! Location and views were amazing. The pool was incredible and the water (fed from a mountain stream) was so refreshing. Breakfast in the morning with so many options, fresh fruits and service was incredible. I do want a point out a few things for future travelers 1. This place is remote. You need a 4X4. It's a good 30 mins to La Fortuna town. You have the small town of El Castillo close by. You have the last 10 miles of gravel and dirt road and you are climbing up a hill 2. This is dead center in the middle of a rainforest and if you are like us visiting in the rainy season, expect power outages and also lack of running water. On day one there was no running water because of a landslide. Agustin got this fixed quickly 3. You also have very slow Internet speeds so don't expect to do any serious downloads 4. The place was a little run down with some tears in the furniture but Agustin got it fixed quickly. 5. The pool is incredible but its deep. It's 8 feet at the deep side so make sure you have good swimmers Other than that this is an incredible place. The hosts led by Agustin is such a help in recommending places and helping around. He quickly got the water back up and running. We will be back Thanks

Absolutely amazing place to stay. Amazing views, beautiful house, gorgeous pool. Woke up daily to a delicious breakfast. I wish I could have stayed in this location longer. Absolutely amazing! 

My friends and I stayed at Oropendola House for only 2 nights and wished it could have been longer. The house was spacious, the views were unparalleled, the breakfast was delicious, and Agustin was a gracious host. When we used the grill one night, we discovered the propane tank was empty, but a quick call to Agustin, and he brought a new full tank over within a few minutes. The bedroom set up is a bit odd when traveling with friends and a few couples, as the couples may not actually get their own room, but with 9 of us, it worked out okay. Unfortunately, our beautiful infinity pool was only half-full when we arrived and didn't finally fill up until the night before we left, but we took advantage of the other infinity pool with an even better view at Nepenthe. The location is great if you want to do some jungle exploration (4x4 is necessary), and I couldn't get over the literal zoo of birds surrounding us every morning (parrots, toucans, etc.). Thank you for an awesome stay, Agustin!

The location was absolutely amazing. Being able to wake up with the views we had was a perfect way to begin every day along with the great breakfast.  Agustin was a great host and Gordon has done an amazing job with the place. We enjoyed every bit of our stay there and will be back. Definitely check out Howlers for great pizza   

The view was fantastic, the privacy of the place gives you a real quiet time to spend it only with your close ones. I would highly recommended, just make sure you take a 4WD because the hill is very steep. 

This property is amazing! The views from the pool, patio and family room are spectacular. My husband, who wakes up early, absolutely loved sitting out on the patio with a cup of coffee enjoying the views of the lake, volcano, and watching the bird and other wildlife. The grounds are very well kept. Gordon, the owner, and Augustine, the manager, were available when we needed them and very kind and helpful. Breakfast was included at the Nepanthe B&B located down the hill on the property. They also have a restaurant on site, the Phoenix, which we enjoyed dinner. The food is delicious at both. This property is off the beaten path and you definitely need a car, and a 4 by 4 would be best. The property is close to the quiet town of El Castillo, where there are several small restaurants and a small market for some essentials. The house itself is in very good shape and quite large, with a well stocked kitchen. However, both bathrooms are a bit worn. We enjoyed our time at Oropendola.

The house was spacious  with a kitchen fully stocked with any appliance you could ever want. The view was breathtaking and the grounds were well-kept.  We spent many hours hanging out on the porch taking it all in. We had a great time staying at the house and talking with the owner.  Breakfast was provided at the bed-and-breakfast next to the house. It was very delicious every day and a great way to start our day. 

Oropendola house has some of the most stunning views in Costa Rica. The volcano is right there, the view of the lake, it is all breathtaking. The house has a wonderful patio where you can sit and just gape at how beautiful the area is. El Castillo is NOT La Fortuna, it is much more scenic but is also a little drive along a dirt and gravel road (15 min). But what you get for the area in terms of the rain forest and the view is well worth it. Your host Agustin and owner Gordon are both very helpful and informative. They will assist you in all ways possible and we wish we had contacted them first before we had booked activities at other places. Couple of notes on the house, it is spacious but you have to walk through one of the sleeping areas to get to two of the bedrooms. It is the owner's house so it's 'lived in'. Clean but a bit worn. Other than that it is very high value for the price and just sitting on the patio drinking in the views is where you will be spending your time. Oh, maybe also in the game room that has a ping-pong table!

I highly recommend staying at Nepenthe! The Oropendola house was so unique and exactly what my group wanted for our stay in El Castillo. It was clean, spacious and peaceful. Agustin and staff were attentive and all very nice. The breakfast was delicious as well as our dinner at the Phoenix. The location was perfect for us, being that it was remote while also in close proximity to the attractions. Needless to say, we will definitely be back! 

We were Agustin's guests for 10 days and had a wonderful time. Despite my worry that we would be too secluded in El Castillo (it is 35-40 minutes from La Fortuna) it was not the case at all. Arenal National Park Hiking trails, the Sky Adventures zip line, horse-back riding (and other activities) were all within 20 minutes less. Kayaking and hot springs were within 30 minutes. Agustin was friendly and helpful in planning activities and he would make arrangements. The pool and comfortable hanging chairs on the veranda had an incredible view of the lake and the ever-changing skies over it. Amazing. We would plan part of our day just to hang out at home and look at the view! There are a number of small restaurants near El Castillo, including Nepenthe's own Phoenix Restaurant, which has tasty ceviche. We also cooked at home a few nights- there is a good fish market in Fortuna and our kitchen was well-appointed. We had a late start from San Jose and drove part of the way through the mountains in the dark. I do NOT recommend it! We got hopelessly lost.

Agustin was an excellent host, he did everything to make us happy. The views are the best, the location is great, very close to everything. We had the best time ever We will come back soon

This place is incredible! You'll likely need your own rental car to get here (preferably a 4x4), but once you do, it is well worth it. Spectacular views, accomodating staff, spacious home, delicious food, & close to the sites! Agustin, your host, is friendly, knowledgable, & just a great guy. This is a real gem, and a great deal.

This was the best place I've probably ever stayed. Agustin and the staff were very accommodating and the views were amazing. The house was wonderful, although there were a few small things that can easily be overlooked – downstairs bathroom had an issue on first day and hot tub was not functioning. Overall, it was not a big deal in the slightest and we were even able to easily extend our stay. Wonderful, wonderful time. My friends and I will be back here if we end up in Costa Rica again soon.

We had the pleasure of staying at the Oropendola house and upon entry were so pleased with the grand view and spacious and comfortable home. It was a wonderful place to call home for a few days while we were able to explore the area with so much to do right in the vicinity of the home.   The whole Arenal area was fabulous and the home and property made it that much better. Loved the experience!!! Thank you.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The house was a perfect fit for our group of 3 families with a total of 9 people. You definitely need to adjust your expectations according to the environment and realize that you are in the middle of the rainforest. There are going to be bugs, although I was surprised that there weren't more of them inside the house itself. It will not be as clean as some places in a big city. There are all kinds of sounds from the insects and animals outside. As other reviewers commented, it is a bit of a trek to get to and a 4WD vehicle is definitely recommended, although not a requirement as there were plenty of locals driving all different kinds of small cars and motorcycles. The location of the house is about 30 minutes drive away from most of the activities that we did, such as zip lining, ATV tour, and hot springs.  The house itself is nice and spacious. The views were amazing. We had plenty of privacy which was perfect for us with small kids who can be quite noisy. Augustine was very knowledgeable and super helpful in booking activities for us and giving us suggestions. The owners Gordon and Nancy are great people and often joined us for breakfast at the B&B just below. They included breakfast every morning was probably my favorite part of each day. The food was great, sometimes with eggs from the chickens raised right there next to the house. Along with the fruit, coffee, company, and beautiful view, we really enjoyed our morning breakfast each day. We also had dinner at the Phoenix restaurant on the property one night, which was very convenient and the food was great there too. I would definitely recommend Oropendola House for large groups looking to get away and experience the rainforest.

My family and I truly enjoyed staying at Oropendola House at Nepenthe. The home was plenty spacious for the seven of us, although we ended up spending most of our time on the wraparound patio, which has incredibly comfortable hanging chairs, two hammocks, and panoramic views of Lake Arenal. From one side of the house, by the infinity pool, you can see the picturesque Arenal volcano. The other side of the patio has another sitting area and a hot tub.  Agustin was such a gracious host. During our visit, he helped us plan activities and make reservations for activities/meals, gave us directions, and arranged spa treatments (with his wife) at the Blue Lagoon Spa, which is part of Nepenthe. He met us when we arrived (we were a couple of hours late due to some unfortunate GPS-recommended “shortcuts”) and gave us a tour of the house and showed us to the Phoenix Restaurant, also part of Nepenthe, just down the hill. After a long drive from the Liberia airport, the restaurant was the perfect option; we ended up dining there two nights in a row. They had a large table ready for us on the second floor, and the food and the service was excellent.   The owners of Nepenthe and Oropendola House happened to be in town, and they were kind enough to stop by during our first meal at the Phoenix and welcome us to Costa Rica. They, Agustin, and all of the other staff at Nepenthe were genuinely interested in helping make our time there as enjoyable as possible. Breakfast was complimentary and served at the main building, which also has an infinity pool and gorgeous views. To get there from the house, you walk down a paved path with stairs through the landscaped grounds.  We were pleasantly surprised that there was a popular “adventure park” (Sky Adventures) just down the road, which has some of the highest zip lines in the world. Arenal Observatory Lodge is also close by with hiking paths that have excellent views (when the sun is shining) of the two volcanos in the area. The quaint town of El Castillo is essentially at the bottom of the hill, just five minutes from the house. Don’t miss Pizza Johns or La Mesa de Mama, a “soda” (a local restaurant that is typically very casual and affordable). The larger city of La Fortuna, which has souvenir shops galore and the only nearby gas station, is less than half an hour away.  I’d highly recommend staying at the Oropendola House, especially if you need room for a larger group. The last road that leads to the house is steep (and, occasionally, a bit terrifying if you’re afraid of heights), but we made it fine in a large van without four-wheel drive. Although, at one point we had to turn off the AC so that it could make it up the hill. It was just part of the adventure!

A beautiful house in a stunning setting, quite removed from the busy world.   The pictures absolutely do this place justice. You could easily spend all day in the hammocks/swinging chairs/pool with the beautiful views to Volcan Arenal and Lake Arenal. Or drive a short distance to many of the attractions in the area (SkyTrek is only 15 minutes away, and the butterfly conservatory and hikes to the Arenal lava flows are also close by). The house is the ideal size for a group of adults (there were five of us) or one or two families.   Agustin was very responsive to all of our queries, often replying within a few minutes. His directions and recommendations were spot on. The grounds were kept in immaculate condition and the included cooked breakfast (a short walk down to the main property) was a great start to the day.   Staying here, you have to understand that you are a bit removed from amenities (the downside to the beautiful solitude). There is a small grocery in El Castillo (5-10 minutes drive) and a couple of restaurants (Soda La Mesa de Mama was a favorite, as well as Pizza John), but you ought to call ahead to make sure they will be open. For anything else, you will need to drive out along bumpy roads (4x4 HIGHLY recommended). La Fortuna, which can full supply you, is about 40 minutes away. Reminder: This is the rainforest. Expect rain every day, humidity, bugs, noisy frogs at night, etc.   If you're looking for a removed-from-it-all tropical jungle paradise, close to the attractions of Arenal (zipline, hot springs, hikes, etc), you'd be hard pressed to do better than Agustin's property.

Our experience at the Oropendola house was wonderful. We arrived just after dark and there was someone waiting for us to check in. Everyone we met was friendly and super helpful! There was plenty of room in the house for all of us and we all had separate rooms. The living space was very accommodating even though we didn't have the time to enjoy it. The view is amazing, just like the picture. The first night we ate at the small but quaint restaurant on the property. It was the best food we had encountered! We hung out and enjoyed the company of the staff. Juan was the best! He helped us plan the following day and hooked us up with horseback riding, hiking and a beautiful private waterfall. He made the trip so memorable!   Just a few things we noticed but does not in any way affect the overall experience. We rented a car to make it easier for us to get around. Luckily, we rented a 4X4 and we definitely needed it! The house was rather difficult to get to. All uphill and nothing but gravel road all the way up. It was about 30 mins off of the main road and really out of the way for most of our activities. Because of the distance we ended up leaving one night earlier due to travel times.

Our visit to the Arenal area was punctuated by a lovely stay in El Castillo overlooking Lake Arenal. The views and seclusion of the house was a very unique experience. You are truly in the jungle here, wildlife is abundant including insects and night critters. It took our group some time to get used to, but once you accept that you are in the jungle, you're able to embrace this atmosphere and appreciate the beauty. This probably wouldn't be a great place for someone who can't deal with bugs (but the jungle in general probably isn't a great place to be for someone like this). The house is big with plenty of space for a large group. Having the Nepenthe B&B a short walk down the hill was convenient for the included (and delicious) breakfast. There is a restaurant and spa as well, although we unfortunately didn't have the opportunity to try either during our stay. Agustin was an excellent host, helping us plan our days and booking tours for us. The entire staff at Nepenthe was also lovely. This area is further from the "bustle" of La Fortuna (20 minutes) with few other dining options and only small grocery stores in El Castillo town (10 minute drive), so bring all you need to minimize trips. Pizza Johns is highly recommended and about a 15 minute drive away from the house. A 4x4 is highly recommended as the road up to the house is pretty bumpy and steep at times. 

Agustin and all of the staff at the house, B&B and restaurant could not have been more professional and courteous. The included breakfasts each morning were wonderfully prepared with views of the lake while dining. The house is in a fantastic location outside of busy LaFortuna, but only 25 minutes away if you desire to go into town. From the porch swings you will have views of the rain forest, lake and volcano. The onsite massages were a huge hit with several in our party and a real treat to have available for such a small facility. Overall we had an incredible family vacation with 9 of us staying at the house for several days. 

We had a great stay at the Oropendola House! It was quite a trek up to the house through the cloud forest and on a bumpy road, but definitely worth it (I do recommend a 4x4 automatic car). Augustin and all of the staff at Nepenthe were extremely helpful. We had a complimentary breakfast each morning and it was delicious! The house was very large and could sleepy many! The pool was beautiful and there were people there to clean it out every day. The view was spectacular! 

My family and I rented Oropendola for five days / four nights in January 2016. Our party included three adults and two small children. We weren't sure what to expect from our stay as we were the first group to rent the owner's private home, but can now assure other travelers -- this is a fantastic place to vacation! Pictures can't possibly capture the beauty of the sweeping views of Lake Arenal. Oropendola was more house than we needed; plenty of beds (+ a pack n play for our toddler), two bathrooms and a variety of places to sit and relax (sunroom with jungle views, living room with lake views, hammock, pool side, etc.) Cooking would've been easy to do in the large, modern kitchen but we preferred mingling with fellow B&B guests over breakfast at Nepenthe and Augstino's Restaurant for dinner. Both were in walking distance from the owner's house. Gordon, the owner of Nepenthe, and the property manager named Agustin were helpful in providing ideas for things to do in the area. In fact, everyone we met here was so open and welcoming to our entire family. We truly appreciated their hospitality.

3BR Villa