Our home is one of the top-rated in Costa Rica. Guests enjoy splendid views and privacy yet are close to many attractions and amenities. Experience an "authentic" Tico experience in a picturesque and friendly village just 7 km from Arenal Volcano. The space 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. Wake to the sound of howler monkeys, toucans and parrots and enjoy your first cup of locally-grown coffee on our enormous 25 sq. m. covered deck. At night, watch the lava flows or count the stars overhead. 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! In the last few months, we've been busy landscaping our property. 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: Tomas and Hannah, owners of La Gavilana, our on-site hosts can now book many local tours and attractions for you on your arrival, saving you the hassle of running around. From zip-line tours, hot springs, spas and volcano hikes to a horseback ride to a real eco-farm or a two day hike through pristine rainforest, 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 Tomas when you arrive and he'll be happy to make recommendations and reservations for you. Guest access Guests enjoy full use of the house, pool and gardens. Laundry service is available for a small extra charge. The kitchen is fully equipped including full stove and microwave, all the pots, pans and utensils, coffee maker and blender. All linens are included. Other things to note Please note- March 2019-Our neighbors are currently constructing a new single family home on the lot below ours. We are located in a small village and something is being built around us all the time. While we have no control over what neighbors do on their own property, ours have tried to be respectful of our guests. During a very busy winter season, we have received multiple 5-star reviews however a couple have raised concerns about the construction so we are mentioning it here.

## Overview

Our home ranks among the top-rated accommodations in Costa Rica. Guests appreciate the stunning views and privacy while remaining close to numerous attractions and conveniences. Immerse yourself in an authentic Tico experience within a charming and welcoming village located just 7 kilometers from Arenal Volcano.

## The Space

Known as the "Castle in The Clouds," this residence sits 700 meters above sea level, only seven kilometers from Arenal Volcano. It offers panoramic views of the volcano, rainforest, pastures, and Lake Arenal. Wake up to the sounds of howler monkeys, toucans, and parrots, and enjoy your first cup of locally grown coffee on the expansive 25 square meter covered deck.

At night, you can observe lava flows or gaze at the stars above. The home includes a splash pool, perfect for cooling off after a day filled with eco-adventures. Many village attractions, including several quaint local restaurants, are within walking distance.

The house provides casual dining options both indoors and outdoors, hot water throughout, and breathtaking views from every room. It is fully equipped with:

- Full-sized refrigerator with ice maker  
- Gas stove  
- Microwave  
- Blender  

Twice-weekly cleaning service is included, with more frequent cleaning available upon request. An optional personal laundry service can also be arranged.

Whether you prefer an active itinerary or a relaxing stay, this home serves as an ideal base for your Arenal vacation.

## Outdoor Features

Recent landscaping improvements include:

- Paved driveway  
- Separate covered gazebo, ideal for al fresco dining  
- Fully enclosed yard with a custom 5-foot stone and wrought-iron fence  

The garden is a tropical paradise featuring a variety of local plants designed to enhance your Costa Rica experience.

## Local Tours and Attractions

Tomas and Hannah, the owners and on-site hosts of La Gavilana, can assist with booking numerous local tours and activities upon your arrival. This service helps you avoid the hassle of organizing outings yourself.

Available experiences include:

- Zip-line tours  
- Hot springs and spas  
- Volcano hikes  
- Horseback rides to an eco-farm  
- Multi-day hikes through pristine rainforest  

You can tailor your schedule to be as busy or as relaxed as you prefer. Tomas is happy to provide recommendations and make reservations.

## Guest Access

Guests have full access to the house, pool, and gardens. Laundry service is offered for a small additional fee.

The kitchen is fully stocked with:

- Full stove  
- Microwave  
- Pots, pans, and utensils  
- Coffee maker  
- Blender  

All linens are provided.

## Additional Information

Please note that as of March 2019, neighbors are constructing a new single-family home on the lot below our property. Being in a small village, construction activity is common nearby. While we cannot control neighboring projects, our neighbors have made efforts to respect our guests.

Despite this, we have received numerous five-star reviews during the busy winter season. A few guests have mentioned concerns about the construction, so we want to be transparent about this situation.

Guests enjoy splendid views and privacy yet are close to many attractions and amenities. Experien...

John

Bedrooms

Bathrooms

Maximum Occupancy

2BR house

The Castle in the Clouds - Best Views - Houses for Rent in El Castillo, Alajuela, Costa Rica

Wonderful location, beautiful view, great pool, gorgeous surroundings; very lovely house, we loved it!! Gracias!

We had an amazing stay in El Castillo. The property is gorgeous. The gardens are so beautiful and the view is spectacular. We loved being in the smaller village away from the busier main town, and there are many restaurants and small markets near the home. Tomas and team were incredibly welcoming and helpful.

Here’s the English translation: > We are very happy with our stay. The views from the house are beautiful. I recommend visiting during the summer so you can enjoy a clear view of the volcano, as this season is very rainy and it is often covered by clouds. Even so, the scenery is truly stunning. The house is perfect for young families. I stayed there with my elderly parents, and climbing the stairs was difficult for them, so it's something future guests should keep in mind. I’m very grateful to John and his staff, who were always responsive and helped us with everything we needed.

I could enjoy that view everyday! Sitting atop the hill, this property has a stellar view of the Arenal volcano & not too far off is a large tree that was frequented by a myriad of winged visitors. We saw parakeets, parrots, flycatchers, Caracas, two types of Toucan (aracari & keel-billed), & Montezuma oropendola. And up much closer were different types of singing birds and hummingbirds throughout the lush garden. We truly felt like we were in heaven. The home had all we needed - comfy bedrooms & beds, storage, well-equipped kitchen, and a wonderful upstairs balcony that is encased with windows - perfect for air being pulled into the home, or to hang while a rain storm rolled through. The home's location is also great - restaurants near, more than one grocery, and a quick drive to many attractions. We opted for a hot springs day at the free spot near Tabacon, and a day at The Arenal Observatory (more birds, haha!). Thanks for sharing your slice of heaven!

Amazing place to stay near La Fortuna.  Everything was perfect for us.  Would 100% recommend.

We loved our stay here! Beautiful views and garden, plenty of space for our family. Easy access to nearby things to do but much more peaceful than La Fortuna.  Enjoyed visiting with the horses next door :)

Great stay in El Castillo! Beautiful surroundings  with great views of both the lake and volcano. We were a little apprehensive about the fact that there was no AC but the nights were comfortable and the place has plenty of windows to open up to create a breeze. Sits on a hill high atop the village of El Castillo, which has a surprising number of restaurants to choose from as well as a small market. I will echo some of the other reviews that the furniture is a bit dated and uncomfortable, but the beautiful grounds and surroundings make up for it.

Beautiful and extremely well maintained space with breathtaking views.  John’s team was helpful, extremely responsive and accommodating.  Everything was comfortable and the place was equipped.

Our expectations were exceeded ! What a beautiful property! It was nice to stay outside of La Fortuna - the property was peaceful and the gardens and view were spectacular. We would stay here again !

The location is absolutely stunning. We woke up to all the birds chirping every morning, and the beautiful flowers in bloom- we saw parrots and toucans right outside our window and even had nightly frog visitors that would swim in the pool at night!! It was definitely a very beautiful place to stay and one of my favorite views from our first trip to Costa Rica! Would love to visit again!

Great host, fast responses & very helpful with our excursions

Great views, with a very beautiful garden. Good starting point for the area.

Fantastisk udsigt, med en meget smuk have. Godt udgangspunkt for området.

We absolutely loved the home, El Castillo and the beautiful surroundings. The views, beautiful gardens, comfy beds and local recommendations were just a few of the things that made our stay so enjoyable! We would love to come back!

We enjoyed our stay very much, the views and outdoors are very pretty and peaceful, we loved the garden, and the birds that came to visit, the horses were a delightful guest the house was cozy and comfortable. The only downside was that the furniture and the kitchen feels a bit sticky and dirty maybe from many people enjoying it throughout the years.

Amazing! The garden was beautiful and clearly thoughtfully tended. The kitchen had everything we needed to cook a few meals. The location is actually closer to many of the attractions (místico bridges, sky adventure zipline, arenal observation lodge, tabacon hot springs) then if you stayed in La Fortuna.

What a special location! The views are enchanting. The lake, the greenery, the volcano fading in and out behind the clouds - a lovely experience. We woke up to horse visitors outside the gate, saw many beautiful birds from the proper, and enjoyed restaurants in town. It was easy to find things to do on the lake and the drive to La Fortuna was easy. John’s home was very clean and inviting. The enclosed porch area was perfect for relaxing with a book and coffee. The pool was great for quick dip. Special mention to the landscaping! The beds were very comfy and the showers were good (not an abundance of hot water for showers but we expected that with the rural location). I will echo what other reviewers have noted: The living room furniture is not very comfortable. It just seems odd to have such a fine home and then furnish the common area with a stiff futon and one rocker.

My wife and I decided to book this listing for the first half of our honeymoon and could not have been more happy with it. The village its located in is a small quaint village with plenty of restaurants who's owners will remember you any time you return. The air bnb itself is close enough to walk to the village but also has its own privacy. The pictures on the listing are beautiful, but in real life, wow! Its located really close to the La Fortuna area where there is plenty to do. I would happily stay here again and if Im ever in the area again there wouldnt be anywhere else I would stay. I truly felt we had the most beautiful view in all of the Arenal area and we missed it the second we left. We spent the second half of our honeymoon at an all inclusive resort and really wished we had just spent the whole time at this Air bnb.

Thanks, John. When Wesley and I first walked on that lot in 2010, Wow was our reaction as well.  We bought it that day.  I'm glad that you share our vision and enjoyed your visit to our little piece of paradise.

All the previous recent reviews of this place  were accurate and really helpful. We knew exactely what to expect and loved our time here with two boys 11 and 9.  It was hard for the grown ups to leave each daynight for new, nearby adventures because breakfasting/coffee/cocktails at the gazebo and upstairs in the fenced in porch was so pleasant. Toucans, hummingbirds, colorful frogs were spotted almost daily and the varied weather made for a spectacular zen-like atmosphere. The small pool was used daily by the boys and a great refresher after a day outdoors. There seems to be a real sense of community amonst residents on this long road up to the house and we felt very safe and welcomed during our stay. The hill up to the house is very steep but not unreasonable (w 4x4) if you've spent any time driving around CR.  We walked to dinner(La Ventanita!)at night and enjoyed an incredible meal. Ana was a thoughful host and very responsive to our random requests.

We really enjoyed staying in El Castillo. Well, a little off of beating path of all the touristy amenities in Fortuna and Arenal we actually really enjoyed that. John’s home was on the rustic side we normally rent, but honestly, I really enjoyed that. It felt homey and comforting and you absolutely cannot beat the views from his home. We also discovered some really yummy restaurants close by and on the last day, we visited the butterfly sanctuary, which was amazing. As other guests have said, you really have to rent a 4 x 4 to get to his place. His local host were also extremely helpful and offered great suggestions and advice.

What a beautiful place! If you are looking for somewhere quiet with incredible views this is it. It’s about 35 min drive from La Fortuna. Worth the extra travel time to be away from the super touristy area. Was hard to ever leave to go do anything else because the house was so peaceful itself. Made for the best honeymoon we could’ve asked for. P.s the management of the property was so helpful. They even set us up with some locals to get some cheese, milk, eggs, and even a fresh chicken. Felt like we were truly living pura vida.

We enjoyed a most excellent stay with award winning views of the lake and volcano, not to mention the Toucans!  Thank you for making the visit seamless!

We cannot say enough about how wonderful John’s home was. The views are absolutely stunning and the home is well appointed for visitors. The attention to detail to the decor and even the building itself is evident. John’s home is clearly on the higher end and I would recommend it to anyone traveling to the area. We can’t wait to visit again.

This was the most beautiful place we stayed in Costa Rica! The view of the lake and volcano is breathtaking. Breakfast on the patio and dinner on the screened in porch upstairs was a favorite. It feels like your in your own slice of the world staying at this house with the only visitor being frogs, toucans, and the neighbors horses who would come right to the fence to greet us. Once outside the gates, the neighborhood was very inviting with lots of yummy food options right down the road and a short and easy drive to la fortuna.

We had an amazing time at this property! The house was incredible. The views were absolutely breathtaking and made every morning feel special. One of the most memorable moments was when a toucan came to visit us right on the property. We were lucky enough to snap some photos. Hopefully I can upload them here somehow. Everything about the stay exceeded our expectations. Ana was very responsive and made the whole experience smooth and enjoyable. if you are looking for a peaceful getaway surrounded by nature, this is the perfect spot. Highly recommended and would love to come back.

No words can describe the views! Amazing area. Close to activities. The house has all the essentials to feel at home. Beautiful garden maintained by the hosts - you can meet hummingirds who come for flowers every day.

Wow what an amazing view! Also an amazing garden full of hummingbirds and other lovely birds. Friendly horse that came to visit twice and reached its head over the fence. Neighbor Lilander gave us a picturesque horseback ride with a gorgeous jungle hike to a private waterfall. El Castillo is a remote, steep village. The bakery is terrific and the little market is super helpful. We enjoyed La Ventanita and Fusion for dinners. Anna and the other hosts were incredibly responsive and helpful. Thank you!!

What a gem- has everything you need and offers privacy and beautiful surroundings.

This place was absolutely magical! Amazing view, clean and cozy. The horses next door visited and said hello and the flower garden was an added bonus! The restaurants in the area are all great and people very friendly!

Wonderful place to stay. Awesome quiet location. Near many of the attractions and away from the hustle of Fortuna.

This was our second time at this Airbnb, this time we brought our kids! It was so wonderful!! If you want a peaceful vacation, this is the place to go! With those beautiful views and the horses coming up the fence to say hello everyday, my heart was so happy!! This is a place where you need to spend your time outsides the inside furniture is not super comfortable but it does its job. The water got cold quickly, which was the only downside we had the whole trip. Otherwise, we plan to come back again in the future. I already miss the place so much! My kids loved it too! The hosts also helped me find a baker for my daughter’s birthday cake which was so nice of them!! They responded so fast via email which I appreciated!

Loved the location.  The views were outstanding.  House needs some work.  Pool was difficult to get in and out of.

"Our stay at John’s place was absolutely perfect! The home  was spotless, beautifully decorated, and had everything we needed for a relaxing getaway. John and Ana were incredibly responsive and accommodating, providing great local recommendations. We especially loved the small pool, horses walking by, privacy,  and stunning views from the home. We would highly recommend this Airbnb to anyone looking for a peaceful escape in Costa Rica.

Wonderful 3 night stay. Peaceful and beautiful vistas away from the fray. Small pool and easy drive to all the activities in La Fortuna. Kids loved the frogs at night in the pool. Very helpful recommendations ahead of arriving. Would stay again! Pura Vida!

What a place! Waling up with hummingbirds and beautiful flowers. We weee lucky to have a clear day and see the whole volcano. Our favorite was a horseback tour with lilander- the ride was beautiful and the waterfall was magical. We highly recommend it! Thank you!

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay! The view was amazing and the garden surrounding the house were beautiful. It was very comfortable and we loved the house. However, it should be noted. You must have a four-wheel-drive to get to the property. Thank you for the hospitality to Thomas and team!

Location with unique views! The environment with free-roaming pasture, the property garden and the tranquility of the neighborhood make the place very special. There are some noises for the vehicles to pass in front of the house, but they never bothered us. A 4 wheel drive means of transportation is not only suggested, but necessary to get to the parking lot of the property!

Emplacement avec vue unique ! L’environnement avec le pâturage en liberté, le jardin de la propriété et la tranquillité du voisinage rendent l’endroit très spécial. Il y a quelques bruits pour le passage des véhicules devant la maison, mais ceux-ci ne nous ont jamais dérangés. Un moyen de transport 4 roues motrices n’est pas seulement suggéré, mais nécessaire pour se rendre jusqu’au stationnement de la propriété !

Superb location - the views are stunning, and humming birds in the garden.  The apartment is well-equipped and comfortable

WOW what a view.  Loved sitting on the sun porch, windows open looking out on the lake and volcano.  Wine under the gazebo in the evening listening to the frogs. Great local food and fun activities.  You do need a 4x4 but we knew that and came prepared.  A new sofa would be nice.

Despite the rainy weather, we enjoyed staying at this home in El Castillo. While the road outside the house was more rocky than we expected, once we got used to it every was fine. Tomas, John's contact in El Castillo was great to work with and when the power went out and the roads were closed, he provided us with all the information needed. I thoroughly recommend staying at this place!

We had a great stay, the house is in a great location and offers many activities in the area, the view is a dream!

Wir hatten einen tollen Aufenthalt, das Haus ist toll gelegen und bietet viele Aktivitäten in der Umgebung, der Ausblick ist ein Traum!

Loved our stay. The view is “pinch me” worthy and the reason we booked. The gardens are beautiful and we had hummingbirds visit us every morning as we drank coffee in the gazebo with volcano views.  Home was beautiful and clean, stocked well and as described. That hill was an adventure each time up but we always made it up. This home is further away from La Fortuna than expected so limited dining and longer drives into Fortuna were part of our daily planning. Hosts were very responsive and helpful. A beautiful place if you want to get away from it all. And again,  that view !!!!!

This home and views from it are beautiful, no questions about it. It is as described which is great. very quiet neighborhood. Fun to see the horses be moved daily. Kitchen had what we needed. Hot water was incredibly limited or unreliable at best...I know this is Costa Rica but I've not had this much trouble in the La Fortuna area before. The seating in the screened in porch was great, however many of the windows are damaged in that they are foggy so you can't really enjoy the view up there. The downstairs patio and pool area lack any comfortable seating, only camping chairs. The living room does not have enough seating for 4 people. Great communication with the onsite hosts, very helpful! Again, lovely home and very peaceful but it does not compare to other 5 star homes in this price range which is why I gave it 4 stars.

My family and I had a terrific 3 days at John's place in El Castillo! The views were unbelievable! It was mostly overcast while we were there, but it didn't stop us from enjoying it, and on a clear the views of Arenal are so serene. The garden is beautiful and we had so many hummingbird visitors. We even had some horse visitors (on the other side of the fence) in morning, so we enjoyed that. The house was very clean and well appointed. El Castillo is about 30 minutes from La Fortuna. Definitely recommend a 4x4 as the road is pretty rough, but we didn't have a problem navigating it. Unfortunately, we didn't get to enjoy the soaking pool as it was pretty chilly during our stay.

While you may think this location seems somewhat remote, it is actually fantastic. Not only do you have a spectacular view of Arenal Volcano, you are one minute from horseback riding, 5 minutes from an incredible vegetation restaurant (Essence), 5 minutes from the best massage place, 10 minutes from Sky Adventures (zip line, gorgeous hiking), 20 minutes from Tobacon Hot Springs & beautiful hikes right out your door. Tranquility, safe neighborhood, beautiful views, perfect pick.

best place to stay if you in or around LA Fortuna , Arenal area it is the most peaceful location and the food in town is some of the best in the whole area . we loved our stay and will definitely be back ! Pura Vida 🤘🏾

Wonderful place with a view like no other.

Really nice house in a safe neighborhood.  The house has beautiful views and the rooms are well appointed and comfortable.  The tropical gardens are charming and lovely.  We did't use the pool, but it was sparkling clean. I was really happy because my bed was soft, unlike the famously rock hard mattresses you find all over Costa Rica. The bed in the other bedroom was more firm, but fine for my friend.   It is a pleasant drive to La Fortuna and there are also things to do around El Castillo.  The best part was that the property manager, Ana, was super responsive and helpful.  We had car problems and she had her mechanic come to the property and fix it for a super reasonable price.  She also arranged for a driver to take us to the hot springs while he was shopping the battery and replacing it.  I will be referring my guests in Escazu, Costa Rica, to this listing in the future and I hope to return myself, as Arenal is one of my favorite places in Costa Rica.  Thank you for having us!

Very clean accommodation, small pleasant pool, exceptional panoramic proximity to beautiful hikes and activities. Communication was excellent with Team Tomas.

Logement très propre, petite piscine agréable, panoramique exceptionnel à proximité de belles randonnées et activités. La communication a été excellente avec Team Tomas.

John’s house was a nice and cozy home away from home. The location is beautiful and isolated just like we like it. 100% recommended.

absolutely beautiful setting.Host was very communicative and helpful.

This home is located in such a beautiful location away from the hustle and bustle of La Fortuna, but we still found it very easy to get to town within 30-40 minutes. The surroundings and view of the lake and volcano cannot be beat and made us feel like we had our own private oasis in the mountains. Do NOT discount the need for 4 wheel drive. The final climb to the house is steep and mostly loose rock but we didn’t have any trouble with 4 wheel drive. There are lots of restaurants nearby and all were delicious! We ate at the local places except for two meals in La Fortuna after returning from tours. Plus, there is a market right down the hill with all of the essentials you may need to cook at home. You will not find a more beautiful location and it was super close to ziplining which was a plus for our early morning adventure.

John's house in El Castillo was perfect.  The view of the lake and the volcano were perfect.  The house is perched on a hill that allowed us to watch birds from the gazebo and patio.   We saw swallowed-tailed kites, oropendolas,  and many more.  The house was clean and well appointed.  Our power was on on the first night and we did wish for larger candles of a lantern to see by.  The power did return before we woke the next morning.

Beyond beautiful Airbnb… about 30-40 minutes from La Fortuna. Be ready to drive… but the view is amazing. Beware no A/C and the road to the house needs a 4 wheel drive vehicle, the road has huge pot holes and goes straight up. Overall the experience was amazing and the hosts were very responsive. Great stay and highly recommend.

The view is out of this world, great garden, every amount of hummingbird simply fantastic.

Die Aussicht ist einfach unbeschreiblich schön, toller Garten, jedemenge Kolibris einfach traumhaft.

Such a beautiful stay in a cozy local village up on the hill. The house was perfect for our family. The view from the house was incredible and the kids had such a great time playing in the pool. The people in the area were so welcoming too. Highly recommend!

John's place was unbelievably beautiful and is truly deserving of the name "Castle in the Sky". My wife and I spent the second half of our honeymoon here and we were truly blown away with how beautiful everything was. From the lush diverse garden to the pool, horses grazing in the neighboring property and of course the stunning view of Lake Arenal and the Volcano, there was always something to see. The sunsets were amazing and we happened to stay here during the full moon which illuminated the town so beautifully. My only "complaint" is the lack of lounge chairs for the pool area, they have foldable beach chairs that just didn't suit the vibe of the pool area. Better pool lighting could also be implemented given all the frogs that find their way inside which discouraged us from using it in the night time. Overall, the other amenities were just what we needed and the house was comfortable and clean. This home truly embodies the Pura Vida lifestyle and would love to comeback one day.

Our stay at John's place was great. Local host Ana was AMAZING!!!!! We visited the Mirador El Silencio Hiking Trails and did the LONG hike, spent 4 hours there, tiring but well worth it. Rewarded our selves with a good soak at Los Lagos hot springs. Mama's soda was great and the market just down the block was perfect for simple needs.

This is a gorgeous home at an out of the way location.  We very much enjoyed the pool and the views, and there was plenty to do locally. We had a great tour at the butterfly sanctuary, followed by some of the best food and drinks at La Ventanita restaurant nearby.  I also greatly appreciated the owner and hosts commitment to recycling and composting. ¡Pura vida!

what am amazing place. we almost couldn't leave the beautiful property. we wre lucky to see arenal the entire time. the tip to stop in arenal nuevo was helpful to get groceries, but local supers had some nice choices (coffee, avocados, mangos). wish we could have stayed longer. it was truly wonderful property!

We are already missing it. Pictures don’t do this place justice. It is so peaceful and beautiful. We were hesitant to book a stay being far from La Fortuna but after such positive reviews we decided to go for it. We do not regret it one bit. In fact we found we loved our airbnb and El Castillo more than La Fortuna itself. We drove to La Fortuna on our last night to try a restaurant there and we regretting not spending our last night at a restaurant in El Castillo. We even went horse back riding with Lilander down the street. It was one of our favorite things we did. We would without a doubt book this place again if we returned. Also as others mentioned, 4 x 4 vehicle is highly recommended!!!

Beyond amazing. Highly recommend. Also John was more than accommodating.

Stunning location with amazing views over the lake and Arenal Volcano, very private ..our 2WD only just made it up the hill though. Be warned !

Very pretty view and lovely gardens. Loved the 3 season room with couches. Definitely need a 4 wheel drive to get there. Close to hot springs and zip lining. Other than the rain we had a very nice stay.

Uncommon expansive view from a very comfortable home and surroundings. Very responsive host. Would highly recommend.

Fantastic house and grounds, breathtaking location. It felt like a once in a lifetime experience — though I really hope to get back there soon. Highly, highly recommended.

Unbeatable view! Enjoyed the neighborhood very much, central to many activities.

Beautiful place! Take a 4x4 as you will not walk here and a fiat panda would never make it up the road! Great place, tiny pool but you’ll be out and about anyway. All in all a lovely stay!

Our stay at El Castillo en Las Nubes was beautiful! We heard howler monkeys each morning and saw parrots, toucans, hummingbirds, and many other bird varieties. We loved hearing the frogs at night. The views are spectacular and worth the drive up the hill, which admittedly was a bit dicey after a hard rain, even with a 4x4. I wish we had had more time to just sit on the back patio and look out over the lake and volcano. If you want to get away from the La Fortuna crowds this is the perfect spot!

We loved the stunning location of this home. If you are a birder, this is the rental home for you! We spent hours in the gazebo each morning, drinking our coffee and watching the vast variety of birds visit the beautiful gardens and surrounding forested areas. Even in the rain, there is a lot of bird activity! The home was comfortable and clean and we enjoyed exploring the local restaurants in El Castillo - our favorites were La Terraza and La Ventanita.

Awesome view! Very detailed directions to everything house related!

We loved being out of La Fortuna and in the smaller town of El Castillo, especially for the views! While it added some driving time to some of our adventures, we thought it was well worth it. While the road to the house was a bit challenging and (like nearly every place we’ve stayed in Costa Rica) the house itself a bit hard to find, we didn’t feel as though those things were insurmountable, dangerous or problematic. The house was very well-outfitted and we had everything we needed. Thanks for a wonderful stay!

What an awesome spot! Private with beautiful surroundings and close enough to all the amazing things to do in the Arenal area. House was just as described and we felt right at home. Stunning views of the volcano and Lake Arenal. We searched the beautiful garden for frogs and fireflies in the evening (and found many). Check in was easy and the hosts were responsive to anything we needed. Just a caveat... the road to the place is unpaved and steep! But worth the drive for sure! Thanks again!

Fantastic Airbnb in Costa Rica with stunning views, accurate amenities, and responsive hosts. Lovely garden and pool with frequent bird visitors. The house is well-equipped and the bedding was nice. As noted in the description, the road up got the property is pretty smooth except the last tiny bit, we navigated without problems in AWD. Two tweaks could make it perfect. Consider adding a curtain to the bedroom window for privacy and sleeping in; and replacing the main floor couch, which as others have mentioned is quite uncomfortable. Overall, one of my favourite places we stayed in on our two week trip and would highly recommend!

The home was wonderful. We enjoyed the gardens and gazebo daily. The upstairs sitting porch was an evening routine.  John’s local host was responsive and extremely helpful.

Great cozy home with beautiful views. Exactly what we expected and more. Would stay again.

The view is lovely.  The house was about 40 minutes from La Fortuna given the road conditions.  We definitely needed AWD, for the last bit, but a little Suzuki Vitara had enough clearance. A few things bothered us, but might not bother you.  One of the beds was very very firm.  The sofa was uncomfortable with metal supports in all the wrong places.  The house was warm after a day out and was difficult to cool down because a third of the screens were missing and it was hard to get cross ventilation without opening the place to mosquitos.  After we got there we learned there were more house rules, such as no hammocks, which we would have liked to have known in advance.  We enjoyed the daily visits from the neighboring horses.  The locals were friendly.  The new restaurant terraza del arenal was yummy with an amazing view.

This is an amazing place. The fauna is beautiful. The birds are amazing. The house is simply amazing. The screened in porch with the view of Arenal is spectacular. I wish we had more time. We could’ve stayed here two weeks and still had lots to do.

great place very helpful host. i would stay again

Thanks, George.  We're glad you enjoyed your visit to El Castillo.  We are very proud of our management team in Costa Rica.  They are the best!

John and his team were the best Air BnB hosts I've communicated with! The map kept rerouted us so many times that we didn't arrive until 1am the next day. They checked on us several times and was so responsive. The house itself was incredible! waking up each morning with the view of Mt Arenal and the well-kept gardens was the best! I absolutely recommend booking this place!

Great house, comfortable stay, beautiful views. The house is up a steep hill, as is the way in costa rica. 4-wheel drive car needed to get up steep gravel road to house. El Castillo is very small, but can walk to little market and a few restaurants. Anna, the local host/property manager, was very responsive and helpful. We had some trouble with our rental car and she helped us out.  Would recommend this house.

Great place with a superb view of the volcano. My kids really loved the pool!

Breathtaking views and birds giving a continuous show. Delicious house.

Adembenemend uitzicht en vogels die een continue show geven. Heerlijk huis.

Great place and accommodation! The house is very pretty and large for 4 people. The garden is filled with life in the morning; parrots, toucans and several kinds of birds brightened up our mornings. Lunch in the small veranda with the view was perfect!

John’s place was great! The views of the volcano and lake are unbeatable, the garden is beautiful and the plunge pool is the perfect way to cool off after a day of exploring. The house had everything we needed, we would definitely rent again!

I mean this place was magical! The view was breathtaking! I enjoy every single sunrise and sunset while listening to the animals’ free concerts 😅 My son enjoyed the pool and I just love all the flowers in this garden.

We loved our experience here and would highly recommend. We did horseback riding through the jungle and ate at an amazing local restaurant right down the street. It’s also a quick ride to La Fortuna. John was very responsive and helpful.

The house was just as advertised. Clean, comfortable and relaxing. The views from the house are breathtaking making it the perfect location to get some r&r.  John and his team were very responsive and provided detailed instructions before our arrival making it very easy to get settled. I would definitely stay here again if the opportunity presented itself.

This place was incredible!! The view was spectacular.  Definitely should have listened when host said don't drive here at night. Our flight got delayed several hours and we got in later than expected.  That road around the lake to come in at night is definitely treacherous.  If you drive in the daylight there is absolutely no issues.

Look no further. This is a GEM! Absolutely wonderful stay.

The house was just like the pictures. It was a serene and beautiful setting. The gardens were beautiful and we saw plenty of hummingbirds. The trickiest part was finding the house. We arrived just after dark (and I know they advised against this) so it was hard to find where the house was. I called John and he helped us right away. Other than that it was great!

The view alone is worth the price but the place is very nice in general. Loved the garden and the birds etc.

Great AirBnB! Lots to do in the area but a rental car (4x4) is definitely recommended. Beautiful garden and property with tons of hummingbirds, butterflies, birds and wildlife surrounding you! The view of Arenal is quite impressive and we enjoyed driving to Fortuna for the day which is about a half hour away! There’s lots to do in the area: the Butterfly Conservatory, Arenal Volcano hikes, water sports and boat rides on Lake Arenal, the SkyTram, hanging bridges and zip lining at SkyAdventures and so much more! While Arenal is a popular tourist area, it wasn’t overly crowded and El Castillo was a great base to explore the area! We really enjoyed our time here!

Great spot with amazing views. Thanks for hosting us!

Beautiful setting with breathtaking views. The house was exquisite. We enjoyed our stay.

Excellent communication from Anna & Tomas. Amazing views and beautifully kept property. We can recommend a horseride with Lilander - you pass his place on the left as you head up the road. Our meal at Mesa de Mama at the bottom of the hill was one of the most reasonable and delicious we had. Thanks for making our Arenal rtip unforgettable. A quick note on the road. We spoke to one of the owners and they had some work done on the road just below the property in late 2022. We rented an SUV but it wasn't 4WD (despite us requesting it) which concerned me before we got there. However, with the new gravel in place we had no problems in 2WD on the road despite having some very heavy rain.

This home is everything I expected and more. Our group fell in love with the area immediately upon arrival; the views from the deck and patio are just outstanding!  Don't be surprised if you find it hard to leave the balcony-it quickly became one of our favorite places to hang out.  The communication with John and the local caretakers (Tomas and Anna) was great.  Tomas and Anna helped us with night tours, arranging for a chef to come to the home on our final night, and were readily available for any needs/recommendations.  We fell in love with El Castillo, and were relieved to "escape" there each night, away from the crowds of La Fortuna and surrounding touristy areas.   The roads were surprisingly decent, we were prepared for worse.  I'm sure that conditions can vary greatly with the seasons/rainfall.  I would definitely say come with a 4x4 because you will be very limited without your own vehicle. Great place for a home base near Arenal, with endless activities within 30-45 minutes.

Truly beautiful setting and home. Was looking for an authentic experience outside of tourist areas and this was absolutely perfect. The views and scenery are stunning. El Castillo was a charming village. Highly recommend.

2BR House