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Beautiful and Private home in the Heart of the Village with great Volcano views!

Peñas Blancas vacation home with kitchen

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Photo gallery for Beautiful and Private home in the Heart of the Village with great Volcano views!

Terrace/patio
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Dining
Property grounds
Interior

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6120 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Parking available
  • Mountain view

Explore the area

View in a map
El Castillo, Provincia de Alajuela
  • Place, Butterfly Conservatory
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Lake Arenal
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Tabacon Hot Springs
    ‪42 min drive‬

Room options

About the area

Peñas Blancas

On lake.With a stay at this Peñas Blancas vacation home, you'll be steps from Butterfly Conservatory and within a 10-minute walk of Lake Arenal. Also, Costa Rica Sky Adventures is within 3 miles (5 km) and Arenal Volcano is within 6 miles (10 km).
View more Vacation homes in Peñas BlancasOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Butterfly Conservatory - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Lake Arenal - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Tabacon Hot Springs - 42 min drive - 14.6 km
  • Los Lagos Hot Springs - 52 min drive - 22.9 km
  • Baldi Hot Springs - 53 min drive - 24.0 km

Getting around

  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal) - 35 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Shangri-La Gardens - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Las Palmas - ‬26 min drive
  • ‪Soda La Palma - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪Baldi Premium Bar - ‬27 min drive
  • ‪Lemnos Wetbar - ‬26 min drive

About this property

Entire place

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

Beautiful and Private home in the Heart of the Village with great Volcano views!

- The Mirador house is located right in the heart of the country town of El Castillo, very close the grocery store, restaurants, and some of the best adventure tours in the area. The house is cozy and private with beautiful gardens and a nice Volcano and rain forest view from the Gazebo.
- There are 2 bedrooms with A/C and 1 queen size bed each one and a comfortable futon that opens to a full size bed in the living room.
- The fully equipped kitchen have all the appliances necessary to prepare delicious meals for everybody.
- Overall this house is perfect for small families looking for an easy to reach house close to the adventure but far from the noise of the city.
- Nearby you will find lots of tours to keep you entertained for days, Volcano hikes, Zip Lines, Hanging Bridges, ATV tours, Kayak tours, Rainforest and Waterfall hikes, Horseback riding, Hot Springs, Wildlife watching tours and more. All of these are less than half an hour away from the house. Our concierge is always available at our new and modern Welcome Center to help you book tours, find the best restaurants, book a massage and get the most out of your time in the area.
-Location: El Castillo is approx. 3 hours (150km) from both international airports, either in the capital of San Jose, or on the northern pacific coast in Liberia. La Fortuna, which is a small city that offers amenities such as grocery, banking, post office, restaurants, hot springs, excursions and much more. is only 30 minutes away.

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Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Massage

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Chef service

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

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

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In a village
  • In the mountains
  • Near a zoo
  • On a lake

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

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

General

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Unit size: 1,290 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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

Property is also known as

320558

Frequently asked questions

How close is Beautiful and Private home in the Heart of the Village with great Volcano views! to the airport?

This vacation home is 15.8 mi (35-min drive) away from the La Fortuna (FON-Arenal) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Beautiful and Private home in the Heart of the Village with great Volcano views! have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

Does Beautiful and Private home in the Heart of the Village with great Volcano views! offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Beautiful and Private home in the Heart of the Village with great Volcano views!?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home.

What time is check-in at Beautiful and Private home in the Heart of the Village with great Volcano views!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Beautiful and Private home in the Heart of the Village with great Volcano views!?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Beautiful and Private home in the Heart of the Village with great Volcano views! have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does Beautiful and Private home in the Heart of the Village with great Volcano views! have a spa?

This vacation home doesn't have a spa, but it does offer massages.

How close is Beautiful and Private home in the Heart of the Village with great Volcano views! to downtown Peñas Blancas?

This vacation home is 0.5 mi away from El Castillo.

Beautiful and Private home in the Heart of the Village with great Volcano views! Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 48 out of 55 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 55 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 55 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 55 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 55 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

Verified

6/10 Okay

R S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
This is a nice little place to stay for a reasonable price. A cute property in a great location if you are looking to do some activities in the Arenal area. The deck out back was peaceful and had a nice view. There were a lot of big ants especially in the shower area. Anytime the water turns on, the ants enter through a hole above the shower spout because it is not properly sealed. There is also no washer or dryer. It can be loud at night with the neighbors dogs next door and the dirt bikes running all night, but that didnt bother me too much. If they could get the ants under control, this place would be a 4 star for sure.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

6/10 Okay

Mohamed M.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location
Disliked: Check-in, listing accuracy
Advertised as sleeping 5 people but only two beds. Kids had to share a bed and I slept on the couch. Not the greatest sleeping experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sean R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

El Castillo home

Home that is right in town with several restaurants, markets, and activities within walking distance. Great view from the back patio. The host was available and helpful.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Vicki L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good location

We enjoyed our stay at this property. Close to all the activities we wanted to do. Check in/out was super easy. Would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Todd R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful View

quiet spot with lots to do nearby
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christian S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice stay

"Very nice stay in El Castillo. The cottage is very well equipped and offers an incredible view from the terrace. The site is perfect for birdwatching; I observed a wide variety of species. The view of the Arenal Volcano is exceptional. I highly recommend this place for a short stay in the area."
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dustin S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

El Castillo

Wonderful home with a great view of volcano. Close to amenities, dining, activities. Locals are super nice.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kevin C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Trip to Costa Rica

There was lots to do within walking distance of the home, otherwise it was a short drive, the butterfly sanctuary was very good and the motorcycle restaurant basically next door was very good as well
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paul T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay.

We stayed here in July of 2023. Everything was great. Check in was super convenient and friendly. This is a really gorgeous area with a ton to explore. I would 100% book this location again. (Family of 4.)
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Charles C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to visit the region

Lovely place in a quiet bedroom village about 15 minutes from Fortuna. We preferred that because Fortuna is a crowded mess. The house itself is lovely and spacious. Great views if it's not raining. Also, Agustin was easily available a d quite helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Maki K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved our stay!

This place was amazing! About a 30 min drive to most of the excursions that we did. Agustin was a great host and provided us with some great excursion and restaurant recommendations. Would love to come back! ❤️
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Liz K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful four-night stay

Unique and comfortable home with lovely backyard views. The check-in and check-out processes were easy and fast. The center offered many suggestions for activities in the area which was greatly appreciated. We loved the local restaurants and the excellent bakery that was just down the road.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anna D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Winter get away

Property was lovely. Agustin was amazing to work with and he made all our reservations which was very helpful. Views from the property were fantastic and we saw many native birds including toucans. Tried many of the local restaurants and the food was very good.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rainforest wonderland!

The house was amazing! The host was so responsive and want to thank you so much for a great 3 days! We loved your house and location. Thanks for sharing with us!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mélanie T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Arenal volcano

The view, the patio, the birds, including toucans! All perfect! Traditionnel cute house! Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Maxim B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing views!!

Lovely property with magical feel Gorgeous views Bring rain gear and find things to do in the rain as well as dry time All activities and stores are within 5 to 25 min away Had a fantastic time here👌
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Clare M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved the Birds and the Food

We really enjoyed our stay in El Castillo. The town is not as busy as La Fortuna and the home has a beautiful backyard view. We only had to walk a few steps to reach La Ventanita, which is a wonderful place to get very reasonably priced food and great milkshakes. There is a bakery down the hill that serves fresh baked goods and a delicious vegetarian restaurant named Essence Arenal. The house was the perfect base for our exploration of this incredibly beautiful area.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stacy P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

THE VIEW!

Holy cow - the view from this place is priceless! There is also a bakery that you can walk to down the hill each morning and an amazing restaurant up the hill that we would go to at night. It's about a 30 min drive into La Fortuna for activities which isn't bad at all. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Miss Back patio and welcome center already!

This property is off the beaten path in charming El Castillo which we enjoyed. Need 4W drive. Family of 5 very much enjoyed the back patio/hammock...so many birds, hummingbirds, Arenal view, and flowers. The welcome center folks are OUTSTANDING and helped us with recommendations of where to shop and amazing tours. 1 bed creaky but comfortable.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tess W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Loved watching the birds in the morning on the balcony with a cup of coffee! So much to do within an hour's drive. I wish we had more time to check it all out. Easy to communicate with property manager and to check in/out. Recommend getting groceries from far away as most of the close stores have only the basics.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alison R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing views

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Castillo. The terrace had an amazing view of Arenal volcano, and we saw so many birds in the backyard. It was amazing to have coffee in morning and watch clouds roll through valley and listen to birdsong. The location is convenient for getting to Fortuna and nearby parks for hiking, but Castillo feels much more quaint and quiet for enjoying peaceful evenings. We cooked in kitchen and had everything we needed to prepare meals. We also loved Ventanita restaurant up the hill from this location.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jared H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful old Costa Rica

If you are looking for an escape to old Costa Rica with an amazing viewing platform of Arenal volcano, this is your spot. The village of El Castillo is quaint and 2 great restaurants are walking distance from the property. Augustin was great to work with, but Vrbo has a weird quirk that doesn't give you a confirmation of your reservation. Check directly with Augustin the manager of the property.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Susan C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mirador House - El Castillo

The house was just as it appeared in the photographs. It was comfortable and quiet (except for the bird life of course). The back yard sitting area was a wonderful spot for morning coffee and late afternoon lounging. The only improvement I would suggest is some better pans in the kitchen. I would recommend this house without hesitation. Management was also very professional and friendly.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bryan B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome views and charm

We really enjoyed our stay but it wasn't very clean when we arrived. The cottage was very cozy (very charming) and the view from the covered deck was spectacular with lots of birds. The people at the welcome center were extremely friendly and helpful. The location is very convenient to Arenal and La Fortuna. There was more to do than we could do in our short stay. On another note, the second nite when we returned, we found termites coming out of the walls in the shower. Lots of them. This place needs a thorough inspection and treatment or it will be sawdust.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tara P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The View!

We enjoyed a short stay at this home. Its in the perfect location for rural experience of Costa Rica, but close enough to jump over to La Fortunas tourist trap. We watched the parrots (yellow naped and toucans) play and eat every morning with the volcano backdrop. We also got to see a pizote on our ride into La Fortuna. The Butterfly Conservatory is magical and within walking distance. We had a great and inexpensive meal at Ventamita Cafe as we enjoyed the view. We went to La Fortuna for horseback riding (Don Tobias), hot springs (Los Lagos) and of course, the waterfall. Dont miss out on the shampoo ginger growing all over in El Castillo. It's super fun for the kids, its a natural shampoo plant that you can squeeze and put into your hair.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024