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

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

Exterior detail
Outdoor pool
2 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, WiFi, bed sheets
Outdoor dining
Shower, hair dryer, towels, soap

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire chalet

2 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 5144 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue

Explore the area

View map
La Fortuna/El Castillo
  • Place, Butterfly Conservatory
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Place, Lake Arenal
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Tabacon Hot Springs
    ‪47 min drive‬

Room options

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The price is AU$220
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About the area

Peñas Blancas

With a stay at this chalet in Peñas Blancas (El Millon), you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Lake Arenal and Butterfly Conservatory. .This chalet is 8.3 mi (13.4 km) from Arenal Volcano National Park and 6 mi (9.7 km) from Arenal Volcano.
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What's nearby

  • Butterfly Conservatory - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Lake Arenal - 7 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Tabacon Hot Springs - 47 min drive - 17.0 km
  • Los Lagos Hot Springs - 56 min drive - 25.4 km
  • Baldi Hot Springs - 58 min drive - 26.4 km

Getting around

  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal) - 54 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Shangri-La Gardens - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪Ave Restaurant - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪Caña Brava - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪La Mesa de Mamá - ‬20 min walk
  • ‪Cafeteria Selva Verde - ‬106 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.

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

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


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

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

July 2011: If you catch the new reality show 'Love in the Wild' airing on CTV in Canada or NBC in the US, you'll experience life in El Castillo. They were filming the series when we visited in March and almost all of the scenes were shot in and around our little neighbourhood.
Read about 'Love in the Wild' here http://www.ticotimes.net/Current-Edition/News-Briefs/Love-in-the-Wild-host-Darren-McMullen-tells-all_Wednesday-August-03-2011.
There's a private balcony. A kitchen is outfitted with a full-sized refrigerator/freezer, an oven, and a stovetop. The bathroom has a shower and a hair dryer. Conveniences include a phone, as well as a microwave and a coffee/tea maker.
Pamper yourself with onsite massages or enjoy recreation amenities such as an outdoor pool. Additional features at this chalet include tour/ticket assistance and barbecue grills.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Massage
  • Outdoor pool
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the accommodation: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

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

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

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

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

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

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Yard

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

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

Location highlights

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

Things to do

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

Safety features

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

General

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

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM

Minimum check-in age: 21

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

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:

Remove personal items and take out the trash

Lock the doors and return the keys

Our cleaners will take care of laundry and cleaning. Please leave the house in a tidy condition.

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Safety features at this property include a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Lake Arenal-stunning Views Lake Volcano Jungle House

Lake Arenal-stunning Views Lake Volcano Jungle

Lake Arenal stunning Views of the Lake Volcano Jungle

Lake Arenal-stunning Views Lake Volcano Jungle House

Lake Arenal-stunning Views Lake Volcano Jungle House

Lake Arenal stunning Views of the Lake Volcano Jungle

Lake Arenal-stunning Views Lake Volcano Jungle

Lake Arenal stunning Views of the Lake Volcano Jungle

Lake Arenal Stunning views of the lake volcano jungle.

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

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 96 out of 113 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 113 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 113 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 113 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 113 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Christopher M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing place. Friendly and helpful hosts. Clean and beautiful space. Really special.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Lynne T.

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Our stay at El Castillo en Los Nuebles was absolutely unforgettable. The views alone were worth the trip—truly breathtaking and something we will never forget. We loved being surrounded by nature, with howler monkeys right outside the front door, frogs everywhere, and the constant sounds of birds and jungle life all around us, day and night.The people in El Castillo were incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even more special. Anna, part of the host team, went above and beyond in every way. When we got a flat tire and discovered our spare was also flat, she quickly stepped in and called a mechanic friend who came with an air compressor and got us taken care of. She also helped arrange an amazing night tour with a neighbor named Viktor, and the best part was that it started right at our front door, making it easy and unique.The house itself was clean, comfortable, and well-equipped, aside from the futon in the TV room which could use an upgrade. One important note: the road to the house is very rough. We were supposed to have a 4x4 but were given a 4x2 and couldn’t make it up, even getting a flat tire trying. Make sure to have a 4WD vehicle with high clearance.Overall, we absolutely loved our stay. We were able to walk to several nearby restaurants, all of which were great. Falling asleep and waking up to the sounds of nature made the experience even better, and our teens loved every minute of it! If you're debating on stating here...do it!!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026

10/10 Excellent

Saeed J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect location, gorgeous views, comfortable stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

4/10 Poor

Chris W.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shannon P.

Liked: Cleanliness
This place is fantastic! Easy to get around to all the sites around lake and volcano. The views of Arenal are stunning. This is truly a castle in the clouds.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Meredith R.

Liked: Cleanliness
House was perfect for 4 adults, clean and terrific view. Host helped make it an amazing 30th birthday for my daughter. They recommended Jorge as our guide for Arenal observatory and Mistico Hanging bridges. Location was great for everything we wanted to do.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Tom S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Came in the rainy season

We came at end of June. The house is very nice and cute. Beautiful gardens, clean pool , and comfortable beds. The host lives close by and brought us Tums instead of having to leave. Lots of birds watching. The ticos near by the nicest people. Great restaurants close and the views are spectacular. We are from FL and knew the house had no AC. We wouldn’t stay in a place again with out AC. We were hot. The water is very good and mountain well. The shower didn’t stay hot long but long enough. The main town La Fortuna is far about 35 min drive. We had a 4x4 and recommended it. We went to the butterfly conservatory and happy we did. It rained every day about 2 pm and mostly into night so we had to get events in by then and didn’t get to do everything we wanted. We love Costa Rica and the ticos are so nice and kind to Americans. We also stayed on beach Jaco before driving to the volcano side and prices are better on volcano side.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Corey S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing stay

Property was fantastic, beautiful view and garden and pool. Place was well looked after and clean, hosts were great. Town was friendly with decent places to eat. Butterfly sanctuary is a must. Really enjoyed waking up everymorning to the sounds of birds and view of the volcano
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nikki M.

Liked: Cleanliness

The Beautiful Castle in the Clouds

My husband and our 7-year old had about a month long stay at this property. It was lovely. The property was clean, laid out well and spacious. The views were incredible and the neighborhood was so quaint and friendly. There were lots of great food options right near the house as well as things to do. The busier town of Fortuna was close enough but I really enjoyed the countryside quietness of our location. It was such a beautiful, relaxing, rejuvenating stay. The hosts were also extremely helpful to us during our stay. I highly recommend this property. What a dream.
Stayed 19 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erin C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family stay in El Castillo

Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lindsey A.

Liked: Cleanliness

Stunning property!

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

10/10 Excellent

Alexis M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Everything we could have asked for!

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

10/10 Excellent

Scot B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing!

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

10/10 Excellent

Antonia B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful place with outstanding views

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

10/10 Excellent

Deborah W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful location with awesome view of volcano

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

8/10 Good

Tracia K., Pittsburgh, United States

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing views! House is rustic

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

10/10 Excellent

Derek B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing place

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

10/10 Excellent

Michael C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Surreal location.

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

10/10 Excellent

Kim P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing!

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

10/10 Excellent

Dave S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful stay. Great access to La Fortuna but just far enough to avoid the crowds

Beautiful gardens and bountiful birdlife. The house was great and we did not have any problems. Definitely listen to the owners advice to arrive during daylight as the entrance is a little tricky the first time. Once you know where it is, it's easy
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Judy L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Breathtaking View

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

10/10 Excellent

Nicole W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Paradise

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

10/10 Excellent

Hali H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Can't beat the views!

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

10/10 Excellent

Angela H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing place to stay!

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