Vacation Rentals by Owner

Beautiful home; great location

Guest: Roselyn M. (Vancouver, WA.)
Date of Stay: 03/16/12 Review Submitted: 03/31/12

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this beautiful home. We were visited daily at the feeder by many species of birds and a faithful coatimungi who came by each day to clean up what the birds didn't finish. The covered front patio is wonderful for morning coffee in a peaceful setting. The house is chock-full of interesting Tico art objects and fully furnished for your convenience. The owners and caregivers are extremely helpful and responsive to questions and requests. The house and pool are well maintained. Arenal is about a 45-minute drive to La Fortuna for adventure sports and the same distance to Tilaran for groceries and shopping. Even closer is the town of Nuevo Arenal where you can pick up the basics. Two outstanding restaurants are within a ten-minute drive. Although Arenal volcano is currently dormant, we had two days of perfectly clear weather while hiking the hanging bridges and enjoyed a rare sight of the volcano in its glory.

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Everything we hoped for. . .and more

Guest: Roselyn M. (Vancouver, WA.)
Date of Stay: 03/16/12 Review Submitted: 03/31/12

Lake Arenal is a perfect spot for a restful vacation and watching the coatimungi, squirrels and many species of birds from the covered front patio. Howler monkeys will wake you in the early morning. . .a time you won't want to miss as that's when the greatest wildlife activity takes place. The house is well equipped and maintained and decorated with interesting Tico art pieces. Both the owners and caretakers are extremely helpful and responsive. The pool feels great after a busy day exploring the area. Arenal is nicely located about a 45-minute drive from sizeable towns in both directions. Go East to enjoy adventure activities and West to a more dry climate. Shopping is in both directions and the nearby town of Nuevo Arenal, about a ten-minute drive will provide for most of your basic needs. Great restaurants are nearby too. Try The Lucky Bug and the Gingerbread. . .you won't be disappointed.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Another wonderful stay at Casa Gavilan

Guest: Lauri H. (Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/11/12 Review Submitted: 03/23/12

We stayed at this lovely home for a week in February. It was our 5th visit to Costa Rica and our 5th time staying at this house. We wouldn't dream of staying any place else! This home has everything you need for a very comfortable stay. The gardens are beautiful - you feel like you are alone with the birds and the monkeys in the jungle. Neighbours are close by by you can't see or hear them. It is wonderful - you can't to wrong choosing this house!

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A Jungle Paradise

Guest: Robert Z. (Crete, IL)
Date of Stay: 09/17/11 Review Submitted: 11/21/11

For a long time I've wanted to visit Costa Rica. After searching through a multitude of VRBO accommodations I came across Casa Gavilan de Arenal and felt good about the place. There was enough room for a party of four with everyone having their own bathroom. The caretakers of the house, Ed and Leslie, are congenial and helpful far beyond expectation. There are plenty of supplies, so there's no need to pick up spices or paper towels or TP at the store. There's plenty of food available nearby in Nuevo Arenal. The people are friendly and helpful even though few speak any English. You can also pick up food supplies, snacks, drinks etc. in Liberia. We landed at Liberia airport, about 90 minutes drive from Casa Gavilan. If you arrive in the evening I strongly suggest you stay your first night at the Hilton near the airport. The first part of the trip is straight road, but the drivers are reckless and if you drive on a weekend night you will encounter drivers who are extremely reckless. The last half of the drive is on hilly, twisty roads and the locals consider the yellow line as optional. Expect to see vehicles straddling it while speeding around a curve. If your return flight is in the early morning I suggest staying at the Hilton the night before your departure as well. If you book ahead of time the hotel is a little cheaper and it is very reasonable in cost. The food there is good and the hosts are very cordial. There are many activities near Casa Gavilan...horseback riding, hot springs, zip lining, hiking trails, tours, etc. You may have a difficult time tearing yourself away from the property, though. If you enjoy photography you will find plenty to photograph. My fiance and I love photography, especially wildlife. This location does not disappoint as we took many more keeper photos here than anywhere else we visited in Costa Rica. Our close encounter with a howler monkey family was the highlight of the trip, never to be forgotten. If you don't feel like cooking in the morning head over to The Lucky Bug for breakfast. You will enjoy beautiful scenery, friendly service, and wonderful food. People have recommended Gingerbread but our party of four cannot. The entire experience there was unpleasant. As for Casa Gavilan I cannot say enough good things. The owners, the caretakers, the house itself are all top notch and I cannot recommend it highly enough. I should bite my tongue and keep it a secret but some things are just too good to not be

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Perfection!

Guest: Leastfast (Austin, Texas, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/03/11 Review Submitted: 07/23/11

It's hard to find anything to add to all the other glowing reviews of Casa Gavilan. We just spent 9 nights here and everything about the place exceeded our expectations. We were originally set to stay at a different place that cancelled due to a booking error, and for that mistake we'll be eternally grateful. Casa Gavilan's location is stunning and the house is beautiful and comfortable, and extremely well-equipped. The multi-level yard is gorgeous and the house, pool, and grounds were immaculate. The Las Flores neighborhood where the house is located is lovely and the paved neighborhood rainforest trail was really nice to hike. It's conveniently close to Nuevo Arenal, a town that we found really appealing. (Hint: It's cheaper to buy fruit at the Frutas y Verduras shop next to the bank than at the larger grocery stores, and you'll want a lot for yourself and the birdfeeders.) I brought 5 books to read and spent so much time watching birds and other wildlife that it was pretty much wasted luggage space. We saw howler monkeys in the trees at the house across the street and a coati walked right by my husband as he was sleeping by the pool. A large flock of Montezuma oropendolas occupied one of the big trees on the property, and I saw dozens of beautiful tropical birds; at one point, there were five redlegged honeycreepers on the hummingbird feeder. We loved Casa Gavilan and will go back as soon as we can. In fact, the three days after our stay were open and we seriously considered extending our stay, but felt a little uncomfortable about cancelling our next reservation. The only downside to the house is its distance from La Fortuna, where most of the big tourist activities are centered, but it's a beautiful drive and it was nice to be a little removed from the hustle and bustle of that town. Ian and the property manager, Ed, were both very helpful with advice. I second everyone who recommended eating at Gingerbread, which really was fantastic by any standard, and the Lucky Bug was a beautiful place for breakfast. After some of the drives back from La Fortuna, we didn't feel like cooking so we picked up pizzas in town. The one from the little bar/soda on the same side of the street as the bank was the better of the two. We enjoyed ziplining at Sky Trek and rafting the Rio Pacuare with Exploradores, but I think the excursion that we wouldn't have missed is the Cano Negro outing with Desafio. We can't wait to go back.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Quite simply the best place we have ever stayed in

Guest: Robert (Atlanta,GA )
Date of Stay: 05/21/11 Review Submitted: 06/05/11

The house was spotless and spacious. The garden and pool was amazing and Ed was very helpful. The day we had to leave we literally cried. My 3rd trip to CR my wife's 7th and the surrounding area Arenal is perfect, the house has a view of the lake, amazing scenery. We will stay here again. We are loathed to tell anyone else about Casa Gavilan for our own selfish reasons !!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

excellent home away from home

Guest: michael (canada)
Date of Stay: 05/09/11 Review Submitted: 05/24/11

all of the amenities of home with the surroundings of paradise. Birder's heaven.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

I didn't want to leave!

Guest: Becky (Boring, OR)
Date of Stay: 05/01/11 Review Submitted: 05/23/11

We loved Casa Gavilan! It is a beautifully decorated home with equally beautiful landscaping outside. So much better than staying in a hotel! The boys loved the private pool and we all enjoyed watching movies together each night from the huge movie collection available. We saw lots of birds and wildlife right on the property and heard and saw more nearby. The rental process was easy and the owners and managers were great to work with. The kitchen is well-appointed and had just about everything we needed. The house had fresh cut flowers when we arrived and even food for our first day's breakfast! I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to rent this house again!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

I didn't want to leave!

Guest: Becky (Boring, OR)
Date of Stay: 05/01/11 Review Submitted: 05/21/11

We loved Casa Gavilan! It is a beautifully decorated home with equally beautiful landscaping outside. So much better than staying in a hotel! The boys loved the private pool and we all enjoyed watching movies together each night from the huge movie collection available. We saw lots of birds and wildlife right on the property and heard and saw more nearby. The rental process was easy and the owners and managers were great to work with. The kitchen is well-appointed and had just about everything we needed. The house had fresh cut flowers when we arrived and even food for our first day's breakfast! I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to rent this house again!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Very pleased with Casa Gavilan!

Guest: Margot (Minneapolis)
Date of Stay: 03/15/11 Review Submitted: 04/02/11

We thoroughly enjoyed our 4 days at this perfect house. There were 6 of us and we had more than enough space. The grounds are lush, the view is beautiful and the privacy is unmatched. Ed and Leslie (the caretakers) couldn't have been more gracious or kind. Ian (the owner) was extremely helpful with answering questions and helping us to plan. The drive to the activities by Arenal is about 45 minutes, but it's not a big deal and it was great to come "home" to our own, quiet space. We even had the chance to watch howler monkeys right on the property. I'd recommend Casa Gavilan without hesitation.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Wonderful trip once again!

Guest: Lauri H. (Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/05/11 Review Submitted: 03/03/11

My husband and I just returned from our 4th visit to Casa Gavilan. We're addicted! Every year we say we're going somewhere new next year, but it never happens because we can't miss being away from this beautiful little spot. Every years gets better! The gardens are absolutely lovely and as everyone else has mentioned, the house is amazing as well. We have a wonderful time feeding the birds. This was the first year we've had a toucan visit our feeder. It was totally amazing to see one so close. Other years we've just seen them in the air. The monkeys were present in the yard almost every day as well. They're very entertaining! The property managers, Ed and Leslie take excellent care of you and the owners are wonderful people as well. You won't regret renting this beautiful home.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Wendy
Date of Stay: 01/21/11 Review Submitted: 02/19/11

My husband, my one year old son and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Casa Gavilan. The house has EVERYTHING you would need - especially in the kitchen. It is very clean, spacious, quiet and just 5km from Nuevo Arenal. Highlights for us included: howler monkeys in the trees beside the house, the wide variety of birds, the excellent resource library, El Establo (the local soda), learning to windsurf and kite board on the lake with the company Tico Wind, the hanging bridges hike, finding a free spot to enjoy the hotsprings with local Ticos and the waterfalls hike outside of Tilaran. We love to speak spanish and found many opportunities to use it in the local towns: Nuevo Arenal, Tilaran and Canas. The family at El Establo is lovely - we ate there all the time and really enjoyed their company. The guest book and bird book at the house were very interesting as well - we completely forgot to write in them! We are also grateful that there was a telephone. There is a nice little hike to a pond that you can do around the property through the rainforest as well. Thanks so much for a great vacation!

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Guest: Eric & Kym
Date of Stay: 12/25/10 Review Submitted: 01/08/11

Casa Gavilan was really nice. The home is really comfortable and has lots of high-end touches, things you wouldn't expect from a rental. You can see Howler monkeys every day on the nature trail that is part of the common property - be sure to take the side trail that goes across the creek, it will take you right into the trees where they stay. Also, buy lots of papaya from a road-side stand or in Fortuna. The birds will go through a papaya in 4hrs and they are a bit expensive at the market in town. The Sky Trek zip lines at the Vulcano are a must if you are not afraid of heights - hanging from a cable 600ft in the air going 50MPH for a 1/2 mile - try it!

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Great Experience

Guest: Karen (Providence, RI)
Date of Stay: 11/25/10 Review Submitted: 12/07/10

Casa Gavilan is beautiful! I just came back from a week stay with my boyfriend and another couple and wish we had another couple with us there was so much room! Each bedroom having it's own bathroom was very convenient and private. The house was very clean, organized and had everything we needed. We made coffee and relaxed on the porch every morning planning our day and watching the birds. Friendly neighbors dogs came over to greet us in the morning as well- so cute! I spoke mostly with the owner Ian while booking and he was so helpful in planning our trip, and made us feel very comfortable as it was our first time renting a house for a vacation. We can't say enough!

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Simply Perfect!

Guest: Happy in Colorado (Denver, Colorado)
Date of Stay: 10/22/10 Review Submitted: 11/13/10

We have just returned from Costa Rica and staying at this welcoming and warm home. The pictures do not come close to doing justices to the views and incredible bird watching. The owners, Ian and Lynn, were a dream to work with. Not only did Ian take time to answer every question on my long list; he provided a breath of information via email. Ian’s emails included attachments with details of the currency, culture and beneficial travel information. You also won’t need to bring your travel books with as they have an incredible library there. Upon our arrival we were greeted by Ed and his lovely wife Leslie, the caretakers of the home, with a groceries and tremendous knowledge of the area and the people living there. Ed also provided spot on recommendations of having breakfast at The Lucky Bug and a perfect dinner at the Gingerbread ….you must eat here! This home, not just a house to rent, was perfect for our adventurous and relaxing vacation. It was in an incredibly safe and comfortable community and extremely well maintained and clean. In short; we made a perfect choice by selecting this property for our vacation.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Dawn
Date of Stay: 09/07/10 Review Submitted: 09/28/10

Casa Gavilan couldn't have been a better start to our Costa Rican vacation. This is the first time we have rented a house and anchored in one spot for five days. What a great decision! The house is wonderful---clean, attractive, well-equipped, cozy, comfortable, safe and welcoming. The beautiful gardens and views of the lake and ever-changing skies are hypnotic.The owner, Ian, would be a great penpal. Responsive, easygoing and friendly even in email. He and his wife, Lynne, must be special people because everyone we met in the town of Arenal seemed to know and love them. The property managers, Ed and Leslie, are the kind of people you'd invite home for Thanksgiving dinner. The community is neat and even the neighbor will become your new BFF. After two days of slothful relaxation, we were joined by our "kids" and their "significant others." The three master bedrooms with private FULL baths guaranteed a harmonious trip! We stayed during the rainy season and have no regrets. In fact, we think it was better because we "owned" every activity we did. If you don't mind the drama of tropical storms and mud, you'll reap the rewards of fewer tourists. We ziplined (better views here than in Monteverde), rode horses, "did" Hanging Bridges, hiked to volcano lookouts, went white water rafting (awesome!), paddled on a river safari to see the flora and fauna, spent an evening at Tabacon (save your money) and kicked back at Casa Gavilan. It was so much fun to cook and eat in (go get the pre-seasoned chicken at the butcher shop next to the supermarket) that we didn't eat out much, but Gingerbread is a MUST for fun and food (brilliant!) and Lucky Bug is great for breakfast and banter. I guess if I had to say something negative, it would be that the birds were apparently jealous that we were on vacation so they decided to take one too. We set out fruit religiously each day but nothing came to eat it. The only Toucans we saw were the ones in Casa Gavilan's artwork. But the butterflies made up for it and the howling of the monkeys in the morning kept us ever mindful that we were "not in Kansas anymore." All in all, there is PLENTY to see and do in the Lake Arenal area and Casa Gavilan will quickly become your second home.

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Guest: Angela
Date of Stay: 07/23/10 Review Submitted: 07/24/10

Thank you Ian and Lynn for sharing this wonderful experience. The lake is beautiful and very inviting. Thank you Monica, you helped us a lot on scheduling activities. Ed greeted us with warmth and genuine kindness, and was always there to help-Thank you. Whether you are an avid birdwatcher or not, you will be by the time you leave. The monkeys will alert you of the weather more accurately than the local weather man. The pool was refreshing after a hard day of playing and eating. The house and grounds are beautifully maintained and make you feel at home. Again, thank you all.

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Guest: Rebecca
Date of Stay: 07/01/10 Review Submitted: 07/02/10

The home and site are more beautiful than the photos and descriptions show. It was the perfect stay in paradise with the natural rainforest fiews and gardens. Waking up to the sounds of monkeys, exotic birds and the sighs of humming birds and tucans was amazing. The location was ideal and near any adventure activity that could be desired. The property managers were extremely pleasant and accommodating. Just spending the day on the property was a joy as well as a satisfying experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to visit Costa Rica. I will definately go back on my next visit.

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Guest: Tracey
Date of Stay: 05/17/10 Review Submitted: 07/24/10

The trip to Costa Rica was wonderful and my friends and I are so happy that we choose to stay at Casa Gavilan. From the outset, Ian and Lynn were very helpful at providing any and all information that I requested and more! The house was in great condition and we were met by Ed and Leslie who provided us with some food staples to get us by until we could make it to the grocery store. The nearest town is Nuevo Arenal and has some great grocery stores, a bank, and some great bars and food! We stopped by the bar one night and met some great people who helped us with finding great things to do in Costa without having to spend too much money. One resident even took us on a tour of Lake Arenal on his boat! The house had everything one could ask for! It is very important to keep the kitchen clean to avoid seeing bugs, and it is wise to keep the screen door shut if you don't like insects. The views from the house and other house in the neighborhood were absolutely amazing! We ventured one day to the Lucky Bug and the girl who works there, Monica, was extremely helpful and was able to arrange a budget horseback ride that was right around the corner from the house. We ventured into La Fortuna almost every day, and that is a great town too! Just be wary of the tourist traps...they tend to over charge for the attractions. Overall the trip was great and I think we all want to move there! Thank you so much and this house is highly recommended!!

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You won't find a better house!

Guest: Trojandog (Sussex, England)
Date of Stay: 04/23/10 Review Submitted: 05/24/10

We were originally scheduled to spend 3 weeks at Casa Gavilan but an Icelandic volcano decided to intervene. UK airspace was closed the day before we were due to fly out of London. I have nothing but praise for Ian and Lynn (the owners) and Ed and Leslie (the caretakers) for their communication, patience, understanding, and flexibility as our flights changed on an almost daily basis. We eventually arrived 6 days later than planned, and there at the house to meet us, completely unfazed, were Ed and Leslie. Casa Gavilan was everything we had hoped for – beautifully designed and furnished with lovely gardens. The pool was just right and we used it two or three times every day. We brought some guide books and wildlife books with us from the UK but it was unnecessary as the reference library at the house is very comprehensive. The wildlife around the house is amazing. We did long walks at Arenal Hanging Bridges and Santa Elena Reserve, which were a great experience, but you will see as much wildlife sitting on the patio at Casa Gavilan with a cold beer. There is even a tree frog living by the pool who comes out every evening. We had three feeders out for the Hummingbirds and by the end of the first week they were getting through 2 litres of sugar/water mix a day! (There is a recipe at the house). If you keep a selection of fruit available on the bird table you will also get a great variety of other birds. A good pair of binoculars is a must to spot the birds in the surrounding trees. We heard the howlers every day at the house but didn’t see them. We did see them on the road to Tileran and on the road from Nuevo Arenal towards the volcano. Keep an eye out for the Kingfisher who sits above the pond by the road from the main road down to the house. We had read about the bad roads in Costa Rica so were expecting the worse but were pleasantly surprised. Yes they are only one lane each way, but there were no potholes and we had no problems. The road from Nuevo Arenal around to the volcano is a very pleasant drive. We found everything we needed in the local shops and probably entertained the locals with our attempts at Spanish! Highly recommend the ‘Chorizo Tico’ (sausages) from the Pali supermarket in Tilaran, also their bacon. Altogether, I cannot imagine that there is a better vacation home anywhere around Lake Arenal. We had a wonderful time at Casa Gavilan and plan to return soon.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Mountainside Retreat Spectacular

Guest: Ed and Lizette (Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin USA)
Date of Stay: 04/03/10 Review Submitted: 04/12/10

Everything as described. The property felt like a home, very comfortable with all appointments. Views were spectacular. House was modern with beautiful landscaping and nice pool. Owners and Managers were a pleasure to work with. No misunderstandings, no misrepresentations. Available for any questions. We so much preferred this location to the "busy" Fortuna area about 30 minutes away by car. We felt like we were seeing a unique part of Costa Rica and without the burden of tourists.

Owner response:We are delighted you enjoyed Casa Gavilan! The location of the house is perfect, with a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking view of Lake Arenal, the tropical rainforest next to the house, the array of birds and monkeys, a sense of solitude and peace. Shopping and restaurants are only minutes away, and we also love our being so close to the many activities of the Arenal area, including horseback riding (5 minutes away), white water rafting, boating on Lake Arenal, zipline and canopy tours. Do come back and visit us again!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: avi1 (israel)
Date of Stay: 03/28/10 Review Submitted: 03/28/10

We have stayed in Casa Gavilan for 4 nights. Had an amazing time and the house is lovely and well taken care of. The birds in the mornings were fantastic and we even had a coati in the garden one day. You just sit in the patio and the show goes on... Everything you need is within easy reach in Nuevo Arenal, the volcano is about 30-40 minutes away on a lovely and scenic road. Most of all - Ian the owner is perfect to deal with - cooperative and you feel welcome from the first email. Would highly recommend to anyone.

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Guest: John Fordham (London, England)
Date of Stay: 03/18/10 Review Submitted: 03/17/10

We stayed at Casa Gavilan for 4 weeks and, for me, was one of the best holidays ever had. There were 7 of us who stayed for various lengths of time over the 4 week period and all enjoyed themselves enormously. Casa Gavilan is beautifully located within the rain forest and many birds (toucans,motmots,guans,chachalacas etc..) and mammals (coati, tayra, squirrel) visit the garden. Most mornings can hear the howler monkeys but they actually visit infrequently. The weather conditions were not what some people would call ideal - it rained often but it is believed that this was related to the global weather problems that were being experienced. For us, though, the overcast conditions created the ideal climate for going out and exploring Costa Rica where there are many places, both inland and on the coast, to visit - surely, visiting Costa Rica is all about having adventures and not just sitting in the sun. On sunny days at Casa Gavilan, it was HOT and lethargy set in with the swimming pool beckoning. I can without doubt recommend Casa Gavilan as a tranquil, beautifully located, place to stay that is away from the heat and hubbub of the coast.

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Casa Gavilan

Guest: michael (canada)
Date of Stay: 03/14/10 Review Submitted: 03/31/10

Casa Gavilan is situated in the middle of the beautiful Los Flores estate and is therefore surrounded by similar properties on rolling wooded hills. The other properties give a feeling of security and community while not being too close for privacy. Seeing the pictures IN NO WAY gives you the full impression of how wonderful the house and setting are. The house is beautifully decorated and has all of the amenities for whipping up a great meal with all of the fresh produce close by. The water is safe to drink or wash fruit and veggies with. The property manager is very helpful and always available if needed for advice on the area or if any problems arise he is there in a flash. Those are the details but when you are there you will experience unrivalled views and serenity on the back porch, the pool or on the grounds. If you are a birder, It is paradise and Ian has any field guide you could possibly need on his well stocked bookshelf. My wife will be heading back as soon as we can sneak away from work. Enjoy! Thanks Ian and Lynn!

Owner response:Thank you for your kind words. We love knowing our guests enjoy our home away from home as much as we do. We would love to have you as our guests in the future - we'll keep the bird feeder filled for you!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Scott Curtis (Albuquerque, NM)
Date of Stay: 02/25/10 Review Submitted: 02/25/10

I am an active vacationer to Costa Rica. I travel there 3 times a year for the last 5 years. The days that I spent at Casa Gavilan was one of the very best and relaxing that I have enjoyed. Lake Arenal is trully one of the best destinations. The house was set up with very hi end finishing. I felt more at home than where I live. Walking the neighborhood was special in itself. I highly recomend. Scott

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Guest: Doug Siner (Napa, California)
Date of Stay: 02/07/10 Review Submitted: 02/06/10

We spent the week of January 11 through 18 at Casa Gavilan, and felt like we were at home the entire time. Much thanks to Ed and Leslie for local help and advice. Loved relaxing at the house as well as interacting with the local expats at Rumors bar & grill in Arenal. Thoroughly enjoyed eating at El Establo and riding with the owner, Alexander on their horses across the hills around Lake Arenal. Don't miss the various hot springs around volcano Arenal, even better in the rain!

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Guest: John Black1 (Tomball, Texas)
Date of Stay: 12/14/09 Review Submitted: 12/14/09

Six of us stayed at Casa Gavilan between Dec. 5 and 12, 2009. We found Ian and Lynn's place to be every bit as advertised, and then some. The house is located in a quiet "sub-division" with outstanding views over Lake Arenal; the house was gorgeous, completely furnished, beautifully decorated and fully equipped. The pool was lovely; the well-kept grounds were an absolute delight; most of the shrubs were in bloom and were abuzz with hummingbirds and many others. Surprisingly there were very few mosquitoes. Ed & Leslie Woods, the managers, were very friendly and extremely helpful. Other than the main road running around the lake the roads are dirt/gravel and we'd strongly recommend either a 4WD or at least an SUV rather than a sedan to get around; some roads, including those in the sub-division, are quite steep. There are many things to see; we especially enjoyed the Hanging Bridges, the hot springs, Arenal volcano, and Cano Negro; the area is a birder's paradise! The near-by Eco-Lodge was closed, however, maybe for renovation. Monica at the Lucky Bug seems to know all that's going on around the area and was also very helpful. We wholeheartedly recommend this as a place to stay, and are already trying to figure out how we can go back! I only hope we succeed.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/09/09 Review Submitted: 10/09/09

Our stay was simply fantastic.....the house is magnificient , much nicer than on the pictures. Bob was very friendly and helpfull 10/10

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Guest: Craig & Barb Blumer (Oshkosh, WI)
Date of Stay: 08/06/09 Review Submitted: 08/06/09

We just returned from a wonderful visit to Costa Rica, in part due to our stay at Casa Gavilan. Everything about the house worked out well. Ian and Lynn were always quick to respond to my email and provided much helpful information. Ed & Leslie the care-takers met us at the house and were also friendly, helpful and responsive to questions. The house itself looks nice on the internet, but was much better in real life. Every morning was lovely as we sat on the patio heard (and twice saw) Howler monkeys, watched the hummers, and enjoyed the views. We were able to do lots of things from Casa Gavilan including ziplineing, caving, hiking, and eating good food. I highly recommend the Gingerbread House. So, from beginning to end our stay at Casa Gavilan made for a wonderful vacation.

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Guest: Craig Blumer (-)
Date of Stay: 08/03/09 Review Submitted: 08/03/09

A great place for a great vacation! The owners, Ian and Lynn, replied immediately to all of my emails with lots of helpful information. The house itself was beautiful, spotless, and inviting. We were met by the care-takers Ed and Leslie and they were gracious hosts with much helpful advice, and never over-bearing. The patio, gardens, and pool invited us to stay and relax. We enjoyed just soaking in the beauty. We heard howler monkeys every morning and saw them up close twice. We saw many birds, including hummers and toucans. Plus, it is within 5 to 60 minutes of any tourist activity you would want in Costa Rica, except the beach which is 2 hours away. We hope to return and take in more of this beautiful country from this home away from home.

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Like being welcomed into the exotic home of friend

Guest: DFW58 (SF area, California, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/21/09 Review Submitted: 08/06/09

This was a great beginning to our 16-day trip - like being welcomed into the exotic home of friends. Overall rating: 5 House: 4.5 - The description barely does this place justice. This is a real house, cool airy design & easy to keep clean. Huge comfortable beds, nice seating areas and outside spaces, and an amazing, ever changing view of the lake nearby. Lots of DVDs, satellite TV/radio, etc. The washer and dryer were a godsend after rafting. The unheated pool was a little cool for our Green Season stay, but our two 10 year-olds used it every day anyway; I bet it's perfect during the hot season. The internet was down, but we weren't craving email that early in the trip, so that wasn't a factor for us. Kitchen: 4.5 - Not a big fan of electric ranges, but this kitchen was still a pleasure. Nice size fridge w/good freezer, range, and oven, with lots of pans, utensils, and appliances. I really enjoyed the adventure of working with the local supplies to make some pretty good meals. Location: 5 - Elegant base for day trips to Fortuna and other adventures, though Monteverde is better as an over-nighter (we did it on our way to Manual Antonio [property 150823], which worked well, though I don't recommend the hotel Helaconia). You do need a car to get around. We alternated horse riding, rafting (class 2-4), & zip-lining w/days at just hanging out at home. A few nice walks near the property: we saw howler monkeys, lots of birds, and some truly wild bugs (mantises, moths, grasshoppers, etc.) up close. None of the bugs seemed to be biters despite the lake being so close. There are a few nice restaurants within 15 mins drive, though we generally ate in. Welcome: 5 - The owners stayed in contact with lots of great information, answers to questions, and suggestions. They, and their rep in country, really went out of their way to be welcoming. Billing was easy and spread across two payments, which was nice. The price was a real value!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Shawn Behan (Columbus, OH)
Date of Stay: 07/14/09 Review Submitted: 07/14/09

Absolutely wonderful house and grounds, we enjoyed every minute of our time there. Ian and Lynn have the house well equipped with lots of little extras like guidebooks and coolers, as well as purely decorative touches. The location is excellent, midway between Monteverde to the south, Arenal and the hot springs to the east, and Tenorio and the Rio Celeste to the north. The property is lushly landscaped and filled with wildlife. We saw more animals at Casa Gavilan than we did in Monteverde or the National Parks! There were capuchin and howler monkeys, hummingbirds, toucans, lizards, and we even saw a 5 or 6 ft boa constrictor on a road near the house. We loved our stay, thanks Ian and Lynn for sharing your slice of paradise with us.

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Guest: Erica&Mark Eggebrecht (Fort Worth, TX)
Date of Stay: 06/23/09 Review Submitted: 06/23/09

Casa Gavilan was incredible! Beautifully decorated, cozy, and an incredible view! Location is ideal for exploring Arenal and the rainforest. Thank you for helping to make it an incredible honeymoon!

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Guest: Elizabeth Baker (Chino Hills, CA USA)
Date of Stay: 06/22/09 Review Submitted: 06/22/09

Our recent stay for our honeymoon at Casa Gavilan was great! We had a great time with all of our activities, especially the Tico food - yum! And the house was wonderful! Ed and Leslie were also very helpful.

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Guest: ellen g. (Westford, MA)
Date of Stay: 04/29/09 Review Submitted: 04/29/09

We had a great stay! Our two teenagers loved all the space and the DVD collection that the house offered. We zip lined, white water rafted, went horseback riding, meet very friendly people and ate some wonderful food. Can't recommend the house and area enough

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/21/09

We had a wonderful time in Costa Rica and Casa Gavilan was lovely! Lake Arenal was the perfect place for us to stay. We had an amazing adventure everyday...horseback riding to the volcano, the hanging bridges, zip lining, Monteverde (be sure to get a guide - Oscar, if possible - well worth the money), the beach, the mosic church in Canas, and even found the family my grandmother lived with when she was in the peace corp 25 years ago! Casa Gavilan has everything you could possibly need...400 DVDs, wonderful guide and reference books, meticulous grounds, the great bird feeders, comfy chairs and table on the patio, a lovely pool, anything you could possibly need in the kitchen, and you gotta love the washer and dryer, too! We would suggest you book your reservation today!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/11/09

We stayed at this beautiful home for 10 days and LOVED it. It is very comfy with a great pool & bird watching. Nuevo Arenal is a great location for day trips to Cano Negro, Arenal Volcano & the Hanging Bridges, Rio Celeste, Monteverde and more. This is also a great place just to chill & relax with a great view of the lake and lots of birds and monkeys. As owners of a vacation rental home in Maine we were very impressed with the breakfast left at the house for us when we arrived and all the great books & info on the area. Do yourself a favor and stay at this place, the only hard thing is leaving. Pura Vida

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/05/09

We rated our trip to Costa Rica as one of our best ever. Casa Gavilan played a huge part in making it so. Ian and Lynn have made their house very inviting, comfortable and furnished with everything we needed. We fell asleep each night listening to the howler monkeys and awoke to the same each morning. We never tired of watching the myriad of birds at the feeder. The people were great there, Ed was a gracious and helpful host, we met several of Ian's neighbors and locals, all of whom were very friendly, we fell in love with Monica at the Lucky Bug - in fact all of Ian's and Ed's recommendations were spot on. There was plenty to do or not do and the Casa is well located for that. I would highly recommend Casa Gavilan to anyone traveling to the area.

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Guest: Lorrie L. (West Simsbury, CT)
Date of Stay: 03/07/09 Review Submitted: 03/19/09

Our stay at Casa Gavilan was amazing. The house exceeded our expectations. We enjoyed waking up to all the beautiful birds and the Howler Monkeys in the distance. The grounds are beautiful. Ian and Lynn have made the house very comfortable and welcoming. We enjoyed all the many books on Costa Rica and used the bird fact sheets everyday. Our college students made good use of the computer to send a few e-mails to their friends. Ian and Lynn have thought of everything you could need on your vacation. The house was clean and well maintained. Caretakers Ed and Leslie were very helpful with suggestions and information. It was so nice to have coffee and breakfast in the house for us for our first morning. We went to the Gingerbread and Lucky Bug restaurants twice and had our best meals there. We visited the area around Arenal Volcano, Eco Termales Hot Springs, drove to Manuel Antonio, Monteverde and Cano Negro. It was a perfect week and our kids said this was one of our best vacations! Ian and Lynn were very easy to deal with and very personable. They were quick to answer any questions I had about their house and Costa Rica. We will definitely go back to Casa Gavilan!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Lorrie L. (West Simsbury, CT)
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/18/09

Casa Gavilan was beautiful. The house exceeded our expectations. It is very comfortable and there was plenty of space for our family of 5. Ian and Lynn have thought of everything for a wonderful vacation. We enjoyed the many books on Costa Rica and used the bird books everyday! Ian and Lynn's recommendations for the Gingerbread and Luck Bug restaurants were great. We had our best meals there and loved the atmosphere. Our college students said this was the best vacation that we have ever taken! Ed and Leslie were helpful with information and suggestions on the area. It was great to have coffee and breakfast waiting for us for our first morning! We would definitely rent this house again and highly recommend it!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/17/09

We just came back from our second stay at Casa Gavilan. Once again we were amazed by the beauty of the area and the total comfort this home has to offer. If you want to travel to the Arenal/La Fortuna area, this house is in the perfect location. It has plenty of privacy and there are some very good restaurants nearby. The house is beautiful and very well kept. It has a beautiful veranda and gardens. We spent a lot of time sitting out there just watching the birds and listening to the monkeys. You feel like you're right in the middle of the jungle! The owners and the caretakers are extremely nice and easy to deal with. We've stayed at other vacation properties over the last few years and this house is by far the very best we've stayed at. We're already planning our trip back to our "home away from home" for next year!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/12/09

Fabulous house. Terrific people who took care of us - Ed & Leslie. Beautiful grounds. Many details attended to by Ian & Lynn to make your stay a memorable one. Debbie O Montreal, Canada

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/08/09

We all (four adults) enjoyed your lovely home in lake arenal. We often sat out on the 'porch' to watch the birds...it took the toucan about 4 days to realize we were putting out fruit and to come to visit. Having the porch, the movies, the puzzles and music your home provided helped to pass the times it was raining( yes you are in a rainforest!). We walked around the neighborhood one day and there was a monkey walking on the street!! We stayed in the front bedroom, so every am at 5:30 the howler monkeys would howl and yes they are loud! Your recommendations for restaurants were perfect...the gingerbread was wonderful (what a personality eyal has!) We did everything: hanging bridges, the waterfall, the hot springs -several times,zip line, a tour with hidalgo to cano negro,hiked at eco lodge...lots of fun was had by all Thank you again for sharing your home.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/19/09

What more can we add to the comments other than that they are all true! We had a wonderful time at Casa Gavilan....all six of us! The house was spacious and lovely, and the location was ideal. We recommend it highly!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/18/09

Absolutely amazing.... there is the best way I can describe this house. Lynn and Ian have done the most amazing job at making your stay here the best... from the idea books to the gardener bring fresh flowers to Leslie and Ed providing us with more info and the bear necessities to get going in the morning. Words cannot explain how much all these people put in to make your vacation to costa Rica memorable. Thank you so much all of you. Lisa, Wayne Scott, Amy Geoff, Taryn

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/04/09

We all had a splendid time at Casa Gavilan. I can see why so many Canadians settle there as it is a great climate. We did a lot in the area and travelled to San Rafael Guisito as well as La Fortuna (many times). We truly loved the area and would return if time permitted. Alas, there is so much of the world we have yet to see. Your house is beyond expectations as far as all the 'extras' you have built in and the recommendations, books, internet, movies, and steady supply of birds is all you really need there. A heads up for Canadians that the bank machines were like winning the lottery - some like our Cdn bank cards and some didn't. Bring lots of cash as you can get a discount most places with colones or US dollars. I highly recommend the Gingerbread House and a hike to Cerro Chato is a great idea if you like to trek. The canyoning in Fortuna was very safe, personal and fun! The 'local bakery' is across from the Supermercado in Nuevo if you want Costa Rican bread. Feel free to email me if you have other questions but I can assure you that you will love this little haven.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 12/01/08 Review Submitted: 12/29/08

My wife, Leah, and I were joined by our son Herb, our daughter-in-law Jeanine and our grandchildren, Daniel and Michelle (ages 26 and 14) for our thoroughly deligntful stay at Casa Gavilan. We were met by the local property manager, Ed Woods, who welcomed us and with cordiality and patience introduced us to the house and gave us much useful information on the surroundings and potential activities. The house itself was outstanding -- beautifully furnished and comfortable, and the grounds and especially the birds were breathtaking. We took advantage of so many nearby sights, including: the Hanging Bridges, where we saw so much wildlife (including a family of spider monkeys); the Cano Negro Preserve; an eshilirating horseback ride at EcoLodge; a luxurious afternoon at the Springs (including a sumptuous lunch and dunks in all the pools); a superior dinner at Gingerbread; as well as everyone's two favorites: a thrilling white-water rafting experience on Rio Balsa with Desafio; and a phenomenal trip through the forest canopy with EcoGlide near La Fortuna where we zip-lined through the trees and did the heart-pounding Tarzan Swing! What a blast! We were greatly impressed by how clean Costa Rica is and how friendly are its people. All-in-all, we had a fabulous week, and we definitely plan to return.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/01/08 Review Submitted: 10/12/08

We had a fabulous time in Costa Rica. I think all of us agreed that it was as close to a perfect vacation as any of us have ever had. A big part of what made it so wonderful was having such a beautiful house to which we could return at the end of our day's adventures. The house was perfect - even nicer than it looked on the Internet (and it looked great there). Not only was the interior fantastic (spacious, beautifully designed, comfortably furnished, and equipped with all the amenities), but the landscaping on the property, the view and the entire community were all lovely. Both Ian and Lynn (the house owners) and Ed and Leslie (the on-site caretakers of the property) had numerous suggestions about what to do in Costa Rica and how to travel in the country. This information was invaluable. All of us are planning to come back, and when we return, we will head for Casa Gavilan again!!!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/08 Review Submitted: 09/27/08

Our Family of 5 Stayed a week here and had a wonderful time. Beautiful house which is very private and secluded. I would suggest calling Ian (owner) on his 1-800 number..he is very friendly and helpful on anything you might need. This property surpassed our expectations and would definately stay again. We all had a relaxing wonderful stay.

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Guest: John and Jeanie (Mesquite, TX, USA)
Date of Stay: 09/01/08 Review Submitted: 09/22/08

We loved our week at Casa Gavilan!! The home is even more beautiful than the photos show it to be. During our stay we enjoyed several trips, including one to the Volcano Observatory. Ed, the local home manager, helped us get oriented quickly and then gave us our privacy to enjoy this little bit of paradise. We recommend Casa Gavilan as a great value for anyone going to Costa Rica. Regards, John & Jeanie

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