Casa Arbol - the Ultimate Treehouse!

• Honeymoon in Paradise!

  Honeymoon in Paradise!

  • Guest allyinthesky
  • Date of stay 12/07/12
  • Review Submitted 05/07/13
  One word: wow. Gabby was EXTREMELY helpful from step one. She personally greeted us when we arrived in town and showed us all of her favorite shops and vendors. The house was absolutely perfect for the two of us with a full kitchen, great deck for hanging out for dinner, and spacious living area, and the open concept throughout the entire house kept us nice and cool, especially during the evenings. What we enjoyed best was being away from the downtown area, which is not a bustling area to begin with, but it was really nice to be able to go back into our jungle "tree-house" and get away from it all. We even had neighbors for a couple of the nights that we were there and we didn't hear anything from them, even with all of the windows! You DEFINITELY need a 4WD vehicle, but we rented a truck which was one of the most expensive parts of our vacation and we decided that if we come back we'll probably rent a four-wheeler instead, which should be sufficient to get in and out of the property. Bottom line, I highly recommend this house for small groups or families, or for honeymoon. We will be back someday!

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children.

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• 2 older couples from Toronto Canada

  2 older couples from Toronto Canada

  • Guest Margy
  • Date of stay 02/21/13
  • Review Submitted 03/26/13
  My husband and I and another couple stayed at Casa Arbol for 3 weeks recently. Booking this vacation was so easy with the help of Laura, from Toronto and Gabby Castillo from Remax , San Juan del Sur....arranging everything for us.We arrived and were met in town by Gabby, the concierge who gave us a tour of the town,took us shopping for groceries, then guided us to the property.You do need a 4WD vehicle as the roads are rough but this is part of the adventure. The house is a beautiful piece of architecture maximizing the open concept and cross breezes. The porch is truly a retreat with exotic birds and howler monkeys that entertain everyone. The plunge pool was cleaned daily and maid service and 24 hr security were provided by the most respectful, helpful sweetest staff.The local beaches are awesome and never, ever crowded.We cooked at the house and ate many nights in San Juan del Sur......where we found the food delicious and very cheap.We had a wonderful day horseback riding with Jamie and Blue for Ranch Cilamate...they do a great job!We even went to Rivas to a baseball game...which was a blast!Laura and Joel are fantastic booking agents.....quick to answer anything you need to know. And ,Gabby of Remax is an incredible concierge.She will solve any problem you have and guides you through the whole process of vacationing in Nicaragua with charm and professionalism. This was a unique vacation for us and we would like to thank the owner DJ Paul for allowing us to enjoy his architecturally stunning home.We can,t wait to return.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, romantic getaway.

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• Our idea of a near-perfect vacation!

  Our idea of a near-perfect vacation!

  • Guest Where to next?
  • Date of stay 01/02/13
  • Review Submitted 01/15/13
  My girlfriend and I spent one week at Casa Arbol and loved it. This was our second stay in the Balcones de Majagual development, and we’re already planning the third. When we arrived in San Juan del Sur, Gabby the concierge gave us a tour of town. We bought groceries at Pali supermarket and a corner store. She then guided us to the property, about 20 min. from San Juan. You do need a 4WD vehicle, since the dirt roads in the Balcones property are steep in places. Also, if you want to visit other beaches around San Juan (Maderas, Hermosa), many of the dirt roads down to the ocean are a little rough. The house itself is architecturally stunning, and uses local hardwoods in the construction. The open-concept design and extensive windows let you enjoy the beauty of the property. Because the windows are nylon screening, rather than glass, you really feel part of your natural environment - this also keeps the house cool with cross-breezes, even in the heat of the day. At night you hear the cicadas in the trees, and in the morning you will likely be woken up by howler monkeys. As another reviewer said, with so much open space it feels like you have an iMax screen playing a nature channel day and night. From the house we saw great sunsets over the Pacific, four simultaneous rainbows one morning, exotic birds and hawks, monkeys and two large iguanas. The plunge pool right outside the front door is great for cooling off after an excursion. The beach is a short drive down the hill - or a 20 min. hike - on a private road through the forested property. (Walking up the hill from the beach could be a challenge for those who are not very active.) The beach is great, and has never been crowded during our two stays at Balcones. Aside from Pali and the corner stores, you can buy fresh seafood at the public docks in town. We often made breakfast at the Casa and ate dinner at restaurants in San Juan - and would recommend eating at the Pelican Eyes hotel, the Bambu Beach Club, El Colibri, El Mesón, the Hotel Victoriano, and Maurizio’s San Juan Pizzeria (across from the church). Balcones is not a super-social resort setting - it’s about seclusion and natural beauty, coupled with fantastic architecture. We prefer staying out of town: San Juan is fun to visit, but because it is touristy, it can be a little noisy at night. We really enjoyed both of our stays at Balcones, and Casa Arbol in particular. We’ll definitely be coming back.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, girls getaway.

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• Loved Jungle Life!

  Loved Jungle Life!

  • Guest Nathalie
  • Date of stay 12/28/12
  • Review Submitted 01/12/13
  My family and I (kids ages 8 & 10) recently spent 5 nights at Casa Arbol. As other reviews exclaim, it is truly a remarkable, off-the-beaten path place. Our first morning we jumped out of bed just before 5 as we heard a male howler monkey starting his day -- we weren't sure what was making all the noises until the sun creeped up and we looked out to trees filled with howler monkeys of all shapes and sizes. It was magical! We rented an old Toyota Landcruiser which added to our adventure and explored lots of beaches during the day, enjoying the tranquility and solitude of the casa in the evening. Our children had great adventuring opportunities and loved the pool too. One of the highlights of the adventure was the drive to get there -- while rugged and sometimes a bit long, you get a real flavor of local living and the pride and detail the locals put into their abodes. We would often see locals doing their daily chores and over the time we were there the waves were reciprocated with smiles and warmth. We highly recommend Playa Coco and Playa Hermosa, even though they are both a bit of a drive -- they are worth it! We would highly recommend Casa Arbol to anyone looking for a unique, beautiful home to rent in the fabulous jungle setting!!

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

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• Great time had by all

  Great time had by all

  • Guest Galina N.
  • Date of stay 06/28/12
  • Review Submitted 07/07/12
  Great time had by all, 2 adults and 2 boys - 15 and 11 years old. Let me say what others already stated numerous times: the house is very comfortable, the views, sights and sounds are spectacular, Gabriela is a great asset and help with questions, reservations, and general orientation. Some activities we greatly enjoyed - zip lining, boogie boarding at Madera's, the older son went scuba diving with Neptune's. Walking down to the beach is very comfortable in the breeze of the jungle and entertainment provided by the birds, monkeys and crabs. Walking up is a bit more challenging and hot. That's why the plunge pool is there and a fridge is fully stocked with beer. The things that we should have done if we had planned for it in advance - trip to Ometepe (min 2 days) to explore the island and volcanoes, boat ride along the coast and maybe even a ride through the rain forest down by Costa Rica. Instead we went to Granada, which can be, in my opinion, completely skipped. The tacos at Taco Locos are fantastic, worth the trip over the rocks. Fish is great anywhere you go. Our last dinner was at Il Gardin (the owners are french and Belgian couple). The views from a breezy patio are beautiful and a food is not too shabby either. A note to the house owner- probably a good idea to leave a note in the house for the renters with few pointers. We did not know about the water and dragged it from Pali. I assume there is a hammock based on the reviews but no one told us and we did not find it. But most importantly - few things about the electric system, how to read it and what to do (like don't run fans if you are on the battery power). This was an unforgettable vacation, mostly due to the panoramic views of the jungle, the ocean and the flora and fauna of Nicaragua.

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• absolutely loved it!

  absolutely loved it!

  • Guest Lynn
  • Date of stay 01/17/12
  • Review Submitted 01/30/12
  This was a last minute holiday and it turned out to be our best one yet. We have travelled to many destinations and as most travellers know you have to take the good with the bad BUT this is the first time there was absolutely no complaints. The food and drinks were great, the people friendly, the beaches beautiful and the tree house amazing! It felt like you were in an i-max/virtual reality theatre, the view, sounds and smells of this amazing place has to be experienced to appreciate its uniqueness. Waking up to the view from the master bedroom was an experience in itself, this place is more than we expected and definitely worth it. The first time driving there may be a little intimidating but after that you become used to it very quickly and it can actually be a pleasure due to all the wildlife sightings. The house is very well equipped, clean, comfortable and an eco friendly marvel, the staff is very friendly and helpful, Gabby was wonderful, never had to ask twice for anything, she was very helpful and answered all our questions, she made our holiday/adventure so much easier. She arranged a driver/ guide for us (Francisco) he was so much fun and a such great person, he showed us the best of what Nicaragua had to offer. Just to mention a few things we tremendously enjoyed was... the zip line, the volcano tour, shopping in some of the small towns, great seafood at el-timon, great drinks at Iguanas, buying fresh seafood at the market and touring around experiencing everything san juan del sur has to offer. If you are looking for an easy holiday/adventure this place has everything!! Luved it so much that we want to return in a few months and maybe purchase a place. What a grrrreat place!!

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, girls getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/4

• More than a tree house!

  More than a tree house!

  • Guest jwn
  • Date of stay 12/14/11
  • Review Submitted 12/30/11
  My wife and I stayed here for 5 nights in December. We loved it! I had seen this house on VRBO and thought it looked great and it lived up to our expectations. This usually doesn't happen to us. We had been very active prior to coming here with volcano climbing, biking and kayaking and we were looking forward to quiet time in a tranquil setting. That was this house. It did feel like being in an elegant tree house with a wonderful view of the jungle and distant Pacific. We were a little unorthodox in not renting a vehicle. We were content to explore the nearby beaches on foot and welcomed the hike up and down the mountain. This is probably not the way most would do it. But for us it worked. Certainly if there are issues with health or hiking inclination than a 4-wheel is necessary. We just didn't want the hassle and expense of a car. We stocked up on food and enjoyed cooking most meals in the lovely kitchen. This is a truly unique place. We even enjoyed the Howler Monkeys and the incredible noise they made around 5 am. A lot of time and thought went into planning and building this house and we are appreciative. If you are looking for an off the beaten path experience but would like some amenities, this is the place for you. We would also like to thank Gabby for all her help. She took us shopping before we went to the house, showed us around town, and filled us in on all the important information. She was ready and available to answer any questions and we felt at ease knowing she was a quick call or email away. I would advise bringing reading material and some movies, though I was just as content lying in the hammock watching the monkeys and the surrounding jungle. Oh yeah, even though the house is so open with screens for windows, no bugs seemed to get inside. Man what a cool place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

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• Fantastic House, Beautiful Country

  Fantastic House, Beautiful Country

  • Guest Allison
  • Date of stay 08/12/11
  • Review Submitted 09/02/11
  I stayed at Casa Arbol during Nicaragua's rainy season with my husband and two young sons. The house is fantastic -- inspired architecture in a beautiful setting with a nice pool. It is well equipped and has great views of the jungle and the ocean. The concierge service and the people who worked at the gate to the community, Balcones de Majagual, were friendly and helpful. The process to book this house was simple and the owner is very responsive and provided us with good information in advance of our trip. A note about the rainy season -- it did rain every day, but only for a brief time. We were able to hit the beach every day and enjoyed plenty of sunshine. Playa Majagual is right down the road and it is absolutely beautiful. It is about a 15-20 minute walk from the house, but you can drive right up to the beach and park if you don't want to walk. We had the entire beach to ourselves many of the days we were there. If there were other people on the beach, there were no more than five other people around at any given time. We also enjoyed Da Flying Frog canopy tour, and the horseback riding they offer. I highly recommend El Jardin restaurant, which you will see a sign for on the road to Casa Arbol. We usually don't like to vacation in the same place twice because we like to explore somewhere new every year. But, I definitely want to go back to Nicaragua and stay at Casa Arbol.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• Lovely Honeymoon

  Lovely Honeymoon

  • Guest Newlyweds
  • Date of stay 04/11/11
  • Review Submitted 07/29/11
  We had a fantatic time in SJDS at Casa Arbol. The home is amazing. The location is breathtaking! It was just the two of us on our honeymoon, but the house could have easily fit many more. The pool was perfect. The hammock was relaxing. We lounged, we cooked, we watched movies the owners left for shared use. My husband and I have both said it was the best sleep of our lives. Waking up amongst the trees is an experience that is hard to quantify in words. You just sleep great. SJDS is a super spot. We've kicked around the idea of looking for property there. Largely b/c of the experience we had with the home and the concierge. Use of a 4WD is absolutely recommended. The drive is an adventure in itself.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, girls getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

• Great house in a great spot with a great view near a great beach.

  Great house in a great spot with a great view near a great beach.

  • Guest david p.
  • Date of stay 12/27/09
  • Review Submitted 02/02/11
  We've been coming down to Nica for several years and last New Years we decided to invite a bunch of our friend on our trip. We rented the Casa Arbol as well as two other houses in the immediate area. All 14 of us had a great time. This is a great house in a great spot with a great view near a great beach. Yes, its a little out-of-the-way -- but isn't that part of what we are looking for when we travel to these kinds of places? San Juan is close enough for support (groceries, some good restaurants, medical help etc.) but far enough away that you don't feel consumed by tourists. We will definitely be back.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

LOW SEASON (June 1 through Oct. 31) 950.00 week,160.00 night
HIGH SEASON (Nov 1 through May 31)  1200.00 week, 190.00 night
HOLIDAYS (Xmas, New Years, Semana Santa) 1600.00 week, 250.00 night.
PayPal or Credit Cards accepted. 5% discount given for cash or check.
We have a one week minimum during Holidays and a three day minimum other times.
Inquire for October dicscounts

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.