Vacation Rentals by Owner

absolutely loved it!

Guest: Lynn (Canada)
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:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

More than a tree house!

Guest: jwn (Minneapolis, Minnesota USA)
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:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fantastic House, Beautiful Country

Guest: Allison (Washington, DC)
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, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Lovely Honeymoon

Guest: Newlyweds (Philadelphia, PA, US)
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, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Ocean View with Jungle Trees

Guest: Glenn/San Diego (San Diego, Ca. USA)
Date of Stay: 06/04/10 Review Submitted: 06/12/10

Spent a week here with my wife during the first week in June and couldn’t have picked a better spot to relax. The rainy season is on so you'll need a four-wheel drive but the effort is well worth it. This house is constructed with large Eucalyptus timbers as foundational pillars with authentic Nicaraguan wood flooring throughout. The design of the home was engineered to take full advantage of the tremendous views, airflow and sunsets from this home are spectacular. I'm missing this place already. Gabby the concierge took care of all the particulars and logistics at the property and can assist you in any travel, restaurant selections and sightseeing excursions. She's a true professional and comes highly recommended.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

Isolated

Guest: LaCinda (Oregon, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/18/10 Review Submitted: 05/10/10

The view is beautiful! We could hear the ocean waves and howler monkeys. saw monkeys daily as well as many different birds. However, we left after 3 nights...the casa is a 30min drive from SJDS and a 4-wheel drive is a necessity. Even then, it takes an experienced driver to get up the steep hillside. My 4yr old granddaughter didnt want to go to the beach after the first day because it is a 20min hike (30 with her) each way. I appreciate the unique home but it is isolation for anyone who is not capable at driving in rough conditions. My hope is that the owner will accurately portray this home with all its beauty so that nobody will be disappointed.

Owner response:I'm glad you liked the home and I'm sorry if the terrain was a bit too challenging for your 4 year old. Yes, a 4WD vehicle is recommended -- and that is stated in the description. As for the "isolation", well, as you stated, its only a 20-30 minute drive to town. I guess one person's "isolation" is another person's "solace".

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

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

Guest: david p. (Los Angeles)
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.

Guest: Andrew29 (Denver, CO)
Date of Stay: 10/17/09 Review Submitted: 10/17/09

Peaceful. We enjoyed 4 amazing nights at Casa Arbol on our honeymoon. This house is one of a kind - a 4wd vehicle is a must to get you to the house while 24/7 security allows you to leave any safety concerns at home. Gabby was a trememdous asset - especially given our very basic understanding of Spanish. Her intimate knowledge of everything in the SJDS area (food/restaurants, tours/activities, beaches, you name it!) proved to be much more valuable than any hotel concierge could ever be. A local who speaks perfect English, Gabby was able to service all of our needs as we enjoyed the SJDS area. If you are looking for nightlife or other tourists, Casa Arbol is not for you, however, if you are looking to relax and enjoy Nica's natural environment and all it has to offer, look no further. You can enjoy the same environmentally conscious design and Nica outdoor experience while paying a fraction of the price of Morgans Rock - the high-end eco-resort is just a couple of miles down the road. Scott and Gabby could not have been more helpful with all the email question we posted before the trip. The tree house is newly built and appointed with modern amenities - there is no need to want for anything while you relax in paradise.

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Guest: Leo F. Blickley (Santa Barbara)
Date of Stay: 07/28/09 Review Submitted: 07/28/09

My family and I were pleasantly suprised at by the beautiful atmosphere and thoughtful design, artwork and comforts afforded by Casa Arbol. The feeling of openness and closeness to nature as well as the incredible views and solitude definitely make it a first of its kind experience for us. Gabby was very helpful and went out of her way to make sure that we were comfortable and well supplied as well as having lots of good suggestions for dining and activities. We found it to be the perfect location for a relaxing sojourn away from the commercial overload of most retreats. My daughter who is an avid birder found that just sitting quitely on the deck an endless flow of different birds would come by to display there plumage, and sing their special song. Thanks for a great experience, Leo, Tia, Jessica, Kyle and Tod

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Guest: Corby Richmond (Thunder Bay, ON)
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/01/09

My wife and I travel quite abit and we think that this place is one of the best places we have ever stayed. If you prefer to be out of the noise and tourist areas, however still be a short drive to it. This is perfect. Very quiet, private and beautiful. Rent a 4x4 from Managua if you can as it's much cheaper. The beaches are perfect, we went for walks down there all of the time and then home for beers and pool time. Gabby was the best person to have around, she helped us with everything and couldn't be a better resource. Email me if you want pics. We took 1000 of them.

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Guest: Lisa121 (-)
Date of Stay: 02/22/09 Review Submitted: 02/22/09

I usually search for out of the way places, not caring for noise or feeling the need for town life, and was thrilled to stumble on this home. I love this location, it is all and more than the description for it boasts. The house is fantastic, incredibly constructed, with a master bedroom that is magical. Seriously... You wake up to the sounds of Howler monkeys and a huge variety of birds up close and personal. The view is extraordinary, and really gives you the feeling of being in a birdhouse ~ eye level looking over the trees at the coastline.Not enough can be said about the beach! It is one of the best beaches I've seen, great for body-surfing, swimming, walking and just relaxing. The forest leading to the beach is really beautiful. I traveled with my 13yr. old son and his friend, and we all loved it equally (except when I took the master bedroom after the storm of disbelief from the boys….)The house is very well-stocked (he has really thought carefully about most everything). The construction is amazing, displaying very high quality craftsmanship. The staff is very helpful, or non-intrusive you choose. Best of all…you feel as if the house just disappears when you enter the gate. So peaceful! You will want to rent an SUV, just to make you feel more comfortable on the roads leading to the house. They are just fine, but it will make it easier for you if you do. I will most definitely be returning here, to this house. Thanks for the great experience Scott. By the way, Gabby is a huge asset. I don’t know how she is able to find the freshest fish and best carne for delivery at the house, but she does!See you again, Lisa, Zack and Harry

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Guest: scott fredette (cincinnati, ohio)
Date of Stay: 08/24/08 Review Submitted: 08/24/08

wonderful stay at casa arbol. truly an amazing and luxurious treat in a country that is hyperreal and exotic. at one point, there were 15 monkeys within 20 feet of the porch. The entire house has unique and vast views of the ocean, the treetops and, most especially, the dramatic weather. The house is in a community that is so safe, no one locks their doors and it is a short drive or short walk to some genuinely beautiful swimming/surfing beaches. Plus, the owner is a great guy, completely helpful and excited that you enjoy the trip. very helpful towards getting us whatever we needed (we did canopy tour, kayak, personalized boat tour, and much more). I loved that house because it didn't feel like some cheap westernized rental but felt like a gem that we were lucky to find. If you are interested in relaxing this is a great place....if you are interested in immersing yourself in a culture that is completely unique, this is a great place. I highly recommend staying there if you come to san juan del sur, you'll be thankful you did.

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