A week in Paradise

Guest: Patti & Randy (Porterville, ca)
Date of Stay: 01/25/12 Review Submitted: 01/31/12

Our time here in Costa Rica was surely enhanced by staying in this Lakeside Paradise home. The name says it all. We came here to Costa Rica in January 2012, leaving the fog in the San Juaquin Valley behind. Our days began with local coffee on the deck surrounded by nature including, monkeys, birds, frogs, butterflys, and several igueanas. Don and Susan and the local people were very warm, gracious and friendly. This house was clean, cooled and spacious, furnished with all necessities. This was truly a perfect location for us at this time as my husband is recovering for sholder surgery.We both needed a break from stress and this fit the bill. Come on down and enjoy yourselves. We'd love to come with you. Patti and Randy

Owner response:you were an enjoyable guest. Hope your recovery continues on track. Thanks for sharing dinner on the town and kareoke the other night. You guys really sing good. Hope next trip you can join us with some water skiing, zip lining and a hike down to the water fall.

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

best mix of tranquility, adventure and family fun!

Guest: Carol (san diego)
Date of Stay: 08/02/11 Review Submitted: 08/27/11

We stayed at Lakeside Paradise in Aug 2011, and it was everything that was promised and Way more! We really loved the large house with spacious air conditioned rooms, hot showers, and clean, comfortable beds to sleep on. I thoroughly enjoyed waking early, brewing my own Costa Rican coffee, and quietly reading on the large deck, while watching flocks of wild parrots in the nearby trees. My family would then all wake to help make breakfast of tropical fruits, scrambled eggs, & Quanabana smoothies ( introduced by our host Susan & Don, yummy-THX!)Then we could all sit down on the huge table, and look out to the lake together. The pure drinking water out of the tap was such a bonus, I froze large quantities for packing cold lunches with, with the added bonus of being able to have pure, cold, melted ice water later in the day! Clean up was always a snap, as everyone looked forward to running down the grassy slope to jump off the pier & go swimming in it!! I could peacefully read & plan the days trip to nearby Arenal, while the kids played around on their own. Ryan could go frog and lizard hunting, while Rachel enjoyed kayaking around the lake borders. We also planned a day with our hosts to go water sliding & skiing on their nearby lake. We all couldn't believe the fun at being able to go down a 175+ feet waterslide on mats & rejoicing at their teaching ability as we all were able to get up on water skis and film it off their boat! That was an amazing Day! We also enjoyed more hospitality as they took us tubing around the warm lake, and then watched Dons' skill & agility on H20 skis at incredible speeds! We then took Susan up on her offer to book our zip lining adventure with her favorite group, Arenal Mundo! What a great trip that was, Thx for the great recommendation & discount, Susan! We all think you and your piece of lakeside paradise Rock! A huge amount of thanks to you, Don and Jason, for trip highlights that will have us talking for years! (Yes, even Ryan picking up the poisonous frog at dinner!)Tell Don I have found a good Camenere vino to enjoy here and can't wait to bring it over next year to share! We can't say enough great things about Lakeside Paradise- you'll just have to book it yourself & enjoy :}

Owner response:It was fun to get to know you and your family. Some times it works out that we are at our other house nearby. Renters are always welcome to come use the water slide even when we are not there, but when we are there we can take people out in the boat. Your family was very fast at learning how to ski. Not to often 4 out of 4 are able to learn to ski the same day. Looking forward to seeing you again next year.

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

This IS the place to stay!

Guest: chris (San Carlos, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/12/11 Review Submitted: 03/23/11

If you truly want to be part of the Costa Rican culture, this is the place for you. The home and location are beautiful. The home was spacious and very clean and well kept. We had all the ammenities needed for a family of 4. The kids even got to use Susan's waterslide that went right into the lake! We saw monkeys which were nearby and Susan took us to a place where we could find the adorable frogs in their natural habitat. She and her husband, Don suggested places to eat, where the locals eat (not touristy restaurants). The food was delicious and it was nice to become part of the Costa Rican culture. La Fortuna was an easy drive from their farm, where we went zip lining, hot springs, and swam next to a waterfall! We are already trying to figure out when we can come again! It was the best vacation we've ever had and Susan had alot to do with it :) Thanks Susan and Don! Christine

Owner response:Thanks Christine, It was nice to get to meet you. When people rent the house when we are down here in Costa Rica (we have another house about 1 mile away), we try to show them a good time and take them to places that normal tourist would never find. Seeing red eyed tree frogs and getting to hold them is not on the normal tourist list of things they get to do. Hope you can come back again some time.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, people with disabilities, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Wonderful Vaction

Guest: Lynn (Fresno)
Date of Stay: 06/07/10 Review Submitted: 02/17/11

My family stayed at Lakeside Paradise last summer and had a wonderful time. The house was comfortable and clean and our surroundings were so quiet we could hear the monkeys howl off in the distance. Each evening we would BBQ on the big outdoor balcony and enjoy the view of the lake. During the day we found plenty to do near the house as well as in La Fortuna which wasn't that far away so we didn't have to spend most of our time driving. I would tell anyone that whether you are going to Costa Rica on a couples only vacation or you are taking the whole family, Lakeside Paradise is a great place to stay.

Owner response:Glad you had a good time and got to see a lot of wildlife around the area.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Our Stay at Lakeside Paradise

Guest: Leigh (Atascadero, CA USA)
Date of Stay: 01/26/10 Review Submitted: 01/09/11

My family and I stayed at this lovely home, back in August, 2010. We kept very busy enjoying our surroundings, with water-skiing, horse back riding, kayaking and my favorite pass time, viewing the Howler Monkeys in the near by trees. The house was very comfortable, clean and the kitchen was well equipped for our cooking needs. We especially enjoyed the big deck where we bar-b-qued and watched the rain and lightening show in the evenings. The town of La Fortuna is not too far away, where we explored; ziplined, soaked in the hot springs, shopped and dined. I hear the active volcano, Arenal can put on a fabulous show at night. On our next trip to Costa Rica (which is soon) we will plan to stay at Lakeside Paradise again. Thank you Susan

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