Lake Arenal-Stunning views of the lake, volcano and jungle.
About the property
- Chalet1550 sq. ft.
- Bedrooms2
- Sleeps6
- Bathrooms2
- Half Baths1
- Minimum Stay2 nights
2 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, sleeps 4 comfortably, optional blowup bed for children
Our 'Castle in The Clouds' is just seven km from Volcano Arenal, perched 700m above sea-level overlooking the volcano, rainforest, pastures and Lake Arenal and close to many of the most popular amenities the region has to offer . Wake to the sound of howler monkeys, toucans and parrots and enjoy your first cup of locally-grown coffee in our covered gazebo or in the 25 sq. metre sunroom. Our home features a splash pool to cool off after a busy day of eco-adventuring. You can walk to many attractions in the village, including several quaint local restaurants. The home features casual dining indoor or out, hot water throughout, and stunning views from every room. It is completely equipped with a full-sized fridge with ice-maker, gas stove, microwave and blender and includes twice-weekly cleaning service (more often optional on request). An optional personal laundry service is also available. Active or passive, this is the perfect home base for your Arenal vacation!
Although our small stretch of the road is usually in good shape it is steep and the road coming into El Castillo is very rough. We highly recommend a 4x4 vehicle for all your excursions in Costa Rica. We now feature a paved driveway, a separate covered Gazebo (perfect for al fresco dining) and the yard has been completely enclosed with a custom-made 5' stone and wrought-iron fence. You'll enjoy our garden paradise yard featuring a variety of local and tropical plants designed to maximize your Costa Rica experience.
Now-Book Local Tours and Attractions: Hannah and Tomas, our on-site hosts can help you book many local tours and attractions for you on your arrival, saving you the hassle of running around. From zipline tours, hot springs spas and volcano hikes to a horseback ride to a real eco-farm, you can be as busy or as relaxed as you like, but you'll never run out of things to do in the area. Just ask when you arrive and we can make recommendations and reservations for you.
July 2011: If you catch the new reality show 'Love in the Wild' airing on CTV in Canada or NBC in the US, you'll experience life in El Castillo. They were filming the series when we visited in March and almost all of the scenes were shot in and around our little neighbourhood.
Read about 'Love in the Wild' here http://www.ticotimes.net/Current-Edition/News-Briefs/Love-in-the-Wild-host-Darren-McMullen-tells-all_Wednesday-August-03-2011.
Owner
Joe Anderson
- Response rate:
- 100%
- Response time:
- within a few hours
- Speaks:
- english, french, german, spanish
- Calendar last updated:
- Apr 24, 2018
About Joe Anderson
We're a semi-retired couple gay couple who divide our time between homes in Canada, The United States and Costa Rica.
Joe Anderson purchased this Chalet in 2010
Why Joe Anderson chose El Millon
We fell in love with Costa Rica on our first visit here in 2007 and came to the Arenal area in 2010 when we had this home custom built for us. We love 'places at the end of the road' where we can experience authentic and unique characters. El Castillo is a true 'Tico' community. Apart from a dozen or so ex-pats from around the world, our neighbours are locals-farmers, labourers and professionals who live and work in this beautiful corner of the world. When we first stood on this piece of land we immediately knew that it was a one-of-a-kind view, and that has been confirmed by the hundreds of guests who have stayed here in the last four years. We're proud to be one of the most-popular destination properties in Costa Rica, enjoying super-host status and a five-star rating on every site. All our guests remark on the million-dollar view, the accommodations, the peace and the many local activities, but above all, they praise the friendly local people and how they make every one of guests feel at home and welcome.
What makes this Chalet unique
Our house features quiet corners where even two couples or a family can find solitude. Whether in the second floor sunroom with its sweeping view of the volcano, the lake and the neighbouring jungle ravines, the secluded gazebo, a quiet chair on the front porch, sitting by the pool or taking a quiet walk in the tropical garden, this home offers many ways to commune with nature and connect with your inner self.
Amenities
- Internet
- Swimming pool
- Satellite or Cable
- Kids Welcome
- TV
- No Smoking
Bedrooms
- 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6
- Green Room1 queen, Volcano and Lake views
- Blue Room1 queen, Volcano and Jungle views
- Accommodates 4 comfortably with ensuite baths (glass-enclosed showers) in both rooms. There is a futon couch suitable for one adult or two children. Please specify at time of booking. Bedrooms are luxury appointed each with a walkout to the 25 sq. m second floor sunroom (very secure and private). Linens are changed twice weekly, or more often at an optional extra charge ($10 per day). Toiletries and towels are provided.
Bathrooms
- 2 Bathrooms, 1 Half Bath
- Bathroom 1toilet, shower, ensuite
- Bathroom 2toilet, shower, ensuite
- Bathroom 3toilet, main floor
- Eco-friendly toiletries are provided. Our water is natural spring water from high in the mountains.
Location Type
- Lake
- Mountain
- River
- Rural
- Village
Theme
- Adventure
- Away From It All
- Romantic
Meals
- Guests provide their own meals
General
- Local Restaurant Guide
- Activities Guide
- Basic Soaps
- Ceiling Fans
- Hair Dryer
- Internet
- Iron & Board
- Linens Provided
- Living Area
- Living Room
- Local Maps
- Backpack
- Paper Towels
- Parking Off Street
- Secure Parking
- Security System
- Shampoo
- Sofa Bed
- Telephone
- Toilet Paper
- Towels Provided
- Wireless Internet
Kitchen
- Ice Maker
- 4 Ring Stove
- Coffee Grinder
- Coffee Maker
- Cooking Utensils
- Dishes & Utensils
- Freezer
- Grill
- Blender
- Kitchen
- Microwave
- Oven
- Pantry Items
- Refrigerator
- Stove
- Stove
- Toaster
Dining
- Dining Area
- comfy seating for 4 people
Entertainment
- Books
- Books for Adults
- Books for Kids
- CD Player
- DVD Player
- Games
- Satellite / Cable
- TelevisionThe house is equipped with a ROKU player able to provide access to internet television from a wide variety of sources in many countries.
- Video Library
Outside
- Lawn / Garden
- Balcony
- Beach Towels
- Deck / Patio
- Fully Fenced Property
- Lanai / Gazebo
- Beach Chairs
- Outdoor Entertainment Area
- Patio
- Porch / Veranda
- Small Cooler
- Terrace
Suitability
- Long-term Renters Welcome
- Low Allergen Environment
Pool / Spa
- In Ground Pool
- Outdoor Pool
- Private Pool
Onsite Services
- Massage
Attractions
- botanical garden
- forests
- museums
- rain forests
- restaurants
- volcano
- waterfalls
- zoo
Leisure Activities
- antiquing
- bird watching
- eco tourism
- horseback riding
- photography
- scenic drives
- sight seeing
- walking
Local Services & Businesses
- groceries
- hospital
- massage therapist
- medical services
Sports & Adventure Activities
- mountain climbing
- cycling
- fishing
- fly fishing
- hiking
- jet skiing
- mountain biking
- equestrian events
- mountaineering
- rafting
- sailing
- sound/bay fishing
- swimming
- whitewater rafting
- wind-surfing
Notes
- Smoking allowed outside only. Small pets considered, but the environment can be hazardous for pets allowed to roam due to local wildlife and livestock. 4 x 4 vehicle highly recommended as Costa Rican roads can be rough and steep.
49 Reviews
Latest reviews
BREATHTAKING VIEWS AND PURE SERENITY!
The house and location is AMAZING. You need a 4 wheel vehicle to get here because it is a rough road and the highest point. However, it is worth everything! The vista, the gardens and nature surpassed all of our expectations. Anita, Hannah and Thomas were amazingly helpful. We went to Pizza John’s for dinner and it was outstanding, I’m born and raised in one of the pizza capitals of the world, Chicago, and the pizza and service were world class. Hope this helps others that read the reviews. We will be back!
Amazing View, Beautiful Location!
Condo was very well equipped and very well maintained. Beautiful location, absolutely amazing view from anywhere on the property. Wonderful little town with very friendly residents. John’s Pizza was a nice treat after Sky Arenal and before Tabacon, both highly recommended if staying in the area!! Pineapple bread from El Gavilana was delicious! Amazing experience!!
Wonderful
Great accomodations with extraordinary views of the volcano and lake Arenal. The little village of EL Castillo is nearby, quaint and has a few great restaurants. The VRBO is a little
difficult to get to but it is very safe. Lots of activities within fairly easy driving distances. Joe, the owner, was great answering questions and providing information.
If I was one to return to previous vacation spots... I would definitely go back.
Stunning property, should have stayed longer!
Fantastic, lovely view, very clean. A bit hard to get to but worth it. Beds were very comfortable. Kitchen was in great shape.
Incredible View
The house is the highest in El Millon and with that comes commanding views of Lake Arenal and the volcano. We enjoyed the fact that the weather was about 10-15 degrees cooler than the beach. The house was well appointed and modern with everything we needed. The beds were very comfortable and with each bedroom having it's own bathroom, it was convenient traveling with teenagers. Anita was very helpful with any questions we had and helping us get settled in. Having coffee in the back yard every morning, while enjoying the view, made for an unforgettable experience. The road steepens just before you arrive at the house but I never needed to put the car in 4X4. Even during heavy rains it was not a problem. We loved Pizza John's, for the pizza and homemade ice cream. Kelly, at La Ventanita makes awesome burritos at rock bottom prices.
Experience "Real" Costa Rica in Beautiful Home
Three of us travelled to El Castillo for a few days from Florida. We flew into San Jose. The drive was not difficult and the owner gives very detailed directions. Tip, download Google Maps on your phone and select the "offline" map covering this portion of the country before you arrive. Whether you have signal or not, you can use the normal step by step directions that will lead you straight to the house. As previous reviews note, the "road" leading into the village from the main highway is rough. 90% of it is a typical bumpy gravel road which wasn't bad at all. It is maintained and was actually being worked on during our stay. The last bit of the journey is steep and rough. I highly recommend 4x4 vehicle (for all of CR), especially if you're visiting in the rainy season. The home itself is just as pictured and is without doubt one the nicest in all of El Castillo. The temperature in mid December was perfect so not having AC wasn't an issue. No one has AC in this part of CR. The view was absolutely incredible! The lake and volcano are literally right in your back yard. The splash pool, gazebo, and furnishings inside the home were very nice. We had everything we needed, although little time was actually spent at the house. The beds were VERY comfortable and the patio was lovely! We only had a few days before continuing our trip to the Pacific Coast but I HIGHLY suggest you make time to do the following.
1. Sky Adventures. We did Tram, Trek, and River Drift. AMAZING!! Best zip lining I've ever done and the river was a blast! 5 min from house.
2. La Fortuna Waterfall. A must see. Long set of stairs down and back up but definitely the best waterfall we saw throughout our entire trip in CR. 35 min from house.
3. Tabacon Hot Springs. By far the nicest and well worth the price. 20 min from house.
4. Howlers Bar. Nice local bar. Pizza was delicious and service was great! 5 min away.
All in all, the home, location, and activities nearby made this a great choice! Our only complaint was that the downstairs spelled like dog which flared up our allergies. The home description says that animals are typically not allowed. Also, although it's in great condition and acts as a futon, the couch is very uncomfortable to sit on and should be replaced.
Enjoy your stay in El Castillo Costa Rica!!
Jason, Brandi, & Preston.
Location
Arenal Volcano. Lake Arenal. Backs onto Arenal National Forest. Close to La Fortuna and Tabacon Resort. Volcano Arenal is the second-most-visited tourist attraction in Costa Rica, after Manuel Antonio. Our village is located 10 km off the main highway inside the National Park in the quaint village of El Castillo (population 300). Lonely Planet recommended, El Castillo is the perfect base to explore the many attractions this area has to offer. Within the village, you'll find horseback riding, restaurants, the butterfly conservatory, the serpentarium, canoe and kayak rentals and a pulperia (village store). Within a comfortable drive, you'll find the SkyTram, zipline tours, whitewater rafting, the Hanging Bridges, the Arenal Observatory, yoga, hiking trails, Monteverde National Park and a dozen or more hot-springs resorts to suit any budget. Breaking news-they're filming M.Night Shyamalin's 'After Earth' starring Will and Jaden Smith in our neighbourhood month of February. Other Activities: Hiking-our European visitors rave about the many interesting hiking trails starting right at your front door. Horseback riding- 150 metres down the road. Butterflies or snakes-both museums are walkable from the house Hot Springs-the area is famous for a dozen hot spring resorts where a day pass is as little as $15pp or join the locals at the 'free' springs right off the main highway. Ziplining-You have several choices within a few minutes drive of thehouse SkyTram-for those who prefer a less strenuous ride, take the SkyTram right to the base of the volcano. Kayak rentals-in the village, explore Lake Arenal and its many islands. ATV rentals-10 minutes away, guided ATV tours of the area. The Volcano-choose from several vantage points including the Observatory or the National park. Massage Therapy-walk-ins welcome or our host can book an in-home massage for you. Yoga-available at Racho Margot in the village, a world-class eco retreat. Or just relax in the gazebo or by the pool
Rates & Availability
Additional information about rental rates
There is a $10 per person per night fee for more than 4 guests. Rates are subject to change until reservations are confirmed.