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Sitting on stilts, Stuido Wow has spectacular volcano, lake & rain forest views!

Apartment with kitchen, near Lake Arenal

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Exterior - Sitting on stilts, Stuido Wow has spectacular volcano, lake & rain forest views! (El Castillo)
Interior - Sitting on stilts, Stuido Wow has spectacular volcano, lake & rain forest views! (El Castillo)
Exterior - Sitting on stilts, Stuido Wow has spectacular volcano, lake & rain forest views! (El Castillo)
Smart TV - Sitting on stilts, Stuido Wow has spectacular volcano, lake & rain forest views! (El Castillo)
Private kitchen - Sitting on stilts, Stuido Wow has spectacular volcano, lake & rain forest views! (El Castillo)
Perched on stilts with a bird's-eye view of Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal, and surrounding hills, Studio Wow offers the perfect getaway for couples or solo travelers. Unwind in your private hot shower with tub, enjoy WiFi and cable TV in the sitting area. Start your day with a self-made breakfast from our provided basket while listening to the soothing sound of Rio Gato river.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire apartment

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 3

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire apartment to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Sitting on stilts, Stuido Wow has spectacular volcano, lake & rain forest views!

Studio Wow! Is our new addition to our Home and business La Ventanita Cafe. Nestled on the far corner on stilts with a bird eye view of Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal & surrounding cloud forest hills. This tiny studio is perfect for couples, single travelers or a group of 3, to get away and enjoy our little mountain village of El Castillo.

Studio Wow features a queen size bed, sitting area, a hot shower with tub, Wifi, A/C, cable TV and a kitchenette, we provide you a breakfast basket so you can make your own breakfast, as our restaurant offers lunch and dinner.

One of my favorite feature is gifted by Mother Nature, the sound of the river "Rio Gato" and tons of wildlife. This village is truley a bird watcher paradise.

Stratigicley located you can walk to the Butterfly Conservatory or hike up to a hidden waterfall.
Within a 15 mintue drive you have;
Arenal National Park 8km
Sky Adventure Park 4km "Zipline and Hanging Bridges"
1968 hiking trails 9km
Observatory Lodge hiking trails 7km
Lake access, Kayak, Stand Up Paddle Boards, Fishing and water activities 3km
Horseback Riding 1Km
Mystico Hanging Bridges 15km
Free Hot Springs 15km
Butterfly Conservatory 100 meters



Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the apartment: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Designated smoking areas

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Bajo consulta

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

About the area

Map
El Castillo, Provincia de Alajuela

What's nearby

  • Arenal Volcano National Park - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Lake Arenal - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Tabacon Hot Springs - 15 min drive - 9.7 km
  • Baldi Hot Springs - 26 min drive - 19.1 km
  • La Fortuna Waterfall - 37 min drive - 26.0 km

Getting around

  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal) - 48 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Virgita Ristorante - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪Shangri-La Gardens - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Soda La Palma - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Roca di Baldi Sports Bar - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Las Palmas - ‬20 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Sitting on stilts, Stuido Wow has spectacular volcano, lake & rain forest views! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Sitting on stilts, Stuido Wow has spectacular volcano, lake & rain forest views!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Sitting on stilts, Stuido Wow has spectacular volcano, lake & rain forest views!?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Sitting on stilts, Stuido Wow has spectacular volcano, lake & rain forest views!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Sitting on stilts, Stuido Wow has spectacular volcano, lake & rain forest views! located?

Situated in La Fortuna, this apartment building is 1.2 mi (1.9 km) from Lake Arenal and within 3 miles (5 km) of Costa Rica Sky Adventures and Arenal Eco Zoo. Butterfly Conservatory is 3 mi (4.9 km) away.

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Sitting on stilts, Stuido Wow has spectacular volcano, lake & rain forest views! Reviews

Reviews

Exceptional

All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 21 out of 24 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 24 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 24 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 24 reviews

10

Cleanliness

9.6

Location

10

Eco-friendliness

10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Joelle A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing experience

This is such a special spot. A hidden gem. The cafe is so fun and some of the best food we had during our stay. We ate there 3 times! Kelly is an awesome host and very responsive and accommodating. Highly recommended.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Danielle R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stunning View

This studio was exactly as described and has an amazing view. We had plenty of space for the two of us. The location was great, we had privacy from the main tourist areas but could still easily get to all attractions we wanted to do. We loved our time here.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephen

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This is a great very interesting place. The views can’t be beat, Kelly and Alejandra are fantastic. You can’t go wrong with this place.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wow!

Amazing property!! Absolutely loved staying here. The views are unbeatable, the room was very nice and clean, and the location was great. I will definitely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christine B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Oasis

Great place with a fantastic view of the lake and volcano. The host also operates a wonderful restaurant on the property. We will definitely be looking to stay here again when visit Costa Rica for our next adventure.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Misty G., ENNIS

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic!

We did a quick overnight here. The views are beautiful! The little cabin is very well done! We very much enjoyed it!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

John D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing view

Book Studio One now!!! What a cool place. The studio itself is very cool but the view is SPECTACULAR! Best view we saw in three full days in the area. El Castillo is a small town away from the bustle of La Fortuna with everything you need within walking distance. Kelly and Alejandra are great people and their La Ventanita Cafe is awesome. Best burger and beer I’ve had in CR. Stay here without regrets!!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mike

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Studio Wow was amazing! The views were incomparable and being able to sleep with the windows and doors open to enjoy the cool breeze was delightful. Thank you Kelly and Alejandra for the incredible experience, awesome food, and letting Mike borrow a hat :) Dawn and Mike, Florida
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Room with a view ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Breathtaking view and comfortable stay! Huge tree with multiple varieties of birds including Toucans! Our hosts made our time very special. They provided breakfast items for our refrigerator and gave us great tips on area attractions. Their adjacent restaurant was a short walk away with delicious shakes and a variety of good food! With the volcano and lake right there we enjoyed Water activities as well as gorgeous hikes!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Maggie R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing views in El Castillo

Stuido Wow is aptly named! We really enjoyed our stay here. The views were amazing, and it was great to be away from the more touristy locations in La Fortuna. The studio is beautiful and has everything you need. The host even included fresh eggs and fruit. I would highly recommend this spot. Kelly's restaurant below is also fantastic. Kelly had some great suggestions on things to do in the area as well.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Valerie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful area with tasty restaurant

Overall our stay was lovely, the area is gorgeous, the house was clean, we were provided ample breakfast food and the restaurant next door was affordable and delicious.Unfortunately the house is rather drafty, and we had ants come in more than once. There was also construction going on right outside the house which was a bit noisy and distracting. Although, to be fair, the owner did warn us of it, but we weren’t aware of it until after we arrived.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paula T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rain Forest Paradise

Exceptional place to stay. Very nicely furnished! The bed, in particular, was extremely comfortable with really nice, cozy bedding. It made for great sleeping with the window open allowing for the breezes to blow through. Between the breeze, the sound of the nearby river gurgling, the cozy bedding, and the rain on the roof, we slept like babies. And the views from the studio were breathtaking. I would 1000% stay here again. Kelly was a fabulous host and provided us coffee and a lovely breakfast basket. The location in CR is wonderful. El Castillo is a great little village close to all things rain forest and Arenal, and the local restaurants had wonderful food. I can’t say enough great things about the entire experience. Top 5 places I’ve ever stayed.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Angela B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Simply, WOW

Although the photos are great, they simply don’t do the place justice. Kelly has mindfully designed and built something spectacular with this place. He and his wife, Alejandra were so friendly and welcoming. They also own a restaurant on the property that we ate at and not only was it some of the best food we have eaten on our trip, the prices were incredible too. This is more than 5/5, we would say 10/10.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Casey B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome

We cannot recommend this location highly enough. The pictures are accurate. Upon checking in the owners met with us and were very nice. It is located directly next to a restaurant the owners also own. Food was fantastic. If you want to be off the beaten path and you will not be disappointed. If and when return to the area, this is exactly where we would stay again. The owner Kelly is super cool. Lots of passion went into the property design and into his restaurant.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ruth S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Truly WOW

The views were spectacular. La Ventanita restaurant next door was tasty for lunch & dinner and super convenient - same owners as Studio WOW. This made it easy to pick up keys when we arrived. Fresh fruit, eggs, and bread were available for us to make our own breakfast, though the kitchen is tiny. This location is very near the Butterfly Conservatory, and not far from Arenal Observatory, Arenal Natonial Park, and Hanging Bridges. Kelly, the owner, was extremely helpful, especially when I left luggage behind.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Natalie P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful hidden gem with amazing views

The host was extremely attentive and readily available. We were provided local recommendations for anything and everything, including dining and various adventures for all activity levels. The views were spectacular and the restaurant on the property was delicious, serving lunch and dinner!!! The property is the last driveway on the left, just prior to the butterfly conservatory (on the right). I used the butterfly conservatory address on Waze maps to have a solid destination. Rate this property, host, and overall experince extremely highly!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Adriana C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beyond Our Expectations

There were 3 of us in our party and we were thrilled with every part of our stay. We met at the restaurant after a long drive from the airport and sat down for lunch at the hosts highly rated cafe with stunning views of the volcano and lake. The property itself is behind the cafe and offers privacy and amazing views. It was creatively designed and was delivered spotless. Oh! The very generous host also provided us with a welcome basket of food in the refrigerator specifically for us. We were very close to town and honestly it was so busy in La Fortuna that we appreciated being just outside of the hustle and bustle. Thank you to our host and his team for all of your suggestions and a wonderful stay. You have an absolutely gorgeous casita.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful With Stunning Views

Spent 5 days here, enjoying sweeping views of Arenal volcano and lake. Perfect for the solo traveler or couple, this is an open plan studio with lots of natural light and nearly wraparound windows. The feel is very private (plenty of curtains). Nice, quiet location in el Castillo. Kelly and Alejandra were friendly and gracious hosts. Appreciated their proactive communication regarding check-in or any questions I had. Enjoyed the sweet cafe they operate right near the studio. Great place to have a quiet meal or sit and read. Don't pass on the neighborhood hike right outside the front door (Thank you Kelly for the tip). Head left up the hill for even more gorgeous views up on the ridge. As is the case with the greater la Fortuna area, it's good to have a car or an available driver. Ecotermales, Hanging bridges, Arenal Observatory, 1968 hike and the usual attractions are all nearby. I'd definitely return to this location.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Magdalene F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication

El Castillo Studio above La Ventanita Cafe

Pros - The view is spectacular from the studio. The bed is comfortable, the water pressure in the Shower and bathroom was great. The food in the cafe below is very affordable and was very good, except the nachos (we did not care for this). Kelly (owner) was quick to respond. You will see amazing Condors fly right by the balconies every day. The staff at the Cafe are wonderful especially Kenny & Blanquita. The Terrazas at Arenal restaurant up the hill has an AMACING view. You MUST visit. We did not know about it, just ran across it walking up the hill. Cons - Front door had large gaps all around, we had all kinds of bugs in the studio and that was not good at all. The studio is very small with a tub in the middle of the room (not practical at all). There are no closets, so we had to live out of our suitcases for a week. There is very little water pressure in the kitchen faucet. The micro dd not work. We experienced a few power outages; one lasted an hour or so. A car is a MUST. Only one bus out at 7 am and one in at 5 pm or so.. The taxis are expensive. We went into town one time and stayed in the rest of the time.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erika H.

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniel C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dana

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

BingBing

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

4/10 Poor

Alex B.

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024