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Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views.

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Interior - Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views. (El Castillo)
Exterior - Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views. (El Castillo)
Interior - Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views. (El Castillo)
Interior - Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views. (El Castillo)
1 bedroom, WiFi, bed sheets - Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views. (El Castillo)
Perched on a hilltop, Papaya Bungalows offers a romantic retreat with breathtaking views of Lake Arenal and the Arenal Volcano. These brand-new bungalows feature air-conditioned comfort, WiFi, kitchenettes with coffee makers, and easy access to activities like volcano hikes and hot springs.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 256 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available
  • Mountain view

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

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

Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views.

Nestled on a hilltop, with spectacular views of Lake Arenal and the Arenal Volcano, the Papaya Bungalows offers a unique and unforgettable holiday in one of Costa Rica’s premier travel destinations.
- This beautiful bungalows are ideal for newly weds or couples looking for a romantic getaway. Adults only.
- Its equipped with 1 queen size bed, A/C, Wi-Fi, and a kitchenette with a small fridge, microwave and coffee maker.

- THINGS TO DO: There are lots of tours to keep you entertained for days, Volcano hikes, Zip Lines, Hanging Bridges, ATV tours, Kayak and Paddle-board tours, Rainforest and Waterfall hikes, Horseback riding, Hot Springs, Wildlife watching tours and more. All of these are less than half an hour away from the house. Our concierge is always available at our new and modern Welcome Center to help you book tours, find the best restaurants, book a massage and get the most out of your time in the area.

-LOCATION: El Castillo is approx. 3 hours (150km) from both international airports, either in the capital of San Jose, or on the northern pacific coast in Liberia. La Fortuna, which is a small city that offers amenities such as grocery, banking, post office, restaurants, hot springs, excursions and much more. is only 30 minutes away.

- GETTING AROUND: You will want your own Rental Car, a 4WD will be better considering the short but steep hill going up to the bungalow. While there are a few things to see and a couple of restaurants within walking distance of the house, there are many activities that require a 10 to 45 minute drive. You will not be happy waiting for a cab to arrive either coming or going.

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Massage

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchenette

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Garden

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping on request
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • In the mountains
  • On a lake

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

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)

General

  • Garden
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Property does not allow children
  • Unit size: 600 square feet

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Front of property
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  • Pool
  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, 26 reviews
The price is AU$75
includes taxes & fees
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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM

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

This property does not allow children

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Located in Peñas Blancas, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a lake. Los Lagos Hot Springs and Baldi Hot Springs are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano. Butterfly Conservatory and Wellness Park Costa Rica are also worth visiting. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding and hiking/biking trails nearby. Visit our Peñas Blancas travel guide
View more Holiday homes in Peñas Blancas
Map
El Castillo, Alajuela

What's nearby

  • Lake Arenal
    Lake Arenal
    4 min drive - 1.1 km
  • Panorama of volcano Arenal and view of beautiful nature of Costa Rica, La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Central America
    Arenal Volcano National Park
    42 min drive - 14.3 km
  • Tabacon Natural Hot Springs Bridge in La Fortuna, Costa Rica I
    Tabacon Hot Springs
    44 min drive - 15.0 km
  • Butterfly Conservatory
    4 min drive - 1.4 km
  • Costa Rica Sky Adventures
    20 min drive - 6.3 km

Getting around

  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal)
    40 min drive

Restaurants

  • Shangri-La Gardens
    20 min drive
  • Soda La Palma
    22 min drive
  • Ave Restaurant
    20 min drive
  • Caña Brava
    21 min drive
  • La Mesa de Mamá
    16 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views.?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views.?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views. located?

Situated on a lake, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Lake Arenal and Butterfly Conservatory. Arenal Volcano and Costa Rica Sky Adventures are also within 6 miles (10 km).

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Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano 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. 11 out of 13 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 13 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 13 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 13 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 13 reviews

9.8

Cleanliness

9.6

Location

10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Theresa H.

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

Serene & Tranquil

Amazing view in peaceful setting. Great for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Very easy check in and out.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Philip A.

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

Volcano View Cabin

Amazing volcano view cabin within walking distance of many attractions like kayaking and bike rentals! The drive way is a bit steep, but over all easy to get to and driving distance to many Costa Rica classic destinations like La Fortuna waterfall, hot springs, and the Arenal volcano.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Eva and Steven D.

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

Amazing view, very friendly locals

The place was super clean, the view was spectacular. We had everything that we needed for our 3-day stay. Walking distance to restaurants, bars, and a small supermarket. The locals are super friendly and we actually made friends with some of them. Highly recommended! We would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amelia D.

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

GREAT place to stay!

Great place to stay! I loved everything about it. The check in process was easy. It was clean. Beautiful view! The host was so helpful and kind. Would highly recommend to anyone. Wish I could have stayed longer.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

KimberlyandDave S.

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

Living free!

This our 3rd time to this precious place! It is the perfect place to free your mind and soul! Monkeys, birds & iguanas to entertain and the most beautiful secluded beach. Just clean & simple living! This is a very special place!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Hartman M.

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

Complete satisfaction.

Very lovely location and beautiful volcano/lake view. Peacefulness of site is a plus though that could be affected if the adjacent bungalow were occupied.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

J M.

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

Worth a Read

This location is fantastic. Check in, communication, check out, everything was as easy as it gets.The Good:The location itself was amazing. The town of El Castillo is, in my opinion a much better choice than La Fortuna. There's almost no traffic, its unique, gorgeous and you get that authentic local feel because there's seemingly few other tourists there. There are no souvenir shops or shops to browse but there are several places to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and theres great coffee, views and welcoming people at each one. You get to wake up to Lake Arenal and the Volcano each morning and honestly the view from the front porch is just breathtaking. At morning and at dusk the birds are playing and its fantastic. So much that I would open the sliding door and the curtains and then get back in bed just to listen and watch. In the evening there is so little traffic that when you sit outside you may see a few scooters go by but thats about it.The not so good:The driveway is very steep (50-60 deg incline maybe) and both up and down are reason to drive an all wheel or 4x4 vehicle. I made it without issues but realize not everyone is comfortable in this situation. The bed left a little to be desired but we slept through the night.All in all, this place is Amazing. I truly feel very fortunate to have spent a week in this beautiful area and I would highly recommend others to do the same.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

gary w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Views are spectacular! Check in was easy and host was very respectful and responsive. Climb is very steep though the papayas are growing and the birds singing! Way cool seeing a Toucan in the front and green parrakeets flying by squawking and hearing many different birdsongs. I would definitely recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Roxanne R.

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

Wonderful!

Absolutely beautiful views. Super clean and comfortable. Driveway a little tricky, but after you do it once it's easier.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Pranay S.

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

Nice experience

I had a wonderful stay overall! The view was absolutely stunning, and the privacy of the property made it a peaceful retreat — ideal for a couple looking to disconnect and relax.A few things to note: the drive up to the property is quite steep, so be prepared, especially if you’re arriving at night for the first time would be difficult. It would have been great if the house had a stove for cooking, as that would make longer stays more convenient. Also, while the setting is natural, reducing the number of bugs inside the house would definitely improve the comfort level.That said, the owner was responsive and helpful, and the experience was very enjoyable. We’d definitely recommend this place for a romantic getaway with unbeatable views!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Nadia

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Chambre comme sur les photos, superbe vue
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

yusef r.

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025