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Firefly Retreat. A Hilltop Retreat with Swimming Pool & Great Rainforest Views!!

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A modern two-story house with a balcony, surrounded by lush greenery.
A pool surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees.
A bedroom with a bed, a ceiling fan, a view of a mountain through a window, and a wooden wardrobe.
A room with a wooden bunk bed, a ceiling fan, a television, and a balcony with a view of greenery and mountains.
A living room with a sofa, TV, and a dining area with a table and chairs.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 72100 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
El Castillo, Alajuela
  • Place, Butterfly Conservatory
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Lake Arenal
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Tabacon Hot Springs
    ‪44 min drive‬
  • Airport, La Fortuna (FON-Arenal)
    ‪65 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Peñas Blancas

Located in El Millon within a 5-minute walk of Butterfly Conservatory, this vacation home is within 2 miles (3 km) of Lake Arenal. The vacation home includes a private pool, a kitchen, and a balcony.
View more Vacation Homes in Peñas BlancasOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Butterfly Conservatory - 6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Lake Arenal - 4 min drive - 0.9 miles
  • Tabacon Hot Springs - 44 min drive - 9.5 miles
  • Los Lagos Hot Springs - 52 min drive - 14.5 miles
  • Baldi Hot Springs - 54 min drive - 15.1 miles

Getting around

  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Shangri-La Gardens - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Soda La Palma - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Río Lounge - ‬38 min drive
  • ‪Cafeteria Selva Verde - ‬105 min drive
  • ‪La Mesa de Mamá - ‬12 min walk

About this property

Entire place

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

Firefly Retreat. A Hilltop Retreat with Swimming Pool & Great Rainforest Views!!

*New Ownership!

This comfortable, spacious yet private retreat accommodates up to 7 people. All the bedrooms are equipped with Air Conditioning and black out Drapes. The Master bedroom is equipped with 1 queen size bed and an en-suite bathroom. The second bedroom have a bunk bed, full size in the bottom and twin size at the top, and the third bedroom have 1 queen size bed.

Adjacent to each bedroom upstairs there is a surrounding deck which is accessible through large glass doors and floor to ceiling windows. It truly gives one the feeling of being in a treehouse. You comfortably wake to lush views of the mountains, trees and birds.
As you step outside onto the deck, you will instantly be greeted with lovely views of Arenal Volcano. While enjoying your early morning coffee, you will experience the wildlife from a front seat viewing area. Howler monkeys will chatter as green parrots and toucans fly by overhead. The local neighborhood Macaw will spend quality time entertaining you in the fruit trees directly in front of you!
The new Spring feed Swimming Pool is the perfect complement to begin the morning with a swim or to cool down and enjoy after a day of exploring the area.
After a long day enjoying a great hike or any other rainforest activity, the early evening does not disappoint you with our spectacular sunsets with reflective views of the volcano. All is breathtaking from this viewpoint as hummingbirds and fireflies dance right in front of you!

The cozy kitchen is well equipped for cooking and enjoying a meal in our open living room area for those home entertainment nights. Our hilltop cottage provides all the comforts of home and one does not need to go far to enjoy everything our community has to offer.

- 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.
The vacation home is air-conditioned and features a kitchen, 2.5 bathrooms, and a balcony, and there's space to spread out with 3 bedrooms. Other standard amenities include a private pool, a coffee maker, and an ironing board. Housekeeping is available on request.

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Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Communal pool
  • Massage
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

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

Dining

  • Chef service

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2.5 private bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Blackout drapes
  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • 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
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing 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)
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Unit size: 2,100 square feet

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

  • This property doesn't allow pets

Children and extra beds

Children allowed: ages 0-17

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
Onsite 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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
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
  • Check-in: 3:00 PM
  • Check-out: 10:00 AM

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.
  • Onsite safety features include a fire extinguisher.

Property is also known as

365082

Frequently asked questions

What's there to see close to this vacation home?

This vacation home is situated in El Millon within a short 5-minute walk of Butterfly Conservatory. You'll also find Lake Arenal and Costa Rica Sky Adventures within a short drive.

Will I be able to park at Firefly Retreat. A Hilltop Retreat with Swimming Pool & Great Rainforest Views!!?

No, there isn't parking at this vacation home.

Is there a spa available at this vacation home?

Spa services at the vacation home include massages.

Is this vacation home adjacent to a casino?

No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at this vacation home?

No, there is no indoor pool at this vacation home; however, the accommodation features a private pool.

What do couples enjoy most about Firefly Retreat. A Hilltop Retreat with Swimming Pool & Great Rainforest Views!!?

At this lakeside vacation home, there are many amenities for couples, including a chef service and a private pool in each house, and some feature lake view.

Are there hot tubs at Firefly Retreat. A Hilltop Retreat with Swimming Pool & Great Rainforest Views!!?

No, this vacation home doesn't have a spa tub.

Does this vacation home include breakfast service?

No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.

Will this vacation home allow pets to stay free of charge?

No, pets aren't allowed at this vacation home.

Are there connecting rooms at Firefly Retreat. A Hilltop Retreat with Swimming Pool & Great Rainforest Views!!?

No, there aren't connecting guestrooms at this vacation home.

How far is the airport from this vacation home?

The closest major airport to this vacation home is La Fortuna (FON-Arenal), which is 16.1 mi away (45 minutes by car).

Can I book a room with a balcony at Firefly Retreat. A Hilltop Retreat with Swimming Pool & Great Rainforest Views!!?

Yes, every house at Firefly Retreat. A Hilltop Retreat with Swimming Pool & Great Rainforest Views!! comes with a balcony and some offer lake and mountain views.

Firefly Retreat. A Hilltop Retreat with Swimming Pool & Great Rainforest Views!! Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 18 out of 25 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 25 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 25 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 25 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 25 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Blake C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved the area. House and pool were great
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Justin V.

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

Great Location and Beautiful Place

We had a great stay here for 5 nights. Beautiful location with nice views. The local restaurants are some of the best we had on our trips so no need to go to La Fortuna and spend more for less. I highly recommend this place and would come back.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Cammie S.

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

Great Location

This property is in a great location. Quick and easy drive to La Fortuna. Several restaurants very close by. Great property management which was very attentive to our needs.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mike P.

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

Great experience, nice house!

We had a group of 6 here and it worked perfectly. Nice pool and views of the surrounding area. Some good food spots close by too. Would stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Charles L.

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

Arenal stay

Overall good communication and good space for our trip. Drive a high clearance car for this accomodations though
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Scott B.

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

Peaceful and Perfect Views

We got what we wanted. I nice, safe, clean home to accommodate our family in the Arenal area. We were there 3 night and loved the location away from busy La Fortuna. Restaurants right around the house were great, not busy and good food.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Maison D.

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

Amazing place

You absolutely have to see the Region. You definitely need a car to get around. Will definitely go back.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

riju

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Lovely house. Near Arenal lake and volcano which is a beautiful area. Walkable distance to local restaurants and grocery store. You will need your own car to stay here.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Louis-Philippe L.

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

Gracias

Great spot, isolated and well equipped! We enjoyed the pool and the view!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

John O.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Adequate

It was nice. Great remote location about 20 minutes from ladortuna
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Katie C.

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

Wonderful Stay in El Castillo

What a cool little town El Castillo is! Highly recommend staying at Firefly. You can walk to restaurants, there is a really nice pool on-property and you can walk up the road to Lilander's for an amazing horseback riding tour. Agustin is incredibly nice and helpful with everything related to the house. This house is close to Sky Adventures and the Arenal National Park. Great location, lots of birds and wildlife everywhere. Really, really enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jay C.

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

Great House

Great 3 bed room house for our family. House was just as shown in the pictures. Pool was cool. I would recommend staying at this house, going to the "Alien" restaurant two doors down and doing the horse back riding at Lilander's right up the road.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Chandice C.

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

Amazing place!!!

We absolutely loved our stay at this home. The location was perfect- it is far, yet close enough, to the hustle and bustle of La Fortuna. The neighborhood was quiet and homey. Plenty of restaurants and markets within walking distance, so many days we didn’t even leave! We absolutely loved the pool. It was so refreshing and we spent HOURS in it a day. We loved just walking around the neighborhood petting dogs, cats, feeding horses, catching fireflies and talking to locals. We were so sad to leave but made so many great memories here! And would stay here over and over!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Margo M.

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

Lovely peaceful village

You will love this little village of El Millon, especially if you want to avoid the busyness of La Fortuna (45 min away). The house is exactly as described; do expect firm beds and a lovely pool. Also minor power outages and spotty wifi; bring a candle as only 1 flashlight works. Happily the road has received significant improvements over the years, and there are a number of restaurants close by.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Stacey K.

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

Firefly Retreat

Even more beautiful than the photos! A birder’s paradise. Refreshing spring fed pool. Had one minor issue during our stay and property manager Augustin saw to it immediately - maintenance was onsite within 5-10 minutes. House is on a steep hill, but there sre restaurants and activities within a short walk. Butterfly Conservatory is a must-do. I would 💯 stay in El Castillo/El Million again.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Morgan O.

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

Perfect for us

The house was perfect for us. Located near the small town of El Castillo, it was just up the hill from several restaurants, the El Castillo Visitors Center, and a couple small general stores. It was just down the hill from Lilander's Horse Tours, which was great. It was about 20-minute drive into La Fortuna. The house manager met us at the Visitor's Center and showed us how to get the the property. As long as you don't need to be in walking distance of La Fortuna, I highly recommend this house.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Sherry W.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Hilltop retreat in El Castillo, Lake Arenal

We felt that the property could have been cleaner. The floor did not seem clean. The main floor also had a musty / mildew smell that we did not appreciate. Other than that the property itself is beautiful and the location is quite stunning.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Claire J.

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

Peaceful retreat.

After doing a ton of research trying to find a house that checked all of our necessary boxes, I chose the Firefly house. House was perfect. After long days of exploring and activities it was so nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of La Fortuna we’d jump in the pool and just sit outside and listen to the birds. We heard the monkeys a few mornings and that was exciting. We saw a macaw and lots of toucans. There are several little restaurants along the way up to the house and a market for your basic necessities. Kitchen had plenty of pots and pans for the days we cooked at the house. We had a couple local dogs and cat that would come visit every evening looking for a few pets, they we very sweet. We were very satisfied with our stay.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

ARNAUD L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Belle maison, très propre et bien entretenue. L'entretien de la piscine a revoir.Photos bien prises par rapport à la situation et les extérieurs.Maison idéalement placée pour les visites et sites touristiques. Bon accueil au niveau de la conciergerie.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Vitaly B.

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

loved it. will stay again

great location all requests were immediately addressed augustine is an amazing property manager just like it looks online perfect place to disconnect from the world
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Anjani

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024