My girlfriend and me very enjoyed to stay at Nepenthe. It was a long drive from Jaco to El Castillo but it definitely worth te travel. Agustin was very friendly and available. Jaccuzi was great after we making the 4 hours trail Cherro Chato in a very muddy and wet condition. The view is amazing (when there is no cloud or rain!) It is very well located because we were near all activities we had included in our trip in this area. Zipline, hiking, reptile and butterfly zoo and i forget somes.

Of course you can go there with an ordinary car but if you have a 4x4 the trip will be more funny and you will drive maybe a little bit faster because the car can afford some holes and rocks!

We had a cabine and it was very nice. breakfast was very good with enough choices for eat.

We recommand Nepenthe for the hospitality, the charm, the view and the things to do around.

We arrived at night, just as well given the condition of the road the last few kilometres! A very warm welcome awaited us. The cabins are well appointed and comfortable. Fantastic views of the Arenal Lake andnVolcano ,,,,,when the clouds part. The gardens are lovely, the nearby forest with its bird life is fascinating. Breakfast at the main house is great, and the information provided by Augustin useful.
The near by village of El Castillo is worth a visit, the Butterfly park and the snake park also.
Dinner at Pizza John is a must... Not just for delicious pizza but also the entertaining conversation with John!

What can we say, we planned on staying two nights and ending up staying for five. Augustin, Gordon and Nancy were the perfect hosts. After doing hours and hours of research it was clear we choose the best place to stay in the area. The views are spectacular, the grounds are amazing, the rooms are luxurious and the pool is well perfect. We can't say enough about this place. It was by far our best part of our two week vacation. Monkeys all around the property and beautiful toucans. It's a nature lovers paradise. The little hamlet of El Castillo is quaint and only a short 5 minute drive down the mountain. Oh and the spa with hot tub is a great way to end the day and relax.
Do yourself a favor and stay here and enjoy!
Ryan and Rebecca

The drive up is rough, but man, what a view awaits you when you arrive at Nepenthe! A wonderful welcome, warm and courteous service and attention to making one's stay as enjoyable as possible, a bountiful and delicious breakfast, and the option to have Odile's delicious home cooked dinner with a bottle of wine if you want to stay in for an evening or two.

This is a place to come to to unwind, relax, recharge, and forget about the office.