My friend and I really enjoyed our stay at Arilapa. Dinner at an awesome place was recommended, beautiful view. Taxi's were needed to get around, as they were with any other place except for chain hotels, which this is not. Local decor and art gave you a flavor of Costa Rica, as did the fresh am brew and local cheese on the breakfast plate of french toast. If you are traditional and stuffy, this is not for you, but if you like to be in nature and appreciate beautiful grounds and the charm of a family run bed and breakfast, make your way here. The host and hostesses were kind and generous. This Oregon and NC traveler approved!

We came late at night,had to take a taxi although they say they have free pickup.We were put in a sort of flat on top floor of reception.after 26 hours travelling,very tired. No hot water,no towels no soap,just a bed.The sofa was dirty from the dogs and ther seemed to be reperations ongoing. Not a sign of the nice rooms on the website.They might have changed owner,as I can not recognize him from other descriptions. Poor breakfast with beens,rice and bacon and a piece of bread. No fruits or jice as we had in all other places in Costa Rica.The strangest was the leaving: We were promised breakfast at 06 and a taxi 06.30. at 0610,no breakfast but a taxi came.It was agreed to take us to alajuela to catch the bus to Monteverde.The taxidriver and our host said hurry up and throwed our things unlocked in the back.the owner left. the taxidriver said something in Spanish like that the bus would not stop in Alajuela,so he would take us to San josé.We could say nothing. The bus would leave san jose at 06.30 and it was too far to be able to catch it. The taxi dropped us at the wrong place- we left the taxi in a hurry to try to catch the bus,but too late.So,we had to wait 8 hours for the next at 14.30 in the afternoon(only 2 buses/day)The worst thing was that I lost my Iphone in the mess and we had to pay 40 dollars for no use at all and spoiled an expensive trip-day.As it was our first day-it was just the worst start.I was so angry over lost time,money and Iphone and the stupid hotel-owner who should arrange everything in the morning.
I can not understand why it is recommended in the lonely Planet_I would not recommend it to my worst enemy!

I stayed here for the last 2 nights in Costa Rica with my family. We got a very pittoresque cabin by the river and it was the most beautiful! Children went playing in the river along with the host family kids. The breakfast was delicious, allthough for our very early last morning they forgot to leave something to eat for us, dispite what was promised.
I am very happy we stayed here our last days, enjoying the sun, the garden and the river, rather than staying in noisy&unsafe city of San Jose (or even Alajuela). Especially if you are travelling with children: NO NOT STAY IN THE CITY, IT IS NOT WORTH IT!
I thought the neighbourhood was not so bad, and we did got some groceries from the tiendas along the road. Very clean and nice kitchen at the main house. Also thanks for the use or the washing machine!
If I ever go back to CR, I will defenitely start my travels from this place.

The room was good, large with comfy bed but extremely poor lighting and very gloomy - definitely not the "bright rooms" as claimed in the Lonely Planet guide. There was a pane of glass missing from one of the louvered windows so not ideal security and made for a pretty cold night despite the very welcome thin duvet. The shared bathroom was reasonable although looked like it was undergoing some renovation as all the tiles had been riped off the walls and the shower temperature was mildly lukewarm at best. The owners were lovely though although pretty quirky. There is nowhere to eat around Arilapa within walking distance and as the hostel is at the end of a dark road in what looks like a pretty dodgy area of town, I would have reservations about recommending to single women travelling alone. The owners were very kind and did provide me with some food the evening I arrived as I really did not relish the prospect of trying to find somewhere to eat without any transport. There is no airport shuttle service despite what it says on Hostelbookers and the "gourmet" breakfast describe on Arilapa's own website leaves a lot to be desired. I'm a vegetarian and was given meat sausages! The grounds did look lovely but unfortunately I didn't have the time to appreciate them properly as I arrived in the evening and left the following morning. I would recommend this place with reservations though as described above. Bring ear plugs as the river is relentless.