Entire home

A unique tropical jungle experience amongst magical gardens and rainforest.

Photo gallery for A unique tropical jungle experience amongst magical gardens and rainforest.

Outdoor pool
Outdoor pool
Property grounds
Terrace/patio
Terrace/patio

Reviews

9.4 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

6 bedrooms7 bathroomsSleeps 221394 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet friendly
  • Washer
  • Pool
  • Barbecue grill

About this property

Entire place

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

A unique tropical jungle experience amongst magical gardens and rainforest.

Princesa de la Luna 'Eco Lodge' experience is everything one imagines a stay in Costa Rican paradise to be. The house ,complex perches on the edge of the valley providing incredible views of the the jungle spread out below and the volcano looming over the far side of the valley.

These views were one of many reasons that NBC chose to shoot part of their reality show, 'Love In The Wild,' here. 'Highly, highly recommend it for groups and families...'

The Ecolodge provides a unique lifestyle experience by social integration with the local community.

The kitchen/dining room area accommodates up to 30 people. There you will often find bunches of bananas and coconuts hanging from hooks and ready to be used. Large, locally made wooden tables provide functional preparation and dining area and there are propane and wood fired stoves as well as a microwave, toaster and coffee maker. There is also a brick grill/oven with a motorized spit large enough for a full pig or a half dozen chickens if you decide to have a party. The kitchen has everything that you need to prepare your own meals.

There are a variety of ways for you to enjoy your time here including MILES of maintained paths created over the course of nine years. The paths are lined with carefully selected plants and the forests have been very carefully maintained to achieve a blend of cultivated fruit and sustainable gardening, park land and virgin forest.

By using proper plants and sustainable permaculture techniques, we've achieved a unique experience here. Maintained grounds gradually give way to more rustic views, which gradually blend into permanent, untouched, virgin jungle. One of the trails ends at a stream that cuts its way down through heavy plant growth and a unique, 'weeping wall' of black earth that is covered in a variety of orchids.

Along the way you'll discover not one but two swimming pools. One is slightly more conventional with maintained plants and gardens around it and is fed by pure spring water. The other is hidden at the end of a hike to the bottom of the valley next to the stream. It is fed directly from the little stream, there are NO CHEMICALS used in either. Just a continual supply of fresh, clean water flowing into the pools and then back out into the stream.Right now the main swimming pool is functional and swimable but needs tiles to be replaced and general maintenance so it is not as well presented as in the fotos!! Sometimes we have difficulty changing the water as from the Natura Spring it can take time to fill up...but most of the time it is usable..
Two German guests recently described their hike to the waterfall and enjoyment of the river pool as the best thing that they've done so far in Costa Rica, saying that the river pool looked as if it had been built by elves and had a 'feel of magic to it.' The River Pool is only sometimes available, as it is prone to flooding after heavy rains. However both are excellent spots for secluded picnics and relaxed enjoyment... either alone or with special friends.

Back at the house you'll find that the line between indoor and outdoor living has been blurred. Huge bedrooms open out onto balconies and a variety of sitting areas, all of which are appointed with interesting curios, wall art and a profusion of plants. Several of the rooms are connected via open hallways lined with tropical gardens instead of actual walls, providing the perfect balance between security and the impression of living right in nature itself.

The natural flow from the balconies into the dining/kitchen area take you past a small, bamboo paneled bar that is right next to a sitting area with a stereo and which easily converts into a dance floor.

The hanging bunches of bananas attract toucans and other birds. While writing this I was watching a Keel Billed Toucan munching away on a plantain with great enthusiasm. Other animals in the area include kinkachoos, a dizzying variety of lizards and lots of other animals.

A guest recently described his experience here by saying, 'It takes a minute to sink in that this is not a zoo and not an animal reserve. It's an actual house, right in the middle of paradise and all of these birds, animals and everything else are real, here and natural!' I think that his comments sum up the experience here quite nicely.

We are only 5 kilometers away from down town La Fortuna, meaning that you are minutes away from all of the typical activities and tours that you might enjoy including:

* Hanging Bridges
* Zip Lines
* Hot Springs
* ATV and other rentals
* Butterfly Conservatory
* Eco-Snake Zoo
* Horseback Riding
* Volcano Hikes
* Rafting
* Canyoning and Rappelling
* Bird Watching
* Swimming
* Much more

We're happy to book activities on your behalf and can save you 5 - 10% if booked in advance.

You'll find this house ideal for group getaways like family reunions, corporate retreats, group vacations, sports teams, civic groups etc.

This place has been a labour of love for a decade and it is truly, one of a kind. I'm certain that you'll love your stay here and I'm looking forward to meeting you.

Property manager

Jonathan Davies

Languages

English, French, Spanish

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Private pool
  • Outdoor pool
  • Shared/communal pool
  • Massages

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Ice maker
  • Blender
  • Spices
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle

Dining

  • Breakfast available for a fee
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 6 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 7 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Towels provided
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper

Living spaces

  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Designated smoking areas

Services and conveniences

  • Limited housekeeping
  • Chef
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • Near a zoo

Things to do

  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Swimming 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
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 15000 sq ft (1394 sq m)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Parties and events are allowed on site
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, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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 neighborhood

Map
La Fortuna, Alajuela Province

What's nearby

  • Arenal Adventure World - 6 min drive
  • Costa Rica Chocolate Tour - 9 min drive
  • Baldi Hot Springs - 13 min drive
  • La Fortuna Waterfall - 14 min drive
  • Arenal Volcano - 29 min drive

Getting around

  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪La Vid Steakhouse & Pizza - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Rain Forest Café - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Soda La Hormiga - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Arábigos Coffee House - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Soda y Restaurante Víquez - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does A unique tropical jungle experience amongst magical gardens and rainforest. have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is A unique tropical jungle experience amongst magical gardens and rainforest. pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at A unique tropical jungle experience amongst magical gardens and rainforest.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A unique tropical jungle experience amongst magical gardens and rainforest.?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is A unique tropical jungle experience amongst magical gardens and rainforest. located?

Situated in Peñas Blancas, this vacation home is 2.3 mi (3.8 km) from Arenal Adventure World and 2.5 mi (4 km) from El Salto Fortuna River. Costa Rica Chocolate Tour and Puentes Colgantes del Arenal are also within 6 mi (10 km).

A unique tropical jungle experience amongst magical gardens and rainforest. Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 101 out of 129 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 20 out of 129 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 129 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 129 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 5 out of 129 reviews" "

9.0/10

Cleanliness

4.0/10

Amenities

4.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Yuliya G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Thanksgiving Vacation
The purpose of our trip is to have an active and fun, exotic vacation, and we accomplished it all. William (property manager) has booked and recommended all fun activities for us at very good price and balanced quite time with active time. I highly recommend private chef, good food, and thanksgiving dinner was absolutely delicious. Juds have enjoyed massages, pools and nature a lot
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kim-Marie B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Princesa de la Luna is spectacular!
We had an incredible stay at this VRBO, where the views of the jungle and Arenal Volcano were absolutely phenomenal. Our host, William, truly made our experience unforgettable. He coordinated all our adventures and his team prepared the most delicious meals using fresh local ingredients. Despite visiting during the rainy season, we were pleasantly surprised that the rain typically held off until late afternoon or evening. This allowed us to fully enjoy our hikes and activities without interruption. The beds were comfortable, and while there were fans in the rooms, we didn’t miss air conditioning thanks to the natural breezes. One of our favorite spots was the expansive covered deck area, where we spent our evenings relaxing and soaking in the stunning views. A few family members treated themselves to massages, which they described as wonderfully relaxing, especially with the soothing sound of rain in the background. If you're looking to experience the local flair and immerse yourself in a jungle environment, I highly recommend this VRBO. It’s a perfect getaway!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alien G., Naples, FL, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Rustic Adventure
Here’s a review you can use: --- **A Perfect Getaway for Large Groups!** Our stay at Princesa de la Luna Lodge was fantastic! The rustic construction and natural design of the lodge blend beautifully with the surrounding jungle, creating an authentic and peaceful atmosphere. The large communal areas are perfect for groups, providing plenty of space to relax, socialize, and enjoy the stunning views. Whether you’re lounging in the open-air dining area or sitting around the hammocks, there’s always a place for everyone. Highly recommend this lodge if you're traveling with a big group looking for an immersive, nature-filled experience!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

ROBERT C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Adventure
The Princesa de Luna Ecolodge exceeded our expectations in every way. Firstly, with numerous ‘cabins’ the 16 of us were a very comfortable fit for the accommodations. It is quite rustic — no elevators, no air conditioning, lots of stairs — but the staff of the lodge were extremely friendly and helpful. Food was local fare and excellent. Probably not for one with infirmities, as it is situated on the side of a hill, and even walking down to the stream and pool required intact arms and legs. Perfect for our crew.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent
La Princesa was perfect for our three generation family. The space and location couldn’t have been better. William, property manager, was so helpful, kind, and warm. He made it so easy for us to get around and book the various activities. William, Anderson, and Michael gave us a great adventure hike of the property
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Johna S.

Breath taking views!
This place is extremely unique. It is a very neat little place. The views are breathtaking. Drinking coffee on the porch looking at the volcano and all of the different species of birds in the area will be something that I forever remember. William the chef is amazing. I definitely recommend getting him to cook for you!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ryan G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Incredible place!
Loved the property, our host William, the food, and everything about it.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

MJ G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay
The team was fantastic!! Beautiful property. They were a super understanding and accommodating team! William was extremely welcoming and hand great recommendations, Jorlan found the coolest wildlife on the hike, and Anderson was extremely attentive. This place was a sanctuary and for those who are just looking to relax and experience the rainforest for all it’s glory. Thank you!!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

adam a.

Liked: Cleanliness
A truly amazing and memorable experience
I cannot say enough about the quality of experience our family had at Princesa de la Luna. We had our family of 17 ranging in age from 4 to 70 for my father's 70th birthday. The accommodations suited our family of 6 children and 11 adults perfectly with each small family having their own rooms. The property layout embraces the jungle experience with open air seating, kitchen and dining, incredible views and short, but somewhat technical, walks to 2 separate swimming locations. While all of this was incredible, what really sets this place apart from others I have visited is the quality and kindness of the staff. William and the staff are a group of wonderful individuals! We did the adventure tour on the property with our whole group and William led us through the jungle explaining what different plants were and letting us taste different fruits and herbs. We then hiked into a waterfall and down through the creek to the natural swimming pool where there was the option for a therapeutic mud bath. William and the staff also cooked every morning and night for our entire group and every meal was incredible. They even roasted a pig on the open wood fired oven for my father's birthday dinner complete with cake.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Chris D.

Liked: Cleanliness
20 Seniors
This place was such an adventure and way out of our comfort zone! We all had a spectacular stay. Chef William and his staff could not have been any more accommodating! Food was excellent! He was absolutely the best, and Anderson was darling. This is not a place for people looking for a plush place. This is very rustic and outdoorsy. The adventure tour they offer is not for sissies! Great fun and very challenging. The cabins were very much like the pictures and everyone felt comfortable and loved how they were all very unique. New pillows would have been nice. I think all 20 of us would definitely recommend your place for anyone who wants an adventure!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

4/10 Poor

Vikas B.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Great location with bad hygiene
Good: 1. William, the guy manages the property is a great guy. He speaks good english and is always available for any questions. 2. Location and the greenery on the property is great and well maintained. Bad: 1. The whole building is old(ancient) and bad here. Very Bad hygiene everywhere in the building. 2. ⁠The pics on the website are misleading. It’s not the same as the reality. I think the pics were taken when the property is new. 3. *Dead bugs everywhere. On the bed, sheets, furniture.* 4. ⁠Stinky fabric furniture/couch. Couldn’t sit for a min. It had dead bugs on it. I have pics and videos. 5. ⁠No access to laundry but you can give your dirt cloths and they will do the laundry. 6. ⁠Had plumbing issues but they managed to fix it. 7. ⁠Bathroom are not in good condition but can get the bare minimum job. 8. ⁠I’m not certain but I think they don’t wash/change the sheets when the guests leave. I observed while checking out. They simply make the bed with the old sheets. I’ll NOT recommend this property but if they take care of the hygiene issues then it will be a great place to stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jimmy F.

Liked: Cleanliness
La Fortuna Adventure
First time to Costa Rica, La Fortuna was our first stop. We hoped for a rain forest adventure nesr the volcano and it was better than we hoped. The overall property is spread out. We had 5 seperate rooms/bungalows to choose from. It slept our party of 12 very comfortably. William is a great host. You must take his waterfall tour, and allow the staff to make breakfast. The breakfast was outstanding and very affordable. We had William cook for us one night, that was also outstanding. William also helped set up some of our tours and for a small fee, drove us in their van. All of the services made for an exceptional stay. The beds and bungalows are a little dated, but that is part of the ambience, our entire group loved it.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mitchell A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Unique Experience in the Rain Forest
Our family, which includes six adult children, stayed at Princessa de la Luna the first week of July, 2023, and we had a great experience ! The ecolodge is nestled in acres of rainforest but getting into town was just a few minutes away. We never tired of sitting on the large decks, and looking out over the tree tops at the Arenal volcano, with toucans nibbling berries just a few feet away. The adventure tour on the property, which was led by William, who is the caretaker at the property, was a great hike, including down a steam and to a waterfall. William was fantastic, taking us everywhere we wanted to go, suggesting excursions, restaurants and generally being a guide to everywhere and everything ! If you are looking for a unique place to stay in La Fortuna then look no further
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

David D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family of 15 from Central Pennsylvanis
Tremendous! Jungle surroundings with modern amenities. William & his staff treated us like “Kings & Queens.” Woke up to toucans in the morning. Service, food & recommendations were all “spot on”. Thanks for taking care of our 3-generation family of 15.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tara S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Private Oasis
The property is absolutely beautiful, and the staff was very helpful. The food was good. Highly recommend the waterfall tour on site. The only unexpected part was it is a bit of a trek to both pools, but they are absolutely beautiful and secluded in nature. A great bar/restaurant just opened during our stay across the street, would recommend making a walking path directly to the restaurant in the future.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Caroline

Traveled with family
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
William deserves 5 stars! He is an absolutely amazing host, very knowledgeable and super nice. Everything he recommended was an absolute blast. The wildlife around the property is amazing and we saw toucans every morning. The adventure tour is amazing. The amenities are very run down though. Lots of repairs and maintenance are needed. The rooms are very basic and bathrooms definitely need an upgrade.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Jennifer C.

Toucans in the jungle
We drive from Liberia airport to princesa de la Luna. It was quite a long windy drive. Once we arrived William was quick to greet us and had a lovely dinner ready. He was very helpful and kind. The property and rooms were what we expected. It could use some remodeling in the bathrooms and such. It was nice having a bar across the street. Once at the property everything was an easy drive to see: arenal hike, mistico, sky adventure, ect
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Kelly M.

Rustic Lodge in Lush Jungle
The lodge is in a lush forest with a nice hike down to its own little waterfall. The rooms vary a bit in quality according to their age and they are building some new rooms and common areas, it’s ever evolving. Most of the rooms have beautiful jungle views, and at night the fans kept the rooms comfortable for sleeping. The beds were comfortable but there isn’t much else in the rooms besides beds. More hooks for hanging things, or bedside tables with a light or a chair would be good. The patios, dining area and kitchen were beautiful all crafted with unique hard wood. We had breakfast most mornings and dinner one night, all the meals were excellent. The host William was so helpful and is fluent in English, French and Spanish. We had to change our reservations several times and they were so accommodating to still fit us in. The hike down to pool #1 is a beautiful and tropical but steep taking 5-10 minutes depending on your fitness. It’s unfortunately not a very appealing pool as it is very dilapidated block and concrete and when we were there only half full of water. We never made it to pool #2 which we heard is less of a pool, but was maybe more appealing. There is a very small pool with cool water up in the common area that they clean out every morning, they may call it a jacuzzi in their description but we couldn’t get any jets to work. We weren’t there for the pools so we weren’t super disappointed. Overall we had a great stay there and would love to go back.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

monilee k.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Jungle Experience
Want to wake up to the sounds of the jungle (birds, monkeys, wildlife)? Want to see the natural wildlife in it's natural habitat? want to eat from the land? This place is MAGIC. I loved it so much. The host, william was AMAZING - the food was so good! and he was so nice and helpful with EVERYTHING. Perfection.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic hospitality, food, setting - Best Trip Ever!
This is the first time the 12 of us have traveled together (6 couples) and we could not have asked for a better setting, host or staff than the Ecolodge. William's calm, patient and helpful disposition was unwavering, even with our flurry of questions and requests for activities. He arranged for our daily adventures and suggested the best restaurants and shops. Without a doubt, having dinner the night upon arrival and the adventure tour the next morning is the best plan for your first 24 hours. During our week, we also experienced a coffee/chocolate tour, Baldi Springs, rafting, ziplining and the hanging bridges. During some downtime at the lodge, many of us scheduled massages - totally worth it! We had our last dinner at the lodge where William and his staff roasted pork (the BEST we've ever had) and prepared fresh sides and a dessert. Without a doubt, we had a trip of a lifetime and will never forget it. Pura Vida!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Leslie G.

Liked: Cleanliness
The best...EVER!!!
Our group of 15 are extremely well traveled and NOTHING could have prepared us for the uniqueness of this property or the hospitality we received. It was paradise and we didn't want to leave. The meals were phenomenal so definitely arrange to eat on site a few times. William goes above and beyond and is so knowledgeable about the area. The location is perfect- a short drive to town but feels like you are far removed if that is what you are looking for. There were 15 in our party (3 families-kids 9 to 16 years old) and there was something for everyone! The tour is a must do, I can't recommend that enough.We plan on returning ASAP!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heather R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Incredible
We had such a great time here. The view from the patio was to die for. William took incredible care of us Would recommend to anyone who want to immerse themself in the rainforest but still be close to town
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect!
We enjoyed our stay! The property was amazing! Communication was great and William was the best!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fresh Air and Beautiful Vews
William, the host is amazing and helped plan for us every step of the way. The food was delicious with fresh fruit juices , banana pancakes etc. for breakfast . His pig roast was exceptional and we are from TX. So our expectations were high. We loved the hike on the property that lead to a beautiful waterfall. William gives an excellent tour of all the plants and wildlife. I think as long as you realize it is an upscale camping environment for room accommodations you will love this place. The host could not be a kinder person that will help accommodate you in anyway. We highly recommend it!!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Delilah W.

Liked: Cleanliness
This place is magic.
The rooms are spacious and comfortable and the beds are massive. Delicious breakfast and dinners. William was extremely helpful and friendly, and Jonathan went above and beyond to make sure our trip was ideal. The luna tour was easily my favourite hike of the whole trip. Toucans and geckos everywhere, not to mention cute kitty cats and the most adorable dogs. Princesa de la Luna is ideal if you are an adventure traveler. After our daily adventures, it felt like coming home. Highly recommend. Thank you again, William! I will be returning someday.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023