El Castillo

Travel Guide

A riverside village with colorful houses, a large fort on a hill, and lush greenery.
A hiker walking on a forest trail surrounded by dense greenery and trees.
A nest on a tree with a volcano in the background.
Chateau Arenal

Chateau Arenal

3 out of 5
El Castillo Peñas Blancas Alajuela
$71 nightly
The price is $80 total per night from Oct 28 to Oct 29
$80 total
Oct 28 - Oct 29
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Peñas Blancas. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (121 reviews)
"AC did not work 2 days out of my 3 days stay."

Reviewed on Oct 12, 2026

Chateau Arenal
Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

3.5 out of 5
6 km oeste del Parque Central La Fortuna
$139 nightly
The price is $157 total per night from Oct 28 to Oct 29
$157 total
Oct 28 - Oct 29
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in La Fortuna. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,635 reviews)
"Breakfast had wide selection. Hot pools and cold pools were great. Volcano view point worth the trip."

Reviewed on Oct 25, 2026

Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

4.5 out of 5
13 Km Oeste del Centro La Fortuna Alajuela
$414 nightly
The price is $468 total per night from Oct 28 to Oct 29
$468 total
Oct 28 - Oct 29
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury resort in La Fortuna. Enjoy free WiFi, free valet parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the room ...
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
See all 1,637 properties in El Castillo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Wide Luxury Home with Pool & Jacuzzi access & Amazing Volcano and Lake views

Wide Luxury Home with Pool & Jacuzzi access & Amazing Volcano and Lake views

El Castillo A
Stay at this vacation home in Peñas Blancas. Enjoy a water park, concierge services, and balconies. Popular attractions Arenal Volcano National Park and Mistico ...
Wide Luxury Home with Pool & Jacuzzi access & Amazing Volcano and Lake views
Firefly Retreat. A Hilltop Retreat with Swimming Pool & Great Rainforest Views!!

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

El Castillo Alajuela
Stay at this vacation home in Peñas Blancas. Enjoy private pools, a garden, and concierge services. Popular attractions Arenal Volcano National Park and Arenal ...
Firefly Retreat. A Hilltop Retreat with Swimming Pool & Great Rainforest Views!!
Arenal cautiva

Arenal cautiva

3.5 out of 5
Barrio millon calle doctor El Castillo Provincia de Alajuela
Stay at this apartment in Peñas Blancas. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a garden. Popular attractions Arenal Volcano National Park and Arenal Volcano are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"This was an absolutely beautiful place. Melissa was so friendly and helpful. Next time I will stay here the whole trip!"

Reviewed on Jun 6, 2026

Arenal cautiva
See all properties in El Castillo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular El Castillo attractions

Butterfly Conservatory

8.8/10 (98 reviews)
Meet the animals who live at Butterfly Conservatory during your travels in El Castillo. Wander the lush forest or discover the volcano viewpoints in this romantic area.
See properties

Things to do

La Fortuna: Waterfall, Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs Tour

La Fortuna: Waterfall, Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs Tour

$105
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
La Fortuna: Waterfall, Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs Tour
Baldi Hot Springs Resort – Day Pass with One Meal

Baldi Hot Springs Resort – Day Pass with One Meal

$84
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Baldi Hot Springs Resort – Day Pass with One Meal
Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket

Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket

$20
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket
Volcano The volcano views from the farm are truly photo-worthy, and riding through the open fields feels like pure freedom!view

La Fortuna: ATV Adventure Through Rainforest & Volcano Views

$95
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
La Fortuna: ATV Adventure Through Rainforest & Volcano Views
Thermal River Experience

Hot Springs Pura Vida

$29
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Hot Springs Pura Vida
La Fortuna Night Walk: Sloths, Frogs & Wildlife Tour

La Fortuna Night Walk: Sloths, Frogs & Wildlife Tour

$29
per adult
La Fortuna Night Walk: Sloths, Frogs & Wildlife Tour
See all activities in El Castillo

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit El Castillo?
The best time to visit El Castillo is from October through December, when the climate is typically most pleasant. For travelers seeking fewer crowds and potentially better value, the quieter months of March through June are also a good choice, offering warmer weather conditions.
What is a good itinerary length for El Castillo?
A good itinerary length for El Castillo is one to two days to visit the Butterfly Conservatory. An extended stay of three to four days allows travelers to enjoy activities like the Arenal jet ski Guided Experience, Arenal Lake Kayak Adventure, or a Costa Rica Arenal Volcano Paddle Boarding Experience. See El Castillo Activities.
What are the top things to do in and around El Castillo?
El Castillo offers outdoor adventures and a chance to explore nature in the surrounding area:

  • Visit the Butterfly Conservatory.
  • Enjoy a jet ski Guided Experience on Arenal.
  • Go on a Kayak Adventure on Arenal Lake.
  • Experience Paddle Boarding near Arenal Volcano.
  • Rent a Kayak or Paddleboard on Lake Arenal.

Can I book a refundable hotel in El Castillo?
Yes, Expedia offers many flexible booking options, and you can look for refundable hotels in El Castillo by entering your dates and using the refundable or fully refundable filter. Always check the hotel's cancellation policy before you book, since terms can vary by hotel, and visit Expedia help center for further details.
Why book a trip to El Castillo with Expedia?
Expedia makes it easier to plan your El Castillo trip with travel tools, flexible search options, and bookable trip components all in one place. You can organize your plans in one account and use Expedia to help build a trip that fits your budget and travel style. Find out more about how by visiting Expedia's Trip Planner page.
Should I stay in a hotel or vacation rental in El Castillo?
The best choice depends on your travel style. Hotels in El Castillo can be a good fit for convenience, on-site amenities, and shorter stays, while vacation rentals may offer more space, privacy, and home-style amenities for longer trips, families, or groups. With Expedia, you can compare both options side by side, read traveler reviews, and filter by amenities to find the right fit for your trip.
How can I manage my El Castillo trip on Expedia?
Once you've booked your El Castillo trip, you can manage it through your Expedia account or the Expedia app. You can view your itinerary, access booking details, make eligible changes, and check for updates in My Trips. The Expedia app can also help you stay organized while you travel.
What if I need help during my El Castillo trip?
Expedia offers customer support before, during, and after your El Castillo trip. If your plans change or something unexpected happens, you can review your booking in My Trips and use Expedia help center channels for help with eligible changes, cancellations, or travel issues.
How can Expedia help me plan my first trip to El Castillo?
If it's your first trip to El Castillo, Expedia can help you plan by bringing together stays, flights, activities, traveler reviews, and trip-planning tools in one place. With Expedia's Trip Planner you can compare options, read reviews from other travelers, and build an itinerary that matches your interests and budget.
How can I save on my El Castillo hotel booking with Expedia?
Join One Key™ for free to unlock instant discounts with Member Prices on select hotels. You can also earn and use OneKeyCash™* on eligible bookings on Expedia. Booking in advance is usually another great way to save on your El Castillo hotel.

*Excludes taxes and fees. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia and other participating brands.

Cities near El Castillo

A town with colorful buildings, a central park, and a volcano in the background.

La Fortuna

A flag on a pole, a wooden fence, and a landscape with trees and a body of water in the distance.

Tilaran

A wooden bridge with a sloth face carved into the center, surrounded by lush greenery and a cloudy sky.

Peñas Blancas

A horse standing in a grassy field with a mountain in the background.

Tronadora

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