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Santuario De Ranas, Valle Azul

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Aerial view
Room
Room
Terrace/patio
Room

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 885 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor space
  • Free WiFi
  • Lake view

Explore the area

Map
San Ramón, Alajuela
  • Costa Rica Chocolate Tour
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Baldi Hot Springs
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • La Fortuna Waterfall
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal)
    ‪5 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed, 1 Single Murphy Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bed, 1 Double Bed and 1 Single Murphy Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

Santuario De Ranas, Valle Azul


Private house. 3bedrooms 2 full bathrooms HOT water.  kitchen, dining room, living room . Private driveway and parking. Air conditioning. Porch.  stroNg WIFI. Paintings by local artist. Nestled in a private nature sanctuary. Frogs!   Blue- jean, Red- eyed, Gaudy. Scarlett Macaws. Toucans. Sit on the dock of  the lagoon, take a peaceful walk on the many creek trails, take an exciting night hike, or ask Maricel to teach you about the medicinal plants. We are located just 35 minutes from La Fortuna Downtown on the route 702 San Ramon La Fortuna.

important details:

The property is located off Route 702.

There may be noise from the main road sometimes.

You can request a night hike to the Frog Sanctuary, which is just 3 minutes away from the property.

All guests have access to our concierge service, which can help you organize your itinerary, activities, or if you need transportation from San Jose or Liberia Airport.

We can also provide you with discount codes for our community booking portal to Baldi Hot Springs Resort or activities in La Fortuna, just 35 minutes away.

Property manager

Maricel Vargas
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Lake view
Outdoor space

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Main facility (Instalación principal)

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9.6 out of 10, (71 reviews)
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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is no smoke detector on the property

About the area

La Fortuna

Located in Barrio Pilo, a neighbourhood in La Fortuna, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a river. While the natural beauty of La Fortuna Waterfall and Arenal Volcano National Park can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can explore Baldi Hot Springs. Puentes Colgantes del Arenal and Arenal Adventure World are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
San Ramón, Alajuela

What's nearby

  • Puentes Colgantes del Arenal - 11 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Costa Rica Chocolate Tour - 4 min drive - 2.3 km
  • Baldi Hot Springs - 6 min drive - 5.3 km
  • La Fortuna Waterfall - 9 min drive - 4.9 km
  • Arenal Volcano - 22 min drive - 18.3 km

Getting around

  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal) - 5 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chocolate Fusión - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪La Vid Steakhouse & Pizza - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Rain Forest Café - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Soda La Hormiga - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪La Fonda 506 - ‬10 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Santuario De Ranas, Valle Azul pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Santuario De Ranas, Valle Azul?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Santuario De Ranas, Valle Azul?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Santuario De Ranas, Valle Azul located?

Located in Barrio Pilo, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of La Fortuna Park and Puentes Colgantes del Arenal. El Salto Fortuna River and Arenal Adventure World are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 26 out of 28 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 28 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 28 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 28 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 28 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Mandy R.

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

Little jungle getaway

The host family was amazing. Very warm and welcoming. The night frog tour was great and so was the tour of the property. Learning about the history of the property was fabulous. The accommodations really made you feel like you were in the Costa Rican jungle.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Raven B.

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

Paradise

This was the best house I stayed at in my entire life. It is huge in pristine condition clean. Surrounded by tropical Paradise. I will remember this home for the rest of my life. I want to go back and live in Costa Rica permanently lol. I didn’t want to leave. The family is amazing and treated me like one of them. They took me out and let me see all the frogs and wildlife and help me explore. They are absolutely amazing and I wish they were my real family.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

sateesh s.

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

False advertisement on location

Falsly shown that the property is 10 min away from tourist attraction like Arenal volcano , la fortuna etc. even vrbo location points within la fartuna . But actual property is 1 har away from all theses. Which disrupted our plan and hikes big time.. what a waste. I will be complaining to vrbo abt this property. Though hos is nice and friendly, property is good. But felt they are not honest about the listing.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Susan M.

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

If I could give it 10 stars I would!

Absolutely beautiful property and hostess family. The frog tour was wonderful and such an amazing experience around the area! Would recommend staying here!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Craig G.

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

Wish we had more time…

The property and surrounding area is very beautiful. Marciel and Joshua were very helpful with recommendations and with any questions we had. It is located in a beautiful part of the country and a little slice of heaven. We wish we had more time to explore all it had to offer. The location is about 45 mins from La Fortuna and the activities located there. Thanks Marciel!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Grace G.

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

Best VRBO experience ever!

Beautiful house clean & well equipped, nestled in tropical rain forest, stream, pond and birds. The kindness, thoughtfulness and availability of host family is outstanding (they even came to find us when we were lost the first night). Sharing breakfast with the family in an outdoor kitchen was an unparalleled experience. Thank you for being such generous and gracious hosts and for your environmental awareness.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

FELIX J.

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

Beautiful well maintained property for nature lovers.

Beautifully maintained property and amazing hospitality Mrs. Maricel made us authentic breakfast everything fresh.This is for someone loves the nature explore true the Costa Rica.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kate K.

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

Wonderful Experience and a Beautiful Family

This house is located on a property that has been deeply cared for my the host and her family. It is evident that they take great pride in the land and nature that surround them. The house was very comfortable and had everything we needed to feel at home. The host and her family were very welcoming and her daugter provided us a night walk where she showed us the frogs and pther animals that call this beautfil place home. They provided recommendations of places to eat and a wonderful zipline company where we spent the day flying through the forest. I would definitely stay here again if I am ever back in the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Francisco

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
I had an excellent time at this location. The house was clean, spacious and private. Maricel and her family were excellent hosts that were extremely accommodating. I loved that this property has a patch of rainforest with plenty of wildlife to observe; it made the stay that much more enjoyable.

10/10 Excellent

Adrian

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
We really enjoyed the hosts, night hike around the property, local home made breakfast. Modern functional house with Wi-Fi. For those looking for creature comfort, it is a bit more rustic, AC only in master area. We loved the visit would go again. Nice outdoor spaces.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura E.

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

Costa Rica vacation

The best thing was the host and her family wonderful people who are passionate about the flora and fauna and share that passion with their guest. The grounds around the house are beautifully kept and have all kinds of wildlife there. The son Jefferson will take you on a night frog tour which was awesome and very informative. The house was very clean and good for a large group. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gary W.

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

Great spot

House is beautiful. If your a birder or nature lover its a paradise. Frogs everywhere. Gardens were stunning. Host lives next door, And made us a wonderful breakfast. Ill be back!
Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jenna P.

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

A Tropical Oasis

This family made our whole trip!! They were so kind and generous, left us cacao fruit, coffee and pastries when we arrived. Jefferson took us on an amazing night tour and showed us the nocturnal frogs on the property. Then his sister took us through all of the various fruit trees and we got to drink coconut water from coconuts and eat fresh sugarcane. It was an amazing experience and we really enjoyed spending time with their family.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda P.

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

A hidden gem

What a great find! This little oasis is like a mini nature preserve with its own nature trails, ponds with really cool frogs, birds, fruit trees and an abundance of native plants and trees. The family live on the property and add a fabulous Tico experience with their hospitality of breakfast in their outdoor kitchen, nature walks, and fire side chats. Spending time with the family was one of our favorite memories of our trip to Costa Rica. We definitely could have stayed longer. It is about 30-40 minutes to most of the tours in La Fortuna so be mindful of this when planning your adventures.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ira M.

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

A slice of paradise

Who would have know that just off the main street there was a garden oasis about half way between San Ramon and La Fortuna. The Hostess, Maricel, her husband and son were wonderful hosts. They made breakfast for us each day, and we got to practice our Spanish and they their English. It was so peaceful! We got a nighttime tour to see frogs and nocturnal animals. All in all, we would do it again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kate s.

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

Beautiful property!

My family and I had an amazing time here. Maricel and her family were phenomenal hosts, very welcoming and helpful. The property is stunning- we saw so many birds, frogs, fish, etc. right outside our windows. There was plenty of room for all 5 of us as well, and the house had everything we needed. It was a little farther to La Fortuna than I realized, but that’s on me for not checking the map beforehand. It was an easy drive but took about 30-40 minutes to get there. Overall we had a great time and would definitely recommend this location!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Spencer P.

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

Highlight of our trip

We only stayed at this property one night, but wish we had stayed longer. Staying here was one of the highlights of our entire trip to Costa Rica. The house is amazing- clean, beautiful (with handcrafted carpentry work and painted walls). The property that the house is located on is beautiful. The hosts are some of the nicest people that we’ve met on our trip. The gave us a free night tour of their property and showed us the amazing frogs that they have. We even got to hold one of the ones with 7 colors. For an additional cost, we got to eat an amazing Costa Rican breakfast with them in their outdoor kitchen and dining room. If you are hesitant to book this location, don’t be. It’s amazing.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

William G., Elk River, MN USA

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

Like being part of the family in a rainforest paradise

This property is stunning... even better in person than it appears in the listing. It feels like authentic Costa Rica... surrounded by lush jungle. The beautiful original art was all painted by a family member. The best part of this rental, however, is the people... They made us feel completely at home in their beautiful home. They cooked us Tico breakfast in their open-air kitchen. They showed us around their gorgeous property. They taught us about the medicinal plants they are cultivating. They cut open coconuts for us. They let us hold the exotic frogs they are working to protect. They taught us about their history... They made us feel like family. We love them and can't wait to return.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amita

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
We had a most amazing time at gem of a place. We loved company of Mrs Marisel and Anyara. We had breakfast with them everyday. Josh took us for a night frog tour and had amazing knowledge. It was amazing hard work and love he put together in the property. You need a car to get to this place but its worth a try. There is a beautiful private forest behind the house where there are several birds who come during the morning (including at least three tocans), there are also atleast one or two sloths living around in that area but we did not see them. Marisel fed the birds like her babies during the breakfast time. A most amazing adventure, very different than you ever encounter anywhere in costa rica. There art and love of nature in the air. Highly recommend to all travellers. Good luck and hope someday we see you again.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stacy F.

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

Paradise Perfection

We absolutely loved this little piece of paradise. It is about 30 minutes South of La Fortuna in a perfectly quiet and relaxing area. The house was well appointed with the necessities. The kitchen had a coffee pot but we enjoyed using the 2 Costa Rican pour over coffee maker systems. They had a little coffee and sugar for our stay. The master bedroom had a queen bed, twin and crib. It also had an AC. There was a private bathroom too. There was one room with a twin bunk and a twin bed which slept 3. The other bedroom had 1 queen/full. There was another bathroom for secondary bedrooms. The best part - the owner’s son gave us a tour of the farm land one morning. We loved it. We enjoyed fresh coconut water, star fruit, and saw the most amazing frogs. Definitely a must stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie S.

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

Beautiful property with a wonderful tour

This was a wonderful stay for our family. We only stayed one night and it was quite a drive from where we originally came from- we wish we stayed two. But the night tour with Jefferson to see the animals and all the plants was amazing, as was the morning tour. Such a gift to have my children have some experience with a family in Costa Rica. Most of the communication needed to be interpreted through my husband as the host family speaks Spanish and we were English only. However it was still such a welcoming place, very clean. Things to note- I believe the host provides breakfast for stays longer than one day- but this would be important to clarify beforehand. It would be best to arrive before dark as it was a little challenging to find the right place at night. There are sodas and grocery stores nearby for needed items. The lake filled with fish was so fun, the frogs were beautiful, the love of the land by the family was such a great experience for my family.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Erin W.

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

Peaceful, Surrounded by Natural Beauty!

We brought our family of 6 here to experience Costa Rica for the first time. The host family who lives next door on this large property is very welcoming & kind. Anyara greeted us warmly and helped us with anything we needed, including recommendations for restaurants and activities. Some highlights for us were walking around the lake/ponds, getting a guided night tour of the frogs, seeing & tasting coconuts and sugar cane, and eating breakfast they made for us (extra fee of $10/person) on their covered kitchen/patio while we watched different birds come eat from bananas on branches. Helpful to know: there are two close small restaurants (called SODAS) that you can walk to. Both were tasty and not too expensive. We also bought food at a local grocery store (5 min drive) and cooked some of our meals in the kitchen to reduce the cost of meals. It was easy to find the home if you use google maps to take you there. Arrive before dark if possible. (There aren’t many street signs in Costa Rica so following an electronic map is necessary the first time you arrive, then you will get a feel for the area!) We found it helpful to have a rental car and there is a lot to do in this general area so you can explore around to find lots of tourist attractions. Some activities like the volcano hike or Balti Hot Springs are about an hour drive away but the drive is beautiful. We went to a less expensive hot springs (recommended by Ayara) and liked it. Our family loved staying here!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Schelle N.

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

You will not be disappointed!!!

I saw the reviews & the one thing that stood out was the hospitality of the family! Well, it was true! My daughter & I didn’t arrive to the property til very late…after midnight. We flew in from different cities so I had to wait for her at the airport. We then had about 2hr drive to the property. I kept in contact w/ the hosts to give them an ETA. Well, the host, Anjara, was there waiting when we arrived to welcome us!…yes, at midnight! She gave us brief instructions & showed us around the place. The next morning they made breakfast for us! We had a great time getting to know them & they gave us a lot of insight on the culture, which we loved! Anjara showed us their beautiful property! She also gave us some recommendations on activities to do during our stay. We had the opportunity to visit la fortuna falls! We also loved the house we stayed. It was so eclectic! It had so much charm & authenticity! We were told that her husband built it! We were only there for a few days & wish we had more time. But we left to go visit another great city Manuel Antonio! Some of the reviews mentioned the amount of time it takes to get to downtown la fortuna…well, they make it very clear that there is about 30–40min drive. But the drive is beautiful! That’s what makes the stay that much better! I would highly recommend staying here! You will fall in love just as we did! Thank you!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ainslee F.

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

My favorite place in Costa Rica

My family and I stayed here passing through to get to La Fortuna. We only reserved one night and regretted not booking a longer stay once we stepped foot on the property. When we arrived we weren’t sure which property was the correct one but Maricel greeted us at the street so that we could find the correct driveway. She showed us around the place and introduced herself to welcome us and make us feel at home. The home was large and fit five of us very comfortably. There is a large window to watch the animals from the kitchen at the back of the house and there is a trail that leads through the spectacular property. Marcel recommended a soda down the street that we enjoyed for dinner that night. After dinner, her kind daughter, Anyara, gave us a tour of their farm showing us all of the fascinating frogs and wildlife after dark. We arrived late in the evening so we didn’t have time to explore the property during the day. Anyara offered to wake up and show us around the next morning also before we left. Anyara’s father even came over from his work to knock down coconuts from a tree and cut them open to let us try fresh coconut water. This family made us feel like we were at home and were a part of their family. They are so kind and passionate about the land that they live on that has been passed through many generations. Thank you so very much, Maricel, Anyara, and family! If we are ever in Costa Rica again, we will be back to visit you all again.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen C.

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

Authentic and lovely Costa Rica host, home, food and nature!

Ditto to other reviewers - The standout of our 2 night stay was the absolutely gorgeous property (more than a garden) and the warmth of the host/owner. The perks of a nighttime walk by moon light/flashlight around the property as well as the delicious local breakfast served in Marisel’s outdoor kitchen made this visit memorable! The house is spacious, as described, with great Wi-Fi, and two smart TVs. Very clean; suited our needs. My fault, but I did not notice how far from La Fortuna we’d be (30 min drive) however, it gave us the opportunity to enjoy a very nice drive through Costa Rica towns and see the land. The road is good, a few potholes, but definitely better than the gravel and dirt roads that are common. Our kind hostess, Marisel, give us tips on a local, hot/warm springs place right up the road which we enjoyed. We had some great conversations about Costa Rica, that particular area, and their interesting life during breakfast. Her grown son, Jefferson, took his time to show us many varieties of frogs and birds and sample seven types fruit on the evening walk. Memories were made on this trip, we were only there two days, if I had the opportunity, I would love to spend more time at this property! (The driveway to the home is a simple one, barely the width of a car; we found it ok… GPS was accurate. Note: in no way were the hosts intrusive. Her house is a separate driveway and we did not see them other than the scheduled walk and meal! Hope to return someday.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

About the host

Hosted by Maricel Vargas

Host profile image

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests