Villa Decary

Overlooking the majestic and pristine Lake Arenal and the beautiful Tilaran mountains is Villa Decary. The Lake Arenal region is a special area of Costa Rica, uncrowded and unspoiled. At an elevation of 1800 feet, it is blessed with a uniquely temperate climate of cool nights and warm days.

Description

Overlooking the majestic and pristine Lake Arenal and the beautiful Tilaran mountains is Villa Decary.

The Lake Arenal region is a special area of Costa Rica, uncrowded and unspoiled.

At an elevation of 1800 feet, it is blessed with a uniquely temperate climate of cool nights and warm days.

Nature abounds in its enchanted rainforest.

This magical area is rich with lush and varied plant life, beautifully colored butterflies, more than 250 species of birds, and troupes of shy roaming howler monkeys.

This is a true middle elevation rainforest set in the hills of Costa Rica at the edge of Lake Arenal.

Affordable and relaxed, the gay-owned and operated Hotel Villa Decary is nestled in a green hillside, within a botanical garden of exotic tropical plants and palm trees from around the world. It is located just east of the charming and tiny Tico town of Nuevo Arenal, a safe 14 miles from the active and popular Arenal Volcano and hot springs.

Each spacious room has its own entry and private tiled bathroom with a hot shower built to international standards.

The rooms are colorfully accented with beautiful fabrics from Guatemala and decorative items made by the Chorotega Indians, complementing the workmanship of local Costa Rican artisans who have crafted the fine wood doors and furnishings.

Every unit has a private balcony or deck with scenic views overlooking Lake Arenal, the rainforest and mountains.

As a country inn, the hotel offers hiking trails around the property for viewing the large collection of tropical plants and to investigate the rainforest environment, where you just may see a family of nesting turkeys, the Red-Eyed Tree Frog, the elusive White-collared Manakin or the distinctive Yellow-throated Euphonia. Binoculars and Costa Rican birding books are available for your use.

When planning your Costa Rican vacation, consider Lake Arenal as a perfectly peaceful and relaxing stop between the bustling tourist towns of La Fortuna at the Arenal Volcano and Santa Elena, site of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Our opinion

Villa Decary has numerous virtues to recommend.

The paved road encircling much of Lake Arenal, from Tilaran to the dam leading toward Fortuna, does not receive the attention or press of roads in the more touristy areas with views of hot-springs and the volcano west of La Fortuna, but it has its own decided charms — not least of which is the uncluttered nature of this length of road, with a lovely lake-view ambiance. 

There are also a number of excellent restaurants, with their own great views, which are highly customized and different from the more generic restaurants catering primarily to tourists just passing through

Deluxe Rooms

Located in the main building, deluxe rooms are bright, spacious and contemporary. Each room features a large picture window and private balcony or deck. There is one queen-sized and one double bed. The stunning views overlook the lake, rainforest and mountains.

Casita Zombia

This room Is a separate bungalow studio apartment with kitchenette. It has one queen-sized and one double bed. Casita Zombia is near the main building and has excellent views from the wide veranda overlooking the lake, rainforest, our gardens and the mountains

Casita Serenoa

A separate bungalow with one bedroom plus combined full kitchen and living area, the Casita Serenoa’s location is high on a hillside with wonderful views of the lake, rainforest and mountains from your private deck.

There is one queen-sized bed and a set of bunk beds.

Casita Letania

This casita Is a separate bungalow with one bedroom plus a combined full kitchen and living area.

The  location is very high on a hillside with spectacular views of lake, rainforest and mountains from your private deck.

There is one queen-sized and one full-sized bed.