Steve and Nancy were fantastic hosts and they really have a special, breathtaking property. Truely a fantasic experience, go out of your way to stay here.

A beautiful villa set in an incredibly stunning location. We particularly enjoyed the outdoor patio and kitchen area very much and the king size bed was super comfy. I can't emphasize enough how beautiful this setting is. The hosts are very welcoming and were available to answer any questions and/or provide assistance during our stay. A close drive to a grocery store however you feel so far away from any city life here. The bird sights and sounds were pure magic. We would definitely stay here again!

Our Christmas stay was wonderful. After lots of driving and staying in different places landing at Stephen and Nancys place was heavenly. I’m he dogs became our pals immediately and made our stay even more sweet. Orosi was wonderful. We went to the local church for Christmas mass and visited the Irazu volcano at 9 am which was the best time to go to avoid crowds. All and all our stay was great. Stephen surprised us with an apple strudel for our sons birthday which was incredibly delicious and so thoughtful.

Fittingly named, Paradise Peak is nestled in the mountainous forest with gorgeous views. Our trip was in December and the weather was perfect: highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s. (Open windows the whole time!). The villa was nicely appointed with art from all over the world, a very comfortable king size bed (and two single beds upstairs) and a fully equipped kitchen. We enjoyed bird watching every morning (we identified 49 different species!) and hiking the villa grounds marvelling at the wide variety of orchids and heliconias. The hosts live on the grounds and were amazing! Our first day Steve drove us around showing us the local sights and helping us get the lay of the land. Nancy was a wealth of knowledge regarding the gardens that she designed (she also designed the villa!) All in all it was a fantastic trip.

This is a quiet location, clean air and almost void of light pollution as well. We never heard a car or truck, only the river in the valley below. The birds will let you know when it's time to get up. It is decorated with art they have collected through years of travel. .. Plan on visiting the farmer's market early Saturday morning in Paraiso, you will be able to get most of what you need there. Temperatures are perfect by my standards - 60 to 73 F for our visit. Elevation is ~4200', so not much of an issue with altitude. 4WD vehicle highly recommended. Looking for a big screen TV? Wrong place, I mean that in a good way. Great place to unplug and unwind.

You don’t need this review to tell you that Paradise Peak is a gorgeous property with fabulous views set in a wonderful tropical garden and with hosts who are the personification of welcoming generosity. There are 174 other reviews that will provide you with all those details. So this entry offers three pieces of advice to those lucky enough to stay here: 1. Directions: Because Costa Rica has such poor road signage and GPS that doesn’t always lead where are you want, and also because Paradise Peak is in a remote location, directions are a necessity. (Take it from someone who followed GPS into the wilderness until Steve found us and guided us to the property.) Set your GPS for Lankaster Botanical Gardens in Cartago. This will have you take a turn through the right about 2 km past the Cartago Walmart. Instead of turning into Lankester Gardens, continue straight on the bitumen road for a bit less than 3 km. When the road takes a sharp 90° turn to the right, instead of taking the sharp turn, go straight ahead on the dirt road for a little less than 1 km. The property on your left with the name “Riley” on the gate post is home. 2. Vehicle: Some reviews have indicated that you need a 4WD to access Paradise Peak. This is unnecessary. We stayed for three weeks and had absolutely no difficulty navigating the dirt road to the property and the other steep curvy roads in the area. 3. Clothing: Even in December, it can get chilly on the top of the hills overlooking the beautiful view. One week in particular was pretty cloudy and cool, and we we’re glad we had layers. In fact, we wish we had more. During our three weeks, we wore jeans and hoodies a lot more than we wore shorts and T-shirts. But none of that should discourage you from saying here. The place is absolutely gorgeous, and Steve and Nancy are unbelievably hospitable. So this is the 175th five-star review.

Terrific property and hosts. If you want to relax away from it all in a beautiful villa on a beautiful piece of property with a killer view of the mountains and valleys this is the place. My wife and I are typically on the go all day but we found ourselves looking forward to spending the mornings and evenings on the villa's balcony taking in the views of the valley, it's wildlife, and utter peacefulness. The hosts made sure we had everything we needed and more, including a trip around the key roads of the valley we'd need to drive on which proved extremely valuable. Can't wait to go back.

The property is beautiful and an absolute escape from daily stresses of the city. Steve and Nancy were so welcoming, answered all our questions and made sure the lights were on when we arrived "home" late..along with a fresh loaf of bread. We truly felt like the property was a little slice of heaven and wished we had more days to enjoy it. Only item of note, if you do not have a 4WD vehicle, the back entrance is not passable in the rain. Too steep for 2WD so plan accordingly.

The place was perfectly as described and very nice, clean and well stocked. The hosts were so nice and welcoming. Very helpful. We could have talked with them much longer.

Steven and Nancy are the most gracious and hospitable people I have come across in our travels. Nothing was a problem. Their place is astoundingly beautiful. You leave here relaxed and refreshed. Our granddaughter fell in love with Lily and cried when we left. Oscar is also so helpful, he was incredibly patient helping me with our 4wd rental. We will be back, absolutely fell in love with their place and the area. Thank you so much Steven and Nancy you helped set the stage for our stay in Costa Rica and truly your hospitality will not be forgotten. P.s. the strudel was fantastic!

Our stay could not have been better. The property is stunning - we honestly could have never left and been content just sitting on the balcony. The view is amazing. Steve and Nancy, the hosts, are the kindest people who were helpful in every way. It is very obvious how much they love their property and Orosi Valley. One of the best trips we have ever made. We will be back. Would give more stars if we could!

We had a great stay at Paradise Peak. It’s a beautiful property. The hosts were wonderful and had great communication the whole time. We enjoyed the delicious apple bread! My only complaint is that it was warmer than I thought it would be at night and there is no air conditioning so we didn’t sleep well, even with the fans.

The pictures do not do it justice. This is almost off the grid, and it was absolute perfection for us. We were able to completely relax with our kids and found ourselves at the end of the trip not ready to leave. Stephen and Nancy are amazing hosts (the welcome loaf of bread made a wonderful breakfast the next day!) The views and location are gorgeous. We would come back in a heartbeat!

This is a wonderful property, and the pictures cannot do it justice. We spent a-lot of time on the porch, enjoyed cooking in the outdoor kitchen and the comfy bed. The decor is made up of collectibles from the hosts's world travel and so interesting. The views are breathtaking, and you have to see the beautiful landscaping to truly appreciate it. It is hard to comprehend the thoughtfulness, planning and execution of it all. The garden paths goes on forever, and Nancy has done an amazing job. The hosts, Stephen and Nancy, are two very special people, beyond helpful and very personable. They spent a great deal of time talking with us, showing us around, and explaining the wonderful lifestyle opportunities in Costa Rica. The dogs were very well behaved and friendly. There are also many activities available in the area. We hated to leave, but we will be back again shortly and can't wait to.catch up with our wonderful hosts and enjoy the property again! Ron and Lori Justice

Set in the mountains, this is a wonderful spot to cool off and watch the birds and the weather flow through. The hosts are fabulously welcoming and hospitable and it was only a shame we did not plan to stay longer. The place is unique and rustic. This is not a place you worry about matching cooking pan lids or the hot water flow (all of which is perfectly liveable). Pay close attention to the navigation notes and avoid the Google Maps short route from Orosi. A super stay.

A unique garden of more than a hundred species of heliconias nested in a former coffee plantation. Tons of birds and flowers to rejuvenate the senses! The owners have made a huge contribution for the environment and the biodiversity! We salute their hard work, it's really like a little botanical garden... Long life to Stephen and Nancy who bring more colourful lights to this world!

Beautiful, lush oasis in the middle of a rainforest. Villa was quaint with magnificent views. The hosts were wonderful, friendly and very accommodating. We would return again just to sit and visit with Steve and Nancy on their veranda.

Beautiful, lush oasis in the middle of a rainforest. Villa was quaint with magnificent views. The hosts were wonderful, friendly and very accommodating. We would return again just to sit and visit with Steve and Nancy on their veranda.

You need to see this place for yourself because pictures can't do it justice. The vistas are breathtaking! The 12+ acres of gardens present something new to see every day and walking those alone would be all you need for daily exercise. The unit interior and exterior are as pictured. Temps were in the 70's F during the day and perhaps mid-60's at night - we never shut the windows. If you like to observe wildlife and plants, you may never move from the covered deck. We gave up on bird identification (great location for birders!) because we were missing out on seeing the next round of whatever flies through. If you love tropical gardens, prepare to be stunned by the variety and beauty! Heliconias are a special treat. Nancy and Steve could not be better hosts, by far the best we've ever encountered. They can give you ideas on how to spend your day if you want to go exploring and tell you all about the area you're in based on their decades of experience. They'll also connect you with the welcoming expat community. Steve is a great chef, and Nancy carries that formidable list of plants in her head (I'm so impressed by this!) We're keeping them as friends forever! Paraiso is closest for shopping, and Cartago is only a bit further drive. Orosi is not far, opposite direction down the valley. Between all of these places, you will find plenty of options for a nice lunch or stroll. The drive around Lake Cachi is also a nice half-day trip. (It's shorter than you'd expect, looking at a map.) The only challenge can be the last bit of road. We came at the end of October, and the gravel had eroded due to the rains making it quite bumpy. Yet another reason to rent a 4x4 when you come to CR - as if you needed more reasons! It is repaired often. Always rent a 4x4 no matter where you plan to stay in CR! STAY AT PARADISE PEAK! You will never want to leave! We didn't!

Our stay at Stephen and Nancy's villa could not have been better. Stephen was very communicative leading up to our arrival, which streamlined the whole check-in process. The cabin/villa itself is very charming, with breathtaking, million-dollar views of a botanical garden and rainforest beyond. Stephen and Nancy also went above and beyond during our stay to make our stay comfortable and hospitable. The added touch of Stephen making some homemade sweet bread was much appreciated!

Absolutely incredible property complimented by the most wonderful hosts, Nancy and Stephen! Thank you for everything, especially the freshly made apple/walnut/raisin bread, what a treat! We would highly recommend this property to anyone looking to relax and take in the jungle. Hacienda Orosi (Hot Springs) is a must visit as well as exploring the small town of Orosi!

We've had the privilege of staying here before and it didn't disappoint at all on a return trip. Surrounded by tropical foliage and the sound of birds, one is tempted to cancel any further plans of travel around CR and just stay here. There are numerous worthy day trip destinations in the area if you do want to explore a bit. This place tends to book well in advance so do the same if you want to visit. You won't find more accommodating and knowledgeable hosts than Steve & Nancy. We can't wait until our next trip down to this little piece of paradise.

We've had the privilege of staying here before and it didn't disappoint at all on a return trip. Surrounded by tropical foliage and the sound of birds, one is tempted to cancel any further plans of travel around CR and just stay here. There are numerous worthy day trip destinations in the area if you do want to explore a bit. This place tends to book well in advance so do the same if you want to visit. You won't find more accommodating and knowledgeable hosts than Steve & Nancy. We can't wait until our next trip down to this little piece of paradise.

We've had the privilege of staying here before and it didn't disappoint at all on a return trip. Surrounded by tropical foliage and the sound of birds, one is tempted to cancel any further plans of travel around CR and just stay here. There are numerous worthy day trip destinations in the area if you do want to explore a bit. This place tends to book well in advance so do the same if you want to visit. You won't find more accommodating and knowledgeable hosts than Steve & Nancy. We can't wait until our next trip down to this little piece of paradise.

This was the most wonderful 12 day vacation we have ever been on! The villa is nestled amongst the jungle flowers, birds everywhere and sitting on the beautiful porch overlooking the mountains with fog rolling in every morning in the valleys was absolutely breathtaking! We had every convenience necessary plus a cool outdoor kitchen! There is a spiral staircase to a darling loft bedroom with twin beds plus a balcony with table and chairs! This place is perfect for a romantic getaway or a family vacation. You chose!! The location is totally private but yet not that far from town. Your schedule can be as busy as you would like but we found ourselves enjoying a cup of coffee and being mesmerized by the massive mountains we woke up to every day. Steve and Nancy are absolutely wonderful hosts who accommodate you any way possible.! If you’re a dog lover as we are, they have 3 wonderful dogs who also are great hosts, especially Lily!! I could rave about this beautiful villa forever but let me leave you with this. Steve makes a delicious apple strudel that one day he surprised us with and left it warm and ready to eat on the table overlooking the mountains!!! Life couldn’t get any better!!!

This was the most wonderful 12 day vacation we have ever been on! The villa is nestled amongst the jungle flowers, birds everywhere and sitting on the beautiful porch overlooking the mountains with fog rolling in every morning in the valleys was absolutely breathtaking! We had every convenience necessary plus a cool outdoor kitchen! There is a spiral staircase to a darling loft bedroom with twin beds plus a balcony with table and chairs! This place is perfect for a romantic getaway or a family vacation. You chose!! The location is totally private but yet not that far from town. Your schedule can be as busy as you would like but we found ourselves enjoying a cup of coffee and being mesmerized by the massive mountains we woke up to every day. Steve and Nancy are absolutely wonderful hosts who accommodate you any way possible.! If you’re a dog lover as we are, they have 3 wonderful dogs who also are great hosts, especially Lily!! I could rave about this beautiful villa forever but let me leave you with this. Steve makes a delicious apple strudel that one day he surprised us with and left it warm and ready to eat on the table overlooking the mountains!!! Life couldn’t get any better!!!

We loved the property and the owners were amazing!!! Highly recommend :)

We loved the property and the owners were amazing!!! Highly recommend :)

What a perfect view! We came for birding and it was the perfect place! My husband could barely eat breakfast on the deck as the birds kept arriving. We didn’t want to leave for any day trips as the birds kept entertaining us! The views are spectacular. The previous reviews were accurate in their descriptions on how to find the place! Follow their advice. Steve and Nancy were so friendly and helpful. Steve made us the best apple strudel/bread I have ever eaten. Steve took us to the National Hospital in Cartago to get our covid test prior to departure. The grounds are magnificent with paths and gardens created by Nancy. Although the jacuzzi jets are waiting for repair, I still enjoyed a hot outdoor evening bath while we were there. This is a birders paradise. Just sit on the deck and watch. (We named the 5 cecropia trees in front to help communicate location of birds we saw)!

If you are looking for a secluded and scenic mountain retreat with the most welcoming hosts, you have found it! The views are amazing, and Steve and Nancy are delightful retirees who enjoy hosting their guests. We loved staying in the guesthouse, which has a kitchen, small bathroom and a kingsize bed downstairs (kind of a studio), and going up the spiral staircase you will find two single beds in the loft. The main kitchen (bbq and stove) is outdoors behind the guesthouse, which is fine as long as it doesn' t rain too hard.... The main feature, however, is the balcony overlooking the valley. You will spend most of your time there, in particular as the hot tub in the cold evening hours is just wonderful. Speaking of location: you are in the mountains, and the evenings are cold! Our first night was unexpectedly cold, and we wished for warmer PJs and duvets....Also, unless you enjoy steep, curvy and unlit mountain roads, you might want to plan to return to your place during daylight (ie before 6 pm). Tip to finding the place (and yes, you do need a car, and a 4x4 is definitely preferred!): the turn-off is on the road between Cartago and Paraiso, Rt #10. At the end of Cartago, you will pass a Walmart and a big McDonalds sign. About 2 km further, you will pass a Delta gas station (all on Rt #10). After that gas station, you will see a big poster sign for Lankester Gardens to the right - that's your turn-off. You then basically follow that paved road past a small group of houses, past a high walled, barbed-wired compound, past the garbage depot, all the way straight with all the ups and downs, until the road makes a sharp 90 degree right turn (about 3 km into it). There, you continue straight onto a dirt road. You might see the sign for Casa Bartzis - you are on the right track. Do not leave the dirt road until you see on the left side the sign "Riley" - you have arrived! Enjoy! P.S.: My Google Map recognized the location as "Paradise Peak".

If you are looking for a secluded and scenic mountain retreat with the most welcoming hosts, you have found it! The views are amazing, and Steve and Nancy are delightful retirees who enjoy hosting their guests. We loved staying in the guesthouse, which has a kitchen, small bathroom and a kingsize bed downstairs (kind of a studio), and going up the spiral staircase you will find two single beds in the loft. The main kitchen (bbq and stove) is outdoors behind the guesthouse, which is fine as long as it doesn' t rain too hard.... The main feature, however, is the balcony overlooking the valley. You will spend most of your time there, in particular as the hot tub in the cold evening hours is just wonderful. Speaking of location: you are in the mountains, and the evenings are cold! Our first night was unexpectedly cold, and we wished for warmer PJs and duvets....Also, unless you enjoy steep, curvy and unlit mountain roads, you might want to plan to return to your place during daylight (ie before 6 pm). Tip to finding the place (and yes, you do need a car, and a 4x4 is definitely preferred!): the turn-off is on the road between Cartago and Paraiso, Rt #10. At the end of Cartago, you will pass a Walmart and a big McDonalds sign. About 2 km further, you will pass a Delta gas station (all on Rt #10). After that gas station, you will see a big poster sign for Lankester Gardens to the right - that's your turn-off. You then basically follow that paved road past a small group of houses, past a high walled, barbed-wired compound, past the garbage depot, all the way straight with all the ups and downs, until the road makes a sharp 90 degree right turn (about 3 km into it). There, you continue straight onto a dirt road. You might see the sign for Casa Bartzis - you are on the right track. Do not leave the dirt road until you see on the left side the sign "Riley" - you have arrived! Enjoy! P.S.: My Google Map recognized the location as "Paradise Peak".

Very much enjoyed everything about this place, the host couple was helpful and we loved the house we were in. We stayed four nights and did some hiking and birding. Thanks Steve & Nancy