Which El Castillo?
There are two El Castillos in Costa Rica travel. One is a village on the south side of Arenal Volcano, home to the Butterfly Conservatory. This page is about El Castillo the hotel, in Ojochal on the south Pacific coast. Our 2015 page mixed the two up. The hotel is the one we're profiling here, rechecked in October 2026, when its site was current and taking bookings.
What it's like
El Castillo is a Mediterranean-style mansion on a hillside about 300 ft above the Pacific, at Ojochal, a small village known for its restaurants on the Costa Ballena. The view from the cliffside infinity pool is the reason most people book. Costa Rica Journeys has its own Hotel El Castillo write-up if you'd like a second look.
There are 9 rooms: two spa suites, two ocean-view suites, three ocean-view rooms, a two-bedroom owner's suite and a garden room. All have king beds and private terraces. Meals are served at Castillo's Kitchen, an open-air restaurant with Costa Rican and seafood dishes, and there's a spa room with a garden and jacuzzi. The hotel also hosts weddings and small yoga and wellness retreats.
What to do from here
The staff book tours with local guides, including:
- Whale and dolphin watching and snorkeling at Caño Island
- Hiking in Corcovado National Park and a boat trip on the Sierpe River mangroves
- Ziplining, waterfall rappelling and ATV tours
- Surf, kayaking and sportfishing
Marino Ballena National Park, with its famous whale's-tail sandbar at Uvita, is a short drive north, and Playa Ventanas with its sea caves is close by.
Where it fits in a trip
The Costa Ballena, from Dominical down to Ojochal, is a good middle ground between busy Manuel Antonio and the remote Osa. Three nights here fits well after Manuel Antonio, with a Corcovado or Caño Island day trip that saves you a separate stay on the peninsula. See our Osa Peninsula guide and 10-day itinerary.
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
It suits couples and honeymooners who want a small hotel with a view and good food on site. The hillside setting means it's not beachfront, and you'll want a car or transfers to reach beaches and towns.
Getting there
Ojochal is on the Costanera Sur coastal highway, south of Uvita and Dominical. Most travelers drive or take a shuttle from San José or Manuel Antonio. The hotel can help arrange transfers when you book.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the El Castillo near Arenal?
No. This hotel is in Ojochal on the south Pacific coast. El Castillo village near Arenal is a different place.
How many rooms does it have?
Nine, all with ocean or garden views and private terraces.
Is it on the beach?
No. It's on a hillside about 300 ft above the Pacific.
Can the hotel book tours?
Yes. The staff book whale watching, Caño Island, Corcovado, ziplining and more.
