We stayed six nights with Bettina and Darwin who were wonderful hosts. The three room Casa is quiet, very clean, very good wifi, hot water in the shower, delicious and plentiful cook-to-order breakfast (think eggs, yogurt, fresh fruit "sundaes", croissants/fresh bread, ham & cheese, cafe con leche or hot chocolate or tea with herbs fresh from Bettina's garden (try the lemongrass), and homemade jams with fruit from Darwin's farm). The view overlooking Banos is amazing, but be warned it comes at a price. It's a 10-15 minute walk down into town, a 20-30 minute walk up depending on your fitness, it is a very steep hill, but worth it if you can make the trek. A horse can be arranged to transport you and/or your luggage up the steep walk as no cars or taxis can drive up. We would plan our day to be out and about all day and only have to walk up once at the end of the day - it's lit with street lights so very safe, but bring a small flashlight just in case the electricity goes out. We enjoyed Darwin's chef skills for dinner several times during our stay and Bettina offered a late night sugar cane liquor and a blackberry and limoncello liquor other nights. We also tried her homemade blackberry frozen ice - delicious. They offer through their restaurant lunch and dinner options and beverages to people staying at Banos hotels/hostels and to hikers passing by to the Virgin Statue. We highly recommend La Casa Amarilla and Darwin and Bettina's hospitality and would stay with them again.
