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Pizza John's Jardin Escondido

| 500 meters east of Arenal Vista Lodge, El Castillo, Arenal Volcano National Park 000000, Costa Rica
2479-1155
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Price range: CAD12 - CAD21
Cuisines: Pizza
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Restaurant details
Good for: Child-friendly, Romantic, Outdoor seating, Special Occasion Dining, Cheap Eats
Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch Spot, Dinner, Takeout, After-hours, Dessert
Description: A Lonely Planet Top choice-featuring handmade pizza, calzones and ice cream. Family Friendly-Open air, casual dining Now featuring FREE WIFI. Come for lunch, stay for dinner.Hours ...Closed Mondays..Open Tuesday thru Sunday 12 pm to 8pm
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191 reviews from our community

97% Recommend
    172
    14
    5
    0
    0
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
lake placid
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013

We loved John as much as John's pizza, it is a cultural experience and such a treat to feel immersed in the local community by this intimate setting. Great food, kids decorated the wall and loved the ice cream. Wen't 3 times in one week.

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See 2 more reviews by juniperevents for El Castillo
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
3 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2013

It's all about the experience at this place. You sit on a 2nd floor lookout of the lake and valley. John is a great host and throws together some good pizzas. I would definitely try and find this place again. You have to go past the school in El Castillo to find it.

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Vienna, Wien, Austria
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013

john is simply one of the most charismatic and amiable persons we have ever met... you have to like him! apart from the delicious pizza, it is the uncomplicated and familiar atmosphere and the very special hosts that make this place so unique. you have to try!! :-)

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Toronto, Canada
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
3 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 May 2013 via mobile

Having met John back in October of 2012, I knew I had to come back. This place is my favorite hangout in the area. John and Mayra are wonderful cooks and hosts. The food as expected is incredible and the company is one of a kind. If you are reading this then you already know you have come. ;).

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See 3 more reviews by RyanMalcolm for El Castillo
Huntington Beach, California, United States
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 May 2013

We stayed at the observatory lodge where we learned of pizza johns. After a long hike at the butterfly conservatory we thought we would try pizza johns. We were so glad we did. Pizza was great but what really makes this place so great John himself and the scenery. We were visited by howler monkeys and after teasing them a... More

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Seattle, Washington
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
4 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 May 2013

It seems really off the beaten path, which it is, but it is not too far from Arenal National Park. Just a really fun dining experience. We thoroughly enjoyed chatting with John about Punk and what brought him to opening up a pizza joint in Costa Rica. He is so personable and easy to talk to. Also, the pizza was... More

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Philomath, Oregon
Senior Contributor
34 reviews 34 reviews
23 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 18 cities Reviews in 18 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2013

We were told that Pizza John's was a great place to visit so we headed out to try to find it. After a couple of wrong turns, we finally found the right turn and drove and drove. What great scenery! We wondered if we had taken another wrong turn when we saw the sign that said we were only 40... More

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Stowe, Vermont
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 April 2013

If you are staying in the La Fortuna/Arenal area - it is worth the 20 minute drive (close to the Zipline) to dinner. It is not your typico Costa Rican restaurant - but is more like a fun surf/beach shack. Pizza is good but the ice cream is outstanding! Ice cream Flavors included Rosemary Honey and coffee - which was... More

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Bogota, Colombia
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
3 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 April 2013 via mobile

For some people finding that little spot that's hard to get to and hard to find is what overseas traveling is all about. If you are that person - this is your place. It's basically like going to someone's house....someone who has dropped off the grid completely and has a pizza oven in his kitchen. The pizza is homemade -... More

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Seattle, WA
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 April 2013 via mobile

Folks this is a relaxing open air dining experience that you will never forget. The location is off the beaten track but that is the beauty. PJ's is in a very small village of 65 people in the shadow of the Arenal volcano. Ex-pat John is a warm and fascinating character that sat down, had a beer with us, and... More

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