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Arenal Lodge

Customer Reviews
5 of 55 of 55 of 55 of 55 of 5
Based on 3 reviews
Prices
Starting at $131 (USD) / night
Suggested Nights Stay: 3 Nights

Surrounded by thousands of miles of lush jungle, the Arenal Lodge is an excellent base of operations from which to take in La Fortuna & Arenal Volcano’s grandest sights.

Overview

Amazing room view of Arenal Volcano
Amazing room view of Arenal Volcano

Experience a Tropical Paradise at the Arenal Lodge


No Costa Rica vacation is complete without a trip to one of the country’s most famous rainforests. The best way to experience everything this tropical paradise has to offer is to stay right in the heart of one, and you can do just that at the Arenal Lodge!

The Arenal Lodge, which gets its name from the nearby Arenal Volcano, is located in Alajuela, in the volcano city of La Fortuna. It is about 115 kilometers (72 miles) northwest of the San José International Airport, and can be reached by car or shuttle bus. While it’s a bit of a trip, the journey is more than worth it to stay in a truly unique hotel and surrounding area.

All rooms at the Arenal Lodge were created with nature in mind. They offer incredible views of the rainforest and volcano from the balcony or bedside, with especially spacious interiors designed for maximum comfort. Free on-site parking is available for guest convenience.

The resort property also includes many amenities, such as the large swimming pool, billiards tables, and outdoor hot tubs. Be sure to stroll through the garden, which is home to many species of birds and butterflies.

Due to the secluded nature of many of the rooms, it’s well-liked by couples, but it’s also a great family hotel, with plenty of big and conjoined suites for larger groups. There is an indoor playroom for kids, as well as an outdoor playground. The property and rooms are also pet friendly.

Key Features

Birdwatching with amazing views at Arenal Lodge
Birdwatching with amazing views at Arenal Lodge
  • Walking Trails on Property
  • Children's Playground
  • Gym and Spa
  • Sportfishing in Lake Arenal
  • Two Jacuzzis in the Garden Area
  • Swimming Pool
  • Bar with a Pool Table
  • Family Board & Card Games in the Lobby
  • Horseback Riding
  • Beautiful Gardens
  • Bird Watching with Dozens of Different Species
  • Natural Hot Spring Nearby
Prices
Starting at $131 (USD) / night
Suggested Nights Stay: 3 Nights

Amenities

Air Conditioning
Bar
Breakfast Included
Cable TV
Daily Maid Service
Family Friendly
Fan
Fitness Center
Gift Shop
Hair Dryer
Handicapped Accessible
Hotel near Forest
Hotel near Volcano
Internet Available
Iron Available
Jacuzzi
Laundry Service
Packages Available
Pool
Restaurant On Site
Room Service
Security Box
Smoke Free Rooms
Spa
Telephone in Room
Tour Desk
Wi-Fi Internet

Rooms

Family suite at Arenal Lodge
Family suite at Arenal Lodge

At the Arenal Lodge, you can enjoy the sweeping views of the Arenal Volcano and rainforest from the comfort of your room.

From family-size suites to private bungalows and everything in between, groups of all sizes are sure to find the perfect accommodations at the lodge!

Suites


Suites at the Arenal Lodge offer amazing views of the rainforest and Arenal Volcano. Recline in bed or step out onto a private balcony, where you may spot howler monkeys, frogs, butterflies, and unique species of birds. Suites provide extra space and come in multiple layouts, including Junior, Master, and Honeymoon.

Junior suites contain one or two queen beds as well as a sofa bed, and can sleep up to five people. The Honeymoon suite has a single king bed and a jacuzzi, making it perfect for couples.

The largest suite of all, the Master suite, has two queen beds plus an additional sitting room and a large private balcony with a fantastic view of the Arenal Volcano. The privacy of this suite makes it a great choice for longer vacation stays.

All suites come equipped with a fridge, microwave, coffeemaker, safe, phone, hair dryer, and cable TV, as well as private bathrooms. While the rainforest climate is typically comfortable, air-conditioning is available in most suites.

Bungalows


Bungalow rooms offer additional privacy, so they’re a popular choice for couples seeking a tropical getaway with minimal risk of being disturbed. While they’re built as separate chalets, guests can still enjoy an incredible view of the Arenal Volcano, lake, and surrounding landscape thanks to the panoramic, floor-to-ceiling windows.

Bungalows can sleep as many as five people, with two queen beds and a pull-out sofa bed. They include standard amenities like WiFi, TV, and air-conditioning, as well as a mini kitchenette outfitted with a microwave, small fridge, and coffeemaker.

Twins


While twin rooms may be smaller in size, single guests or groups of two will still find them to be more than large enough for comfort!

These rooms have private bathrooms, and they are conveniently located near the hotel restaurant and lobby, making them perfect for people who desire a more active vacation.

Twin room amenities include a safe, coffeemaker, hair dryer, telephone, alarm clock, and cable TV.

Apartments


Family suites at the Arenal Lodge are styled as connected apartment rooms, one with a queen bed and one with two twin beds, as well as a bathroom in each apartment and a separate living room.

They sleep up to six people, which makes them perfect for larger families traveling with kids. Additionally, apartments offer easy access to the rainforest trail and hummingbird garden, and they are accessible for people in wheelchairs.

Like suites, apartment rooms have many convenient amenities to ensure all guests have a comfortable stay. The kitchen area includes a minifridge, microwave oven, and coffeemaker, and the rooms offer free WiFi, air-conditioning, and cable TV.

Prices
Starting at $131 (USD) / night
Suggested Nights Stay: 3 Nights

Activities

Tour the Arenal Volcano Area


There are plenty of exciting activities available near the hotel in the Arenal Volcano & Northern Lowlands, especially for adventurous vacationers!

Explore the area on a guided tour, go rafting, or seek adventure on a hike or horseback ride through the rainforest.

Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, and Hot Springs Tour


Visiting the Arenal Volcano is an absolute must when you’re staying right next door!

An Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, and Hot Springs Tour allows you to see multiple local landmarks, each of which showcases a different aspect of Costa Rica’s natural majesty.

During the tour, you’ll travel around La Fortuna, soaking in the incredible views of the volcano, waterfall, and surrounding rainforest. You’ll also get to enjoy an authentic local meal, learn about history, and even soak in a natural hot spring.

Arenal National Park: Hanging Bridges Small Group Tour


Arenal Volcano National Park features many suspension bridges that provide a birds-eye view of the jungle canopy. On the Arenal National Park: Hanging Bridges Small Group Tour, you’ll get to experience the lush jungle like you’ve never seen it before: from the sky!

This is an incredible experience for nature lovers, as you’ll have a chance to see wild pigs, snakes, dozens of species of birds, and even monkeys in their natural habitat. Your tour guide will ensure you have a safe and exciting trip as they answer questions and guide your group toward the best spots for wildlife photography.

Arenal Rafting Upper Balsa Class 3 and 4 Rapids


Looking for an exciting way to see Costa Rica? Try traveling by river!

Arenal Rafting Upper Balsa Class 3 and 4 Rapids is a white-water rafting trip that’s perfect for thrill-seekers. Travel down the Balsa River, enjoy the atmosphere, and encounter local wildlife like exotic birds, monkeys, and sloths. You can even take a dip in the river at calmer sections.

Explore 2,000 Acres of Lush Rainforest


The Arenal Lodge is located in a massive tropical rainforest that is just begging to be explored!

The forest has plenty of hiking trails that allow you to experience its natural beauty up-close and personal. Additionally, be sure to keep an eye out for the gorgeous flowers and other plants that are unlike anything else in the world, not to mention the wide array of wildlife.

In the rainforest, you can find hundreds of animal species, from butterflies and frogs to larger creatures like sloths and monkeys. It’s also a great place for birdwatching, as is the nearby Cloud Forest.

Horseback Riding


Guided horseback riding tours are a great way to experience the sights of La Fortuna.

The Arenal Lodge offers horseback tours with an experienced guide. These tours are family-friendly, and they offer a more relaxing alternative to hiking through the rainforest on foot.

Tours Offered

ATV Riding
Bird Watching
Butterfly Farm
Canoeing
Canopy Tours / Zip Line
Canyoning
Family Friendly Tours
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Kayaking
Mountain Biking
National Park / Reserve Tours
Night Hikes
Sportfishing
Swimming
Wildlife Viewing

Rates

Prices Starting at $131 (USD) / night
Click the Check Rates button to see detailed pricing.

Location & Map

Arenal Volcano & Northern Highlands Map
Arenal Volcano & Northern Highlands Map
Arenal Lodge is 200 meters N.W. of the dam of Arenal Lake

Customer Reviews for Arenal Lodge

Overall Rating
5 of 55 of 55 of 55 of 55 of 5
Based on 3 reviews

5 of 55 of 55 of 55 of 55 of 5
Mark
From: United States11/23/2009
 
"Arenal Lodge: A Slice of Heaven

Hello All!

We are booking our 5th trip to the Arenal Lodge, set for August of 2010. That sums up this review another chance to visit a slice of heaven!

Our first visit was in 1995 -- before this part of Costa Rica became a popular tourist destination. We planned the typical trip: a day in San Jose, 3 days at the Arenal Lodge, and 3 days on the beach. After our first day at the Arenal Lodge, we cancelled the rest of the trip -- and stayed until our flight home.

It wasn't just the Lodge "Volcan Arenal" is the star attraction. We hiked around the volcano, and through the triple-canopy jungle. When we returned, happy and tired, the Lodge beckoned -- a friendly and happy place to relax. The restaurant was excellent too no need to drive into town. In a word, perfect.

In 1995, La Fortuna was a quaint little town. With the tourism boom, dozens of small hotels have popped up. That's one of the nice things about the Arenal Lodge -- it is located a few miles from the bustle of La Fortuna, on a hill in the middle of a large natural preserve. When we relax in the evening, the only thing we hear are the frogs, howler monkeys, birds -- and the occasional roar from Volcan Arenal.

If you like to hike, there are many trails in the area. A few suggestions:

> The National Park trail at the foot of the volcano. For a small entrance fee, you can hike to one of the lava flows -- which was still steaming when we visited in 1995. The view of the towering volcano is excellent, and the trail is on the active side. (As close as you can approach, due to periodic pyroclastic flows that race down the side.)

> The "Hanging Bridges" path through the jungle, with suspension bridges that carry you through the tree tops. The casado at the restaurant is excellent -- a nice break after your hike.

> If you have kids (or feel like one) and arrive between June and October, bring headlamps -- and search for the frogs that create a chorus at night, in the ponds in front of the Lodge. They are amazing.

> The view from the Arenal Observatory Lodge is not to be missed -- as close as you can safely come to this active volcano. We like to drive out to the Observatory, hike some of the trails, then relax with a late lunch and cerveza. (Note: the road to the Observatory is rough an SUV is recommended. The view at night is also spectacular, when red-hot lava boulders cascade down the side of the volcano.)

> River rafting on the Sarapiqui was lots of fun. You can drive there if you have a rental, or book a tour with the Lodge.

> We also like to kayak through the jungle on the Rio Frio -- a river that runs through the spectacular Cano Negro preserve north of the Lodge, near the border with Nicaragua. The kayaks are simple sit-on-tops, and the river is flat and slow you don't need any experience. As you float silently through the jungle, you can see wildlife that would never be visible on foot. During our last trip, we saw all three types of monkeys that live in this part of Costa Rica. Sunset Tours runs this adventure, with transportation, kayaks etc. The guides are excellent. You can book it at the Lodge.

We also like to kayak on the large lake in front Volcan Arenal. (Kayaks are available for rent.)

> My wife says that the horseback riding available at the Lodge is excellent the guide is a true 'horse whisperer'.

We typically spend 7+ days at the Lodge -- our 'base camp' for hiking, rafting, kayaking and tours across the region.

Four caveats:

> If you hike in the jungle, remember that this is their home -- not yours. On our last hike through the Hanging Bridges, we saw a (beautiful) "eyelash viper" sleeping on a leaf. A jumping pit viper was curled up in the sun on another trail. Take is slow, and watch where you walk.

> You might think that this is the place to go in January, but too warm in August. In fact, we prefer August. There is virtually no difference in temperature or rainfall, and the frogs are out. Tourist traffic is down, airfare is cheaper, and room rates fall.

> The volcano does not appear or perform on schedule, like Disneyland. If weather blows in, Arenal may be shrouded in clouds for a couple of days. She may sleep for a while. That's one of the down-sides of the typical two-day trip. You may miss the show.

> If you are planning your first trip to Costa Rica, you may be wondering whether this is a good destination for kids and families. In a word, yes! Costa Rica is peaceful and the Arenal Lodge is a safe place, full of adventure.

I hope your trip is as magical as ours have been!

Mark Hays"
 
Number of times you have visited this Hotel?
4
How friendly were the employees?
5 (very nice)
Would you stay there again?
Yes
Languages spoken at Hotel?
Spanish, English
How many times have you visited Costa Rica?
4
 

5 of 55 of 55 of 55 of 55 of 5
Heather
From: United States12/22/2008
 
"Don and I have arrived to enjoy our honeymoon. We are trying our best to speak the language and are having fun seeing the wild life outside our porch! Thank you for your hospitality and good company!"
 
Number of times you have visited this Hotel?
2
How friendly were the employees?
5 (very nice)
Would you stay there again?
Yes
Languages spoken at Hotel?
Spanish, English
How many times have you visited Costa Rica?
2
 

5 of 55 of 55 of 55 of 55 of 5
Cerise
From: United States12/22/2008
 
"Words can not express how beautiful this place is! Our stay was the vacation of a life time. The view, the food, the people... all fantastico! What a magical and mystical place. We will definetely return. Thanks for making our honeymoon so memorable."
 
Number of times you have visited this Hotel?
1
How friendly were the employees?
5 (very nice)
Would you stay there again?
Yes
Languages spoken at Hotel?
Spanish, English
How many times have you visited Costa Rica?
1
 

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