This 27-acre, upper-middle-range property of 82 one-story bungalows feels almost like its own sprawling town, and the working dairy farm is a highlight -- it supplies the hotel with milk, and guests are welcome to milk the cows. Both hot and cold spring pools with swim-up bars are on offer. The property is not too secluded, however, as La Fortuna is within a 15-minute drive. The rooms are modern (if a bit lacking in local character) and offer plenty of privacy, as each takes up one half of a bungalow; all have terraces with volcano views. Those who want a similar experience that's closer to town may prefer El Silencio del Campo (if they're OK with a hotel that's a little more worn-in) or Arenal Volcano Inn (if they don't need as much privacy).
This 27-acre, upper-middle-range property of 82 one-story bungalows feels almost like its own sprawling town, and the working dairy farm is a highlight -- it supplies the hotel with milk, and guests are welcome to milk the cows. Both hot and cold spring pools with swim-up bars are on offer. The property is not too secluded, however, as La Fortuna is within a 15-minute drive. The rooms are modern (if a bit lacking in local character) and offer plenty of privacy, as each takes up one half of a bungalow; all have terraces with volcano views. Those who want a similar experience that's closer to town may prefer El Silencio del Campo (if they're OK with a hotel that's a little more worn-in) or Arenal Volcano Inn (if they don't need as much privacy).
Luxurious in every way, the 16-room, adult-only resort Nayara Springs is the top resort in the area for couples seeking romance and privacy -- but who can do without volcano views. Large, rustic-luxe rooms have a bevy of free amenities (free minibar items, free international calls) and gadgets (Bluetooth music players, espresso machines), all of which you pay for in the room rate. Its nearest competitor is the Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens, which happens to be its family-friendly sister property next door (volcano views are on offer there). The hotel is only a 15-minute ride into the town of La Fortuna, but most guests seem to spend the majority of their time on the property.
Luxurious in every way, the 16-room, adult-only resort Nayara Springs is the top resort in the area for couples seeking romance and privacy -- but who can do without volcano views. Large, rustic-luxe rooms have a bevy of free amenities (free minibar items, free international calls) and gadgets (Bluetooth music players, espresso machines), all of which you pay for in the room rate. Its nearest competitor is the Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens, which happens to be its family-friendly sister property next door (volcano views are on offer there). The hotel is only a 15-minute ride into the town of La Fortuna, but most guests seem to spend the majority of their time on the property.
Set in the shadow of Arenal Volcano, Hotel Arenal Montechiari offers quaint, garden-style budget lodging just a 10-minute walk from the shops, restaurants, and tour operators on La Fortuna's tourist-friendly strip. The 21 rustic, cabin-style rooms all include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges, plus private porches with volcano views. A lovely outdoor pool and open-air restaurant help set it apart from dozens of similar hotels in the area. However, the restaurant hours are limited to non-existent in low season, and Wi-Fi is spotty away from the lobby. Brisas Arenal Hotel lacks a decent pool but offers more seclusion and rooms, with a bit more sophistication, for less money.
Set in the shadow of Arenal Volcano, Hotel Arenal Montechiari offers quaint, garden-style budget lodging just a 10-minute walk from the shops, restaurants, and tour operators on La Fortuna's tourist-friendly strip. The 21 rustic, cabin-style rooms all include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges, plus private porches with volcano views. A lovely outdoor pool and open-air restaurant help set it apart from dozens of similar hotels in the area. However, the restaurant hours are limited to non-existent in low season, and Wi-Fi is spotty away from the lobby. Brisas Arenal Hotel lacks a decent pool but offers more seclusion and rooms, with a bit more sophistication, for less money.
Situated on La Fortuna’s main tourist strip, Arenal Hostel Resort offers budget accommodations with a solid list of amenities (for a hostel). A casual, tiki-bar-style restaurant, pool, and swim-up bar are surprising touches while a relaxed garden courtyard offers hammocks and teak outdoor dining tables. Entry-level dorm rooms are minimal and functional with only bunk beds, air-conditioning, and ensuite bathrooms. Upgraded private rooms additionally offer flat-screen TVs with cable and shared, furnished balconies overlooking the garden. Hostel Backpackers La Fortuna offers similarly priced and appointed accommodations with a larger pool.
Situated on La Fortuna’s main tourist strip, Arenal Hostel Resort offers budget accommodations with a solid list of amenities (for a hostel). A casual, tiki-bar-style restaurant, pool, and swim-up bar are surprising touches while a relaxed garden courtyard offers hammocks and teak outdoor dining tables. Entry-level dorm rooms are minimal and functional with only bunk beds, air-conditioning, and ensuite bathrooms. Upgraded private rooms additionally offer flat-screen TVs with cable and shared, furnished balconies overlooking the garden. Hostel Backpackers La Fortuna offers similarly priced and appointed accommodations with a larger pool.
If you ever wanted to live Jurassic Park (without eaten-by-dinosaurs part), this mid-range property might help fulfill that dream. This all-inclusive, 864-acre, 48-room property on a mountain has some of the best views in the area of both the lake and the volcano, and allows guests to be immersed in the rainforest, with its birds, monkeys, and snakes. The spacious, homey, slightly rustic rooms have commanding views of the surrounding trees -- which may help guests forget that there are no TVs or ACs. The hotel's the only one in the area actually inside the national park, and is also among the most remote from La Fortuna, though there is local shuttle service. It's hard to find comparable properties in the area, but it may be worth considering Arenal Lodge, which also has great views and a rainforest setting.
If you ever wanted to live Jurassic Park (without eaten-by-dinosaurs part), this mid-range property might help fulfill that dream. This all-inclusive, 864-acre, 48-room property on a mountain has some of the best views in the area of both the lake and the volcano, and allows guests to be immersed in the rainforest, with its birds, monkeys, and snakes. The spacious, homey, slightly rustic rooms have commanding views of the surrounding trees -- which may help guests forget that there are no TVs or ACs. The hotel's the only one in the area actually inside the national park, and is also among the most remote from La Fortuna, though there is local shuttle service. It's hard to find comparable properties in the area, but it may be worth considering Arenal Lodge, which also has great views and a rainforest setting.
This 20-bungalow mid-range property with the feeling of an adults summer camp offers a convenient home base five minutes from La Fortuna. It packs in privacy and comfort for families and couples, though the ugly high-rise looming overhead ruins any illusion of seclusion. Bungalows are simple wooden cabins that are bigger on the inside than they appear outside, and provide a surprising amount of privacy, thanks to careful placement. Other draws include the extra-hot hot springs and a hotel bar that stays open later than most others nearby. The property offers more personality than the nearby Arenal Volcano Inn, but true hot-springs lovers may prefer the pricier Tabacon up the road.
This 20-bungalow mid-range property with the feeling of an adults summer camp offers a convenient home base five minutes from La Fortuna. It packs in privacy and comfort for families and couples, though the ugly high-rise looming overhead ruins any illusion of seclusion. Bungalows are simple wooden cabins that are bigger on the inside than they appear outside, and provide a surprising amount of privacy, thanks to careful placement. Other draws include the extra-hot hot springs and a hotel bar that stays open later than most others nearby. The property offers more personality than the nearby Arenal Volcano Inn, but true hot-springs lovers may prefer the pricier Tabacon up the road.
This nine-room eco-hotel with a working farm is about as unique as you'll find in the Arenal region. Mid-range rooms range from wood cabins perched over the rainforest to the truly unusual Hobbit Hole, which is like staying in cross between a Tolkien-esque fairytale burrow and the Flintstones' living room. They may not come with modern conveniences such as TV and AC, but they have marvelous views. The hotel is remote (the word "retreat" in the name should be taken quite literally), and requires a long trip (more than a half-hour drive) from La Fortuna over treacherous roads. Finca Luna Nueva Lodge is a slightly cheaper eco-friendly, remote farm hotel, but its rooms aren't as characterful.
This nine-room eco-hotel with a working farm is about as unique as you'll find in the Arenal region. Mid-range rooms range from wood cabins perched over the rainforest to the truly unusual Hobbit Hole, which is like staying in cross between a Tolkien-esque fairytale burrow and the Flintstones' living room. They may not come with modern conveniences such as TV and AC, but they have marvelous views. The hotel is remote (the word "retreat" in the name should be taken quite literally), and requires a long trip (more than a half-hour drive) from La Fortuna over treacherous roads. Finca Luna Nueva Lodge is a slightly cheaper eco-friendly, remote farm hotel, but its rooms aren't as characterful.
Situated just off La Fortuna's main strip, the two-and-a-half-pearl Hotel Las Colinas is ideally located to explore the area around the famous Arenal Volcano. One of the taller buildings in downtown, it's a cheerful place that includes nice perks like a free hot breakfast. The open-air terrace with lovely views of Arenal Volcano is a highlight, and spa treatments are -- surprisingly - available. Each of the 19 rooms is basic, but clean and bright, with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and a small flat-screen TV. Upgraded rooms have mini-fridges and small, private balconies. Those seeking something even more budget friendly should check out the nearby Arenal Hostel Resort, a two-pearl alternative with many of the same amenities.
Situated just off La Fortuna's main strip, the two-and-a-half-pearl Hotel Las Colinas is ideally located to explore the area around the famous Arenal Volcano. One of the taller buildings in downtown, it's a cheerful place that includes nice perks like a free hot breakfast. The open-air terrace with lovely views of Arenal Volcano is a highlight, and spa treatments are -- surprisingly - available. Each of the 19 rooms is basic, but clean and bright, with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and a small flat-screen TV. Upgraded rooms have mini-fridges and small, private balconies. Those seeking something even more budget friendly should check out the nearby Arenal Hostel Resort, a two-pearl alternative with many of the same amenities.
The beautiful Arenal Nayara's 44 individual bungalows, restaurant, wine bar, and spa are all tucked into incredibly lush grounds. Some of the amenities are small (pool, spa, fitness center), but guests come here for the private bungalows with special touches like an outdoor garden shower and a deck with a hot tub and hammock. It's more luxurious than nearby Arenal Kioro, but Kioro's rooms have better volcano views. Couples may also want to consider the adult-only sister property next door, Nayara Springs.
The beautiful Arenal Nayara's 44 individual bungalows, restaurant, wine bar, and spa are all tucked into incredibly lush grounds. Some of the amenities are small (pool, spa, fitness center), but guests come here for the private bungalows with special touches like an outdoor garden shower and a deck with a hot tub and hammock. It's more luxurious than nearby Arenal Kioro, but Kioro's rooms have better volcano views. Couples may also want to consider the adult-only sister property next door, Nayara Springs.
The 98-room, upper-middle-range Los Lagos is the Disneyland of Arenal, with a water park, small zoo, and hotel all rolled up into a 1,050-acre property. It appeals to families with young children, but may turn off international travelers looking for that “authentic” Costa Rican experience. Rooms are functional but rather bland and cramped -- you can tell that they're mainly meant as recharging stations for families who want to spend most of their time in the pools, zip-lines, or trying to make the alligator blink. The hotel is a 10-minute ride from La Fortuna, but couples with bigger budgets wanting a fancier water-based experience may want to venture a little farther out to the posher, less frenetic Nayara Hotel or Tabacon Hot Springs.
The 98-room, upper-middle-range Los Lagos is the Disneyland of Arenal, with a water park, small zoo, and hotel all rolled up into a 1,050-acre property. It appeals to families with young children, but may turn off international travelers looking for that “authentic” Costa Rican experience. Rooms are functional but rather bland and cramped -- you can tell that they're mainly meant as recharging stations for families who want to spend most of their time in the pools, zip-lines, or trying to make the alligator blink. The hotel is a 10-minute ride from La Fortuna, but couples with bigger budgets wanting a fancier water-based experience may want to venture a little farther out to the posher, less frenetic Nayara Hotel or Tabacon Hot Springs.