Arenal Green Hotel

The same Tico (local Costa Rican) family has run the property since it opened and there’s a genuine, personal touch in every interaction with the staff. The style throughout the hotel draws heavy inspiration from the surrounding rainforest. There’s liberal use of dark- and medium-toned woods in almost every piece of construction and furniture, creating a treehouse-like aesthetic. The resulting feel is woodsy, and seamlessly blends into the native landscape. Since the single restaurant serves as the only communal space, the social scene is limited to the daily breakfast. As such, things stay quiet here, which is exactly what most guests are searching for when they choose this hotel. Like most properties around La Fortuna, Arenal Green Hotel attracts nature-loving couples and families looking for basic lodging with few frills.

Aside from other small hotels and B&Bs, there’s nothing within walking distance along the lightly trafficked road out front. However, downtown La Fortuna is only five minutes away by car. The small town is among the most tourist-heavy in the country, with restaurants, shops, tour providers, and supermarkets. Rio Fortuna Waterfall — the most popular waterfall in all of Costa Rica — is a five-minute drive in the other direction. One half-hour farther by car leads to Arenal Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most stunning parks for hiking, outdoor adventures, and photo ops. The hotel is approximately a three-hour drive (with typical traffic) from the country’s two main airports — Daniel Oduber (LIR) in Liberia or Juan Santamaria (SJO) in San Jose. The roads to La Fortuna are mostly modern and well-maintained. However, driving a rental car in Costa Rica can prove expensive, confusing, and even dangerous. Shuttle buses are easy to arrange and typically the safest, most affordable airport transportation option.

Heavy use of local teak and mahogany provides guests with an unmistakable sense of place in every bungalow-style cabin. The only splashes of color in each room stem from the mismatched, patterned bed throws and curtains that create a homey vibe. It’s a bit like staying at summer camp if your bunkhouse featured free Wi-Fi, wet bars, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges. A small, private terrace attached to every room provides more space to spread out, plus limited volcano views. A single Family Bungalow upgrades to a spacious, house-like layout with a large, private terrace, a fully equipped kitchen, and three bedrooms, each with a queen bed. Bathrooms are small, clean, and notably dated, with aging tile, worn metal fixtures, and cheap plastic doors on the shower stalls. Generic, pump-style bath soap is provided.

As a tiny property, the list of features is limited to a single restaurant/bar and a smoothie shack next door. For such a small, basic hotel, the restaurant feels large, with a vaulted ceiling and an open-air terrace that faces the street. The decor is well-suited to the hotel’s pared-down aesthetic — only simple wood dining sets and minimal decorative accents. A hot, cooked-to-order breakfast is included daily, and lunch and dinner are available during high season. Every service includes a mix of authentic Costa Rican fare and a few Western-friendly dishes. A small bar at the rear includes a handful of stools, a large flat-screen TV, and a full drink menu. Guests can arrange volcano and nature tours via a small tour desk located just off the lobby. Off-street parking is provided in a large lot, and fast, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.