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Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

3.0 star property
Colonial lodge with a full-service spa and free breakfast

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Photo gallery for Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

1 bedroom, in-room safe, bed sheets
Terrace/patio
Poolside bar
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; international cuisine
1 bedroom, in-room safe, bed sheets
VIP Access

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Pool

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Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 5 of 5 rooms

View all photos for House Economy - Shared Bathroom - Private Room

1 bedroom, in-room safe, bed sheets

House Economy - Shared Bathroom - Private Room

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(5 reviews)

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Yard
Ceiling fan
Separate bedroom
Eco-friendly toiletries
2 bathrooms
Coffee/tea maker
Daily housekeeping
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Superior Room, Mountain View

1 bedroom, in-room safe, bed sheets

Superior Room, Mountain View

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(29 reviews)

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Yard
Free cribs/infant beds
Ceiling fan
Separate bedroom
Eco-friendly toiletries
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
  • 20 sq m
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for White Hawk Villa

1 bedroom, in-room safe, bed sheets

White Hawk Villa

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Yard
Free cribs/infant beds
Separate bedroom
Ceiling fan
Eco-friendly toiletries
Coffee/tea maker
Daily housekeeping
  • 20 sq m
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 8
  • 2 King Beds, 2 Twin Beds and 2 Twin Trundle Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

1 bedroom, in-room safe, bed sheets

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(24 reviews)

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Yard
Free cribs/infant beds
Ceiling fan
Separate bedroom
Eco-friendly toiletries
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
  • 25 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Phil's Villa + Waterfall

1 bedroom, in-room safe, bed sheets

Phil's Villa + Waterfall

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Yard
Ceiling fan
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Eco-friendly toiletries
3 bathrooms
Coffee/tea maker
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 10
  • 3 Queen Beds
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About the neighborhood

Map
22 km Oeste de la Fortuna de San Carlos, 1.7 km del Volcán Arenal, La Fortuna, Alajuela, 21007

What's nearby

  • Costa Rica Sky Adventures - 11 min drive - 4.6 km
  • Arenal Volcano National Park - 22 min drive - 12.2 km
  • Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park - 28 min drive - 15.4 km
  • Ecotermales Fortuna - 32 min drive - 21.6 km
  • La Fortuna Waterfall - 43 min drive - 28.2 km

Getting around

  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal) - 50 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Virgita Ristorante - ‬28 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Río Lounge - ‬39 min drive
  • ‪Agua Ardiente Pool Bar - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪Red Frog Coffee Roaster - ‬31 min drive
  • ‪North Fields Café - ‬32 min drive

About this property

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

Family-friendly lodge near Lake Arenal
Located close to Costa Rica Sky Adventures and La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails provides free cooked-to-order breakfast, a terrace, and a garden. Active travelers can enjoy ecotours, horseback riding, and hiking/biking at this lodge. Treat yourself to a hot stone massage, a body wrap, or a body treatment at the onsite spa. The on-site international cuisine family restaurant, El Jilguero, offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Stay connected with free WiFi in public areas, and guests can find other amenities such as a playground and an arcade/game room.
Other perks at this lodge include:
  • An outdoor pool and a children's pool, with sun loungers
  • Free self parking
  • A roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge), massage treatment rooms, and a front-desk safe
  • A TV in the lobby, table tennis, and a gift shop
  • Guest reviews say great things the helpful staff, first-rate property condition, and location
Room features
All guestrooms at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails include comforts such as laptop-compatible safes.
More amenities include:
  • Eco-friendly toiletries and showers
  • Private yards, LED light bulbs, and coffee/tea makers

Languages

English, Spanish

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle on request for a surcharge
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Free cooked-to-order breakfast available daily 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Restaurants on site

  • El Jilguero

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Children's pool
  • Ecotours
  • Foosball table
  • Full-service spa
  • Hiking/biking trails
  • Horseback riding/rentals
  • Hot tub
  • Library
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground
  • Table tennis
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • Arcade/game room
  • Children's pool
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground
  • Pool gate

Conveniences

  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • 2 meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • In a national park
  • In the mountains
  • Pool loungers
  • Terrace

Full-service spa

  • Aromatherapy
  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Detox wraps
  • Facials
  • Hot stone massages
  • Prenatal massages
  • Reflexology
  • Spa open daily
  • Swedish massages
  • Treatment room

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Accessible airport shuttle
  • No elevator (single-level property)
  • Pool access ramp on site
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible pool
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

More

  • Built in 1992
  • Colonial architecture
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker

More

  • Ceiling fan
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Laptop-compatible safe
  • LED lighting
  • Window screens

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 10 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 7 AM - 10 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

No pets or service animals allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
2 children, per adult, up to the age of 8 years, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle fee: USD 225 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 7)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Pool access available from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)

Property is also known as

Arenal Observatory Lodge La Fortuna
Arenal Observatory Lodge
Arenal Observatory La Fortuna
Arenal Observatory
Arenal Observatory Hotel La Fortuna De San Carlos
Arenal Observatory & Trails
Arenal Observatory Lodge Spa
Arenal Observatory Lodge Trails
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails Lodge
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails La Fortuna
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails Lodge La Fortuna

Frequently asked questions

Does Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool and a children's pool. Pool access is from 9:00 AM–10:00 PM.

Is Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?

Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 10 PM.

What time is check-out at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?

Check-out is at noon.

Does Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's an airport shuttle that runs on request. A fee of USD 225 per vehicle applies.

Where is Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails located?

This family-friendly La Fortuna lodge is located in a national park, 2.8 mi (4.6 km) from Lake Arenal, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Costa Rica Sky Adventures and Butterfly Conservatory. Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park and Ecotermales Fortuna are also within 12 mi (20 km).

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Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 681 out of 853 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 138 out of 853 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 27 out of 853 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 4 out of 853 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 853 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

9.4/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10

Beautiful property with great hiking/walking paths and lovely restaurant on site. Shared accommodations totally met our needs and was very comfortable. Very friendly, helpful staff.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10

Magical! The hiking trails, wildlife, breakfasts, and staff made this lodge extraordinary. Waking up to volcano views and amazing birds was so special. While it is a little off the beaten path, it is well worth the extra few minutes.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10

Beautiful property and excellent staff
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10

Loved the Arenal Volcano Lodge! Feels similar to staying in the National Park lodges in Yellowstone or Glacier. Although it is a bit of a drive, it is much less touristy than La Fortuna hotels. Extensive grounds with lots of wildlife and birds, observation tower, nature walks with knowledgeable guide etc. Rooms were very nice with balcony. Dining was quite good which was important give the distance to other restaurants. Staff was very professional and friendly. Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10

Great location with amazing views of the arenal volcano. We spotted some unique birds. The breakfast included was great and service was very good. Only complaint is they did not include water bottles in the room and would charge for that.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10

Wonderful room, great property for viewing wildlife
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10

nice welcoming , beautiful view
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10

Absolutely beautiful property with tons to do within the property. Well maintained trails perfect for beginners. The staff was very professional and pleasant. Free activities in the lodge were great, especially the guided hike with their very knowledgeable guide. Beautiful surrounding towns. The free breakfast at the restaurant on site was very good. Lunch and dinner on site were expensive so we drove about 10-15 minutes off property and there were tons of options. We booked an economy room in the casona with a shared restroom and it was lovely. Will definitely return.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10

isolated quiet and good staff.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10

Beautiful scenery. Comfortable room with a view to observe wildlife! Food at restaurant was ok not that great seeing that it’s the only place to eat . Ground were beautiful and staff very friendly and informative . Guided nature hikes were great!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10

A very peaceful spot. Nice and well marked trails with an abundance of birds and insects to see.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10

It was an amazing experience!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10

comfortable rooms, clean, walkable trails
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10

I stayed at this facility primarily for access to birding opportunities. The trails are in excellent condition and easy to walk if you’re in decent shape. I did get some of my target birds, and did not run into many people at all on the trails. There is lots of good birding opportunities within a few short drives of this location too. Food was excellent and room very comfortable
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10

The proximity with arenal volcano is fa ntastic Dinner for children is not perfect
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10

Very good.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10

The property grounds and hiking trails were amazing. The road to get there was rough.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10

Absolutely beautiful property. We stood in the Smithsonian room. Absolutely gorgeous view of the volcano. Room as described. Our only regret was not reserving a room with mini fridge. No AC as described but it was not needed. Everyone was absolutely attentive and always ready to answer questions. We ate most of our meals in the restaurant preferring to stay nearby to relax. Yes the road is rough for the first mile entering the property but well worth the ride! We didn’t want to leave! We hope to return to spend more than the 3 nights we booked.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10

Really great stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10

The property has an excellent location. The restaurant is also really good. Our first room a short drive away had a very nice balcony. We upgraded to the volcano view room on the 2nd night but the room we were given was different from the photos, very small and not large enough for 3 people. The front desk agreed to move us and after some discussion it was resolved.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10

Nice place
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10

Amazing stay - beautiful room and view, many onsite trails and amenities included in stay, tons of wildlife and birds, great staff and breakfast. This is one of the best places we have ever stayed.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10

Amazing grounds loved our stay. We had to do the shared bathroom room because only room available. It was loud when people got up but the grounds and staff are amazing. Highly recommend this hotel just try to get the normal rooms.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10

Absolutely wonderful place to stay in the Arenal Volcano area. We were there for five nights and enjoyed seeing many species of birds both from their large observation deck and on the birding walk with Nestor and the Nature walks with Christian. The view of the volcano and lovely Arenal Lake is magnificent! Also saw several cute and friendly coatis and a spider monkey mama cuddling her baby up in the trees. The staff, though, is the BEST part of staying here! They are all friendly, attentive and accommodating to your wishes or needs. Can't say enough good things about this aspect of the hotel! Muchas gracias por la Pura Vida!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025

10/10

Beautiful property with great walking trails