This 42-room, upper-middle-range spa resort on the west side of the Arenal dam is a bit farther out from La Fortuna than most area hotels (about a 45-minute drive) but offers a stunning Bali-inspired spa building and large, well-appointed rooms overlooking the rainforest. The property also offers private trails in the rainforest as well as a pool and a big hot tub with swim-up bar -- but no hot springs (for those, consider the similarly priced Arenal Kioro Suites and Spa or the slightly pricier Tabacon).
This 42-room, upper-middle-range spa resort on the west side of the Arenal dam is a bit farther out from La Fortuna than most area hotels (about a 45-minute drive) but offers a stunning Bali-inspired spa building and large, well-appointed rooms overlooking the rainforest. The property also offers private trails in the rainforest as well as a pool and a big hot tub with swim-up bar -- but no hot springs (for those, consider the similarly priced Arenal Kioro Suites and Spa or the slightly pricier Tabacon).
Tabacon is the original and best-known resort in the Arenal Volcano area, and is deservedly famous for its 18 natural hot springs at the Tabacon spa property up the street, which are the most extensive in the region. This 102-room, eco-friendly spa resort and local institution is a sensuous Eden in a relatively remote area on the west side of the volcano, about a 20-minute drive from La Fortuna and other sights. Rooms are large, modern, and sophisticated, with beautiful rainforest (and sometimes volcano) views. There's not much local character here, though, and the springs are often crowded with day-trippers; those looking for more seclusion and luxury should consider Nayara Hotel, Spa, & Gardens or Nayara Springs, which have comparable rates to Tabacon's higher-end suites.
Tabacon is the original and best-known resort in the Arenal Volcano area, and is deservedly famous for its 18 natural hot springs at the Tabacon spa property up the street, which are the most extensive in the region. This 102-room, eco-friendly spa resort and local institution is a sensuous Eden in a relatively remote area on the west side of the volcano, about a 20-minute drive from La Fortuna and other sights. Rooms are large, modern, and sophisticated, with beautiful rainforest (and sometimes volcano) views. There's not much local character here, though, and the springs are often crowded with day-trippers; those looking for more seclusion and luxury should consider Nayara Hotel, Spa, & Gardens or Nayara Springs, which have comparable rates to Tabacon's higher-end suites.
This 10-room roadside motel is a decent place to stay for a night or two for budget travelers who don't need frills but still want to be close to La Fortuna. Its spare but clean rooms have views of the volcano (though they are partially covered by the neighboring souvenir shop) and frequently experience noise from passing traffic -- but all at a price that can't be beat. Hotel Cerro Azul has similar prices and rooms with a bit more rustic charm, but no pool. Partygoers may prefer weekend nights at Magic Mountain nearby, while those who want the hot springs, spas, and bungalow-style lodgings can try the string of hotels to the north on Route 142 -- though they start at two to three times the price.
This 10-room roadside motel is a decent place to stay for a night or two for budget travelers who don't need frills but still want to be close to La Fortuna. Its spare but clean rooms have views of the volcano (though they are partially covered by the neighboring souvenir shop) and frequently experience noise from passing traffic -- but all at a price that can't be beat. Hotel Cerro Azul has similar prices and rooms with a bit more rustic charm, but no pool. Partygoers may prefer weekend nights at Magic Mountain nearby, while those who want the hot springs, spas, and bungalow-style lodgings can try the string of hotels to the north on Route 142 -- though they start at two to three times the price.
The 24-room, mid-range Hotel Kokoro Arenal is a yoga-friendly, eco-friendly property a 10-minute drive west of La Fortuna. Rooms are dimly lit, rustic bungalows that lack Wi-Fi and might be a tad too open to the elements for the truly squeamish, but they're reasonably clean and comfortable. Those who want a similar budget bungalow-style property a little closer to town may want to look into the El Silencio del Campo or Arenal Volcano Inn, but it will be hard to beat the rates here for this caliber of property.
The 24-room, mid-range Hotel Kokoro Arenal is a yoga-friendly, eco-friendly property a 10-minute drive west of La Fortuna. Rooms are dimly lit, rustic bungalows that lack Wi-Fi and might be a tad too open to the elements for the truly squeamish, but they're reasonably clean and comfortable. Those who want a similar budget bungalow-style property a little closer to town may want to look into the El Silencio del Campo or Arenal Volcano Inn, but it will be hard to beat the rates here for this caliber of property.
This seven-room eco-resort, a scattering of rustic, sky-high treehouse bungalows, allows guests to live our their Lost Boys fantasies, and keep company with howler monkeys and tree branches. The location is securely out of the orbit of the central La Fortuna tourist hub (the town is a 40-minute drive away over bad roads), a pro for those looking for remote environs. Those who would prefer to stay closer to the ground might want to check out Leaves and Lizards on the other side of La Fortuna, for somewhat more per night.
This seven-room eco-resort, a scattering of rustic, sky-high treehouse bungalows, allows guests to live our their Lost Boys fantasies, and keep company with howler monkeys and tree branches. The location is securely out of the orbit of the central La Fortuna tourist hub (the town is a 40-minute drive away over bad roads), a pro for those looking for remote environs. Those who would prefer to stay closer to the ground might want to check out Leaves and Lizards on the other side of La Fortuna, for somewhat more per night.
The Arenal Volcano Inn is a solid mid-range choice located on the road between La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano National Park. The 25 rooms are clean and modern, with subtle touches of local charm, but not all have views of the volcano, and traffic noise is more noticeable the closer you get to the road. Those who prefer a property with hot springs on-site, lusher surrounds, and rooms with a bit more personality should consider nearby El Silencio del Campo. The Arenal Volcano Inn does offer a quality restaurant with wood-oven pizza, attractive pool and hot tub, free Wi-Fi, and a free quality breakfast with hot items. All in all, it's one of the top options for the area in this price range.
The Arenal Volcano Inn is a solid mid-range choice located on the road between La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano National Park. The 25 rooms are clean and modern, with subtle touches of local charm, but not all have views of the volcano, and traffic noise is more noticeable the closer you get to the road. Those who prefer a property with hot springs on-site, lusher surrounds, and rooms with a bit more personality should consider nearby El Silencio del Campo. The Arenal Volcano Inn does offer a quality restaurant with wood-oven pizza, attractive pool and hot tub, free Wi-Fi, and a free quality breakfast with hot items. All in all, it's one of the top options for the area in this price range.
This 66-room, mid-range bungalow resort feels like a replica of a tightly packed suburb -- and also involves jockeying with neighbors for parallel-parking spaces on its narrow lanes. It's popular with Costa Ricans, and is about a 15-minute drive from La Fortuna, but has seen better days. Its musty, worn bungalows have old tube TVs, and the views of the volcano from the grand windows are marred by the swarms of guest cars parked on the lanes outside. Guests looking for a rustic rainforest experience in this price range may prefer Hotel Kokoro Arenal, or the slightly pricier Hotel El Silencio del Campo, which has extra-hot hot springs (some guests feel the ones here aren't warm enough).
This 66-room, mid-range bungalow resort feels like a replica of a tightly packed suburb -- and also involves jockeying with neighbors for parallel-parking spaces on its narrow lanes. It's popular with Costa Ricans, and is about a 15-minute drive from La Fortuna, but has seen better days. Its musty, worn bungalows have old tube TVs, and the views of the volcano from the grand windows are marred by the swarms of guest cars parked on the lanes outside. Guests looking for a rustic rainforest experience in this price range may prefer Hotel Kokoro Arenal, or the slightly pricier Hotel El Silencio del Campo, which has extra-hot hot springs (some guests feel the ones here aren't warm enough).
It's not fancy, but this 42-room, three-floor, mid-range hotel offers clean, reasonably lit rooms, unobstructed views of both Arenal and Cerro Chato volcanoes, and quick and easy access to La Fortuna. Features include an outdoor pool with a sim-up bar and a couple of hot tubs, but those who want a full-on water park resort in the area might prefer Los Lagos. The hotel's most notable draw is the throbbingly packed weekend karaoke-dance nights at the hotel bar.
It's not fancy, but this 42-room, three-floor, mid-range hotel offers clean, reasonably lit rooms, unobstructed views of both Arenal and Cerro Chato volcanoes, and quick and easy access to La Fortuna. Features include an outdoor pool with a sim-up bar and a couple of hot tubs, but those who want a full-on water park resort in the area might prefer Los Lagos. The hotel's most notable draw is the throbbingly packed weekend karaoke-dance nights at the hotel bar.
This conveniently located, 46-room mid-range resort offers brightly colored bungalows that wouldn't look out of place in a Smurf village. They feature showers that mimic natural waterfalls and come with private outdoor hot tubs or pools, though views of the volcanos and Wi-Fi signals are both limited. About 15 minutes from La Fortuna, Hotel Mountain Paradise shares a spur road with its nearest competitor, the luxurious Nayara Hotel; those seeking cheaper accommodations might consider Volcano Lodge & Gardens, though its rooms aren't as attractive.
This conveniently located, 46-room mid-range resort offers brightly colored bungalows that wouldn't look out of place in a Smurf village. They feature showers that mimic natural waterfalls and come with private outdoor hot tubs or pools, though views of the volcanos and Wi-Fi signals are both limited. About 15 minutes from La Fortuna, Hotel Mountain Paradise shares a spur road with its nearest competitor, the luxurious Nayara Hotel; those seeking cheaper accommodations might consider Volcano Lodge & Gardens, though its rooms aren't as attractive.
Hotel Cantarana is an intimate, five-room budget-oriented boutique hotel with a laid-back surfer vibe, a shaded pool, personal service, and a notable restaurant set among a canopy of trees. The hotel is located within the Las Baulas National Marine Park, home to hundreds of species of birds and a prominent nesting ground for leatherback sea turtles. The hotel’s biggest draw, though, might be the uncrowded, surfer-friendly Playa Grande, a quick walk away along a dirt road. Those seeking nightlife can drive 30 minutes to reach the bars of Tamarindo, yet most guests at Hotel Cantarana opt to spend their evenings on guided tours observing nesting turtles or holed up in the basic but comfortable rooms outfitted with king-size beds, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs.
Hotel Cantarana is an intimate, five-room budget-oriented boutique hotel with a laid-back surfer vibe, a shaded pool, personal service, and a notable restaurant set among a canopy of trees. The hotel is located within the Las Baulas National Marine Park, home to hundreds of species of birds and a prominent nesting ground for leatherback sea turtles. The hotel’s biggest draw, though, might be the uncrowded, surfer-friendly Playa Grande, a quick walk away along a dirt road. Those seeking nightlife can drive 30 minutes to reach the bars of Tamarindo, yet most guests at Hotel Cantarana opt to spend their evenings on guided tours observing nesting turtles or holed up in the basic but comfortable rooms outfitted with king-size beds, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs.