Heliconias Nature Lodge is a pitch perfect example of Costa Rica’s tasteful rain forest-inspired flavor. The outdoor plunge pool and large, open-air restaurant with free breakfast, a full wine list, and nightly entertainment are surprising touches for a small, mid-range property. All 18 freestanding cabins are bright, open, and rustic with modern amenities including free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and private balconies. Upgraded categories add panoramic windows with rain forest views. However, there’s little within walking or driving distance, so most guests will want a car to explore the area. The more rustic Hotel Arenal Montechiari offers the same amenities at the edge of downtown La Fortuna for less money.
Heliconias Nature Lodge is a pitch perfect example of Costa Rica’s tasteful rain forest-inspired flavor. The outdoor plunge pool and large, open-air restaurant with free breakfast, a full wine list, and nightly entertainment are surprising touches for a small, mid-range property. All 18 freestanding cabins are bright, open, and rustic with modern amenities including free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and private balconies. Upgraded categories add panoramic windows with rain forest views. However, there’s little within walking or driving distance, so most guests will want a car to explore the area. The more rustic Hotel Arenal Montechiari offers the same amenities at the edge of downtown La Fortuna for less money.
On a quiet street 30 minutes from Arenal Volcano, Arenal Green Hotel delivers exactly what it promises — clean, rustic, rainforest-inspired lodging with few frills. The nine freestanding Bungalows come with private terraces, mini-fridges, and wet bars, while a single Family Bungalow upgrades to a full kitchen and a large, three-bedroom layout. The restaurant serves a free hot breakfast daily and a traditional Costa Rican lunches and dinners are available during peak season. There’s nothing walkable in the vicinity, but this is a pleasant place to relax for a few days, especially when the short, five-minute drive to La Fortuna, and the reasonable rates, are considered. Travelers who'd like better volcano views and a sparkling pool might consider Hotel Arenal Montechiari instead, though it's a bit pricier.
On a quiet street 30 minutes from Arenal Volcano, Arenal Green Hotel delivers exactly what it promises — clean, rustic, rainforest-inspired lodging with few frills. The nine freestanding Bungalows come with private terraces, mini-fridges, and wet bars, while a single Family Bungalow upgrades to a full kitchen and a large, three-bedroom layout. The restaurant serves a free hot breakfast daily and a traditional Costa Rican lunches and dinners are available during peak season. There’s nothing walkable in the vicinity, but this is a pleasant place to relax for a few days, especially when the short, five-minute drive to La Fortuna, and the reasonable rates, are considered. Travelers who'd like better volcano views and a sparkling pool might consider Hotel Arenal Montechiari instead, though it's a bit pricier.
Situated outside La Fortuna on the edge of Parque Nacional Volcan Arenal, Brisas Arenal Hotel is a rustic two-and-a-half-pearl spot in a quiet, residential neighborhood. Amid perfectly manicured grounds, the hotel has a tiny plunge pool and serves a free, simple breakfast with local and international options. All 10 cabin-style rooms feature flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, private porches, and air-conditioning; Tropical Suites upgrade to sunken hot tubs with rainforest views. Most visitors to the hotel are seeking a quiet, secluded retreat, however, that does mean there’s nothing within walking distance. The nearby Hotel Arenal Montechiari is pricier, but includes awesome volcano views and a beautiful outdoor pool.
Situated outside La Fortuna on the edge of Parque Nacional Volcan Arenal, Brisas Arenal Hotel is a rustic two-and-a-half-pearl spot in a quiet, residential neighborhood. Amid perfectly manicured grounds, the hotel has a tiny plunge pool and serves a free, simple breakfast with local and international options. All 10 cabin-style rooms feature flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, private porches, and air-conditioning; Tropical Suites upgrade to sunken hot tubs with rainforest views. Most visitors to the hotel are seeking a quiet, secluded retreat, however, that does mean there’s nothing within walking distance. The nearby Hotel Arenal Montechiari is pricier, but includes awesome volcano views and a beautiful outdoor pool.
Nepenthe is a remote, modest seven-room hotel off the beaten track from the Arenal tourist circuit and just outside small-town El Castillo, close to the lake and the southwest slope of the volcano. It offers a choice of modest motel-like rooms in the main building or kitchenette-appointed cabins below. The hotel is too far to be convenient to La Fortuna's tourist hub, but it's within a 40-minute drive of the entrance to Arenal National Park and offers a slice of local tico culture. The unofficial hotel restaurant next door, Tres Cabras, serves seasonal fare; the pool has an excellent view of the lake; and treatments are available at a small, simple spa. Travelers who want a similar hotel closer to La Fortuna may want to check out the Hotel Cerro Azul just south of town -- though it lacks Nepenthe's pool and views.
Nepenthe is a remote, modest seven-room hotel off the beaten track from the Arenal tourist circuit and just outside small-town El Castillo, close to the lake and the southwest slope of the volcano. It offers a choice of modest motel-like rooms in the main building or kitchenette-appointed cabins below. The hotel is too far to be convenient to La Fortuna's tourist hub, but it's within a 40-minute drive of the entrance to Arenal National Park and offers a slice of local tico culture. The unofficial hotel restaurant next door, Tres Cabras, serves seasonal fare; the pool has an excellent view of the lake; and treatments are available at a small, simple spa. Travelers who want a similar hotel closer to La Fortuna may want to check out the Hotel Cerro Azul just south of town -- though it lacks Nepenthe's pool and views.
This mid-range gated resort has 47 terraced bungalows that seem to climb up the side of Arenal volcano. These big-windowed but dimly lit wooden cabins don't always have stunning views of the volcano, but each one has two private decks. The property is about 10 minutes north of La Fortuna by car, and property features include a swimming pool, hot tub, excellent restaurant serving all three meals (including the free breakfast), and a bar with volcano views. There are no hot springs, though; for that, consider Hotel El Silencio del Campo.
This mid-range gated resort has 47 terraced bungalows that seem to climb up the side of Arenal volcano. These big-windowed but dimly lit wooden cabins don't always have stunning views of the volcano, but each one has two private decks. The property is about 10 minutes north of La Fortuna by car, and property features include a swimming pool, hot tub, excellent restaurant serving all three meals (including the free breakfast), and a bar with volcano views. There are no hot springs, though; for that, consider Hotel El Silencio del Campo.
A posh wonderland for affluent Americans and their kids, the 74-room luxury resort The Springs is 165 acres of seemingly endless pools and hot springs, restaurants, and activities -- all hidden on a volcano-facing slope seemingly in the middle of nowhere. (Expect a long, bumpy ride to and from the hotel that will dissuade you from day trips off the property). The Club Rio outdoor center allows guests to experience everything from river tubing to horseback riding right on-site. Rooms range from standard hotel rooms with good views of the volcano to entire villas modeled after Swiss ski chalets. Though the nearest notable property is the vastly different (and quirky) Leaves and Lizards, The Springs' main luxury competition comes from the smaller Nayara resorts. The Springs, however, gets to brag that it hosted Jay-Z and Beyonce during a much-publicized couples getaway -- not to mention an episode of "The Bachelor."
A posh wonderland for affluent Americans and their kids, the 74-room luxury resort The Springs is 165 acres of seemingly endless pools and hot springs, restaurants, and activities -- all hidden on a volcano-facing slope seemingly in the middle of nowhere. (Expect a long, bumpy ride to and from the hotel that will dissuade you from day trips off the property). The Club Rio outdoor center allows guests to experience everything from river tubing to horseback riding right on-site. Rooms range from standard hotel rooms with good views of the volcano to entire villas modeled after Swiss ski chalets. Though the nearest notable property is the vastly different (and quirky) Leaves and Lizards, The Springs' main luxury competition comes from the smaller Nayara resorts. The Springs, however, gets to brag that it hosted Jay-Z and Beyonce during a much-publicized couples getaway -- not to mention an episode of "The Bachelor."