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Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

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

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your current months are May, 2024 and June, 2024.
May 2024
June 2024

Photo gallery for Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

House Economy - Shared Bathroom - Private Room | In-room safe, bed sheets
Superior Room, Mountain View | In-room safe, bed sheets
Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds | In-room safe, bed sheets
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; international cuisine
Exterior
Reviews
9.6

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • PoolPoolPool
  • Hot TubHot TubHot Tub
  • Breakfast includedBreakfast includedBreakfast included
  • SpaSpaSpa
  • Parking includedParking includedParking included
  • RestaurantRestaurantRestaurant

Explore the area

Map
22 km Oeste de la Fortuna de San Carlos, 1.7 km del Volcán Arenal, La Fortuna, Alajuela, 21007
  • Popular LocationCosta Rica Sky Adventures13 min drive
  • Popular LocationArenal Volcano17 min drive
  • Popular LocationLa Fortuna Waterfall38 min drive
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Room options

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

House Economy - Shared Bathroom - Private Room | In-room safe, bed sheets

House Economy - Shared Bathroom - Private Room

Highlights

Yard
Balcony or patio
Ceiling fan
5 bedrooms
Eco-friendly toiletries
Coffee/tea maker
Daily housekeeping
Living room
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 4 Queen Beds

View all photos for Superior Room, Mountain View

Superior Room, Mountain View | In-room safe, bed sheets

Superior Room, Mountain View

Highlights

Yard
Balcony or patio
Free cribs/infant beds
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Eco-friendly toiletries
Coffee/tea maker
Daily housekeeping
  • 215 sq ft
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for White Hawk Villa

White Hawk Villa | In-room safe, bed sheets

White Hawk Villa

Highlights

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

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds | In-room safe, bed sheets

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Highlights

Yard
Balcony or patio
Free cribs/infant beds
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Eco-friendly toiletries
Coffee/tea maker
Daily housekeeping
  • 269 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Phil's Villa

Phil's Villa | In-room safe, bed sheets

Phil's Villa

Highlights

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

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Pool
Breakfast included
Spa
Kids pool
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (1003)
The price is $200
$226 total
includes taxes & fees
May 20 - May 21
Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs Resort

About the neighborhood

La Fortuna

Located in La Fortuna, Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails is in the mountains and in a national park. Costa Rica Sky Adventures and Ecotermales Fortuna are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Arenal and Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Traveling with kids? Don't miss Butterfly Conservatory. Kayaking and rafting offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and ziplining nearby.
Visit our La Fortuna travel guideOpens in a new window
View more Lodges in La FortunaOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Costa Rica Sky Adventures - 13 min drive
  • Arenal Volcano National Park - 17 min drive
  • Arenal Volcano - 17 min drive
  • Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park - 26 min drive
  • La Fortuna Waterfall - 38 min drive

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • La Cava Pizza a la Leña - 31 min drive
  • Virgita Ristorante - 28 min drive
  • Restaurante Río Lounge - 39 min drive
  • Agua Ardiente Pool Bar - 21 min drive
  • Chante Verde - 36 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 facial, aromatherapy, or a hot stone massage 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), smoke-free premises, and a TV in the lobby
  • Massage treatment rooms, a front-desk safe, and a gift shop
  • Guest reviews say great things about the helpful staff and first-rate property condition
Room features
All guestrooms at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails include comforts such as laptop-compatible safes. Guest reviews highly rate the clean rooms at the property.
More amenities include:
  • Eco-friendly toiletries and showers
  • Private yards, LED light bulbs, and coffee/tea makers

Languages

English, Spanish

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 7:00 AM to 9:00 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
  • Library
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground
  • Spa tub
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

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

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker

Outdoor space

  • Balcony/patio
  • Yard

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 staff will greet guests on arrival

Access methods

Staffed front desk

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 170.00 per vehicle (one way)

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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
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 starts at 9:00 AM.

How much does it cost to stay at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?

As of May 6, 2024, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails on May 13, 2024 start from $153.1, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

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 170.00 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).

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 551 out of 702 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 123 out of 702 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 21 out of 702 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 4 out of 702 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 702 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

9.4/10

Amenities

9.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

carla

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Arenal observatory lodge have many things to offer! The hiking trails, the views, the accommodation itself. I stayed in the Casona bungalow. Though it has a shared bathroom, it didn’t bother me at all. I actually think it has the best location within the property. It is facing the arenal lake and just on the left side is the volcano. Perfect to watch the sunset from the viewpoint. The restaurant onsite also serves excellent food! The fruit juices are delicious (mango, soursop and Cas). The free breakfast is also great! My fave was the rancheros, so good! I did take an uber to get here and paid around 10,000 crc but booked a shuttle from there to Guanacaste. I also stayed in La Fortuna town and RIU in Guanacaste and Coco beach, but this was the highlight of my trip! I would definitely go back! Thank you Arenal Observatory!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Michelle, Pflugerville

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I loved this place. All the trails and nature! Very nice rooms, very kind staff. Only drawback is the lack of AC. However, at night with the patio doors open and the fan running, it was bearable. Be sure to take advantage of the free morning walking tour. I learned so much an about the flora and fauna.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Aijing

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The best spot for bird watching in the area. Sunset view from the restaurant is unbeatable. The volcano view room is amazing. We felt very lucky to be able to stay there.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cindy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is absolutely one of the best properties I’ve stayed near La Fortuna. From the time I arrived, front desk was helpful and informative. My room was not ready yet, but I occupied myself with a brief visit to their museum, sat/stood on the viewing deck observing birds feed on fruit, coatimundi roaming the garden, and listening to Yellow Throated Toucans chattering in the forest. View of Arenal Lake was wonderful! I stayed only 1 night, and wished I had stayed longer. I will plan on a longer stay in the near future. To truly enjoy Arenal Observatory Lodge and Trails, recommended stay is 2 or 3 nights to get the most of everything this property offers. I enjoyed my morning bird watching tour. My guide, Raul, and I found 43 species of birds in two hours. I walked a couple of trails alone after that. The wildlife is spectacular here as well as fantastic views of Arenal Volcano! My room was very comfortable and quiet, located across from the restaurant. Breakfast was very good with several selections to choose from. I did wait more than 30 minutes to be served my breakfast. Apparently, I was forgotten as I sat there observing other guests who arrived after me being served in a timely manner. That was the only flaw in service. Otherwise, everything else was satisfactory!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Praveen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very nice place
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Marlene

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The place was great. 4/5 stars only because the food at the restaurant wasn’t good and overpriced. Other than that, everything was great.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shawn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hongwei

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
great
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Duane

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful grounds to walk around and explore the views and wildlife.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Vicente, Providence

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Closest hotel to Arenal Volcano with perfect unobstructed views from the rooms balconies. If you’re like birding this is the place to stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

General hotel information

Reasons to Book
Onsite Restaurant & Bar
Check-In Time
3:00 PM
Check-Out Time
12:00 PM
Star Rating
3.0