Sarapiquí Valley
About 1km west of Puerto Viejo, this countryside retreat (named for the great green macaw) offers oddly formal but well-equipped rooms, set on gorgeous…
Must-see hotels in Arenal & Northern Lowlands
La Fortuna
Perched high above the Catarata Río Fortuna, this ‘wellbeing resort’ is great for birders and frog-lovers – especially with a naturalist on hand to point…
La Fortuna
'Quiet, clean and cheap,' said one guest, and the prices are indeed pretty sweet. Books, a chess set and groovy red couches populate the common area; the…
Sarapiquí Valley
After riding the rapids, you can hunker down at this riverside hostel, operated by Aguas Bravas. It’s a clean, basic setup with solid wooden beds, clean…
Arenal & Northern Lowlands
This country club turned luxury resort has well-landscaped grounds overlooking the Río San Carlos and comfortable, well-appointed rooms. Amenities include…
Arenal & Around
This eight-room lodge overlooks Laguna de Arenal, and has a stone swimming pool, and Jacuzzi. It must be rented out entirely – no individual rooms…
La Fortuna
The original hostel-resort in La Fortuna, this self-proclaimed ‘five-star hostel’ with volcano views is pretty cushy. Sleep on orthopedic mattresses and…
Arenal & Around
You’d never know it from the street, but these rooms are rather sweet, spotless and spacious wood-cabin-like constructions with lovely lake views and…
Arenal & Northern Lowlands
A cute family-run motel with well-maintained rooms, lovely bedding and cute curtains. Each room is named after a different jungle beast or bird, complete…
Arenal & Around
Set amid a blooming, bird-filled garden in Tronadora, here you’ll find a handful of comfy cabinas, each with high ceilings, polished concrete floors,…
La Fortuna
With all the budget ‘resorts’ in town, it’s refreshing to find a charming, old-fashioned, family-run inn, where facilities are basic but staff are always…
La Fortuna
The old Bromelia Hotel, right off the main square, features two dozen smart rooms, most with terraces overlooking the pool. You might not want a room…
La Fortuna
The big-gun Central American hostel chain's locale in La Fortuna offers the 'bubble option' some seek: with everything at hand, you never have to leave…
Arenal & Around
Situated 500m before town, when coming from Nuevo Arenal, this hillside property has 12 rooms with tiled floors, whitewashed walls and new bathrooms…
La Fortuna
A darling family-owned property, 9km west of town. Canary-yellow wooden bungalows have vaulted beamed ceilings, two queen beds, lovely drapes and…
La Fortuna
Resembling a gated suburban community, this lodging has sidewalks winding through perfectly manicured lawns, connecting the red-tile-roof bungalows and…
La Fortuna
You can admire Arenal from every single colorful cabina at this riverside property 11km from La Fortuna: take it in from a seat on your private patio, or…
Arenal & Around
Here you’ll find huge, bright, spotless and spacious rooms, with plain decor but fabulous vistas from the picture windows. The top-floor rooms catch a…
La Fortuna
Set at the base of Cerro Chato and surrounded by forest, this place is ideal if you want to get away from it all (but not too far away; you’re still just…
La Fortuna
Set up around a pebbled pool area and shady palm garden, rooms are spacious with high slanted ceilings and crisp white paint. Located on a quiet side…
Sarapiquí Valley
At this family-run lodge on the banks of the Río Sardinal, covered paths crisscross the landscaped garden, connecting thatched-roof, hammock-strung rooms…
La Fortuna
Just north of Chachagua village, these immaculate, simple wooden cabins with full kitchens and volcano views are surrounded by private rainforest trails…
La Fortuna
A combination of hostel and resort, this sprawling place is arranged around a landscaped garden complete with hammocks, small pool, party-place bar and…
Arenal & Northern Lowlands
This is a business-motel-style facility with a popular bar and restaurant and a big (temperate water) Jacuzzi-fed swimming pool. The 63 rooms are plain…
Arenal & Around
30km west of La Fortuna, Los Héroes looks like a Swiss village, centered on a charming chapel complete with chimes. The alpine chalet, midway between the…
Arenal & Around
Arenal Lodge is at the top of a steep 2.5km ascent, and the entire lodge is awash with views of Arenal and the surrounding cloud forest. Standard rooms…
Sarapiquí Valley
Sueño Azul has a stunning perch at the confluence of the Ríos Sarapiquí and San Rafael. The vast property has hiking trails, a suspension bridge, a canopy…
Sarapiquí Valley
Sitting on a 100-hectare reserve just across the Sarapiquí from 'downtown', this former cattle hacienda is a birdwatching haven, with 5km of private…
Arenal & Around
This modern hotel attracts traveling business types, who tuck themselves into simple rooms dressed up with jewel tones and tiled floors. Service is…
La Fortuna
Stay here and you’re likely to spend most of your time on the second-story ‘terrace garden,’ with ample sun loungers and spectacular views of the volcano…
Arenal & Northern Lowlands
Located about 400m from the village center, these rustic cabinas surround a well-kept lawn; all have heavy wood furniture, hammock-strung porches and air…
La Fortuna
Lovely blooming flowers deck the 2nd-floor terrace, inviting you into this cute motel-style lodging. Inside, you’ll find good-value and personable service…
Arenal & Northern Lowlands
If you’re looking to break up your drive, what better place to spend the night than Venecia’s famous ‘medieval castle,’ 50m up the street from the big…
Arenal & Around
About 5.5km west of Nuevo Arenal, watch out for the hairpin turnoff at the driveway to La Rana, a quaint German spot with seven simple, comfortable rooms…
Sarapiquí Valley
This big hotel is smack dab in the middle of town (turn left out of the bus terminal), with a popular restaurant and an inviting pool. The rooms are…
Arenal & Northern Lowlands
Wrapping around a gravel parking lot, set just off the main plaza, these cute and comfortable cabinas are blessed with mosaic-tile patios decorated with…
Arenal & Northern Lowlands
Coming into town from the southeast, you’ll cross a river and come across this attractive two-story stucco building facing a pleasant courtyard and a…
Sarapiquí Valley
On the road to the pier, behind Banco Nacional, this place is quiet and cheap. The 22 rooms are simple but spotless, with shiny tiles, wooden furnishings…
Arenal & Northern Lowlands
This friendly family-run option gets good reviews for attentive staff, spotless rooms and above-average local food. It’s near the main highway, just four…
Arenal & Around
As cheap as they come, rooms are tiny and cleanish. If you can get one of the rooms toward the back, this is a decent budget choice on the western side of…
