Staying At Arenal Observatory Lodge

About

When planning my trip to Costa Rica, I was particularly excited about seeing the Arenal volcano! So when researching where to stay, I was excited when I came across the Arenal Observatory Lodge because it is located closer to Arenal Volcano National Park than any other hotel. I also found out that on the property, there was over 870 acres to adventure around, including rainforests with rivers and waterfalls, wild life sighting, exotic gardens and even a lake!

The lodge actually has an exciting history behind it. Originally, it was a scientific research station for the Smithsonian Institute. After there was a volcanic explosion in 1968, more and more scientists would visit wanting to learn more so cabins and then a hotel were built, expanding over the years to what it is today!

The Rooms

One of the nice things about the Arenal Observatory Lodge, is that it is perfect for all budgets. There are many different room options and buildings. There are even two villas if you are bringing your whole family or a big group of friends! There is also a Smithsonian Building, where the scientists used to say! Then there is a building named La Casona which is for budget travelers. There are five rooms, which are still a pretty good size and there is one common room that they all share and two shared restrooms. The most luxurious rooms are the Junior Suites with huge terraces and amazing views of the Arenal Volcano and the Arenal Lake!

The Spa Arenal Observatory Lodge

There is almost nothing more relaxing after a day of hiking, then heading to the spa! The spa at the Arenal Observatory Lodge is surrounded by rainforest making for a serene setting. There are many different types of massages to choose from- including one for tired legs! (Which trust me, you might need after going on all of the nearby hikes!) There is even an option for waxing, manicures and pedicures! The setting is really what makes this spa special!

The Dining

Breakfast is included for all guests, regardless of which room you are staying in. The best news is that it is a buffet! There is Costa Rican style breakfast known as gallo pinto, a breakfast of rice, black beans and spices or you can opt for pancakes, eggs, bacon, bread and a wide array of cereals!

The absolute best part about breakfast are the views of the Arenal volcano. I got to see it erupt while eating a bowl of cereal! That is definitely not something that happens every day.

Lunch and dinner are also served in this same area and there are many Costa Rican and International delicacies to choose from. There is happy hour on the sun deck from 5:00 to 6:00 PM and it is an amazing place to watch the sunset over Lake Arenal. There are also gardens nearby so this is actually a good area to hang out if you are hoping to do any bird watching or photography!

The Activities

HIKING

One of my favorite parts of the Arenal Observatory Lodge is all of the free hikes that they offer! There are hikes to waterfalls, an old lava trail hike and more. There is a hike to Cerro Chato (a smaller neighboring volcano) which is $35 USD. Another option is an evening hike called “El Silencio” for $25 USD.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

There is seriously a lot to do at this lodge that you never need to leave! There are hanging bridges, fishing, and kayaking, horseback riding to La Fortuna waterfall, Caving, White Water Rafting, Biking, Monteverde Boat, Canoeing, Butterfly Botanical Gardens, and a Safari Adventure Float and lots of wildlife and bird watching. Phew, you are going to have a packed day here!

Amenities

There are also many amenities included in the lodge. There is a wonderful pool and Jacuzzi facility. There are many paved trails right in the lodge area that you can wander through on your own. The lodge also provides transportation to neighboring cities. They will give you a list of all of the birds you might see to help you in your bird watching around the vicinity. Costa Rica also can be quite rainy sometimes, so the reception desk has board games you can rent! There is also a pool table and ping-pong table for rainy days!

Overall

I highly recommend this hotel because to this day, it is still one of my favorite places I have ever stayed! The setting is phenomenal and being so close to a volcano is spectacular. If you have views of the volcano from your room, you can relax and watch it and possibly feel the ground rumble below you! The grounds are very romantic at night with lanterns everywhere. It’s an Eco-lodge that believes in sustainable tourism which I also love. You definitely wouldn’t regret staying here!