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Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

3.0 star property

Photo gallery for Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

Terrace/patio
White Hawk Villa
Front of property
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; international cuisine
Poolside bar

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Restaurant

Explore the area

View map
22 km Oeste de la Fortuna de San Carlos, 1.7 km del Volcán Arenal, La Fortuna, Alajuela, 21007
  • Place, Arenal Volcano National Park
    ‪1 min walk‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(31 reviews)
  • Garden view
  • 25 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Superior Room, Mountain View

Superior Room, Mountain View

Superior Room, Mountain View

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(33 reviews)
  • Mountain view
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for White Hawk Villa

White Hawk Villa

White Hawk Villa

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Mountain view
  • 20 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 8
  • 2 King Beds, 2 Single Beds and 2 Single Trundle Beds

View all photos for Phil's Villa + Waterfall

Phil's Villa + Waterfall

Phil's Villa + Waterfall

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Mountain view
  • 3 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 10
  • 3 Queen Beds

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

House Economy - Shared Bathroom - Private Room

House Economy - Shared Bathroom - Private Room

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(5 reviews)
  • Lake view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

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About the area

La Fortuna

Located in La Fortuna, Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails is in a national park, within a 15-minute drive of Lake Arenal and Costa Rica Sky Adventures. .This family-friendly lodge is 4.5 mi (7.3 km) from Butterfly Conservatory and 8.9 mi (14.3 km) from Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park.
View more Lodges in La FortunaOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Arenal Volcano National Park - 1 min walk - 0.0 km

Getting around

  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal) - 48 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Shangri-La Gardens - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Virgita Ristorante - ‬28 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Las Palmas - ‬27 min drive
  • ‪Lemnos Wetbar - ‬27 min drive
  • ‪Ave Restaurant - ‬20 min drive

About this property

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails offers 48 accommodations with laptop-compatible safes and coffee/tea makers. Rooms open to balconies or patios. Bathrooms include showers and complimentary toiletries. Housekeeping is provided daily.
An outdoor pool, a children's pool, and a hot tub are on site.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Guests can pamper themselves with a trip to the onsite spa, which has 1 treatment room. Services include deep-tissue massages, hot stone massages, Swedish massages, and facials. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy and reflexology. The spa is open daily.
Make yourself at home in one of the 48 guestrooms. Rooms have private balconies or patios. Bathrooms have showers and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include laptop-compatible safes and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages, body treatments, and facials. If you're looking for recreational opportunities, you'll find an outdoor pool and a hot tub. Additional features at this Colonial lodge include complimentary wireless internet access, an arcade/game room, and gift shops/newsstands. Getting to nearby attractions is a breeze with the area shuttle (surcharge).
Enjoy a satisfying meal at El Jilguero serving guests of Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. A complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is served daily from 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM.
Featured amenities include luggage storage, laundry facilities, and a library. This lodge has 2 meeting rooms available for events. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available 24 hours), and free self parking is available onsite.
A complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is served each morning between 6:30 AM and 8:30 AM.
El Jilguero - This family restaurant specializes in international cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • 24-hour return airport shuttle on request for a surcharge
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Free cooked-to-order breakfast available daily 6:30 AM to 8:30 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
  • Hot tub
  • Library
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground
  • 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.
  • Accessible airport shuttle
  • No lift (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 provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker

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 staffed during limited hours
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

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

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: USD 200 per accommodation, per night

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle fee: USD 225 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 7)

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 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 and a smoke detector
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Pool access available from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
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

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 792 out of 983 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 147 out of 983 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 34 out of 983 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 983 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 5 out of 983 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

9.4/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Raja

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth Del, Hialeah

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Erin

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Best place to stay in La Fortuna! This lodge was truly special, and has so much to offer we barely needed to leave the grounds. Booking nature walks and guided tours on the premises was super easy and convenient. Eduardo is the main guide and he is so knowledgeable! Facilities were clean and beautiful. We saw so many birds just from our window into the garden. Mario in the restaurant was very personable and made us feel welcome each time we dined. Could not recommend this place anymore!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

gary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Clean rooms and excellent service from all.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Austin

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The first thing you notice at Arenal Observatory Lodge is the spectacular grounds! There are many opportunities for gentle walks and hikes on the property. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The rooms had everything we needed but were basic, not luxurious.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Gregory

Liked: Cleanliness
Yes the staff was great!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Vincent, Kent

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Incredible grounds excellent service birding was top 10, however due to the significant rain and fog, we were unable to see the volcano
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

kevin, Salem

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
2nd time we have stay there , staff is outstanding, accommodation is outstanding, the guide was fantastic Edward, he was fun, great place even with a lot of rain
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Jeff

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Janice

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was nice, big enough, excellent view, great shower. You feel like you are in the jungle. Saw birds, monkeys, and much more. Great hiking trails. Enchanting place.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kurt

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The rooms were very clean and spacious. The food was great. The trails around the resort let you be a part of nature.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Kelsi

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was perfect with a beautiful view! The staff was friendly and the property was amazing!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Liza

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful property with stunning views and scenic trails. The restaurant is convenient, though the food quality could be improved.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

SAURABH

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Road which leads to the observatory lodge was horrible. I was driving at night around 9 pm and it was pitch dark, the last 4 km was a pstch with gravel road and god forbid anything goes wrong you are on your own.. no resque wiil be available
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I loved this property. The free guided walks are amazing. I saw sleeping frogs and humming birds and learned so much about the plant life and also the history of the lodge. Edward was a great guide! The breakfast was tasty and the room was immaculate. My kids appreciated the pool. I just loved walking the grounds and the view from the restaurant. Fantastic place and would recommend a stay here.
Walking to the game room
Arenal volcano
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alejandro

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything is amazing! Wildlife, facilities, hiking, staff. Second time staying here. Love it.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Yvette

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The location, it's absolutely breathtaking. Nothing compares. Sitting on the deck, watching the bird feeder and seeing all the different birds swooping in, the coatis running around. The food is pretty good too but keep in mind, you'll end up having dinner here. Can't recommend driving at night if you want to eat dinner in La Fortuna. The grounds are well-kept and the trails are good. You can easily walk the whole day. Don't forget to go to the Nest for a good view.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Miroslav, San Diego

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean facility with beautiful view, hiking trails, and and other entertaining contents. The food in the restaurant is just average but well overpriced.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

EWEI

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
接近大自然的环境，暖心的服务，满带笑容的工作人员，安全的保护。谢谢
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alexandra, Edmonton

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Our best experience in Costa Rica. Phenomenal birding area. Exceptional restaurant! We stayed in the Casona and were pleasantly surprised with the accommodation and beautiful views of Lake Arenal and the volcano from our room. Thanks especially to Howard and Daniel in the restaurant, and our morning walk with Cristian - you made our stay even more special!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Angeliki

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing location, with a beautiful view of Arenal Volcano (assuming it's not cloudy and rainy). We only partially saw it since we had cloudy and rainy weather when we were there. Very close to Arenal Volcano National Park, and Arenal 1968 for more trails. Breakfast is included and is really good. We also enjoyed our dinners at the on-site restaurant, as well as the trails on the property. The trail to the waterfall was really nice. We also enjoyed our complimentary nature walk in the morning, and the paid guided night tour. From the deck outside the restaurant, you can enjoy all sorts of birds who come to the birdfeeder and also see the monkeys in the trees. The only minor issue was that the morning before our arrival, I received an email informing me that there would be a deposit of $100 for each night, which is typical and we had no issues. When we arrived, the girl at the reception said it changed and it's now $200 per night. I thought that was weird, but again had no issues since we knew it would be released in a week or so. The staff was friendly. There's a jacuzzi and a pool. Overall we had a very enjoyable stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Todd

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The hotel property is beautiful and the hotel service was amazing. There is so much to do at this hotel!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Danelle

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Oliver

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
This is a very luxurious eco-lodge. Amazing care taken of the property and grounds. The trails were really beautiful and we saw great wildlife consistently at dawn. Note, it has 11km of trails, but at least half of the trails are in open farm land, so don't go thinking its all jungle forest! That said we enjoyed it all. We felt very well looked after, and the rooms were in perfect condition. This really is a place that knows how to cater to travelers hoping to immerse themselves in nature and see birds!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025