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Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

3.0 star property
Family-friendly 3-star lodge near Butterfly Conservatory

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

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

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a 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
  • Place, La Fortuna Waterfall
  • Place, Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
  • Airport, La Fortuna (FON-Arenal)

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 Twin Beds and 2 Twin 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

About the area

La Fortuna

In La Fortuna .You'll be within 3 miles (5 km) of Lake Arenal and 6 miles (10 km) of Costa Rica Sky Adventures with a stay here. Butterfly Conservatory is within 6 miles (10 km) and Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is within 9 miles (15 km).
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
  • ‪La Mesa de Mamá - ‬14 min drive

About this property

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

Family-friendly 3-star lodge near Butterfly Conservatory
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails offers its guests a full-service spa, an outdoor pool, and a hot tub. There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Free breakfast is served daily. WiFi is free in public spaces.

There are 2 meeting rooms available. A children's pool, a library, and a terrace are also featured at the family-friendly Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails. An airport shuttle (available 24 hours) and an area shuttle are available for a fee. Self parking is free.

This Colonial La Fortuna lodge is smoke free.

  • 48 guestrooms or units
  • Built in 1992
  • Cooked-to-order breakfast (free)
  • Poolside lounge chairs
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Game room or arcade
  • Library
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gift shop
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Television in lobby
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • Dining venue
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.
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.

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Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Arcade/game room
  • Children's pool
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground
  • Pool gate

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 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

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

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 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

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

  • Pets and service animals are not allowed at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Up to 2 children 8 years old and younger stay free, per registered adult, when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Deposit: USD 200 per accommodation, per night

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

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

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit or credit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. 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. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and cash. This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector in each accommodation.

We should mention

  • Pool access available from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
  • Up to 2 children 8 years old and younger stay free, per registered adult, in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
  • Pets and service animals are not allowed on site.
  • 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

How close is Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails to the airport?

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails is 15.3 mi (48-min drive) away from the La Fortuna (FON-Arenal) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

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

As of Apr 17, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails on May 2, 2026 start from CA $146, 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.

Does Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails have an airport shuttle?

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails offers an airport shuttle 24 hours a day, on request, for a charge of USD 225 per vehicle, one-way.

Does Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails offer free breakfast?

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails offers free cooked-to-order breakfast every day from 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM.

Is there a casino at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?

No, there is no casino at this lodge.

What time is check-in at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?

Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 10 PM.

Is there free parking at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?

This lodge offers free self parking.

Does Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails have a pool?

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails features an outdoor pool and a children's pool. Guests can enjoy pool access from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Does Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails have a restaurant?

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails is home to El Jilguero, which features international cuisine.

Does Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails have a spa?

This lodge has a spa, which features detox wraps, Swedish massages, and body scrubs.

How close is Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails to downtown La Fortuna?

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails is 4.9 mi away from La Fortuna.

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 778 out of 966 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 147 out of 966 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 32 out of 966 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 4 out of 966 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 5 out of 966 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

9.4/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

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

10/10 Excellent

Sonda

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Beautiful grounds!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
helpful staff. clean room. lovely location. plenty of interesting forest walks, and the odd volcano nearby
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The biggest asset to this property is its location within Arenal National Park. The lodge is truly at the foot of Arenal volcano. There was lots of wildlife to be seen on the AOL property including birds, some mammals and frogs. Complimentary breakfast met everyone’s needs. Lunch and dinner at the lodge are expensive. The property is pretty far from La Fortuna (20 min?) and the road is rough for part of the drive, so you won’t want to zip in and out. We planned to be gone for the day when we left. Front desk staff was great and happy to help arrange tours or outings at no cost.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Nicola

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The location is great in the heart of the forest with trails all around. We booked a Standard Room which was located a short but steep walk away from the main building. The room was clean and a good size. The large terrace had a view of the lake but far better was the hummingbird that lived in the bush right in front and the coati roaming around the garden. Wildlife is everywhere here. We enjoyed a free guided day tour and a guided night tour. We saw an anteater, howler monkeys, bespectacled owls, frogs, snakes and all sorts of birds. The only thing that let this hotel down was the food. The staff in the restaurant but the food itself was not great and dinner options were very limited.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Xin Feng

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Darci, Chicago

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I doubt you can find a better view of the Arenal Volcano than at Arenal Observatory Lodge, plus the property is gorgeous and filled with wildlife (so many birds and a troop of monkeys swung by one evening). This isn't a fancy place — more old school — but if you're looking for a peaceful space to reset and experience nature, it's perfect. We'd stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Blaine

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room good , but lacked chairs , no heating which would have been handy to dry cloth as it rained all the time , quiet , fantastic views ,
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carol

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Yes, Volcano park entrance is nearby. But there is no need for a national park as you have a front stage view of the volcano, 11 km of trails, access to guides, a waterfall, hanging bridges, and wildlife! We only needed to leave to access the hot springs. Otherwise this is paradise! tours
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Todd

Travelled with family
Liked: Amenities
Was last at this resort 22 years ago. This time returned with kids and did not disappoint! Stayed in Phil Villa and besides a slight bug issue was amazing and 5 stars.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025