In general is a beautiful place to visit in Arenal. Many birds. So, why exactly is the Arenal Observatory Lodge so unique? Best Extreme Hike Any Costa Rica expert will tell you the same as what we state above. Most Erroneous Costa Rica Travel Myth, Best Way To Get Into The Costa Rican Spirit Best Opportunity To Take A Selfie We appreciate your interest, preference, time, and visit. Shared accommodations in the La Casona building help keep the hotel affordable to backpackers and travellers with a strict budget, yet private standard rooms, superior rooms (called Smithsonian rooms), and junior suites are available for couples, families, and friend groups in search of independence and greater privacy, and at prices that are comparable to (if not less expensive than) those offered by other superior hotels in the region. Most Romantic Gesture Best Ancient Ruins The room we had, #14 in the Smithsonian section, was very sizable, and again, the view was to die for. Best View Of The Guanacaste Plains The trails and gardens are awesome, well signed and really clean. Best Place To See Coatis Best Museum This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Many acres to walk, including the farm areas. In contrast, guests that stay in the lower building are situated closer to the hotels pool, Jacuzzi, spa, museum, game room, and nature trails. Fortunately for us, at the hotel we existed on what felt like our own time in what truly was our own space. Here are your options for trails in and around the park. Best Butterfly Garden Best Navidad (Christmas) Tradition However, taxis waiting at the La Fortuna bus stop are equipped to handle difficult road conditions. Best View Overlooking Arenal Lake Best Hot Springs The dry season is December to April. What a mesmerizing experience! Best Holiday Celebration Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Best River For White Water Rafting Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement. Beautifully maintained grounds for a hike. 11km. This is an amazing place to go birdwatching. Best Mascot When is Arenal Observatory Lodge Trail open? Plenty of wildlife lives in the area, including monkeys, anteaters, coatis, frogs, and more than 500 species of birds. Attractions near Arenal Observatory Lodge Trail: 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Many accommodations in the region offer informative placards and bird/wildlife spotting guides, but none offer as complete a collection as the museum at the Arenal Observatory Lodge. Given its distance from town, most tour operators and transportation service providers do not consider it to be a La Fortuna hotel, and as such, most will not include complimentary pick-up and drop-off services at the hotel without charging extra pick-up or drop-off fees (these fees tend to range from $20-$50 per group, per way). Best Yoga Pose Based on our booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, this experience is likely to sell out through Viator. Perched above the forest, not only do the floor-to-ceiling windows provide a stunning view of the of the Arenal Volcano, but from the restaurant, one can also admire a blanket of treetops below and swarms of birds (mainly Oropendulas) out front. In addition to offering many items for purchase (including souvenirs, books, and toiletry items), the reception also provides guests with towels for use at the pool and a free bird guide (dont forget to ask for the bird list upon check-in). ), You wouldnt mind the required transportation (approximately twenty-five minutes, each way) to get to and from downtown La Fortuna where the majority of dining and shopping options are located); you believe the hotels remote location is well worth the trip, You are looking to stay at a hotel that is quiet, slow-paced, and offers a hospitality experience that includes lots of down time, If you have a rental car, you do not mind driving yourselves between the hotel and downtown La Fortuna in order to participate in tours/activities that interest you, If you do not have a rental car, you do not mind paying extrafees to tour operators and/or transportation service providersto obtain pick-up/drop-off services directly at the hotel in order to participate in tours/activities that interest you. How to plan a trip to Costa Rica for free step by step, Best time to visit / Costa Rica's seasons. Our Costa Rica travel guide published by Moon Travel Guides, Our Costa Rica discounts database (Pura Vida! Yum! Best Use Of An Extra Two Dollars In Your Pocket You do not have permission to view this forum. eh? There is simply no place like this in our experience. As well as visiting the Arenal Observatory Lodge and Spa, check out these trip ideas to make the most of your visit: Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park Tours & Tickets, Arenal Observatory Lodge and Spa Tours & Tickets, Venado Caves (Cavernas de Venado) Tours & Tickets, Los Laureles Hot Springs (Termales Los Laureles) Tours & Tickets, Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rescue Center Tours & Tickets, Top Hiking Trails in Arenal Volcano National Park, Los Laureles Hot Springs (Termales Los Laureles). The cost you will pay to the Arenal Observatory Lodge for the shuttle service will be less than the cost a tour operator will charge to pick you up and/or drop you off at the Arenal Observatory Lodge directly. As per our preference for being picky, our Arenal hotel recommendations are carefully and cautiously curated according to a number of factors. We're so glad we made the arduous trip to get there. #Cos, Lounge around in paradise! Best Way To Avoid A Parking Ticket Arenal Hotel Recommendation: Arenal Observatory Lodge; Part 1: The Hotel. While many travellers would expect to receive such luxuries with the purchase of an upgraded stay, we opted for the hotels standard room, and we were pleasantly surprised by the dual experience it provided. Best Slogan To Recite And, they too would be right. Best Night Tour READ THIS FIRST! If the weathers been wet, ask about road conditions before driving there in a standard vehicle. Although we fell in love with the hotel, the Arenal Observatory Lodge isnt for everyone. Mistico Park or Sky Walk/Adventures: Which Arenal Hanging Bridges Are The Best? Best Hanging Bridge We also thought that the hotels conscious decision not to provide televisions in their rooms was clever, as was the witty sign in the bathroom that reminds guests to throw all toilet paper in the trash bin as opposed to the toilet (a standard Costa Rican practice at the majority of hotels throughout the country): Kleenex, matches, pins, and strings, Best Aerial Tram Ride Looking for a writer, blogger, travel journalist, proofreader, copywriter, and/or Spanish/English translator/editor? Do you need to book Arenal Observatory Lodge Trail tickets in advance? Best Historical Site Good for people with mobility issues. The common roomtogether with the hotels game room and museum located elsewhere on the propertyoffer opportunities for passing time during rainy periods. Not surprisingly, we both came to the same conclusion about our time at the hotel: that while the Arenal Observatory Lodges remoteness may be a hindrance to some, because of it, we were able to experience a perfectly quiet scene, an unobstructed volcano view, and a nature-filled few days in Costa Ricas epicenter of adventure (a.k.a., La Fortuna) without any disturbance from the pushy kind of tourism that engulfs the towns center. Best View Of The Arenal Volcano Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn what to do in Costa Rica, including recommendations for the most popular Costa Rica activities, as well as ways to discover Costa Rica off the beaten path. One of Costa Ricas top hiking destinations, Arenal Volcano National Park offers a range of hiking trails that wind through wildlife-rich rainforest and old lava flows, all anchored by one of the worlds most active volcanoes. Although we had long-lived at the base of the beast on its east side, where we sat to the west, we could almost reach out and touch it. The only problem with the room was with the noise from the neighbors whose conversation could be easily heard even at 10 PM. Even when the mountain is veiled in mist, theres still plenty to do on the Observatorys vast grounds. 75 photos that will make you want to go to Costa Rica ASAP! Lockers and towels are available on-site, and a buffet lunch is included in the admission price. Dining ambiance, quality, and affordability at the Arenal Observatory Lodge is important, given that the next closest restaurant to the hotel is a minimum ten-minute drive away. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica beaches, including recommendations for beaches to visit in Costa Rica. Most Underrated Hotel Amenities, Best Shortcut Most Convenient Waterfall To Visit, Best Airport For more information about what we experienced at the hotelspecifically, the trails we hiked, what we saw, and what we would recommend to other travellersdont miss part two of our seriesArenal Hotel Recommendation: Arenal Observatory Lodge; Part 2: Nature Trails And Things To Do. Far from the tourist center of La Fortuna, the village of El Castillo offers a more secluded place to view Costa Ricas Arenal Volcano. Best Soda Restaurant (Caribbean) One attraction th, Tour a #coffeeplantation! Most Dangerous Roadway Bridge Crossing Art, woodworking, and cult, Check out some beach caves! Best Zipline Tour Cold coconut water is just as del, Relax on a secluded beach! Be sure to bring footwear and outer rain gear that can repel torrential rains if you get caught in a storm. Most Breathtaking Architecture Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here. Most Likely Fruit To Give You Montezumas Revenge, Most Stunning Product Of A Chemical Reaction In addition, given the Arenal Observatory Lodges remote location, there are few dining options situated close to the hotel, with the exception of the hotels onsite restaurant (it is also worth noting that there are no dining options within walking distance of the hotel, with the exception of the hotels onsite restaurant). Fortunately, in terms of overall experience, the restaurant does not disappoint. Well signed. I would go back. Best Place To See Caimans The view from our room or even the registration office is just magnificent. Must-Try Fruit (Cooked) For travellers who are interested in learning about the onsite activities and things to do at the Arenal Observatory Lodge, dont miss part two of our blog series:Arenal Hotel Recommendation: Arenal Observatory Lodge; Part 2: Nature Trails And Things To Do. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. eh? A sign at the @BananaBe, Drink pipa fria! Many accommodations in the region offer volcano views, but none allow visitors to see the Arenal Volcano as close and with as much detail as the Arenal Observatory Lodge. If you want to chill ou, Explore the Terraba-Sierpe National Wetlands! If not a guest staying at the lodge (we werent). He counted 42 species in two hours (after two hours it started raining and the birds went into hiding). Best Breakfast Menu Item (Traditional) Our company is inclusive. The below post isthe first part of our two-part series about the Arenal Observatory Lodge. For travellers who would prefer to walk to and from the lodges separate areas, directional signs scattered throughout the property will guide your way. Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. We were there in rainy season so literally never saw the volcano. From the moment you arrive and find yourself with an unparalleled view of the volcano, to the incredibly extensive trails, Arenal Observatory Lodge is a hidden gem you simply cannot miss. The hotel (i.e., who should stay at the hotel, who might prefer to stay elsewhere, the hotels property, hotel room accommodations, and dining at the Arenal Observatory Lodge) Simply put, the Arenal Observatory Lodge is one of the best accommodations in the La Fortuna/Arenal region for accessing barely-touched land; not only is the majority of the hotels property lush and green, but it boasts both primary and secondary forest, and is adjacent to the Arenal Volcano National Park, You are interested in walking/hiking self-guided trails that vary in duration and difficulty, You are interested in educating yourself about the volcano, volcanic activity, and/or the history of the hotels property (i.e., you would make use of the hotels onsite musuem and enjoy the information provided), You do not require a high degree of stimulation, action, adventure, or movement to stay interested (i.e., you could spend a few hours reading a book on the hotels balcony, admiring the surrounding views from a variety of lookout points, or strolling through a walking trail; you do not bore easily and/or feel nature is exciting enough! One of our best days in La Fortuna area! Coolest Animal To See Up Close, Best Volcano To Visit It is a wonderful property, lots of trails to hike and enjoy! This experience is showcased by Viator and has met our quality standards. Were a happily married, nature-loving, adventurous couple in our 15th year of exploring Costa Rica together. For the purpose of our series, the Arenal Observatory Lodge information has been divided into two sections: #1. Best Zipline Cable The main gate to the hotel closes at 11pm. Had a wonderful lunch (excellent food and large amount). The second edition of my #CostaRi, Marvel at the nations beautiful landscape! As we regularly do after we cross another Costa Rica travel experience off our bucket list, Ricky and I reflected on the days escapadeswhat we liked, what we didnt like, what was surprising, what was uneventful, and what we would consider recommending to others. Most Important Reason For Keeping Colones On Hand. Best In-Pool Hot Springs Feature Inc.). Our thoughts are influenced by our own travel experiences for the sole purpose of contributing feedback to the greater travel community. As vegetarians, we could choose from one of four meal options: a mixed vegetable plate, vegetables with rice, vegetable casado (rice, beans, vegetables, plantain, tortilla, and egg), or a concoction of mixed vegetables in a curry and coconut sauce. Its all a bother and a care, If the following reality was enough for us to hesitate recommending the Arenal Observatory Lodge to travellers at one point in time, there is a good chance that the same reality is impacting your decision-making too. This place is great !!! ~ Anon(ymous). In the morning, we were spoiled by a breakfast buffet of fresh fruit (watermelon, papaya, and pineapple), toast, cheese, meat, eggs, gallo pinto (rice and beans), pancakes, and more (note that a boxed breakfast is available to travellers who plan to leave the hotel prior to 7:00am, so long as the reception is informed of the early morning departure the night before). We had completed a challenging hike to the propertys waterfall a few hours earlier, and we were enjoying some downtime as we watched Oropendulas beat the humidity by feasting on slices of juicy watermelon. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about transportation in Costa Rica, including different ways to get around Costa Rica. Coolest Tree 96% of travelers recommend this experience. Restaurants near Arenal Observatory Lodge Trail: What attractions are near Arenal Observatory Lodge Trail? Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about coming and going from Costa Rica, including Costa Rica packing information, Costa Rica souvenir information, and tips for practicing responsible, sustainable tourism. DIY Costa Rica provides 100+ unique experience recommendations, each written as a chapter in a book, complete with photo galleries, Costa Rica field notes, experience details, Spanish pronunciation help, links to additional resources, and maps. Because it isquite literallyLa Fortunas Arenal Observatory Lodge. For safety reasons, the front gate closes at 11:00pm (no exceptions) and reopens at 5:00am, so travellers should plan their check-in, check-out, and/or day trips accordingly. However, even when it rained briefly during our visit, we chose to make use of our rooms balcony/terrace amid the shower; as the rain began to let up, we were right there to see and hear toucans play in the mist. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. You can see the lake, volcano and the nearby mountain range. Dinner: 6:00pm to 8:30pm Best Cultural Tour If youre more of a visual learner, take a moment to view our gallery photos below from our most recent visit to the Arenal Observatory Lodge. Best View Of Volcano Lava Rocks Arenal Observatory Trails Admission Ticket, Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, Typical lunch and Arenal Volcano Hike, Full day Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall and Hotsprings, Rainforest Chocolate Tour from La Fortuna, Full-Day Rio Celeste Tour From La Fortuna, 3-in-1 Arenal Combo Tour: Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall & Volcano Hike, Pure Trek Canyoning and Waterfall Rappelling Tour in La Fortuna, Sloths Watching Tour through Sloth's Territory, Our Famous Mambo Combo Canyoning and Rafting near the Arenal Volcano. SEE SUMMARY FOR SPEC OFFER, The Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa & Resort, View all hotels near Arenal Observatory Lodge Trail on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Arenal Observatory Lodge Trail on Tripadvisor, View all attractions near Arenal Observatory Lodge Trail on Tripadvisor. If youre just setting out on this journey, review our introductory Costa Rica trip-planning resources first. Happy hour offering two-for-one drinks: 5:00pm to 6:00pm (bar closes at 10:00pm). Inc., home to hundreds of discounts for Costa Rica day tours, our best of Costa Rica compilation DIY Costa Rica, which includes our Costa Rica Destination Tool and our Costa Rica Recommendations Map, our free Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course, and our awesome Costa Rica travel guidebooksMoon Best of Costa Rica (coming December 2022), Moon Costa Rica (2021), and Moon Costa Rica (2019)published by the prestigious Moon Travel Guides. We support our comments with evidence, however we welcome opposing comments. NEW! The operator whose product is featured here may pay Viator more. Arenal Observatory Lodge and Spa, one of the few hotels on this side of the mountain, offers impressive views of the volcano, plus well-maintained hiking, horseback riding, and mountain-biking trails. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about spending money in Costa Rica, including Costa Rica payment policies, Costa Rica currency exchange, using USD in Costa Rica, tipping information, and more. The reception is also responsible for verifying guest access to the lodge via the propertys front gate. Best Fruit Smoothie If you will arrive later than 11pm, you will need to contact reception. Best Coffee Climb one of the tallest observation towers in Costa Rica. THE ARENAL OBSERVATORY LODGE IS LA FORTUNAS MOST UNIQUE ACCOMMODATION. $$ - $$$ International South American Costa Rican, $$ - $$$ Italian Pizza International, $$ - $$$ Steakhouse Latin Central American, $$ - $$$ South American Costa Rican Vegetarian Friendly, $$$$ American International South American, $$ - $$$ International Fusion Costa Rican, Fast Food Healthy Costa Rican Vegetarian Friendly. Providing a much needed boost to start off a rather adventurous hiking day, we appreciated the protein-packed peanut butter cups and the homemade banana bread. Best Novelty Restaurant country plumbing will reject Best Nature Tour Operator See if you can book Raul as your guide and go early in the morning. Arenal Observatory Lodge restaurant hours Trails around the compound were fun to walk, and the view from the slightly swaying "Nest" lookout tower was another highlight. Your SPAM-FREE visit to OUR FREE WEBSITE is more important to us than making money off your clicks. While we provide general details below about the Arenal Observatory Lodge (specifically, the hotels rooms, property, and restaurant), what is most telling is our admittance of why it took us so long to recommend the hotel to others, and more importantly, why we are more confident doing so now than ever before. Highly recommended! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. We love this photogeni, Swim at the base of a waterfall! filter tips and other things Best Swimming Lagoon, Most Common Dining Expression Best Adventure Tour Itemized by category, the following is a breakdown of the recommendations documented on DIY Costa Rica. . Meet us, learn about our Costa Rica experience, and learn how we help Costa Rica travelers! Were Ricky, a born-and-raised Tico (Costa Rican) and former tour guide; and Nikki, a writer, published guidebook author, and Tica (Costa Rican) at heart. Perhaps most tellingly, we realized that we would have loved our visit just as much had our vehicle not been parked in the hotels lot, and from this point on, we knew that not having access to a rental car was no longer a sufficient excuse for missing out on everything that the Arenal Observatory Lodge has to offer. In contrast to the list provided above, if you do not plan to spend much time at your La Fortuna accommodation (i.e., if the majority of your days in the region will be spent exploring the town, participating in offsite tours and activities, and/or taking day tours to nearby towns or attractions), then perhaps the Arenal Observatory Lodges remote property and onsite offerings would pose few advantages to you. Hotels near Arenal Observatory Lodge Trail: What restaurants are near Arenal Observatory Lodge Trail? Please note that our reviews are not financially supported by the companies we choose to evaluate. The Arenal Volcano is in a dormant phase, with very little activity, and may continue to slumber for hundreds of years. Just behind the hotels reception is a set of stairs that lead down to the propertys Spider Bridge hanging bridge. Also, unlike competing blogs, we never sell your personal information (for example, your email address). Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica luxury travel, including recommendations for high-end accommodations in Costa Rica. We write only what we believe or choose to believe in, and not a word more. but oh my dear! Best Art Gallery Learn more and access the tool on our sister site, DIY Costa Rica, here. Beams of sunlight broke through the clouds and illuminated the Arenal Volcano National Park below; Lake Arenal shone in the distance. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. 99% of travelers recommend this experience. The views of the volcano are great almost from any place in the property, besides there is a tower for a better view. Best Post-Meal Treat, Best Vacation Rental Property Hundreds of articles on Costa Rica trip planning, travel in Costa Rica, and saving money, plus free discounts. If so, get DIY Costa Rica access. Best Place To See Scarlet Macaws Best Place To See Crocodiles Theres certain. 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