Arenal Observatory Lodge

There are 6 accommodation types and 48 rooms available of varying size and space within the lodge which include: the Standard Room, the Smithsonian Room, and the Junior Suite. There are also villa options which are: La Casona, White Hawk Villa, and Phil’s Villa. There are several amenities provided in each room with a private balcony or deck for guests to enjoy the magnificent views of the Arenal Volcano and the verdant garden surroundings.

• 2 king sized beds
• Accommodates up to 4 people
• Private deck
• Small living room
• Large picture window
• Buffet breakfast
• Coffee maker
• Small refrigerator
• Free Wi-Fi
• Security box
• Free access to the observation tower
• Use of the pool and jacuzzi
• Free walk in the morning accompanied by a guide
• Property map and bird list

• 2 queen sized beds
• Accommodates up to 4 people
• Private deck
• Large picture window
• Private bathroom
• Buffet breakfast
• Coffee maker
• Free Wi-Fi
• Security box
• Free access to the observation tower
• Use of the pool and jacuzzi
• Free walk in the morning accompanied by a guide
• Property map and bird list

• 2 queen sized beds
• Accommodates up to 4 people
• Private balcony
• Sitting chairs
• Writing table
• Private bathroom
• Buffet breakfast
• Coffee maker
• Free Wi-Fi
• Security box
• Free access to the observation tower
• Use of the pool and jacuzzi
• Free walk in the morning accompanied by a guide
• Property map and bird list

• 3 queen sized beds and a bunk bed
• 5 rooms
• Accommodates up to 4 people
• Private deck
• Large common sitting room
• 2 full bathrooms
• Spacious front porch
• Buffet breakfast
• Coffee maker
• Free Wi-Fi
• Security box
• Free access to the observation tower
• Use of the pool and jacuzzi
• Free walk in the morning accompanied by a guide
• Property map and bird list

• 2 king sized beds, 2 twin beds and 2 single hideaway beds
• Accommodates up to 8 people
• “Wall-to-wall” balcony
• Well-ventilated living room
• Dining room
• Fully-equipped kitchen
• Smart television
• 2 full bathrooms
• Large picture windows
• Buffet breakfast
• Free Wi-Fi
• Security box
• Free access to the observation tower
• Use of the pool and jacuzzi
• Free walk in the morning accompanied by a guide
• Property map and bird list

• 4 king sized beds and 1 king sized bed
• Accommodates up to 10 people
• Two-storey villa
• Large balcony and terrace
• Open living area
• Fireplace
• Smart television
• Dining room
• Large fully-equipped kitchen
• 3 private bathrooms
• Buffet breakfast
• Free Wi-Fi
• Security box
• Free access to the observation tower
• Use of the pool and jacuzzi
• Free walk in the morning accompanied by a guide
• Property map and bird list

Guests can dine at the El Jilgeuro restaurant to indulge on meals with panoramic views of the Arenal Lake whilst gazing out of the floor-to-ceiling windows to see the southern slope of the Arenal Volcano. You can also choose to eat outside on the terrace which doubles as a sun deck, where guests have the opportunity to meet other people from around the world or gather with friends in Chato’s Bar to relax on the large sofas whilst sipping on cocktails. You will be able to order meals from the restaurant and bar menu which includes appetisers like House Salad, main courses such as Lava Burger, Club Sandwich, Grilled Ribeye, or desserts like Coconut Flan, Lava Flow, Nutella Crepes and more. A variety of drinks can be ordered including natural drinks, a number of different flavoured milkshakes including papaya and blackberry, or cocktails like Bay-Headed Tanager, Clay-Coloured Thrush, Passion Fruit Margarita and much more.

Guests have the opportunity to take part in a number of bird watching tours the lodge has to offer which include: Morning Birding, Afternoon Birding, All-Day Tour, Hanging Bridges Tour, El Silencio, and AOL and El Silencio. The Morning Birding Tour lasts for 2 hours in which you will be accompanied by an experienced guide who will help you complete your bird bucket list by spotting many of the 500 species within the private reserve. The Afternoon Birding is also 2 hours long where guests will again, be accompanied by an experienced guide who will take you to the best spots to see a variety of birds which often, are different from the ones spotted in the morning. The All-Day Tour is 7.5 hours long, combining both the morning and afternoon birding tours, allowing guests to see as many birds as they can with breaks in between for breakfast, lunch and a siesta. The Hanging Bridges Tour is 6 hours long which takes you out into the canopy at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park where you will be able to see a variety of birds from an elevated perspective: there are more than 350 species of birds in this area which include migratory and resident species. The El Silencio tour is 4 hours long where guests will venture to a nearby private reserve offering 4 different trails for you to walk along and spot several species of birds in the primary forest, secondary forest, and open areas. The AOL and El Silencio tour is 7.5 hours long where you will be taken to the wetland areas surrounding the Arenal Lake and the private El Silencio reserve to spot a number of birds.

Guests have the opportunity to take part in the Lava Tour where you will hike to remainder of the lava flow that was caused by the original eruption of the Arenal Volcano in 1968. The tour starts with a 15 minute drive to the Arenal Volcano National Park entrance and then a short walk along the trails through the secondary rainforest and natural open areas. The lava flow is situated at the end of the trails and along the way you will be able to see monkeys, toucans, parrots, oropendolas and other wildlife whilst the guide will explain facts and stories about the Arenal Volcano.

Take a dip in the natural thermal waters of Arenal Volcano as you have the opportunity to relax in the 15 hot mineral water pools at Baldi Hot Springs. Temperatures range from 34 degrees to 66 degrees with waters free of all contamination and are the most purest in the world. The water pools are filled by crystalline waterfalls in which you can float in whilst listening to the song of the birds around you as you relax in the refreshing waters. Guests can also make use of the swim-up bar and restaurant for a cool beverage or indulge in a delectable meal during your visit. There is also an extreme water slide available for everyone to use as well as a spa to increase the feeling or relaxation and wellness of the body.

This tour allows guests to ride on the open-air gondola of the Sky Tram which will take you to an observation area with endless views of the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. From here you will have the chance to zip line back down the mountains that stretch across canyons as you ride among the treetops with stops at various platforms along the way. The zip line tour consists of seven zip lines with the longest at 760 metres and the highest at 200 metres. You will travel 1250 metres in total on this tour with  bilingual naturalist guide who will teach you about the flora and fauna within the rainforest and a short trail is available at the top of the mountain that guests can explore.

Take part in the Sky River Drift Tour that combines three different activities with the first starting the tour off with three zip lines. These zip lines will take you to a large tree platform at more than 40 metres high from which you will rappel down using an “innovative hands-free speed-controlled descent device”, arriving at a natural river pond. At the end of this, you will then begin the adventure of whitewater rafting in individual tubing rafts along the Piedras Negras River.

Located by Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano, guests have the option of choosing a self-guided walk or a naturalist guided tour along 2 miles worth of trails. You will cross 16 hanging and suspension bridges among the trees of the rainforest from which you will be able to see nature from the ground, under the tree canopy, and above the treetops. The duration of this tour takes around 3 hours to complete with universal access trails with stunning views of Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano open to guests for exploration.

Guests can explore the Pencas Blancas River by taking part in the rafting tour to experience the nature and wildlife within Costa Rica on a peaceful expedition. The river is slow-flowing and mellow which gives you plenty of time to observe the wildlife in your surroundings including monkeys swinging among the treetops, caimans and crocodiles floating along in the river, iguanas scampering across the river bank, and birds flying high above you. You will be accompanied by a bilingual naturalist guide who will explain about the different types of plants, trees and animals that reside in the area during the 2 hour tour on the river.

“The hotel knows that for many travellers, staying at eco-friendly hotels is a priority. Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa has always valued the importance of our environment by the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. From the very beginning, we have worked toward the efficient use of resources, and practices which have minimal impact on our natural surroundings. When we acquired our property of 352 hectares in 1972 at the base of the Arenal Volcano, we adopted environmentally friendly practices from the start. Our policies and programmes promoting sustainability still continue today. Our objective has always been to be a leading hotel in Costa Rica offering excellent service and comfort to our guests, with a strong commitment to environmental protection. Since the year 2000, we have proudly participated in the Certification for Sustainable Tourism Programme by the Costa Rican Tourism Board. Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa holds a rating of 4 Leaves in the CST Programme, which rates and certifies tourism businesses from 1 to 5 Leaves based on their compliance with natural, cultural and social resource management.”

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa have undertaken a variety of eco-friendly practices to reduced the impacts on the environment and these include keeping sustainable maintenance of 270 acres of the property as a natural rainforest as well as 400 acres in reforestation with pine and eucalyptus. The lodge also uses pristine mountain sprint water within the building, they plant species native to the region within their gardens and green areas which attract birds and wildlife, the lodge uses natural and biodegradable products in order to maintain the gardens, indirect lighting is used in natural areas so as not to disturb the wildlife, and they also control the run-off of rainwater as this prevents soil erosion from happening. There is also the installation of proper sewage treatment plants so that the environment isn’t contaminated, the lodge encourages energy and water conservation practices among their employees and guests by asking them to turn off lights when not in use and reuse towels, waste is re-used and recycled as much as possible including organic waste being used as food for local farm animals. Fresh products are used rather than canned good within the restaurant as much as possible, refillable containers are used for shampoo and soap in guests rooms as well as biodegradable cleaning products, and the lodge hires local personnel and donate books, building materials, and supplies for events to the local school.