Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa
Hotels in La Fortuna
Higher end rooms tend to be located in the thermal resorts just outside of town. Those looking to sleep cheap will find a score of budget options right in La Fortuna. One of the better choices is Arenal Backpackers Resort ★ (tel. 2479-7000), which bills itself as a “five-star hostel” for its large pool, free Wi-Fi, and volcano views. It has both shared-bathroom dorm rooms and more upscale private rooms.
A couple of places both in town and right on the outskirts of La Fortuna allow camping, with access to basic bathroom facilities, for around $10 to $15 per person per night. If you have a car, drive a bit out of town toward Tabacón and you’ll find several more basic cabins and camping sites, some of which offer volcano views.
Near the Volcano
While La Fortuna is the major gateway town to Arenal Volcano, the best places to stay are on the road between La Fortuna and the national park. We have full reviews for a number of them on this website.
Although the hotels along the road between La Fortuna and the National Park tend to be geared toward higher-end travelers, more budget-conscious travelers do have a few choices, the best of which is Cabinas Los Guayabos (tel. 2479-1444), with views and a location that rival the more expensive lodgings listed above. There’s also Lomas del Volcán (tel. 2479-9000), with 47-rooms, a pool, and hiking trails.
East of La Fortuna
The broad, flat San Carlos Valley spreads out to the east of La Fortuna. This is agricultural heartland, with large plantations of yuca, papaya, and other cash crops. The popular Ciudad Quesada route to or from La Fortuna will take you through this area.
South of La Fortuna
Finca Luna Nueva Lodge ★★ (tel. 800/903-3470 in the U.S. and Canada, or 2468-4006 in Costa Rica) is a fascinating sustainable farm and tourism project, and proud advocate for the international “slow food” movement.
A Really Remote Nature Lodge
This little-visited area along the San Carlos River near the Nicaraguan border is hard to get to, with rough and poorly maintained roads. But those who brave it will find themselves right in the heart of nature, particularly at the Maquenque Ecolodge ★ (tel. 2479-8200), where birders have been known to spot green macaws in the wild. To get here, head first to Pital and then continue on dirt roads to the town of Boca Tapada. It’s also possible, albeit difficult, to get here on public transportation (ask your hotel for directions), or ask for the hotel to arrange transportation from San José or La Fortuna. Since anyone with four-wheel-drive can make the trip here independently, though, you’re best off driving on your own.
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20 Results
- Hotel
Arenal Kioro
You’ll feel like you’re right on top of the volcano here, though surrounded by 27-acres of superbly landscaped grounds. Rooms are very large, with extremely high ceilings and a wall of windows with a sliding-glass door that opens onto a private balcony or patio with a perfect volcano…$$$Near the Volcano
- Hotel
Arenal Kokoro
This place arguably gets you the best bang for your buck in the area. The spacious individual “eco-cabinas” all have volcano views and small private balconies. The more economical “casona” rooms are a tad more rustic and housed in two-story blocks of four rooms. Inside you’ll find a…$$Near the Volcano - Hotel
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa
Originally a scientific observatory associated with the Smithsonian to monitor volcanic activity, this is one of the closest hotels to the Arenal Volcano. The views from the rooms, restaurant, and common areas are simply spectacular. The main dining room features a massive wall of…$$Near the Volcano - Hotel
Caño Negro Natural Lodge
Serious bird-watchers, nature lovers, and fishermen should consider this very remote lodging in the tiny lagoon-side village of Caño Negro. Bordering the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, this simple place offers easy access to the lakes, lagoons, and waterways of these beautiful,…$$North of La Fortuna - Hotel
Chachagua Rainforest Hotel & Hacienda
This boutique rainforest lodge is located on 100 hectares (247 acres) of land, much of which is primary rainforest. Rooms are certainly comfortable and cozy, but consider splurging on one of the master bungalows, which are much roomier, have TVs and Jacuzzi tubs, and their own large,…$$$South of La Fortuna - Hotel
Hotel La Fortuna
This used to be a simple, two-story, wood-and-zinc hostel, but a fire changed all that, and now it’s a modern, five-story hotel. The best rooms face west and have volcano-view balconies. Of these, the top two floors are the best, as their views aren’t blocked by Hotel Las Colinas and…$Around Town - Hotel
Hotel Las Colinas
This centrally located three-story hotel is a great value. The less expensive rooms here are quite plain yet all clean and cozy, while for a bit more you can upgrade and get a private volcano-view balcony and in-room Jacuzzi. Even if you don’t, there’s a gorgeous, open-air,…$Around Town - Hotel
Hotel Magic Mountain
You can enjoy a postcard-pretty view of Arenal Volcano’s perfect cone while lying in bed in most of the rooms at Magic Mountain. But even if you can’t see it from your pillow, every room comes with a private balcony or patio with a volcano view (junior suites have the view from a…$$Around Town - Hotel
Hotel Silencio del Campo
This friendly, family-run resort features a small collection of individual cabins oriented to take in the volcano view. All are quite spacious, with red tile floors, wooden walls, air-conditioning, TVs, and minifridges. They are a little bit too close together, but large tropical…$$Near the Volcano - Hotel
La Laguna del Lagarto Lodge
Although it’s not exactly at the end of the road, La Laguna del Lagarto Lodge certainly feels like it. Tucked into a far northern section of Costa Rica, close to the Nicaraguan border, this rustic lodge caters primarily to bird-watchers. The bird count here tops 390 species,…$$Farther Afield - Hotel
Nayara Gardens, Nayara Springs, and Nayara Tented Camp
Intimate, romantic, and pampering: Those are the words that come to mind when describing this resort complex, despite the fact that it encompasses 62 acres altogether. It’s a special place, and it expanded significantly just recently, when it opened Nayara Tented Camp…$$$Near the Volcano - Hotel
Selina La Fortuna
The common areas of this lively hostel in central La Fortuna include everything from a pool to a full-service restaurant. The backpacking crowd gravitates towards their 4- to 10-bed dorms, though the most interesting deal in town might be their tent teepees, a collection of…$In town - Hotel
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
You might want to stay here for the fab hot springs, even if the rooms were dark, dank and dingy—but they’re not. Far from it. Guestrooms are large and well-maintained, with heavy, dark-stained wood furnishings and at least one wall of windows or sliding glass doors. Some have…$$$Near the Volcano - Hotel
Termales del Bosque
The name translates to “Hot Springs of the Forest,” and that’s exactly what you’ll find at this simple collection of rooms and bungalows housed in single-story concrete block buildings spread around the open grounds of a former farm. The rooms are unadorned, with plain white walls,…$$East of La Fortuna - Hotel
The Royal Corin
The pool, sauna, steam, and hot-spring complex at this contemporary resort are first-rate, and include such fun touches as lounge chairs submerged in some of the pools. Around this “main attraction” are the five-story buildings that house the guestrooms, each of which has a private…$$$Near the Volcano - Hotel
The Springs Resort & Spa
In contrast to the intimate Nayara, the Springs Resort & Spa is built on a grand scale. This massive complex features huge, comfortable rooms and great beds, but the key here is the wide range of on-site attractions and activity options, including an extensive collection of hot…$$$Near the Volcano - Hotel
Tifakara Boutique Hotel
The Tifakara pulls off the neat trick of giving the impression of being deep in the rainforest, while allowing guests to easily walk into the heart of La Fortuna (it’s just on the outskirts of town, on the road to the waterfall). Visitors stay (mostly) in tiny, but chicly streamlined…$$Outskirts - Hotel
Tilajari Resort Hotel
A low-key, somewhat dated small resort and nature lodge, Tilajari is on the banks of the San Carlos River, making it a wonderful place for bird-watching and wildlife viewing. The river is home to crocodiles, lizards, turtles, and a great variety of bird species. Oversized rooms with…$$East of La Fortuna - Hotel
Villa Blanca Cloud Forest & Spa
Once the country retreat and family-run hotel of former Costa Rican President Rodrigo Carazo Odio, this beautiful mountain lodge features a series of individual little houses, or casitas, with clay-tile roofs, whitewashed stucco walls, rustic tile floors, and open-beam and cane…$$$South of La Fortuna - Hotel
Volcano Lodge & Springs
Most of the rooms at this sprawling midsize resort offer unobstructed views of the Arenal Volcano from a private patio with locally crafted leather rocking chairs. Masonry half-walls of smooth river stones give the lodge a rustic feel, but inside you’ll find flatscreen TVs and quiet…$$Near the Volcano
