Overall Ratings & Reviews Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

I stayed at this facility primarily for access to birding opportunities. The trails are in excellent condition and easy to walk if you’re in decent shape. I did get some of my target birds, and did not run into many people at all on the trails. There is lots of good birding opportunities within a few short drives of this location too. Food was excellent and room very comfortable

Wonderful room, great property for viewing wildlife

Very good.

Absolutely wonderful place to stay in the Arenal Volcano area. We were there for five nights and enjoyed seeing many species of birds both from their large observation deck and on the birding walk with Nestor and the Nature walks with Christian. The view of the volcano and lovely Arenal Lake is magnificent! Also saw several cute and friendly coatis and a spider monkey mama cuddling her baby up in the trees. The staff, though, is the BEST part of staying here! They are all friendly, attentive and accommodating to your wishes or needs. Can't say enough good things about this aspect of the hotel! Muchas gracias por la Pura Vida!!!

The property has an excellent location. The restaurant is also really good. Our first room a short drive away had a very nice balcony. We upgraded to the volcano view room on the 2nd night but the room we were given was different from the photos, very small and not large enough for 3 people. The front desk agreed to move us and after some discussion it was resolved.

Our two-day retreat at Arenal Observatory Lodge was nothing short of magical. Nestled amidst the lush rainforest, the lodge offers an unparalleled connection to nature. Waking up to a symphony of birds and the breathtaking view of the volcano was a rejuvenating experience for the soul. The abundance of birdlife and plant species made every moment a discovery. The well-maintained trails and observation decks provided serene spots to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty surrounding us. On our final evening, we dined at the lodge’s restaurant, El Jilguero. The meal was exquisite! From starters to desserts, compliments to the chef. What truly set our experience apart was the warmth and friendliness of the staff. Their genuine hospitality made us feel welcomed and cared for throughout our visit. Arenal Observatory Lodge isn’t just a place to stay; it’s a sanctuary that nourishes the spirit and reconnects you with nature. We left feeling refreshed, inspired, and eager to return.

Wonderful area, good bird watching with feeders. The trails are challenging and very steep. Breakfast was great, and room was excellent with a terrace.

nice welcoming , beautiful view

A very peaceful spot. Nice and well marked trails with an abundance of birds and insects to see.

We were so headed that we decided to stay here. It was fantastic. Location, grounds, amenities. I highly recommend it

It was an amazing experience!

A friend and I stayed here for a week on a birding trip to Costa Rica. We found most aspects of AOL to be good, but we really disliked our restaurant experience. I have food allergies and gave the staff a translated card explaining what I can and cannot eat. This approach worked well in every other place we stayed, but not at AOL. I was provided with a meal that I was told the next night was not appropriate for my diet. So why did they give me that meal the first night? The exact same thing happened another night. On yet another day I ordered hummus with gluten free bread, only to find that the bread was still frozen. And yet again on another day, I ordered hummus with gluten free bread, only to discover that the bread on my plate was not gluten free. For an establishment that advertises their high quality restaurant and high prices, this is just not acceptable. As you can imagine, by the time I left after a week, I was quite ill.

Beautiful property and excellent staff

isolated quiet and good staff.

Wonderful place, up close to volcano, beautiful grounds, flowers and birds everywhere. Pictures don't do it justice. Staff all extremely helpful, we had a flat tire the last day of our trip and had a flight to catch - one staff member took us to an air pump on site, but then we discovered the nail in the tire, so another staff member helped us put on the spare and we managed to make our flight! So very grateful! Food delicious at the restaurant as well. Hope to come back here some day.

Wonderful property! Extremely well managed and professional, friendly and helpful staff. The best of Costa Rica is well represented here. Pura vida!

The property grounds and hiking trails were amazing. The road to get there was rough.

We absolutely loved our stay at the Observatory Lodge. Such a beautiful location, lovely room, helpful staff especially Christien our guide on the first morning - we learned so much about the flora and fauna. The setting was stunning, view of the volcano myriad birds and animals - difficult to express more how wonderful our stay was. Steve and Sally

We loved being so close to the volcano and waking up to a group of coatis on our deck. Hiking was fabulous and the staff was wonderful.

3 night stay Und of February with 2 adults and 3 boys under 12. This place was a Peacful & Serine Jungle Stay. This property exceededed expectations. From gaming rooms, pool, hot tub, dining. Walk right out to the trails with a short drive to Lafortuna. We Hiked, did horseback riding, ziplines and swam waterfalls. We do recommend rental car. Down side is there is No AC but evening are cool in the jungel and a ceiling fan helps. Also no mini fridge or ice machines we had to get it from the dining facility. This place is well kept with a natural feel. Definitely recommend.