Arenal Waterfall Lodge

8.4

Excellent

466 Guest reviews

8.4

Excellent

466 Verified Reviews

Read all reviews

Cleanliness8.6/10

Service8.8/10

Comfort8.0/10

Condition7.8/10

location8.4/10

Neighborhood8.2/10

Value9.0/10

Amenities7.8/10

Nice quiet place to stay and relax. Mostly see people only during the breakfast. All 3 days we enjoed the pool by ourselves. Meaning if you do not want just relax and watch wild life there is nothing to do. Bar/Restorant is closed, only serves limited breakfast

Older property that was quiet and somewhat secluded but close to everything in Arenal area

Loud even at 2:30 am

This was a more rustic property, not updated at all. The rooms were barebones and the water pressure spotty. The pool was in disrepair in areas, but clean. The breakfast service was great. Nothing to do in the area and we needed to drive to anything we needed to do. Overall it was just fine for a few days.

The view from the pool overlooking a rain forest valley was fantastic. Breakfast includes 3 options with very small serving sizes. The food was good, just not enough. We purchased additional eggs for $1 each to make due. The rooms are much better in the photos. If you like to watch TV prior to going to sleep, bring your own, the rooms do not include TVs. We were there celebrating our anniversary and the walls are paper thin. We could hear quiet conversations in the adjoining rooms and hallway. And the bed was the loudest, squeakiest bed I have ever slept on. This did not improve our marital status. Also, room cleaning is not standard and must be requested 24hrs in advance. We would get new towels as needed by going to the front desk and seeing if anyone was there to get us new one. 50/50 if the desk was manned. Overarching, the property needs a major overhaul to be competitive in todays market. I would give the location 4 stars, the food 3 stars, the facilities 1 star, and the staff 1-2 stars.

They were amazing the rooms were clean

I had a great stay at Arenal Waterfall Lodge and I’m looking forward to going there again in the future! Great rooms, view, and breakfast. It was walking distance from the Arenal Waterfall which was very convenient, and a short drive from everything else in the area. The view from the hotel really made it stand out.

We stayed two days at the Arenal Waterfall Lodge. The cabin we stayed in was not featured in any of the pictures, but it was fairly nice. There were 3 queen sized beds, a full kitchen, and a nice balcony overlooking the jungle. The cabin was located approximately 1/2 mile down a steep and very rough Rd. It was nicely cleaned when we arrived and welcoming. Our greeting was very nice but limited in detail. The pool appeared clean, but we did not swim in it. The staff were all very polite, well-mannered and friendly. The breakfasts were very good. The property appeared aged, but the staff was working diligently at cleaning up the brush and making the large area more beautiful. The lodge was within walking distance of the Arenal waterfall and had many hiking trails to enjoy. We typically like rustic places to stay, but the beetles were a little overwhelming. The beetles, which measured approximately 1 to 2cm long and 1 centimeter wide we're harmless but annoying. At night the beetles flew around and ran into the walls and occasionally landed on the bed. During the day the Beetles would crawl on the floor, and we would kill them. At the end of two days there were approximately 20 beetles that we killed by stepping on them. There was no maid service during our stay, and that would not have mattered if it weren’t for a need to sweep up the beetles we stepped on.

Arenal Waterfall Lodge a jewel

Amazing experience. Daniel gave us great information. Very clean and surrounded by nature. Breakfast delicious!! Superb!

It’s very rustic, and the staff were awesome about giving information, and help.

Great stay, awesome hiking trails and close to waterfall tour, not included

great hotel with beautiful views. staff were extremely helpful

Lovely people, simple lodging, good breakfast - truly a great deal for the money, plus a quick walk to the waterfall if you don’t mind another walk back after that.

We had the 2 bedroom villa with private pool. It was beautiful all around and very private.

Great stay

Great stay! Very rustic cabins in nature with beautiful views! Beds were very comfortable & cabins are big. Reception was extremely friendly & helpful. Breakfast was good and made to order. Not many options but very good food. The staff in breakfast room were extremely friendly & attentive. Lots of friendly dogs to greet you, birds and beautiful foilage.

The bathroom in our room was run down and shabby looking. Breakfast was excellent. It is a beautiful location away from the busy and noisy La Fortuna, and so close to the waterfall. Staff were great!

It’s a quaint, rustic lodge that is on a great location and some great views especially of the volcano. For the price, you can’t go wrong if you’re looking for lodging that’s economical.

Nice property but the place was dead. Breakfast was average and coffee was bad

Loved the property very quiet near a lot of activities and close to LA Fortuna for eating and shopping 🛍️ Not so easy to find from the road no signage off the 207.

La propiedad es vieja, y la electricidad es común que se vaya y vuelva enseguida. El staff como en todos lados de CR es muy amable y servicial en todo momento. Lo mejor son el staff y la cercanía a las cataratas.

We stayed in the 2 bedroom Villa. The beds were comfortable. The location was private and quiet - but there are significant upgrades needed. We had large beetles in the house and lizards. There is a limited breakfast and no other dining options. The reception was not friendly - like we interrupted his time.

Really cool spot

When we first arrived, we were the only car in the parking lot. That had us a bit concerned but more guests did arrive later. Front desk staff was friendly. As soon as we checked in, the electricity went out for a few hours. The room itself was disappointing due to the musty, mildew smell. Luckily it was cool enough to have the windows open at night. However, we then heard barking dogs and very loud guests. I brought ear plugs which were helpful. The free breakfast offered was fine. However, the staff did not bother cleaning the table that we first set down at after I let them know it was full of ants. We obviously moved and I let the next party know so they did not sit there. The location to the Arenal Volcano and town restaurants is convenient. I would not stay here again unless I paid more for a private villa instead of a standard room in the main building. The grounds and the view are beautiful.

This property feels like an abandoned hotel. Yes it serves its purpose of shelter, but house smelled of garbage/sewage. Even outside sitting on pool deck. House just really run down.

The staff was just wonderful! The pool was right there when you got too hot, the view was spectacular!!!

Right in the rain forest! Loved the sound of the rain on the tin roof! Very peaceful! Lots of birds and wildlife! Toucans right outside of our cabin! Breakfast was great! We enjoyed going to the waterfalls nearby.

There were rats/bats living in the ceiling so I did not sleep at all - there was a huge gap in the door allowing any animal in and we found droppings all over our suite. The overall conditions of the hotel are quite old and run down and the photos are quite deceiving. The landscape was beautiful and being right beside the La Fortune Waterfall was very convenient but not worth the lack of sleep. Our suite was not cleaned one time by maids and they did not care that animals were all over the room.

I was not impressed with the room that I got. Room was small, no kitchen inside. Hotel is close to waterfall and overall location is good, close to restaurants and other attractions.

Right next to the waterfall, a quiet and clean property. Helpful concierge. Good views.

The location was perfect. Property is a bit outdated, but the surrounding scenery more than makes up for it.

That Bed

Was in a very quiet place. Close to the La Fortuna Falls. The walls are thin so you can hear your neighbours. Breakfast that was included was delicious but smaller compared to others in the region. The bed and pillows were super comfortable. Slept like a dream. Would go back for that bed.

This is an excellent choice for beauty and value. Amazing hot breakfast. Elevated vista view over la fortuna. Many species of birds including the yellow toucan. Staff attentive Our unit # 10 could use a resupply of basics - dishes, utensils, icecube tray, and some small tables But a very good stay while in the area A good restaurant not too far is Chante Verde Thankyou! Lyn, Canada

Great place to stay when in La Fortuna. Quiet a bit out of the way but easy access to town

Great stay at Arenal Waterfall.

Great location and price. The complimentary breakfast and observation trail makes it even better deal. The only down side was the squeaky old mattresses and neighbors running water for an hour at night.

The room was nothing like the pictures. It feels like those pictures were taken a long time ago. The hotel is a bit run down. Staff was courteous and it was clean. The environment was nice and very close to waterfall. There is no restaurant on site but breakfast is included and was good.

Great proximity to the falls and hiking trail included.

Ok. La Fortuna has better.

Cute place, loved all the glass. Breakfast was good enough, but to ask for an extra price of bacon you have to have exact change to pay extra. That was tacky and not very customer-friendly. Also, there was something living in the wall between bedroom and kitchen, probably a mouse/rat. And, to be clear, the lodge is not connected to the waterfall- you pay a separate outfit for that.

Beautiful hotel in La Fortuna, hotel service was perfect too.

The basic rooms were slightly misrepresented in pictures but they were clean and got the job done. The staff was very accommodating. I would stay again for sure.

Very friendly staff, nice and quiet too. Fantastic wildlife all around as it resides a few minutes outside of La Fortuna, up against the rainforest. There is a popular hiking trail and a couple easy loops nearby, as well as a huge waterfall

The property is at the top of the mountain close to Arenal waterfall. It is best for you to have a 4X4 to go up there. The cabin is decent, if you like to be in a cabin inside the woods and have a nice walk in nature. If you like privacy this is not the place to stay. The cabin has windows everywhere for you to look out into the forest which is nice. However, the shower has windows and you just need to pull down the blinds to cover, however, someone could still see you from the outside while taking a shower. Our front door was made of glass without tint or blinds. We had to cover it with sheets to have pricacy at night time. If you are planning to cook, it has a stove, refrigerator, microwave, pots, and utensils. The cabin doesn't have a phone to call the reception. If you need to change towels you will need to go to the front desk to exchange them. The front desk staff is very nice. They will give you tips of the places to visit.

Such a beautiful villa! secluded to the maxxx!! this hotel is the highest on this mountain! The walkway to the rooms are beautiful !!! scary at night when you think about it but totally worth it ! you are pretty far from everything buttttt uber is extremely cheap so I recommend taking advantage! its 2 hrs from San Jose airport. we were able to get transportion for 180 and 150 on the way back. 180 seems to have been their average pricing. The reception office does close at 11 !!! so plan accordingly. beautiful views all around !!

The view is so beautiful and pool located on very relaxing fresh and quiet 💕💕💕

The area around the property is very nice and quiet. The breakfast was mediocre at best. The 3 bedroom villa where we stayed was very spacious. However, there are many needs for improvement. For starters, the lodge had a stale, moldy smell to it that never went away during our 4day stay. It was endured by all of us traveling, but severely irritated my wife's allergies, where she slept with a mask on at night and couldn't wait to leave the lodge the next morning. There were no screen doors to allow fresh air in either. The maintenance was sub-par as one of the bedrooms had wall sconces that didn't work and one was hanging off the wall. We specifically selected properties with private pools, but this one had no filter running in it to clean the water, so that was a no go. The kitchen was dusty, esp. around the cups, bowls and plates, and didn't have things such as paper towels. Running water was at a thin stream and not at a high temperature. The place needs a full remodel imo.

Beautiful scenery

Location by the waterfall was convenient. Restaurants weren't too far to drive too. The breakfast was good. The bar was closed the three days we were there and the weather was too rainy and cool to swim in January. The room was clean but had a musty odor. Probably common in a rainforest area. Front desk employees were helpful and attentive. Bookings tours at the front desk was easy. Parking was easy and safe. The outdoor pool area was very pretty and the hiking trails behind the pool should be fun with the right weather. The staff let us know where to watch to see a sloth, which we did see.

If on a budget, this is an excellent option. Probably at one time this was a great resort. Dated for sure

Loved the jungle vibe of the bungalows, but no television.

Exactly what we expected! Staff was very friendly and helpful. The hiking trails on the property were very cool and so glad we did the hike. Breakfast was included and good

The location is right below the waterfall and if you want to be in the jungle- this is it! The staff are very helpful but this property has seen better days and needs some investment in the grounds and the rooms and villas. The villa we rented was spacious and we thought clean but upon looking closer you see mold in the bathrooms and the villa had some type of critter in the walls that will keep you up at night. There is also a very treacherous path for your car to get to the villas so be warned. It was not what we expected and I would definitely not stay there again.

Clean and comfortable rooms. Hotel receptionist was helpful and provided extra blankets we requested. Breakfast time is strictly enforced.

I love the fact that as soon as we arrived on the property, we saw a slot! I guess there’s a family of them. The front desk staff was super friendly. Our bungalow in the jungle was secluded and awesome. You need to know that it was dated, however. A little bit like camping in the woods. It was probably the best value out there.

The property is amazing We booked the vila and the views were spectacular!! They don’t have a first aid kit though :(

The rooms feel damp and there is absolutely no soundproofing so you can hear all your neighbours in their rooms or in the hallway. Ideally you need a car to get to the property. I used Ubers to get to the main town which were about CRC3,000 each way. The breakfast was good & the views are fantastic. There are no shops/restaurants close by which is not ideal if you don’t have a car.

Lugar perfecto para conectar con la naturaleza y relajarte. Fuera del bullicio de la ciudad pero solo a minutos de atracciones y restaurantes.

Nice hotel up quite far from town (not walkable). Only downside was no restaurant on site/close - but it’s only a $5 uber to town

Excellent staff service

Overall, it is really good. However, their breakfast portion is very small and it is little convenient to go during allotted time period ! The should be more open in providing extra towels - not just one on one exchange.

very old and run down, no coffee in the rooms, pool was dirty. was affordable and would of had an amazing view if it wasn’t cloudy out.

I loved the view no tv so learn to appreciate nature also the trail can be dark at nights please carry a flash light with you otherwise clean and beautiful

It was good stay overall.

It’s a beautiful property has a lot of potential. The Internet doesn’t work, which is great if you wanna completely disconnect. It’s about 15 minutes away from downtown Fortuna so you’ll have to rely on taxis or Ubers to get back-and-forth to different activities. The showers are exposed completely so you can only hope that someone doesn’t walk behind your lodge when you are taking a shower. Getting to some of cabins is tough for elders (multiple stairs).

The staff were very helpful and charming in offering us guidance - how to save on taxis. We were within walking distance of Arenal Waterfall but to get to La Fortuna we needed transportation. The rain was heavier than we expected this time of year- early December. We missed having television in our rooms, but there was a serenity to the location.

Property is beautiful! The views are spectacular! However, the villas are in great need of repair. The curtains had holes in them, multiple lights didn’t work, some lamps are actually hanging of the walls (exposed wiring). We had a kitchen inside the villa, the cabinets were covered in dust. Breakfast was included and it was limited but good.

I don’t really know what to say about this place. In some ways, I loved it! We booked a 1 bedroom villa and were given a huge villa with 4 bed and 2 bedrooms. It had a lovely screened in porch that we spent hours on. We felt like we were in a treehouse. The villa was clean. Daily breakfast was simple but delicious and service was friendly and prompt. On the other hand, the management of this place seemed to not be putting a lot into maintenance and upkeep. The walkway to our villa desperately needed to be swept/leaf blown and was a slippery death trap. The kitchen was huge but was missing some pretty obvious things like forks and dish towels. It also just kind of had an eerie/deserted vibe to it. We initially thought we were the only ones staying here until we saw other guests at breakfast. Given the chance, I would probably stay here again. It was peaceful and felt disconnected but is only a few minute’s drive from town

Property is good for couple of nights. View from pool and dining area so beautiful. Breakfast is included with stay. It is very close from la fortuna waterfall.

if you are not staying hotel much it's good. you need to go out to eat and buy snack or drinks.even water. it's nothing here except brakefast. Also it's very nice coffee shop 5min walk and real hike trail. Definally recommend if you stay here. and 10min driving you can get spot local restran and massage place.

Right next la fortuna waterfall, beautiful views from the grounds, very quiet and peaceful, and lots of beautiful birds and wildlife all around! Will definitely be back!

A little bit musty but it is okay.

Cheap place to just have a place to sleep. It's very near to the waterfall entrance, a trail and super close to the forrest. Problem is there is no dinning option around, you need to uber to town for food.

Very beautiful! Very secluded. The staff was friendly

Far exceeded my expectations! Very affordable prices and super friendly staff. The environment is full of lush trees and great view. The room is clean and cozy. The included breakfast is also quite quality and delicious

We had a wonderful time. The lodge has a great view of the valley below Arenal, and was very quiet and peaceful. We saw a toucan fly past us while we were in the swimming pool. It is also very close to a great hiking trail, and a very short drive to La Fortuna waterfall. My 7 year old daughter told me this place was magical, and I agree.

Very friendly staff.

Enjoyed this property and staff was so nice and accommodating. I had emailed them through Expedia app letting them know we were severely delayed bc of our flight. When I arrived at midnight, they had my paperwork and keys laid out for me ( since no one was at desk). That was so helpful because I just needed to crash. Free breakfast was good and tasty. It's not a lush place, but definitely a good value for your money. Would definitely stay here again.

If you have access to a rental vehicle then this is the perfect place to stay! Delicious breakfast every morning with stunning jungle scenery. It is a short distance from town and a couple gems in La Fortuna! Highly recommend

Walking distance to La Fortuna Waterfalls. Staff are very helpful, friendly and available at anytime. We Stayed in a Villa and morning views were magical.

We really enjoyed our stay here , it is a gorgeous property that does looks a little tired. Lovely view from the pool area . We stayed in the main building , but the villas looked very nice . Would definitely come here again .

This is a little dated, but not in a bad way. It felt very in place with the jungle all around us. The hosts were so friendly and accommodating! And the breakfast each morning was some of the best meals we had on the entire trip

Trails are in good condition and well-marked! Able to see various birds from the observatory deck! View of the area is very nice!

Nice place with beautiful view from the pool

Right by the entrance to the waterfall. A beautiful environment, quiet and lovely.

Great staff

Absolutely breathtaking! We stayed in the rain forest and it was pure magic. The room was nice but the view was even better; there are hiking trails on the property and it's literally in the rain forest. This was one of the coolest places I've ever stayed at. The staff were really helpful and assisted when we wanted to book tours.

I think they are working on bringing it back to what maybe was at some point but for now is work on progress.

Beautiful area in La Fortuna rainforest. Delicious breakfast included. Quiet area only hear birds in the morning.

Very nice

Very nice place

It's not a 5 star luxury place, but it's most definitely great bang for your buck. Can't ask for much for that price

The Hotel wasn't in the best condition. Rooms were not really clean, small and bathrooms need redoing.

The service was excellent, people very pleasant and kind.

Good view

I love the environment. If you’re not a nature lover then this might not be the right place for you. Staff was friendly and accommodating.

Arenal Waterfall Lodge was beautiful and clean. We loved waking up and relaxing by the pool before breakfast. The location was beautiful and so close to the waterfall and other restaurants/ activities.

Really nice just no food around. Overall it’s a really nice spot

Property has a great view and was clean but dated. No tv and beds were terribly uncomfortable and squeaky but it was affordable in a pinch

The rooms provided an excellent view of the rain forsaken and volcano. Checkin and out was quick and the service was provided with a smile and recommendation for local activities and dining.

They didn’t give us enough towels in our cabin for the number of people we reserved for. Had to go all the way back up to the reception from the cabin driving to get towels. They breakfast was okay and no restaurant or bar onsite. It was cool being in a cabin but expect to hear all the wild animals all night as the doors are glass and they animals are loud. Not many activities can be done onsite but there’s a trail you can follow from the lodge. Mostly tree views from our cabin. They don’t offer late check outs at all and were not very flexible in that regard but the gentleman at the front did offer to allow us to enjoy the pool for the day since we got in so late…. There’s a coffee machine but no filters apparently you’re required to request it if you need to make coffee….

The front desk guys are incredibly accommodating. This is a hidden gem overlooking La Fortuna. Breakfast is great, plus you get access to an incredible hike only available for Waterfall lodge guests.

Great small property cozy and quiet with great breakfast!

They were very friendly and helpful. We didn’t arrive until after closing hours and they waited for us to arrive. What a spectacular view