Arenal Hotels
Most hotels in Arenal Costa Rica (Arenal Volcano area) are located in and surrounding the town of La Fortuna, and the road between La Fortuna and Arenal Lake, with some hotels located in El Castillo and other parts of San Carlos (good if you have a car only or don't mind spending $30 taxi fares each way to get to La Fortuna). To get a feel for the area and an idea which part of Arenal you would want to stay, see our Printable Arenal Map, or scroll down to our desciption of the general layout of Arenal Costa Rica and La Fortuna.
Layout of Arenal Costa Rica Area
La Fortuna, Arenal Costa Rica - La Fortuna is small, laid-back and touristy with lots of travel related businesses. The main streets and the areas around the church and the pretty central park are lined with tourist agencies and operators, restaurants, souvenir shops, banks, supermarktets,cafes and a bus depot. There is even a bungee jump in La Fortuna! And in the background the ever-imposing and majestic Arenal Volcano. The hotels in La Fortuna tend to be a bit cheaper than the larger resorts nearer the volcano and also there are plenty of hostels, back-packer hotels and aparthotels.
La Fortuna to Arenal Lake Costa Rica - The road curves its way around the base of Arenal Volcano towards Arenal Lake and Tabacon Hot Springs. The hotels along this stretch tend to be more luxurious and expensive and there are some top resorts. There are also less expensive places to stay tucked between some of these resorts, as well as restaurants and Hot Springs. The views of Arenal Volcano are breathtaking as you drive along this stretch of road. Most tour operators include transport pick-ups from the stretch between La Fortuna and Arenal Lake, so a car in not essential.
El Castillo, Arenal Lake Costa Rica - At the moment the hotels located in El Castilo and surrounds have the best active lava views but the location is over 30km from La Fortuna and a lot of the tour activities that Arenal specializes in. So it is best to have a car as a taxi will cost $25 - $30 each way to take you to the hot springs or other tours.
Economy/Lower Range Arenal Hotels (average price < $60)
Base price:
$42
Hotel Arenal Rossi is located just outside the town of La Fortuna in the Arenal Volcano area and offers a number of basic clean rooms. Some rooms are configured with queen size beds. Hotel Rossi is a good option for travelers on a budget.
Base price:
$60
Hotel Campo Verde Arenal Costa Rica. Rooms with great Volcano views! Affordable accommodation located between La Fortuna and Arenal Hot Springs.
Base price:
$57
Hotel Arenal Carmela is located in downtown La Fortuna hotel. Arenal Carmela has great views of the gardens that surround the town church and attractive rooms with balconies overlook the bustling town during the day and the near empty streets at night. Hotel Carmela Arenal offers good...
Base price:
$58
Hotel San Bosco is a modern stone and stucco hotel with good size rooms. Located on the edge of the town La Fortuna and 20 minutes from the hot springs in the Arenal Volcano, Hotel San Bosco is a good choice for comfort and convenience. While at this time the lava flow is very rarely...
Base price:
$60
Hotel Arenal Green is a family run hotel located between La Fortuna and the famous La Fortuna waterfall, less than 25 minute’s walk away. This cozy Arenal hotel is small with 7 charming wooden cabins.
Base price:
$56
A helpful and friendly couple own and operate Hotel Villas Eco Arenal (formerly called Villas Sanchal). The Villas are located approximately one kilometer's walk from the center of the town of La Fortuna. Villas Eco Arenal is a tranquil place to relax, swim, or play in the sun...
Base price:
$57
Hotel La Pradera in the Arenal Volcano area has spacious and spotless rooms which are brightly lit with natural light that pours through large windows. Overflowing, colorful gardens frame each of La Pradera's cabins. Ferns, heliconias, birds of paradise and many other varieties of Costa Rica...
Mid-Range Arenal Hotels (average price $65-$90)
Base price:
$80
Arenal Paraiso. Popular resort in Costa Rica with great views of Arenal Volcano. Hotel with its own hot springs, spa, trails, bars and restaurants.
Base price:
$70
Hotel La Fortuna is one of the first hotels in La Fortuna, Arenal. When it was knocked down and completely re-built a couple of years ago the hotel decided to concentrate on offering a wheel chair accessible hotel with the motto ‘tourism without limits”. Hotel La Fortuna has...
Base price:
$70
Erupciones Inn is a small family operated hotel built on pastureland and part of a farm lived on by the family. The hotel has brightly colored rooms with some of the closest views of Arenal Volcano. From the highway this hotel does not particularly stand out from the others, and at first...
Base price:
$79
Hotel Arenal Miradas - friendly cabins in Arenal Costa Rica. Quiet, Volcano views, a/c and pool. Located between La Fortuna and Arenal Hot Springs
Base price:
$58
Arenal Jireh is a perfect choice for those wanting a centrally located hotel in La Fortuna, near to all the tours and attractions of Arenal Volcano. Costa Rica. Arenal Jireh is a comfortable Arenal hotel with all amenities expected of a hotel in this price range. Newly remodelled and with...
Base price:
$85
Hotel Arenal Lodge is a cosy lodge located on a 2000-acre property, surrounded by lush gardens and rainforest. Great Arenal Volcano and Lake views.
Base price:
$60
Arenal Rabfer is a small family run hotel located a few blocks from the La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano area. Being centrally located Arenal Rabfer is close to many shops and restaurants and only 15 minutes drive to the Arenal hot springs.
Base price:
$50
Hotel Sueno Dorado is a mid-range priced Arenal Hotel located near the Baldi Hot Springs and about 10 minutes from the town of La Fortuna
Upper Range and Resorts in Arenal (average price $91-$130)
Base price:
$96
Hotel Arenal Country Inn is situated near the base of Arenal Volcano, less than a mile from the center of La Fortuna. The hotel is located on a former farm of 10 acres and has spacious gardens and a beautiful pool area with a view of Arenal Volcano.
Base price:
$100
Arenal Volcano Inn a great Arenal Hotel choice! Comfortable rooms, Arenal Volcano views, pool and spa, wifi, good restaurant and bar. Friendly service!
Base price:
$97
Hotel Lomas del Volcan is one of the more comfortable and beautiful places to stay with great views of the green side (non active side, though this is always changing) of Arenal Volcano. The name of the hotel refers to the hump on a Brahmin cow, the "loma" in...
Base price:
$103
Hotel El Silencio del Campo is a pleasant mid-priced accommodation in the Arenal Volcano area. A family run Arenal Hotel with 19 spacious villas set in nicely landscaped gardens. The Zuñiga family and hotel staff are attentive and helpful....
Base price:
$94
The relatively new Casa Luna Hotel, built in a modern colonial style, is surrounded by farmland and lush gardens. The hotel is conveniently located between La Fortuna and the famous La Fortuna waterfall (just a short walk away). Casa Luna Hotel is dominated by the view of Arenal Volcano, which...
Base price:
$108
Volcano Lodge in Arenal Costa Rica. Rooms have a terrace with great volcano views, AC, TV and phone. Volcano Lodge has restaurants, WiFi, pool and spa
Base price:
$95
Hotel Lavas Tacotal is wonderfully situated in terms of Arenal Volcano views, offering uninterrupted views of the famous volcano. It is conveniently located a short drive away from the Tabacon Resort Hot Springs and the small town of La Fortuna. Hotel Lavas Tacotal has:
Base price:
$107
Comfort and location has made Arenal Springs Resort a popular resort. Arenal Springs faces Arenal Volcano and offers spectacular volcano views. Its lush tropical gardens and quiet location off the main road makes it wonderful retreat yet it is not far from the famous Tabacon Hot...
Base price:
$110
Montaña de Fuego is a luxury Arenal Hotel, located in a vast forest. Great panoramic views of Arenal Volcano. Resort with pools, spa and restaurant.
Luxury Arenal Hotels and Resorts ($130 upwards)
Base price:
$137
Hotel Arenal Manoa is located just seven kilometers west of La Fortuna and has an impressive view of Arenal Volcano. All rooms are super-comfortable, well-appointed junior suites and have been designed so that each has a...
Base price:
$138
Los Lagos is one of our favorite hotels, well-suited for families or individuals. In addition to large comfortable cabins with excellent views of Arenal Volcano. Los Lagos features a fantastic newly re-modeled spa (Fangus Spa), cold water and thermal water pools (with slides), Jacuzzi (fed...
Base price:
$199
Arenal Nayara Hotel and Gardens located in the area of Arenal Volcano Costa Rica, is a wonderful luxury retreat, located just 15 minutes from the small town of La Fortuna with its many amenities. Hotel Arenal Nayara is set on a hill surrounded by lush tropical...
Arenal Lake Hotels/El Castillo (Hotels near Arenal Lake and El Castillo)
Base price:
$58
Hotel Linda Vista del Norte is located in El Castillo, 26 km from La Fortuna, THE place to view Arenal Volcano at this time. All rooms are comfortable and have balconies wityh great views. The hotel has an international restaurant, pool and a wet bar surrounded by tropical gardens...
Base price:
$58
Arenal Vista Lodge has a beautiful location on a hill top allowing spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake. Located in a secluded quiet area near the village of El Castillo, some 25km from La Fortuna, the Arenal Vista Lodge offers a restful place to enjoy the Arenal Area. The...
Base price:
$87
The Arenal Observatory Lodge is less than 3km away from the famous Arenal Volcano (Volcàn Arenal). The hotel offers a unique view of the volcano and lava and spectacular views of Arenal Lake and the surrounding area. The Arenal Observatory Lodge has...
Layout of Arenal Costa Rica Area
La Fortuna, Arenal Costa Rica - La Fortuna is small, laid-back and touristy with lots of travel related businesses. The main streets and the areas around the church and the pretty central park are lined with tourist agencies and operators, restaurants, souvenir shops, banks, supermarktets,cafes and a bus depot. There is even a bungee jump in La Fortuna! And in the background the ever-imposing and majestic Arenal Volcano. The hotels in La Fortuna tend to be a bit cheaper than the larger resorts nearer the volcano and also there are plenty of hostels, back-packer hotels and aparthotels.
La Fortuna to Arenal Lake Costa Rica - The road curves its way around the base of Arenal Volcano towards Arenal Lake and Tabacon Hot Springs. The hotels along this stretch tend to be more luxurious and expensive and there are some top resorts. There are also less expensive places to stay tucked between some of these resorts, as well as restaurants and Hot Springs. The views of Arenal Volcano are breathtaking as you drive along this stretch of road. Most tour operators include transport pick-ups from the stretch between La Fortuna and Arenal Lake, so a car in not essential.
El Castillo, Arenal Lake Costa Rica - At the moment the hotels located in El Castilo and surrounds have the best active lava views but the location is over 30km from La Fortuna and a lot of the tour activities that Arenal specializes in. So it is best to have a car as a taxi will cost $25 - $30 each way to take you to the hot springs or other tours.
