Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails
On the Arenal side of the park area, with its own trail network. Further from La Fortuna town, so plan transport.
Check this stayAffiliate disclosure: Some links on this page go to GetYourGuide, Viator or Agoda. If you book, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We list tours and stays only after checking that the listing is live. We have not personally reviewed every operator, and we never guarantee that you will see wildlife. Details.
How we treat sustainability claims
Many properties describe themselves as eco-friendly. Costa Rica has an official sustainability certification for tourism businesses (the CST programme run by the Costa Rican Tourism Board), and there are international labels too. We do not repeat a certification or sustainability claim unless we have verified it against the certifying body’s current records. So far we have not completed that verification for the properties below, so we describe what they offer rather than how green they are. Check the property’s own documentation and the certifier’s listing before you rely on a claim.
What makes a stay good for nature travel
- Trails on site or nearby, so you can walk at dawn before tours start.
- Low light at night, which suits nocturnal wildlife and stargazing.
- Guides who can be booked from the lodge, often with early departures.
- Realistic access: remote lodges trade convenience for quiet. Check road conditions and transfers.
Stays to consider
Eden Organic Farm & Bungalows
Bungalows on an organic farm near La Fortuna. Good if you want a rural setting close to town.
Check this stayCompare stays in Monteverde
Compare Monteverde and Santa Elena stays: forest-edge lodges or walkable town hotels.
Compare staysCompare stays in Quepos & Manuel Antonio
Compare stays near Manuel Antonio. Hillside properties can be steep to walk.
Compare staysAffiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, schedules and inclusions change, so confirm details on the booking page.