Even though Costa Rica doesn't have the turquoise Caribbean waters or centuries of European history, it has something just as special—an incredible landscape filled with rainforests, volcanoes, wildlife, and some truly unforgettable places to stay.
During our trip to Costa Rica, we stayed in a variety of accommodations, ranging from a $30 Airbnb to a much more expensive room at Baldi Resort. Of all the places we stayed, however, my favorite was the Arenal Observatory Lodge.
LA CASONA
The Arenal Observatory Lodge offers several different lodging options, including villas, guest rooms, a junior suite, and La Casona, which is where we stayed.
We chose La Casona because it was only $108 a night at the time of our visit, and I am so glad we did.La Casona is the original farmhouse on the property and has just five guest rooms. The rooms share two bathrooms and a common sitting area, along with a spacious front porch overlooking Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal.
It has a more relaxed, rustic feel than a traditional hotel, and that was part of what made our stay so enjoyable.
IT FELT LIKE WE HAD THE PLACE TO OURSELVES
The entrance and gathering area for La Casona was inviting, but what I remember most is how quiet it was.
We rarely saw anyone outside of their rooms. Other than a few minutes one evening, we didn't see anyone around the common areas or bathrooms. It felt almost as though we had the entire place to ourselves.
There were little touches throughout the rooms, including tissue flowers in the bathroom and decorative tissue towels on the beds.
But honestly, the view is what makes La Casona special.
THE VIEW
The view alone is reason enough to stay here.
I spent quite a bit of time sitting on the front porch simply taking it all in. From the porch, we could see Lake Arenal, the surrounding mountains, and the lush tropical landscape stretching out below us.
LAKE ARENAL
The view of Lake Arenal was beautiful from every direction.
From one side of the porch, we could see the lake and mountains, while other areas offered completely different views of the surrounding landscape.
I especially loved the way the sunlight filtered through the clouds and trees.
Costa Rica's weather added to the experience. One minute it could be raining, and just a few minutes later the sun would come out, leaving a beautiful mist floating above the trees.
I could have spent hours just sitting on the porch watching the landscape change.
THE GROUNDS
The landscaping around the lodge was beautiful, but I thought the area surrounding La Casona was especially lovely.
I spent a lot of time walking around with my camera, photographing the flowers, plants, and tropical surroundings.
There was always something new to notice.
The property itself gives you plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're walking the trails, taking photographs, watching birds, or simply finding a quiet place to sit and enjoy the view.
AND THEN THERE WERE THE SUNSETS...
The sunsets were stunning.
Watching the sky change over Lake Arenal at the end of the day was one of my favorite parts of staying here.
There is something very peaceful about sitting on a porch in the middle of Costa Rica, watching the sun go down over the lake and mountains.
These are the moments that make a trip memorable.
GETTING TO LA CASONA
La Casona is located downhill from the main lodge, so getting back and forth involves a bit of a walk.
That wasn't a problem for us, though. When we didn't feel like making the uphill walk back to the lodge, we simply called the front desk and requested a shuttle.
The wait was never more than about three minutes during our stay.
GETTING TO LA CASONA FROM THE MAIN LODGE
La Casona is located downhill from the main lodge, so getting back and forth involves a bit of a walk.
That wasn't a problem for us, though. When we didn't feel like making the uphill walk back to the lodge, we simply called the front desk and requested a shuttle.
The wait was never more than about three minutes during our stay.
The road leading to La Casona was beautifully landscaped, and even the drive down to the rooms was part of the experience.
WOULD I STAY HERE AGAIN?
Absolutely.
For me, La Casona was one of the highlights of our Costa Rica trip. The accommodations were comfortable, but it was the setting, privacy, views, and opportunity to simply slow down and enjoy the surroundings that made this place so special.
If you are traveling on a budget but still want to experience the Arenal Observatory Lodge, I would definitely consider La Casona. At $108 a night when we visited, I thought it offered an incredible experience for the price.
More than anything, I loved waking up surrounded by Costa Rica's incredible landscape and having a front-row seat to the wildlife, changing weather, lake views, and sunsets.
Sometimes the best places to stay aren't the fanciest—they're the ones you'll remember long after you've gone home. La Casona was one of those places for me.
ROOM RATES INCLUDED
The following information was provided by the lodge at the time of our stay:
- Full buffet breakfast
- Costa Rican taxes
- Free Wi-Fi in common areas
- Safe boxes in all rooms
- Free guided morning hike along property trails
- 11 km (7 miles) of maintained trails for walking, horseback riding, and mountain biking
- Property map and bird list
- Access to viewpoints of Arenal Volcano, Arenal Lake, Cerro Chato, and the Tilarán Mountain Range
- Swimming pool and Jacuzzi
- Children ages 0–8 stayed free when sharing a room with their parents
- Children ages 9 and older were charged as adults
HOTEL INFORMATION
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa
Phone:
- 2479-1070 — Lodge
- 2290-7011 — San José
- 877-804-7732 — U.S. & Canada
Hotel policies and rates may have changed since our visit. The information above reflects what was provided during the time of our stay.
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