I fell in love with Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa the moment I stepped out of the taxi. After the noise and activity of traveling, the sounds of tropical birds and the rustling of the trees were instantly soothing. It felt like we had stepped into another world.
And then there was the view.
The lodge sits remarkably close to Arenal Volcano, and seeing that massive volcano rising above the rainforest is something you don't soon forget. At times, the scenery almost felt like something out of Jurassic Park. The volcano is an imposing presence, and from the property you also have beautiful views of Lake Arenal.
Arenal Volcano
For many years, Arenal was famous for its lava flows. At night, visitors could watch the red glow of lava and, at times, see glowing rocks being thrown from the volcano. By the time of our visit, however, the volcano was much quieter. Instead of lava, we occasionally saw puffs of steam and heard deep rumbles.
Even without the dramatic lava flows, simply being this close to Arenal was an incredible experience.
Even without the dramatic lava flows, simply being this close to Arenal was an incredible experience.
The observatory was founded by Smithsonian researchers in 1987, and the setting is remarkable. Tall trees surround the property, with the volcano rising on one side and the lake stretching out in the distance.
And did I mention the lake?
We could see beautiful Lake Arenal from our room.
A Birdwatcher's Paradise
If you love birds, nature, or photography, Arenal Observatory is a special place.
The property is surrounded by rainforest, and birds are everywhere. I spent quite a bit of time trying to photograph them, and I also tried to identify the birds using the observatory's bird chart.
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| CRESTED GUAN |
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| KISKADEE |
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| TOUCAN |
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| MONTEZUMA OROPENDULA |
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| MONTEZUMA OROPENDULA |
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| CRESTED GUAN |
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| TANAGER |
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| YELLOW THROATED EUPHONIA |
Don't Forget the Flowers
Once you've had enough of the birds, take some time to look around at the flowers and plants.
The grounds were beautifully landscaped, and I found myself stopping constantly to take photographs. If you're someone who enjoys photographing flowers, birds, or nature in general, bring your camera. You'll have plenty of opportunities.
And keep an eye out for the rainbow eucalyptus.
The colorful, peeling bark is beautiful, and these trees can grow incredibly tall in Costa Rica's rich environment.
Hiking at Arenal Observatory
There is much more to do here than simply enjoy the views.
The property has a network of marked trails, and there are several options depending on how much time and energy you have. Guided hikes are available, and there are also activities such as horseback riding and spa treatments.
We decided to explore some of the trails, including the hike to the waterfall.
The trail entrance is easy to find, but don't let the relatively short distance fool you. The trail down to the waterfall is steep in places.
If you have mobility issues, this is not a hike I would recommend.
We spent a couple of hours hiking and didn't see another person during that time. We also had no cell phone service, so that's something to keep in mind if you're heading out on the trails. Stay on the marked paths and make sure you are prepared before setting off.
After the waterfall, we continued toward Danta's Hanging Bridge.
And while you're hiking, keep your eyes open. You never know what you might find along the trail—including leaf-cutter ants hard at work.
If you still have some energy after hiking, make your way to The Nest.
This 92-foot-high observation tower gives you a wonderful view over the treetops and another perspective of Arenal Volcano.
After spending time walking through the rainforest, looking down over the canopy from above gives you an entirely different view of the property.
Time to Relax
After all that hiking, you're going to want somewhere to relax.
Fortunately, the lodge has a spring-fed swimming pool and Jacuzzi. The Jacuzzi was especially welcome after spending hours on the trails. There is something pretty wonderful about soaking tired legs while surrounded by the sights and sounds of the rainforest.
Dining at El Jilguero
The food at El Jilguero Restaurant was another pleasant surprise.
We ordered the "Taste of Costa Rica," which included beef and chicken fajitas, plantains, refried beans, guacamole, tortillas, salad, and fried cheese.
The meal was delicious, and I especially enjoyed how fresh everything tasted. Food just seems to taste better when you're close to where so many of the ingredients are grown.
You can see their entire lunch menu HERE and their dinner menu HERE.
The restaurant also has an incredible setting.
Floor-to-ceiling windows look toward Arenal Volcano, while the surrounding views stretch toward Lake Arenal. The restaurant opens onto a large viewpoint deck, giving you an unobstructed view of the volcano and rainforest.
It's a pretty spectacular place to enjoy a meal.
The lodging at Arenal Observatory is fantastic. You can read about the lodging HERE.
Our Stay
The lodging at Arenal Observatory was wonderful, and the setting really is hard to beat.
For me, though, what made this place stand out was the feeling of being away from everything. It was peaceful, quiet, surrounded by nature, and a wonderful place to slow down.
In fact, Arenal Observatory was my favorite place in Costa Rica for rest and relaxation.
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