Cordilleras Volcanoes
Arenal Observatory Lodge
Originally built near the small village of La Fortuna in 1987 as a research facility for the Smithsonian Institution Arenal Observatory is the closest lodge to the Arenal volcano. The lodge has 24 spacious rooms with smart wooden furnishings and an outside terrace with views of the gardens and volcano. The rooms are rather basic but have private bathrooms, ceiling fans and safety deposit boxes. The Smithsonian rooms have huge picture windows framing the impressive Arenal volcano.
There is a good restaurant in the main building where tasty international dishes and regional cuisine are served and there is a bar and lounge for relaxing.
The lodge also offers a large swimming pool, hot tub and spa and is surrounded by its own nature reserve with trails, and thousands of acres of forest comprising part of the Arenal National Park.
Facilities
Restaurant, bar, 800mt-long wheelchair-accessible trail, landscaped gardens, spring-fed infinity swimming pool and gift shop.
Local Wildlife
Some 370 species of bird have been recorded including three-wattled bellbird and the bare-necked umbrella bird. Mantled howler, white faced capuchin and central American spider monkeys, white-nosed coati, kinkajou, margay, silky anteater, three-toed sloth and the occasional armadillo might also be seen.
Optional Activities
On-site complimentary guided morning wildlife walk along forest trails (approx. 2.5hrs) to learn about the wildlife and ecology of the area; independent walking in the lodge’s private secondary and primary rainforest reserve to waterfalls and along old lava flows. Nearby optional activities include horse riding, cycling, white-water rafting, canoeing on Lake Arenal, canopy walks, zip-lining and hot springs.
John Melton
Area Specialist
Request one of the Smithsonian Rooms for the best views of the volcano.
If you have any questions regarding our Costa Rica tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
A leatherback turtle laying her eggs on Playa Grande. Scarlet macaws feeding and flying in early morning sunlight. The sight of a male resplendent quetzal in beautiful cloudforest. The song of the black-faced solitaire reverberating through the cloudforest. Seeing green poison-arrow and strawberry poison-dart frogs. First sights of some of the vibrant tanagers and honeycreepers. Sight of great potoo from boat on way to Corcovado. Seeing three-toed sloth and baby at Corcovado.[Some wildlife highlights]
Thoroughly enjoyed whitewater rafting on Sarapiqui despite initial trepidation! Many thanks for suggesting it. Crew were patient, encouraging and great fun. Amazed by the proximity and diversity of the birdlife. We had a thoroughly wonderful and memorable trip – thanks a million!
