This three-star lodge was originally built in 1987 as a research station for scientists of the Smithsonian Institute and today it is the only lodge within Arenal National Park.
Location: The lodge is situated on a ridge 120 meters above Lake Arenal, southeast of this active La Fortuna volcano. The ridge rises between the Agua Caliente and Quebrada Danta rivers. This topographical feature is important as it keeps lava flows from affecting the Arenal lodge. The lodge is within ZONE "D" (Low Danger Area) near Volcán Arenal. Moreover, as prevailing winds are from the east, the Arenal volcano lodge would seldom be affected by ash or other fallout from a major eruption.
Rooms: Ten guest rooms are housed in a modern building located about 120 yards from the main lodge, reached via a 134-foot suspension bridge through a small patch rain forest.
The Arenal Observatory Lodge features 43 rooms in various buildings spread over the property. Five rooms are fully equipped for disabled travelers, with rooms, bathrooms, hallways, parking areas and even the new swimming pool designed accordingly, actually grew out of several extremely humble buildings originally built for housing scientists and researchers from the Smithsonian Institute and Earthwatch.Is the best place to experience the thrill and beauty of the Arenal volcano because of its location, its long history as a research center and the knowledge and the experience of its staff and guides.
Facilities:
A host of activities await the spirited adventurer. Bird watching, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, sail boarding, river rafting, kayaking, hanging bridges, canopy tours, horseback riding and many available activities.
The Arenal Observatory Lodge is strategically located in the heart of Costa Rica’s prime eco-tourism area. In all of Costa Rica, La Fortuna is indeed a “fortune-ate” spot, from which you can explore rainforests, waterfalls, and of course volcanoes, and enjoy easy access to the Caño Negro Wildlife Reserve, Venado Caves, San Juan River and Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve. The many available La Fortuna activities include birdwatching, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, sailboarding and river rafting, to name just a few.
