Observatory Lodge in Arenal

The Observatory Lodge is located inside the Arenal Volcano National Park and is the closest hotel to the volcano. Stunning views of the volcano abound and beautiful gardens have an array of wonderful tropical birdlife including Montezuma's Oropendulas and Passerini's Tanagers. Originally rooms were built for scientists from the Smithsonian Institute studying the volcano, but today there are 48 rooms at the hotel in several different buildings.

Rooms: are comfortable and range from budget rooms, standard rooms with terraces to the larger Smithsonian Rooms and the Junior Suites which have views of Arenal Volcano and lake.

Dining: is in the restaurant with views of the volcano and lake, breakfast is a buffet, lunch and dinner are a la carte. There is an indoor bar and happy hour is available on the terrace.

Onsite: The hotel has an outdoor pool, spa and sun deck as well as beautiful gardens with viewpoints of the volcano. There are 7 miles of trails on the grounds that can be explored independently or with a naturalist guide. The trails include hanging bridges and waterfalls, and the more physically active can take a guided hike to the top of Cerro Chato, a nearby extinct volcano.

Nearby Excursions: could include hiking the volcano, guided hike of Cerro Chato, whitewater rafting, canoeing on Lake Arenal, birdwatching, the Sky Tram or Arenal Hanging Bridges walk, visiting hot springs, horseback riding or Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge