35 Best Hotels in Arenal, Monteverde, and the Northern Lowlands, Costa Rica

Perched canyonside with views of the forest and the volcano beyond, these spacious, modern cabins of stone and wood below soaring ceilings and massive windows are cozy and comfortable. The hotel has all of the amenities of much more expensive resorts, including free minibars featuring local beer and kombucha, a private deck with a plunge pool, indoor/outdoor showers, a huge high-end gym, complimentary yoga classes, a swim-up bar for socializing, and unparalleled service. The extraordinary breakfast with a personal French press of coffee is mostly grown on-site and will fill you up until dinner.

You're almost in the center of town, but you'd never know it at this tranquil spot set on 4 acres of birding trails, where cozy cabins range from rustic to plush and come with porches. You need not be a honeymooner to stay in the sumptuous trilevel honeymoon cabin, secluded off on a corner of the property, with private patio, whirlpool tub, and flat-screen TV. Budget travelers may wish to opt for a bunk-bed room. Wherever you stay, start your day with a delicious breakfast, including homemade bread and granola. The laid-back German management can provide good advice about how to spend your time in the area. If you're planning to stay awhile, consider their vacation rental 3 km (2 miles) from Santa Elena. It sleeps eight and is on the farm that supplies eggs and produce for the hotel breakfast.

This is one of the closest properties to the volcano, with rooms boasting hydromassage Jacuzzis, sitting areas, jaw-dropping views, Juliet balconies, and nearly 700 square feet of space. High ceilings, almost too much space, and queen beds that face walls of glass are what set this property apart from competitors; but at night when the curtains are drawn, rooms can be rather dark and stuffy (electricity operates by key card). The beautifully manicured grounds make up for this minor pitfall, with streams, gardens, and thermal springs that cascade from the swimming pool down to the spa. Guests receive complimentary admission to the Titokú Hot Springs, located 6 km (4 miles) south of the hotel and 5 km (3 miles) north of La Fortuna.

These cozy, comfortable, and simple rooms allow you to sleep as close as anyone should to a volcano—it's a mere 2¾ km (1¾ miles) away, and stellar views and outdoor activities are what the place is all about. The facility was founded by Smithsonian researchers and is fairly rustic, though after a hike on the 11 km (7 miles) of well-maintained trails, you can take a dip in the infinity pool and Jacuzzi, which face tall pines on one side and the volcano on the other. With more than 400 species of birds and 870 acres of private rain forest, this property is a dream for bird-watchers and those who seek peace and quiet. Other activities include complimentary guided hikes to the waterfall, horseback riding, or relaxing at the spa. Five of the rooms are wheelchair-accessible, as are a couple of miles of the property's trails. The dining room, which serves tasty and hearty food, has great views of the volcano and lake. A separate building contains a few spartan budget rooms.

As one of the low-priced options with a volcano view, these orange adobe cabins are basic but clean with big windows and private patios, which are great for viewing wildlife and, on clear days, Arenal. This family-run place is a great alternative to the more expensive lodgings lining the road to the volcano. Rooms are colorful and bright with concrete walls, air-conditioning, tile floors, and small TVs. Although far from fancy, they've got everything you need for an affordable stay, especially if you plan on spending most of your time exploring the area's attractions. A hearty breakfast is available (not included), and Wi-Fi in the reception lets you stay connected.

This funky little mountain ecolodge has fabulous views of the neighboring Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes and is a great base for viewing nearby Rio Celeste. The open-air lobby is overflowing with plants and looks more like a greenhouse, the extensive gardens are perfect for wildlife viewing, and the rooms themselves are minimalist but bright, clean, and comfortable. Breakfast comes with the room but we recommend the pre-fixe dinner as well---inventive cuisine for just $25 a person. 

If you fancy toucan spotting from your room or the deck of your bungalow, Chachagua will be right up your alley. Each room has a pair of double beds, an outdoor table, and nice showers enclosed in large, reflective windows where birds gather to watch their reflections while you bathe. Only deluxe bungalows have TV and plunge pools, but if you fancy a dip, there's a series of natural spring-fed pools leading to one of the two outdoor restaurants and bar. For complete isolation, request a room facing the rainforest. An open-air restaurant serves an organic menu. The lodge is 3 km (2 miles) up a rough track—4WD is a must in rainy season—on the road headed south from La Fortuna to La Tigra. Do not attempt arriving after dark or during heavy rains since the river crossing becomes impassable and roads are poorly marked.

This rain-forest B&B has old-fashioned charm with three chalet-style bedrooms looking out onto the mystic lake and volcano. The owners (and their resident Great Danes) have converted their hillside home into this lovely lodging that attracts seasoned travelers and nature enthusiasts. The cozy rooms have sloping ceilings, hand-carved furnishings, and tropical hardwoods. The two rosewood rooms downstairs have tile floors. Up a spiral staircase lies the L-shape, all-wood double loft with three beds and a back porch that overlooks the large garden. Running through the manicured grounds is a river and a network of hiking trails for exploring; rubber boots are provided. Birds abound: 100 species have been cataloged on the grounds. A favorite pastime is sitting in a rocking chair and watching the hummingbirds feed. The breakfasts are divine, with fresh-squeezed juice and macadamia-nut pancakes. The entire property is no-smoking.

The area's largest hotel gets high marks for its huge suites, plush decor, a long list of amenities, and many activities. "The Stable" began life as just that, a stable near the road, now remodeled and apportioned into rooms with comfortable furnishings. Over the years, ever-upward expansion has turned this place into a sprawling operation where hillside buildings house rooms and suites, some with wood-and-stone walls, lofts, balconies, wall-to-wall carpeting, and plush amenities such as hot tubs. On-site activities include tennis, hiking, and ziplining. There's also a spa and an indoor pool and gym complex. The hillside location means you'll have a steep walk or a noisy shuttle ride to your room from the lobby and breakfast restaurant. Rooms in the 300 and 400 buildings have less of a hike without compromising the view. Due to its size, this hotel is popular with tour groups.

A charming family tends to guests at this peaceful, bohemian Shangri-la just 10 minutes down the mountain from—and a noticeable few degrees warmer than—Santa Elena. Two fully furnished ojoche-wood cabins with kitchens, skylights, and patios with hammocks are perched on the mountainside of this nearly 30-acre farm. The smaller cabin sleeps two, while the three-story larger cabin sleeps four. Every vantage point in the cabins—the living area, the bed, the desk, the shower, and even the toilet—has stupendous views. The property has horseback riding, a stone-wall pool, and a Finnish sauna. Optional meals are prepared by a neighboring Costa Rican family and can be taken in the main house or brought to your cabin. Although cabins are affordable, be sure to factor in $10 taxi rides to Santa Elena and $15 entrées if you're dining in. If arriving by car, there are no signs for the hotel so look for the yellow painted rocks and sun logo.

Steep-roofed chalets have large bedrooms with wood floors and huge windows; some have views of the wooded grounds, and others, of the far-off Gulf of Nicoya. A forest trail winds throughout the property and is frequented by coatis, squirrels, toucans, and hummingbirds. Two restaurants prepare local and international recipes with flair, served indoors or on the veranda. The place is owned by the Smith brothers, whose family was among the first American arrivals in the 1950s—their father's paintings grace the public areas. The indoor pool and Jacuzzis are inviting after a morning hike.

Nestled among 13½ acres of rolling hills nearly 3 km (2 miles) from town, luxury tree houses have wraparound decks, driftwood headboards, tree-stump nightstands, waterfall showers, and skylight ceilings, ultimately fading the line between nature and decor. Each unit is unique in design, but all are built of wood, stone, and glass and have minibars, lounge areas, and private entrances. The spacious two-bedroom Rivendell tree house looks more like a two-story chalet cupped in the branches. Eden has an indoor Jacuzzi, and Neverland—built over a koi pond—has floor-to-ceiling windows with views over the hills to the Gulf of Nicoya. Breakfast and tea are served in a lovely solarium in the main house, which also has two standard guest rooms. The rules here are simple: no shoes in the house, no working during your stay, and dessert is served before dinner promptly at 5 (the coconut flan is to die for). The property's views are among Monteverde’s best, and there are plenty of quiet spots for reflection and a network of hiking trails.

Inspired by the owners' years in Austria, two spacious chalets built into a hillside command expansive views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the hilly peninsula, and contain elegant, airy, and downright regal rooms—all with balconies, minibars, polished woods, and plush white duvets. Decor is clean and tailored, and service is impeccable, lending a sense of old-world charm reminiscent of a mountaineer's version of the Ritz. Rooms in the Main Building, where you'll find the lobby and restaurant, are on the small side but are more affordable; those in the Chalet Building are larger and have outdoor showers or Jacuzzi tubs. Splurge for Room 16, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, unobstructed views, and huge indoor Jacuzzi. On the ground floor of the Chalet Building you'll find a boutique, juice bar, and yoga studio. Food served in their restaurant Celajes is prepared with ingredients from the greenhouse. A trail from the main building leads to a microbrewery, Jacuzzi, and natural spring for swimming on warmer days. For a fee, you can opt for such pampering perks as picnic lunches, spa treatments, breakfast in bed, and private in-room dinners.

Under the shade of tropical fruit trees, white bungalows of high-quality wood each contain two bright, sparkling rooms with terra-cotta tile floors and front patios that open onto a central swimming pool. Rooms have either a king or two double beds, a private bath with hot water, ceiling fans, air-conditioning, and lagoon views. All are welcome here, though this lodge is best known for bird-watching and fishing tours, equipment, boat rental, and the nearby lake filled with tarpon and bass. The restaurant is organic-focused with a menu heavy on Costa Rican fare; sweet pineapples, juicy mangoes, tart mamones, and other produce from the lodge's orchard end up on your breakfast plate. Due to the long trek to get here—not to mention all the intriguing wildlife—it's recommended guests stay at least two nights.

From the villas to the farm to the on-site hot springs, kids and adults alike are enthralled by this peaceful property. The lush and lovely well-kept grounds have volcano views and include an agua fria (cold water) pool for splashing around as well as multiple tranquil hot springs to relax. There is a spa, bar, and restaurant. The farm-fresh eggs (you can collect them yourself) make for a hearty and delicious breakfast.

At "the Prairie," simple but comfortable guest rooms have high ceilings, spacious bathrooms, and verandas. Opt for the freestanding cabins toward the back of the property rather than the line of attached rooms near the parking lot (the only benefit of the latter is that Nos. 29 and 30 have whirlpool tubs). Expect some oddities, like burgundy-color toilets, sinks, and tubs. For the best volcano views, choose from Nos. 33 to 40 and 42 to 48. This property is easily identifiable by the line of ATVs parked on the front lawn, promoting tours at the base of the volcano. The thatch-roof restaurant next door serves a delicious steak with spicy jalapeño sauce. Even in high season, this place is quite a steal.

Spacious and clean rooms at this hot-springs hotel are like mini log cabins with hardwood floors and sugarcane ceilings—Nos. 16, 17, and 18 even offer views of the volcano. Many guests are drawn to the on-site thermals and swimming pool near the restaurant, where meals are served in high season only. You’ll notice Asian touches like teas, soaps, and lobby decor imported from the founder’s homeland of Taiwan. Hospitality is warm and generous, and the staff go out of their way to make your stay memorable. Although the property brands itself as an eco-hotel, rooms still have air-conditioning, mini-refrigerators, and flat-screen TVs. The newest rooms are between Nos. 17 and 20.

Tucked into the mountainside, the main lodge with the restaurant and bar has a decidedly sophisticated feel, with spectacular views of the Pacific in the distance. Two-story suites are spacious, simple, and beautifully appointed. In addition to the main lodge, there are stand-alone bungalows, including a family suite with three bedrooms and two baths. The attentive staff is like that of a much pricier place, doting on you, knowing your likes, and helping with every last detail. Don't miss sunset happy hour with expertly crafted cocktails, or the restaurant with meals well suited to the epicure. Entrance to the Agouti Reserve with a 4 km (2½ miles) nature hike is included with your stay.

Nicely decorated cottages are scattered around 25 acres on Arenal's northeast shore at the point where the volcano begins to disappear from sight, but the lake views (and the sunsets) remain as spectacular as ever. Split-level cottages are extremely cozy, with sunken living rooms and dining areas separated from two bedrooms on the top level. Bathrooms feature fine details such as Italian tiles and ceilings made from almond wood. Every cottage has two rooms, Wi-Fi, satellite TV, a safe, and king-size beds. A three-bedroom villa is available for extended stays. An infinity pool and enormous Jacuzzi overlook emerald valleys where sheep and cows graze by day. The on-site bistro specializes in European cuisine. As befits such a secluded place, bird-watching opportunities abound.

Despite the relative isolation, travelers flock to this rain-forest resort largely because each hillside room has a huge picture window and door opening to an individual balcony with volcano views. Rooms are decorated with locally made art and bamboo-frame beds, and suites have vaulted ceilings, garden showers, and private whirlpools. A few cottages are tucked away on the grounds and make ideal getaways for families, while the spa and two heated pools ensure a relaxing stay. The location, a short drive above Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges, makes this a good bet if you have your own vehicle, but otherwise factor in a $30 taxi ride to La Fortuna and most area attractions.

Reminiscent of a ski lodge, this longtime favorite has extremely comfortable rooms with vaulted ceilings and great views with rates often packaged with a long list of nature activities. The bar is positioned around a huge but cozy lobby fireplace, and the outdoor heated pool is a perfect place to unwind after a day of tromping through the reserves. The exceptional El Jardín Restaurant, with its menu of Garden, Ocean, and Land options, uses locally grown vegetables and dairy from the Monteverde milk factory. Rooms are situated along a long corridor, which tends to carry hallway noise; Nos. 201 and 207 have the most privacy. Guests are advised to keep their balcony doors closed, because monkeys have been known to ransack suites.

It might come as a surprise to find such attractive and comfortable rooms, with nice appointments and high ceilings, in so remote a place, but the lack of pretense and laid-back atmosphere fit right into the surroundings on the east side of the reserve. The lodge has a variety of meal options; most guests opt for taking all meals here, since there are few other restaurants in town. Two- and three-day packages are available for anglers and nonanglers alike. Bird-watching and boat tours of the wetlands are the most popular activities. If you want to catch a glimpse of monkeys, request a far-end room facing the forest. A snazzy pool makes the perfect escape from the heat here.

Scattered over expansive grounds are freestanding casitas, villas, and "tents", all tastefully decorated with dark-wood furnishings and equipped with luxurious touches like indoor-outdoor showers, four-post canopy beds, plasma TVs, and whirlpool tubs. Rooms fall into three categories (suites, casitas, and villas) but are similar in design with an eclectic mix of imported decor ranging from Italian crystal chandeliers to Balinese hand-carved furniture. The wood-plank floors and ceilings made from sugarcane reeds add a natural touch. The adults-only villas are at Naraya Springs, an exclusive section of the resort connected by way of a 230-foot jungle bridge. Double the rate of the casitas, villas have private plunge pools and complimentary extras like minibars, Wi-Fi, laundry service, and yoga. Although lacking volcano views, villas are extremely private and have their own reception area, spa, and pool. Only half of the casitas and suites have volcano views. The highest-end is the tented camp, large luxury "tents" have soaring ceilings, soaking tubs, breathtaking vistas of the volcano from the suites and private plunge pools, walk-in closets, your choice of breakfast served on the patio, and every amenity (daily laundry service is included). There are cascading 'termales', thermal pools heated by the natural springs and the spa has open treatment rooms so you can hear the wildlife and rain during your massage. The resort's five restaurants offer tapas, international, Asian, Mediterranean cuisine, and even a wine bar, so you never have to leave the comforts of the grounds. Special packages are available for those who want meals included in the rate.

Set in the rain forest, these marvelous, secluded casitas have elegant furnishings, sizable bathrooms with private garden showers, and terraces that entice you to spend time in nature. There are hot tubs and a massive pool, a gracious dining area and bar, and beautiful grounds with lots of ponds where you may discover exotic rain-forest frogs (and possibly the snakes who feed on them).

In downtown La Fortuna, this inn has clean, bright rooms linked by a long veranda lined with benches and potted plants, and added perks like a large pool and in-room Wi-Fi. The poolside breakfast is the perfect way to fuel up before a hike, and there is even a second pool just for the little ones. The secure parking, TVs, air-conditioning, and prime location make this a great budget option. Unobstructed views of the volcano can be had from the second-floor patio.

Situated on 3 acres with private nature trails, these completely updated casita duplexes with large windows, separate bedrooms, porches, and luxe linens are lovely, but it's the top-notch service that sets Senda apart. The parklike setting is made even better by views of the Gulf of Nicoya at the top of the property. Check out their complimentary cooking and yoga classes. The property is wheelchair accessible.

At one of Central America's most relaxing and romantic resorts, it's the hot springs and lovely spa, coupled with attractive rooms (the suites are some of the country's finest) that customarily draw happy guests inland from the ocean. Most rooms have a terrace, all with either volcano or garden views. Luxurious touches include nightly turndown service, bathrobes, a minibar, a movie library, and free access to the hotel's hot springs (day passes for nonguests cost $89). Updated rooms provide respite after a day's adventuring. As the most romantic and beautifully designed hot-spring facility in the area, the 20 pools tend to get crowded with outside visitors. For a break from the public, hotel guests have access to the Shangri-La Gardens, an exclusive adults-only hideaway. The hot springs and spa are actually 300 meters east of the hotel; you can either walk from your room or take the complimentary shuttle.

This hotel has a volcano view along with luxury perks like a swim-up bar, five-star cuisine, a swanky lobby, and an impressive spa. Spacious, nicely decorated accommodations come with friendly service, a sense of intimacy, and another big bonus—on-site hot springs. Soothing cream-color walls, white polished floors, and wood furnishings prevail in the decor, with colorful accents scattered about in the form of pillows and wall hangings. Suites—not much more expensive for the extra space and amenities—have stone accents and private hot tubs. Every room has a balcony with views of the pool and volcano. Three bars and a restaurant with international cuisine round out the offerings here. There's a sundeck on the second floor and plenty of lounge chairs near the three thermal pools.