Costa Rica, La Fortuna, Volcano Arenal Observatory Lodge

Set high on a ridge facing Costa Rica’s most active and spectacular volcano, the Arenal Observatory Lodge offers the adventurous traveler a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
After having lain dormant for over 400 years, Arenal Volcano erupted violently on July 29, 1968, wreaking havoc with the local population and creating a “lava landscape” for miles around its base.
At the Arenal Observatory Lodge, you can enjoy the sound & fury of Arenal Volcano’s constant eruptions from the comfort of your room, or from one of the many perfect volcano viewing sites around the lodge.

The Arenal Observatory Lodge has thirty five (35) spacious rooms. All are comfortable and most have volcano views from the privacy of your own bedroom. Five rooms are fully equipped for disabled travelers, with rooms, bathrooms, hallways, parking areas and even the new swimming pool designed accordingly.

Observatory
The lodge is located just 1.8 kilometers from the active crater of Arenal Volcano, and is separated from it by a deep river valley. The location was specifically chosen by scientists from the Smithsonian Institute, who needed a close but safe vantage point from which to study the volcano.

National Park
	Arenal Observatory Lodge sits on 870 acres of land adjacent to the Arenal Volcano National Park. The site contains 270 acres of primary rain forest with well-marked trails, 400 acres of reforestation projects, and 200 acres of working farm lands.

Arenal Observatory Lodge

Volcano

Arenal Observatory Lodge is situated on a ridge 120 meters above Lake Arenal. The ridge rises between the Agua Caliente and Quebrada Danta rivers. This topographical feature is important, so as any possible lava flow will not affect the Lodge. The lodge is within ZONE "D" Low Danger Area, near the volcano. Moreover, as prevailing winds are from the East, the lodge would seldom be affected by ash or other fallout from a major eruption, as the lodge is located to the southeast of the volcano.

Rooms
Four of the Smithsonian rooms are located just off the main lodge and dining area. Each of these rooms features a king-sized bed, modern private bath, and amazing volcano view through it’s over-sized windows. Two of these rooms also feature views of Lake Arenal. Ten Smithsonian rooms are housed in a modern building located about 120 yards from our main lodge, reached via a 134 foot suspension bridge through a small patch rain forest. These rooms feature huge walls of glass that provide premiere views of the volcano from the comfort of your bed, or from the two sitting chairs strategically placed for you comfort and enjoyment. These rooms feature varnished wood floors, private bathrooms, and one queen- and one full-sized bed.	The Smithsonian also features a viewing deck, a conference room and our own volcano museum, with an active seismograph constantly monitoring the volcanic and seismic activity just outside your door. Our nine Standard rooms provide a rustic, yet comfortable base for your volcano viewing and rain forest activities. These rooms were originally designed and used by researchers. Each room features one bunk bed and two full-sized beds, as well as a private bath. These rooms are located just off the main lodge and dining area, and two of them feature direct views of the volcano.

Budget travelers will find four comfortable rooms in La Casona, our original family farmhouse. Three of the rooms here feature queen-sized beds with direct views of the volcano. The fourth room, with it’s three bunk beds, is perfect for groups. Located about 500 meters from the main lodge and dining area, La Casona features a large common sitting room with a fireplace, as well as a spacious front porch with volcano view and two full bathrooms for shared use amongst the guests.

Villa White Hawk

White Hawk Villa, located approximately 800 meters from the lodge, is a big house with a spectacular view of the volcano and the lake, with capacity for 10 guests. The two individual rooms "Trogon" and "Toucan", have one double bed and a cradle-bed each and their own bathroom. The villa also has a living room with a sofa-bed, a dining room and a equipped kitchen.

Left: View of White Hawk Villa and Trogon and Toucan Rooms

Meals

Meal

Meals are served in our dining room with view to the volcano and Lake Arenal. Our chefs prepare a variety of fresh dishes including fish from Lake Arenal.

You catch it,we cook it! What you catch in Lake Arenal, our chefs will prepare for you.

Breakfast: 7:00am - 8:30am Lunch: 10:00am - 5:00pm Dinner: 6:00pm - 8:30pm

Our comfortable bar is open from 10:00am to midnight everyday.

What to do!
Explore the lava flow trail and take night tours to marvel at the live lava flows.
Ride on horseback through the varied terrain and immense natural beauty of the region.
Take a tour to the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.
Go canoeing on Cerro Chato Lake in the crater of an extinct volcano.
Enjoy the comfort of our swimming pool and Jacuzzi, with a wonderful view of the volcano.
Great birdwatching opportunities.
Hike through our rich rain forests.
Take pleasure with a professional massage after your hike.
Clamber on top of recent lava flows.
Soak in the nearby hot springs.
Wake to the roar of howler monkeys.
Watch toucans fly by.
Wade in the waters beneath a jungle waterfall.
And much more!
Getting there
By Bus There is regular bus service from San José to La Fortuna. From La Fortuna you can take a taxi, or arrange pick-up with the lodge. It is best to call the lodge to find out the most current and accurate bus schedule and information. By Car The drive to Arenal Volcano from San José passes through some of the most scenic regions in the country. Vibrant pastures, undulating mountains and pastures, patches of lush cloud and rain forests and picturesque Costa Rican villages. On the way, you’ll pass by working dairy farms, hillsides full of grazing cattle, as well as fields of papaya, citrus, cacao, yucca, sugar cane and, of course, coffee. There are actually several routes to the Arenal Observatory Lodge. They all take roughly 3 _ hours by car from San José. The most popular route heads out of San José along the Inter American Highway to the town of San Ramón, where you head into the hills, passing through La Tigre, on the way to La Fortuna. An alternative route turns off the Inter American Highway at Naranjo and passes through Zarcero and Ciudad Quesada (San Carlos), before reaching La Fortuna. If you take this route, be sure to stop and walk around the topiary gardens in front of the Church in Zarcero.	It is also possible to drive north through Alajuela or Heredia, skirting the Poás Volcano enroute to Varablanca and Aguas Zarcas. Beyond Aguas Zarcas, you will come to Ciudad Quesada and continue onwards to La Fortuna. If you have the time, this route permits a visit to the Poás Volcano, as well as a stop to admire the impressive La Paz waterfall. Once you reach La Fortuna, continue through town towards Tabacón and the Arenal National Park. Just before reaching Lake Arenal you will come to a marked turn-off for the National Park entrance. Take this turn-off. From here it is 9 kilometers along a somewhat rough dirt road. Continue on past the park entrance following signs for the Arenal Observatory Lodge. A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended in the rainy season, and high clearance is always useful. Due to extreme weather and heavy rains, road conditions can change rapidly in Costa Rica. It is always best to call the lodge to find out current conditions and what route is best for you.

What to bring
The Arenal Observatory Lodge is a modern hotel with many conveniences and a small gift shop stocked with certain necessities. Still, adventure travel in Costa Rica is different than most other forms of tourism and a little foresight and planning will make your trip much more enjoyable. Here’s a short list of some essential and highly recommended items to bring with you: Binoculars Flashlight Camera and plenty of film (bring different ASAs for the varying light conditions)	Rain gear Hiking shoes/boots Bathing suit Light sweatshirt/sweater or windbreaker Birding list Any necessary personal medications Pocket Knife Insect repellant Sunscreen Sun hat A small day pack for hikes Plastic bags for your gear
Contact
Arenal Observatory Lodge is a 3 STAR mountain lodge, according to the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), the highest rating a mountain lodge can receive. It is also categorized as a 4 BAND Ecolodge (out of a maximum of 5) in a program sponsored by the ICT to rate sustainability.
Rates and Online Reservation please contact us at: service@costaricareisen.com