One can choose from a variety of options in the stunning Arenal Volcano region of Costa Rica. It will offer you everything you need, and even if you stayed for a whole month on the spot, you wouldn’t be able to do all the fantastic activities and tours that there are to enjoy!
So, first, let’s talk geography!
Probably the first question that everyone gets in the industry is:
Is La Fortuna the same as Arenal? And yes, but no.
La Fortuna is the closest town to the Arenal Volcano and National Park.
It is historically known because, even being as close as it is, it never got any of the piroclastic materials that the volcano erupted for decades. La Fortuna remained, well! Fortunate!
But there are more areas and places to discover in the region of Arenal. The next question therefore has to be:
Where would you like to stay in the Arenal Volcano region?
Let’s see first which kind of vacation you’d like to enjoy here, because each place responds to different needs and wishes, as it usually happens.
We can categorize the region of Arenal into four areas:
- The town of La Fortuna and its surroundings
- The area of Cerro Chato and the waterfall
- The area surrounding the route to the National Park
- The area of El Castillo, beyond the National Park
And it is worth mentioning two more areas that are considered another touristic destination on their own, the Arenal Lake.
And the remote yet magnificent Springs Resort.
The town of La Fortuna and its surroundings
To stay in town has advantages and disadvantages, and it depends on your main priority while staying in the area.
La Fortuna is the perfect hub. If you aim to spend your days participating in the different activities and don’t care about spending time in the hotel, La Fortuna offers the perfect location because there are many restaurants, grocery stores, banks, and other businesses in the area.
If you are on the outskirts, the grounds are usually kept in excellent condition to attract the incredible variety of colorful bird species that inhabit the area.
Negative aspects include that it is a town, that it can be noisy at times, and that nature is kept at bay.
The area of Cerro Chato and the waterfall
This is an area relatively close to the town of La Fortuna but immersed in the tropical rainforests and lusciousness of the area. It has some hotels very close to the epic Arenal Waterfall and the Chocolate Tour, among other attractions.
It has breathtaking rainforests and a pretty good array of different accommodations.
The route from La Fortuna to the Arenal Volcano National Park
A great variety of different activities, great hot springs, and the Arenal Volcano view are the main attractions in this area.
In the Arenal Volcano region, this is where you will find the most popular and easy hotels. On this route, you can find everything from small cabins to high-end, super luxurious options.
In Arenal, you’ll hardly find any known hotel brand, as most hotels are owned by locals who were originally farmers.
This is the most popular and recognized area of the Arenal Volcano region, as it is the area where the eruptions could be seen when the volcano was active. Also, this is where some of the most exuberant surviving forests are and some surviving farming.
In this area, you will also discover Costa Rican hotel names that are consistently cited in magazines such as Forbes or Travel and Leisure, like the Nayara Hotels, with their luxurious villas and their rainforest surrounded tent camps, and Tabacon Resort and Spa.
This area between the town and the National Park is also where you will find several accommodation options with their own hot springs, their own rainforest, great views of the volcano, fantastic spas, and even their own organic farms.
There is a great array to talk about when we say “accommodations in Arenal,” and we will go fully into them in our next article!
The area of El Castillo, beyond the National Park
Located on the other side of the National Park, the area focuses more on the lake and the spectacular natural beauty of the Arenal Volcano rainforests than anything else.
This is a great area to enjoy some activities like birdwatching and zipline tours, and as it goes around the lake, you may find places to practice SUP or kayaking.
The hotels in this region are more scarce, yet different from the usual and popular. The views from the traditional Observatory Lodge are fantastic, as they are from the aerial tram also in this region of the Arenal Volcano.
Lake Arenal
Known as a center for windsurfing and various aquatic experiences on Lake Arenal, this location is a popular destination for visitors not only due to its picturesque views but also because it offers great rainforests with pristine nature settings for retreats and leisure.
There are some accommodations around the lake, but it is mostly considered an area to get a restful and uneventful vacation. It is quite away from the usual hubs; thus, there is always an extra cost in transportation for tours and activities.
The Springs Resort
Located on the outskirts of the region of Arenal Volcano, we find the mighty The Springs Resort, a fantastic world of nature, beauty, breathtaking landscapes, soothing thermae, and thrilling adventures.
The Springs Resort is a remote universe on its own; if you want to know more about it and other options, let us know, and we will answer all your questions!
To wrap it up:
The Arenal Volcano is a vast region, and the choices are so many that it is better to count on Amazing Costa Rica. Contact us now and reserve your trip!
In the following article, we will talk about accommodations and activities in the diverse area of Arenal Volcano.
