15 Best Hotels in Arenal and La Fortuna, Arenal, Monteverde, and the Northern Lowlands

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With its own adventure park, hot-springs complex, and activities for all ages, this resort caters to both hotel guests and the outside public with day passes to its massive grounds. Near-perfect volcano views from individual balconies, a 14,000-square-foot spa, and rustically elegant rooms all contribute to a sense of well-being at this luxurious and remote retreat. The sky is the limit in furnishings (and price) as you work your way up to the suites and villas—additional rooms, arched sky-lighted ceilings, and hot tubs are among the amenities. Even the standard rooms have surround-sound speaker systems and huge balconies facing the volcano. Below the property is Club Río, an outdoor adventure park with kayaking, horseback riding, rock climbing, rappelling, hiking, and a wildlife preserve for rescued animals. Visitors are transported up and down the hill by shuttle bus, and many of the hot-spring pools are surrounded by the kind of artificial rocks and boulders you see in amusement parks. This, of course, makes it popular with families.

Whether whiling away the mornings on the porch amid the toucans, trekking to the river, or spotting nocturnal creatures on night hikes, nature lovers will be enthralled with the stilted cabins of this 10-acre property in the trees. With nice beds and air conditioning, the basic cabanas, elevated on stilts, are level with the forest canopy, where you get a bird's eye view of the, well, birds, and Costa Rica's other plentiful flora and fauna. The property is quite a drive from the sights, but they're a relative bargain and friendly staff are a nice bonus.