GlobetrotterLB

Looking for a hotel in Arenal that has a nice volcano view (active side) and close to La Fortuna (walking or short cab since we won't have a car). Any recos?

qwovadis

www.arenal.net

For a lava view you have to be out by the lake far from town.

www.tabacon.com is the cloest one in with

free best hot springs IF you stay there sales from $150/nt

on sites like www.sidestep.com

Best for me for in town non lava view

www.hotelmagicmountain.com

colibri

You can't have both lava view and be close to town. Lava view hotels (as far as I know) are only Lost Iguana and Arenal Observatory Lodge - AOL. Linda Vista might have views since it is further out than AOL, not sure.

producerkoof

I was just in La Fortuna this morning. For in town, I stayed two nights at Hotel Monte Real. Its a budget hotel but walking distance to everything in town. The owners are extremely nice and it cost about 45 per night. I spent one night at Hotel Arenal Paraiso. This was about 100 per night and had its own private hot springs. I probably woudn't stay here again because it cost 8 dollars each way to get into town. The hotel is nice but the staff were kinda rude and didn't go out of there way to make me feel welcomed. I had just the opposite at Monte Real where the owners were fantastic. No lava views at either hotel, but I had gorgeous weather and could see the top of the volcano every day. I went on three Desafio trips and recommend this company. I did the Mambo Jumbo, which is canyoneering down a waterfall and white water rafting. the second day i did the tour to Venado Caves which i really enjoyed. Hope your trip goes well.

xyz99

We loved Lost Iguana - partial lava view only. For better views (probably the best in the area), you can try AOL, but getting there is harder, definitely not walking.

volcanogirl

We love the Lost Iguana - it's an easy ride to town, but probably around 20 minutes or so. Wonderful hotel. Lava and close to town are sort of mutually exclusive.