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

There's much to recommend at this hillside property, including the large picture windows and balconies overlooking Lake Arenal and the attentive service from the owners. Standard rooms have white tile floors and paintings by local artists. Higher up the hill, spacious bungalows with kitchens afford an even better view and are farther away from the road. With over 30 varieties of palm trees, this is a great place for bird-watching, and an on-site nature guide helps you delve into what you'll see here. A huge breakfast with homemade tortillas and breads is included.

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.

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 and 2 km (1¼ mile) private hike 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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

The basic rooms here have stunning views of the Gulf of Nicoya as well as hardwood floors, firm beds, and powerful, hot showers. Rooms are spartan but cozy, and there's a two-bedroom cabin with a full kitchen that sleeps five. The inn is quite far from the Monteverde Reserve entrance, but is within Valle Escondido, a 28-acre private preserve to which guests have full access. A taxi into town costs about $5 one way. There is direct access to 5 km (3 miles) of trails from the hotel in its own reserve, where night tours are offered at 5:30. For wildlife, isolation, and great rates, this property is a good bet.