Pros

  • A five-minute drive to downtown La Fortuna, near Arenal Volcano
  • Cabin-style Bungalows feature air-conditioning, private terraces, and flat-screen TVs
  • Upgraded Family Bungalow with three bedrooms and a full kitchen
  • Charming, open-air restaurant/bar with free hot breakfast
  • Wi-Fi is free in all rooms and common areas
  • On-site tour desk and smoothie stand
  • Free off-street parking
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Cons

  • Nothing within walking distance
  • Restaurant service is limited in the low season
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Bottom Line

On a quiet street 30 minutes from Arenal Volcano, Arenal Green Hotel delivers exactly what it promises — clean, rustic, rainforest-inspired lodging with few frills. The nine freestanding Bungalows come with private terraces, mini-fridges, and wet bars, while a single Family Bungalow upgrades to a full kitchen and a large, three-bedroom layout. The restaurant serves a free hot breakfast daily and a traditional Costa Rican lunches and dinners are available during peak season. There’s nothing walkable in the vicinity, but this is a pleasant place to relax for a few days, especially when the short, five-minute drive to La Fortuna, and the reasonable rates, are considered. Travelers who'd like better volcano views and a sparkling pool might consider Hotel Arenal Montechiari instead, though it's a bit pricier.

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Amenities

Oyster Hotel Review

Arenal Green Hotel

Scene

Quaint, bungalow-style hotel with decent rainforest and volcano views

The same Tico (local Costa Rican) family has run the property since it opened and there’s a genuine, personal touch in every interaction with the staff. The style throughout the hotel draws heavy inspiration from the surrounding rainforest. There’s liberal use of dark- and medium-toned woods in almost every piece of construction and furniture, creating a treehouse-like aesthetic. The resulting feel is woodsy, and seamlessly blends into the native landscape. Since the single restaurant serves as the only communal space, the social scene is limited to the daily breakfast. As such, things stay quiet here, which is exactly what most guests are searching for when they choose this hotel. Like most properties around La Fortuna, Arenal Green Hotel attracts nature-loving couples and families looking for basic lodging with few frills.

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Location

On a quiet road along the edge of La Fortuna, a 30-minute drive from Arenal Volcano

Aside from other small hotels and B&Bs, there’s nothing within walking distance along the lightly trafficked road out front. However, downtown La Fortuna is only five minutes away by car. The small town is among the most tourist-heavy in the country, with restaurants, shops, tour providers, and supermarkets. Rio Fortuna Waterfall — the most popular waterfall in all of Costa Rica — is a five-minute drive in the other direction. One half-hour farther by car leads to Arenal Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most stunning parks for hiking, outdoor adventures, and photo ops. The hotel is approximately a three-hour drive (with typical traffic) from the country’s two main airports — Daniel Oduber (LIR) in Liberia or Juan Santamaria (SJO) in San Jose. The roads to La Fortuna are mostly modern and well-maintained. However, driving a rental car in Costa Rica can prove expensive, confusing, and even dangerous. Shuttle buses are easy to arrange and typically the safest, most affordable airport transportation option.

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Rooms

Rustic bungalows with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges

Heavy use of local teak and mahogany provides guests with an unmistakable sense of place in every bungalow-style cabin. The only splashes of color in each room stem from the mismatched, patterned bed throws and curtains that create a homey vibe. It’s a bit like staying at summer camp if your bunkhouse featured free Wi-Fi, wet bars, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges. A small, private terrace attached to every room provides more space to spread out, plus limited volcano views. A single Family Bungalow upgrades to a spacious, house-like layout with a large, private terrace, a fully equipped kitchen, and three bedrooms, each with a queen bed. Bathrooms are small, clean, and notably dated, with aging tile, worn metal fixtures, and cheap plastic doors on the shower stalls. Generic, pump-style bath soap is provided.

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Features

An open-air restaurant with free breakfast and a traditional Costa Rican menu

As a tiny property, the list of features is limited to a single restaurant/bar and a smoothie shack next door. For such a small, basic hotel, the restaurant feels large, with a vaulted ceiling and an open-air terrace that faces the street. The decor is well-suited to the hotel’s pared-down aesthetic — only simple wood dining sets and minimal decorative accents. A hot, cooked-to-order breakfast is included daily, and lunch and dinner are available during high season. Every service includes a mix of authentic Costa Rican fare and a few Western-friendly dishes. A small bar at the rear includes a handful of stools, a large flat-screen TV, and a full drink menu. Guests can arrange volcano and nature tours via a small tour desk located just off the lobby. Off-street parking is provided in a large lot, and fast, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

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Things You Should Know About Arenal Green Hotel

Also Known As

  • Hotel Arenal Green

Address

1 km west of the entrance to Rio Fortuna Waterfall, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Province of Alajuela, Costa Rica

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Arenal Green Hotel

Scene

Quaint, bungalow-style hotel with decent rainforest and volcano views

The same Tico (local Costa Rican) family has run the property since it opened and there’s a genuine, personal touch in every interaction with the staff. The style throughout the hotel draws heavy inspiration from the surrounding rainforest. There’s liberal use of dark- and medium-toned woods in almost every piece of construction and furniture, creating a treehouse-like aesthetic. The resulting feel is woodsy, and seamlessly blends into the native landscape. Since the single restaurant serves as the only communal space, the social scene is limited to the daily breakfast. As such, things stay quiet here, which is exactly what most guests are searching for when they choose this hotel. Like most properties around La Fortuna, Arenal Green Hotel attracts nature-loving couples and families looking for basic lodging with few frills.

See More Scene

Location

On a quiet road along the edge of La Fortuna, a 30-minute drive from Arenal Volcano

Aside from other small hotels and B&Bs, there’s nothing within walking distance along the lightly trafficked road out front. However, downtown La Fortuna is only five minutes away by car. The small town is among the most tourist-heavy in the country, with restaurants, shops, tour providers, and supermarkets. Rio Fortuna Waterfall — the most popular waterfall in all of Costa Rica — is a five-minute drive in the other direction. One half-hour farther by car leads to Arenal Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most stunning parks for hiking, outdoor adventures, and photo ops. The hotel is approximately a three-hour drive (with typical traffic) from the country’s two main airports — Daniel Oduber (LIR) in Liberia or Juan Santamaria (SJO) in San Jose. The roads to La Fortuna are mostly modern and well-maintained. However, driving a rental car in Costa Rica can prove expensive, confusing, and even dangerous. Shuttle buses are easy to arrange and typically the safest, most affordable airport transportation option.

See More Location

Rooms

Rustic bungalows with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges

Heavy use of local teak and mahogany provides guests with an unmistakable sense of place in every bungalow-style cabin. The only splashes of color in each room stem from the mismatched, patterned bed throws and curtains that create a homey vibe. It’s a bit like staying at summer camp if your bunkhouse featured free Wi-Fi, wet bars, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges. A small, private terrace attached to every room provides more space to spread out, plus limited volcano views. A single Family Bungalow upgrades to a spacious, house-like layout with a large, private terrace, a fully equipped kitchen, and three bedrooms, each with a queen bed. Bathrooms are small, clean, and notably dated, with aging tile, worn metal fixtures, and cheap plastic doors on the shower stalls. Generic, pump-style bath soap is provided.

See More Rooms

Features

An open-air restaurant with free breakfast and a traditional Costa Rican menu

As a tiny property, the list of features is limited to a single restaurant/bar and a smoothie shack next door. For such a small, basic hotel, the restaurant feels large, with a vaulted ceiling and an open-air terrace that faces the street. The decor is well-suited to the hotel’s pared-down aesthetic — only simple wood dining sets and minimal decorative accents. A hot, cooked-to-order breakfast is included daily, and lunch and dinner are available during high season. Every service includes a mix of authentic Costa Rican fare and a few Western-friendly dishes. A small bar at the rear includes a handful of stools, a large flat-screen TV, and a full drink menu. Guests can arrange volcano and nature tours via a small tour desk located just off the lobby. Off-street parking is provided in a large lot, and fast, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Cable

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Free Breakfast

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.