Pros

  • Quiet and secluded rain forest location 25 minutes from La Fortuna
  • Rustic cabins with mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and private, rain forest-view balconies
  • Glass Bungalows and Treehouses feature panoramic, floor-to-ceiling windows
  • Open-air restaurant with traditional Costa Rican fare and free breakfast
  • Cute swimming pool in garden grounds
  • Occasional nightly musical entertainment
  • Wi-Fi is free throughout the property
  • Free, ample self-parking
  • On-site organic garden provides restaurant produce
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Cons

  • Small lap pool is awkwardly laid out
  • Few services and attractions in the immediate vicinity (a pro for some)
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Bottom Line

Heliconias Nature Lodge is a pitch perfect example of Costa Rica’s tasteful rain forest-inspired flavor. The outdoor plunge pool and large, open-air restaurant with free breakfast, a full wine list, and nightly entertainment are surprising touches for a small, mid-range property. All 18 freestanding cabins are bright, open, and rustic with modern amenities including free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and private balconies. Upgraded categories add panoramic windows with rain forest views. However, there’s little within walking or driving distance, so most guests will want a car to explore the area. The more rustic Hotel Arenal Montechiari offers the same amenities at the edge of downtown La Fortuna for less money.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Heliconias Nature Lodge

Scene

Rustic, three-pearl inn on the outskirts of a volcanic rain forest

The rows of freestanding bungalows and common buildings surrounding the large organic garden create a village-like atmosphere. The rustic wooden exterior of every structure -- from the cabins to the reception area to the open-air restaurant -- is reminiscent of a day camp. The vibe is relaxed and quiet with the restaurant (and its occasional nightly music sets) providing the only noteworthy social scene. By day, there’s little going on throughout the property, even around the hotel’s small plunge pool. The property caters to a wide range of guests, from nature-loving couples seeking a romantic, treehouse getaway to adventurous families needing a place to bed down after exploring the nearby volcano park.

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Location

Set back off a quiet highway, 25 minutes from downtown La Fortuna

The hotel is situated well off Route 702 — the road that connects to La Fortuna (25 minutes north) and Arenal Volcano National Park (1 hour north). Although the road is a main thoroughfare, it’s quiet and only lightly trafficked. The entire property feels far deeper in the rain forest than it actually is. Aside from a handful of small mom-and-pop restaurants, there’s little within walking distance. The hotel can facilitate airport transportation to Liberia’s Daniel Oduber Quirós International (three hours north) or Juan Santamaria International (two hours south). However, many guests will need a rental car to explore the area, as relying on taxis, shuttles, and public transport can prove expensive and inconvenient in this part of the country.

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Rooms

Beautiful wood cabins with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and rain forest-view balconies

Every room is awash in locally sourced mahogany and teak on the floors, ceilings, walls, and furniture. Floor-to-ceiling windows ensure every space feels bright, open, and airy. The decor is distinctly modern cabin chic with an attention to detail that provides a whiff of sophistication. Rooms differ mainly in size. All are spacious and include private balconies. However, the Treehouse and Glass Bungalow categories upgrade to three walls of floor-to-ceiling windows with lovely, panoramic rainforest views. The list of modern amenities in every category is solid -- particularly for a rustic, three-pearl property -- including flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and fast, free Wi-Fi. Mini-fridges and coffeemakers are also provided. Bathrooms in most categories are spacious with large, walk-in shower stalls and generic, pump-style amenities. The bathroom decor is a mix of rustic and contemporary in a way that doesn’t feel cohesive with the pared-down look of each room.

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Features

A small outdoor pool and an authentic Costa Rican restaurant with free breakfast

There are only a few features at this cabin-style property. While the outdoor pool is small and simple, it’s a nice touch that adds a whiff of resort feel to the property. The landscaping surrounding the pool is awkwardly laid out, however, making it difficult to setup lounge chairs near the water. The hotel’s sole restaurant, Restaurante Heliconias, is situated in a tall, open-air space that’s surprisingly large given the hotel’s capacity. Some of the restaurant's ingredients come from the on-site organic garden. A hot, made-to-order breakfast is served free daily with Western and traditional Costa Rican options. Lunch and dinner are offered a la carte with a similarly mixed menu, plus there's a full bar and a decent wine list. Staff is known to pass out free shots of guaro, a homemade liquor. After dark, live music is available on select nights of the week. Ample free parking is provided in several dirt lots around the property. Wi-Fi is free in all common areas, and we found the service to be mostly reliable. 

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Things You Should Know About Heliconias Nature Lodge

Also Known As

  • Hotel Heliconias

Address

11 miles south of downtown La Fortuna de San Carlos, Arenal Volcano National Park, Province of Alajuela 20213, Costa Rica

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Heliconias Nature Lodge

Scene

Rustic, three-pearl inn on the outskirts of a volcanic rain forest

The rows of freestanding bungalows and common buildings surrounding the large organic garden create a village-like atmosphere. The rustic wooden exterior of every structure -- from the cabins to the reception area to the open-air restaurant -- is reminiscent of a day camp. The vibe is relaxed and quiet with the restaurant (and its occasional nightly music sets) providing the only noteworthy social scene. By day, there’s little going on throughout the property, even around the hotel’s small plunge pool. The property caters to a wide range of guests, from nature-loving couples seeking a romantic, treehouse getaway to adventurous families needing a place to bed down after exploring the nearby volcano park.

See More Scene

Location

Set back off a quiet highway, 25 minutes from downtown La Fortuna

The hotel is situated well off Route 702 — the road that connects to La Fortuna (25 minutes north) and Arenal Volcano National Park (1 hour north). Although the road is a main thoroughfare, it’s quiet and only lightly trafficked. The entire property feels far deeper in the rain forest than it actually is. Aside from a handful of small mom-and-pop restaurants, there’s little within walking distance. The hotel can facilitate airport transportation to Liberia’s Daniel Oduber Quirós International (three hours north) or Juan Santamaria International (two hours south). However, many guests will need a rental car to explore the area, as relying on taxis, shuttles, and public transport can prove expensive and inconvenient in this part of the country.

See More Location

Rooms

Beautiful wood cabins with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and rain forest-view balconies

Every room is awash in locally sourced mahogany and teak on the floors, ceilings, walls, and furniture. Floor-to-ceiling windows ensure every space feels bright, open, and airy. The decor is distinctly modern cabin chic with an attention to detail that provides a whiff of sophistication. Rooms differ mainly in size. All are spacious and include private balconies. However, the Treehouse and Glass Bungalow categories upgrade to three walls of floor-to-ceiling windows with lovely, panoramic rainforest views. The list of modern amenities in every category is solid -- particularly for a rustic, three-pearl property -- including flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and fast, free Wi-Fi. Mini-fridges and coffeemakers are also provided. Bathrooms in most categories are spacious with large, walk-in shower stalls and generic, pump-style amenities. The bathroom decor is a mix of rustic and contemporary in a way that doesn’t feel cohesive with the pared-down look of each room.

See More Rooms

Features

A small outdoor pool and an authentic Costa Rican restaurant with free breakfast

There are only a few features at this cabin-style property. While the outdoor pool is small and simple, it’s a nice touch that adds a whiff of resort feel to the property. The landscaping surrounding the pool is awkwardly laid out, however, making it difficult to setup lounge chairs near the water. The hotel’s sole restaurant, Restaurante Heliconias, is situated in a tall, open-air space that’s surprisingly large given the hotel’s capacity. Some of the restaurant's ingredients come from the on-site organic garden. A hot, made-to-order breakfast is served free daily with Western and traditional Costa Rican options. Lunch and dinner are offered a la carte with a similarly mixed menu, plus there's a full bar and a decent wine list. Staff is known to pass out free shots of guaro, a homemade liquor. After dark, live music is available on select nights of the week. Ample free parking is provided in several dirt lots around the property. Wi-Fi is free in all common areas, and we found the service to be mostly reliable. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Cable

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Free Breakfast

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

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.