Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [130]
Budget
Prices are quoted here with taxes excluded, since paying in cash usually means no taxes.
Sleep Inn Guesthouse (Map; 8394-7033; misterlavalava@hotmail.com; Av Arenal; r with/without bathroom per person US$7/5) If you’re looking for a welcoming Tico family to stay with, you’ve found them. It’s owned by Carlos and Cándida, who also manage Gringo Pete’s Too. Carlos, whose nickname is Mr Lava-Lava Man, guarantees you’ll see lava (or you get to go again for free), and his tours (US$16) are the cheapest in town.
La Choza Inn (Map; 2479-9361; www.lachozainnhostel.com; Av Fort btwn Calles 2 & 4; dm US$7, s/d with shared bathroom US$13/17, standard s/d US$34/51, deluxe s/d US$51/68, all incl breakfast; ) This popular budget inn 100m west of Parque Central has a great variety of rooms, a well-stocked communal kitchen, an extremely personable staff and is consistently packed with discriminating travelers. The onsite location of the recommended Eagle Tours is a huge bonus.
Mayol Lodge (Map; 2479-9110; www.mayollodge.com; Av Arenal; s/d with fan US$20/35, with air-con US$35/50; ) Small, bright rooms done up in cheery blue-and-yellow tile are centered on a cool, refreshing pool with volcano views. It’s 200m southeast of Parque Central.
Pura Vida Hotel (Map; 2479-9495; www.hotelpuravida.net; Av Central; s/d/tr US$25/35/50; ) Although Pura Vida is nothing too out of the ordinary, it’s reasonably priced and extremely comfortable with features like good shower pressure and firm mattresses. The Chinese family that owns the hotel also runs a Chinese restaurant (₡2000 to ₡5600) downstairs.
Hotel Pepito’s Place (Map; 2479-9238; Calle 2; s/d US$30/40; ) A cute family-run choice with flowerpots on the balconies, this is a good deal within this price range. Find it 100m southwest of the church.
Cabinas y Soda El Río (Map; 2479-9341; Av Arenal; r US$40; ) Next to the river and run by a friendly family, rooms here are secure, homey and comfortable. Plus there’s the soda (open from 6am to 9pm) out front.
Midrange
All of the following accommodations have private bathrooms with hot water.
Hotel Las Colinas (Map; 2479-9305; www.lascolinasarenal.com; Calle 1 btwn Avs Central & Arenal; s/d/tr/q incl breakfast from US$45/60/84/88; ) The superfriendly owners of Las Colinas have completely remodeled this hotel, creating modern, airy rooms and a 2nd-story terrace with great views of the volcano. All rooms have cable TV and solar-generated hot water, but rates increase with amenities like air-con, minibar and sitting rooms.
Hotel Monte Real (Map; 2479-9357; www.monterealhotel.com; Av Arenal btwn Calles 3 & 5; d US$50-90; ) Next to the Río Burío with a pool in the middle of the landscaped grounds, this comfortable hotel is run by an attentive Tico couple named Francisco and Nury. Pricier rooms are larger and have balconies with river or volcano views, and the setting means that you’ll sometimes see sloths hanging out in the hotel trees.
Hotel Arenal Carmela (Map; 2479-9010; www.hotelarenalcarmela.com; Av Central; s/d incl breakfast US$50/60; ) They’ve crammed quite a few rooms into this small area – if anyone’s on the balcony while you take a dip in the pool, you may feel like a performing seal. But the rooms are modern and clean, if on the small side, and as it’s just across from the church it’s right in the center of town.
Hotel Jireh (Map; 2479-9004; www.hotelarenaljireh.com; cnr Calle 2 & Av Central; s/d incl breakfast US$50/65; ) This pretty yellow hotel has 12 spacious rooms with balconies, some overlooking a cute courtyard with a small pool. All rooms have air-con, cable TV, fridge, coffeemaker and hot-water bathroom with hairdryer. This is a great budget option during low season when prices plummet.
Hotel San Bosco (Map; 2479-9050; www.arenal-volcano.com; Av Volcán; s/d incl breakfast US$66/80; ) The most established hotel in town is one of the priciest, though the perks include free wi-fi in all the spotless rooms, free coffee and tea all