Arenal Oasis Eco Lodge

This was a great retreat, with a private bungalow in the rainforest at the foot of a volcano. It’s rustic, so you should know that before arriving. The forest trails were fantastic and the food was excellent. The room felt secure from bugs thanks to the screens, the bed was comfortable, and the shower was great. I worried about having no AC, but in May it wasn’t needed. Days were around 80-85F and nights and mornings about 70-75F. I don’t know how the weather is at other times. Northfields Coffee tour was just a 2-3 minute walk away. I’d done tours like that before, so skipped it, but had an excellent coffee at the cafe with a direct view of Arenal Volcano. I also booked a raft tour through the front desk, and it was excellent.

At night we fell asleep to rain, birds, and frogs, and the daytime trail gave us a chance to spot birds and butterflies. There was a lot of wildlife right outside, though I’d still check bedding and shoes to be safe. We felt very connected to nature here. Our two-night stay in Fortuna was wonderful. The staff were lovely and full of useful information. The land had been a cattle farm a couple of decades ago, but conservation has let the rainforest reclaim it. We’ve stayed in similar places in the US that cost WAY more for the same service, so I was surprised by the fair price. There are only 16 bungalows, I believe, rather than the 50 we’d imagined, so it felt uncrowded. Space is very limited, so book months ahead. Our triple bungalow had plenty of room, comfortable beds, and a great bath. Compared with other eco lodges and cabins we’ve tried, we had far fewer bugs inside, just some small ants. Housekeeping was great and folded our towels into cute shapes. The free butterfly dome access and discounted night walk that came with our stay were a nice surprise. The dome was cute, and the walk was one of our best experiences in Costa Rica. We saw 11 frog species and 3 snake species, so it may not be for you if creepy crawlies aren’t your thing. The front door lock got stuck once and we couldn’t get in, but staff were very helpful getting us back inside. Soda Tita Rosa is a wonderful soda just up the street within walking distance. We ate there three times. If I’m back in Fortuna, I’ll absolutely return. Thanks for everything!

I stayed three nights in late January 2026 as an American visitor. It’s an adequate, clean cabin with a comfortable bed, and the free breakfast was good. This is an eco-lodge focused on nature, and there’s an on-site butterfly exhibit my wife enjoyed. I napped instead. Fresh fruit is put out near the dining area in the morning, bringing beautiful birds close by for great photos. The rainforest was impressive when we took the time to immerse ourselves in it. But don’t count on a dry season in central Costa Rica. We expected one, but that applies to the Pacific coast early in the year. Inland, rain fell every day, sometimes for hours. With the metal roof, even a light sprinkle was noticeable, and gentle rain turned into a roar that disrupted sleep.

We didn’t stay at the lodge, so this is just about the sloth tour. Our guide drove around La Fortuna and found 17 sloths in the wild, both two-toed and three-toed. It was really cool! Afterwards we went back to the lodge for fruit, patacones, and a drink, all included. Highly recommend.