Arenal Roca Lodge

Cockroaches and iguana droppings on the bed seem normal here, apparently. I’ve stayed in lots of places and never complained to hotel staff before, but when I reported cockroaches and an ant infestation in our room, they ignored our messages. They didn’t even acknowledge our request to move rooms, which made me think this must be normal. I gave them several chances to fix it, and they failed every time. I’ve never left a hotel a bad review before, but this one is deserved. Paying more for a hotel in Costa Rica than in the USA and finding cockroaches is the ultimate scam. 0/10.

We had a lovely stay, and the volcano view was fantastic. Breakfast was good too.

The main drawback was the road noise. The bungalows are beside the main road, and their thin walls let in an incredible amount of sound. Trucks and motorcycles woke me several times, even with white noise playing at full volume on my phone all night. Earplugs are definitely a good idea. This would have been a five star review otherwise, since it was my only real complaint. For what we paid, I thought it was good value. The bungalow setup is fun and fits the jungle setting, with superb jungle and volcano views. Our room was clean, the towels were fresh, and the shower had plenty of hot water. Staff were kind and helpful with recommendations. Breakfast was fresh, made to order, and included fruit juice. It's a fair distance from town, but close to several jungle tours and hot springs. Whether that works for you depends on your preferences.

Blass was the real highlight for us. He was super kind, helpful, and always ready with tips or assistance. He made us feel welcome. The location is also excellent for visiting the nearby parks and natural attractions. The property feels run-down and could use fresh paint and general maintenance. It's a shame, because it has potential. We were disappointed by the food too. If you're picky about meals, you might prefer eating out. With a bit of care, the place could be much better.