Brisas Arenal Hotel

The breakfasts were excellent, tasty, filling, and a good deal at $10 per person. The owners’ small friendly stop by was also nice to see. Our five nights at Brisas Arenal were a highlight of the trip, and we’d book again if we could. It was quiet and scenic, with volcano views and lots of birds around, including crested guans, yellow throated toucans, and a green parrot. The room worked perfectly for my wife, our adult daughter, our 15-year-old daughter, and me. La Fortuna is a short drive away, and the tour companies we booked picked us up. One bit of advice: drive from San Jose in daylight. The roads were tough, and the place was hard to find at night.

A serious family emergency meant I had to shorten my stay. I knew the hotel had a three-day cancellation policy, but gave two days’ notice and asked whether they could be flexible, especially since it was over the holidays and the room might be resold. I even offered to work remotely for part of the stay and pay for one of the three nights. They showed no empathy or willingness to work with me. I understand policies exist, but customer service matters during a real emergency. The response felt entirely transactional and focused on money, with no regard for the customer. If you expect understanding or basic compassion when something unexpected happens, I’d strongly caution you before booking.

You can spend the day watching wildlife from the cabin porch, and the whole property is beautiful. The rooms are spacious and very clean, and it really feels like you’re in the jungle. You’ll need a car to get around, but the location is still great: La Fortuna and the main attractions are nearby and easy to reach.

I’m really glad I chose this place. The volcano view is gorgeous, and I’ve seen some spectacular birds here, including toucans, a red headed woodpecker, and lots of other colorful ones.