Selvita Lodge Arenal

We had a lovely family-run stay at La Selvita. Josue and his family kept checking what we needed, even bringing breakfast with local food options to our room and sharing mosquito repellent. The room was roomy, had AC, and looked out toward Arenal, where we spotted birds and hummingbirds. It’s about a five-minute trip to the main shops and restaurants, or a 25-minute walk. Our favorite restaurant was also within walking distance. The facilities are simple, but we were comfortable.

The rooms were just as described: basic, clean, practical, and well serviced. We spent more time watching the steady stream of birds from our verandah, thanks to the bird-friendly garden and handy location. If you're coming to Costa Rica, staying cooped up in your room means missing a lot of the point.

Good value for the money. The hosts served breakfast and were friendly, and there’s plenty of parking. It’s a quiet spot a little beyond the town center, with a nice restaurant nearby. The room was simple, but spacious, clean, comfortable, and had AC. We might even have been lucky enough to see the early-morning "Sombrero" clouds over Volcano Arenal.

We stopped here on the way to Tamarindo so we could visit the aguas termales. The lodge was spacious and very clean, and Don Adrian and his wife brought breakfast right to our door, even though it was after 9am, the breakfast cutoff. They were accommodating, and got me a hair dryer when I asked. The place feels quiet and quaint while still being close enough to el centro. We’d definitely recommend it and stay again.