Lost Iguana Resort

We recently had an opportunity to stay at the Lost Iguana and my wife and I agree that it was an amazing experience. The seclusion of the property was perfect. The rooms were beautiful. I love how they are laid out so you can lay in bed at night and watch the lava flow down the volcano. The chef, Martin, put together some fantastic dishes that both tasted wonderful and were asthetically beautiful. We arranged a couple of excursions through the resort. The first was a hike to the volcano. The guide who the resort set us up with (I regretfully forget his name) was very knowledgable about the entire area. The second was the zip line tour we took, which was both exhilerating and terrifying! The spa at Lost Iguana was amazing too. The spa facility is beautiful, and the masseuse I had was incredible! The spa experience was top notch. The little building that the massage table is in was next to the river. The combination of the fantastic massage and the sounds of the river and rain falling all at the same time made for a perfectly relaxing experience. I highly recommend The Lost Iguana if you ever find yourself in Costa Rica!

“What an amazing property!”

Lost Iguana Resort

We recently had an opportunity to stay at the Lost Iguana and my wife and I agree that it was an amazing experience. The seclusion of the property was perfect. The rooms were beautiful. I love how they are laid out so you can lay in bed at night and watch the lava flow down the volcano. The chef, Martin, put together some fantastic dishes that both tasted wonderful and were asthetically beautiful. We arranged a couple of excursions through the resort. The first was a hike to the volcano. The guide who the resort set us up with (I regretfully forget his name) was very knowledgable about the entire area. The second was the zip line tour we took, which was both exhilerating and terrifying! The spa at Lost Iguana was amazing too. The spa facility is beautiful, and the masseuse I had was incredible! The spa experience was top notch. The little building that the massage table is in was next to the river. The combination of the fantastic massage and the sounds of the river and rain falling all at the same time made for a perfectly relaxing experience. I highly recommend The Lost Iguana if you ever find yourself in Costa Rica!

 

“The best place to stay”

Lost Iguana Resort

This review is a little late but I wanted to let everyone know that this resort is the best. My husband and I stayed here in October of 2007. We still talk about it as the best vacation ever. I researched every resort in the area and decided on the Lost Iguana because of the view of the volcano. We couldn't have been more pleased. We booked a regular room but when we got there they had given it to someone else...which turned out to be a blessing because they gave us a room with a jacuzzi tub on the balcony. This was so AWESOME. Our room had 3 sets of large glass doors that faced the volcano. We got up at 5 every morning and sat in the hot tub and listened to the monkeys and watched toucans about 5 feet away. It was absolutely breathtaking. They also had a really nice pool and bar. Right up the street, walking distance, was a huge rain forest park with hanging bridges, it was great hiking. We booked a white water rafting trip through the resort and that was also a highlight of our trip. We also booked a zip line tour...this was by far the best thing we ever did in our lives. It was so fun. We had rented a car so we went into town for dinner each night (the resort food wasn't that great). It was nice to eat with the locals. Feel free to write me with any questions, I could talk about this place for hours.

 

“Top notch!”

Lost Iguana Resort

Recommended by a co-worker, we found this place to be FANTASTIC. Complimentary bottle of wine, low-cost EXTRAORDINARY food and beverages. Superb service from the hotel staff. Excellent location, secluded ... I can't say enough. It had all the amenities and luxuries to make an excellent honeymoon. Private outdoor jacuzzi tub, swim-up bar with beautiful landscaping.. you name it, it was here. Any requests were over- fulfilled (in the best sense of the word.) The owner is from San Antonio, Texas, and took the greatest features of modern hotels and set them in the middle of pure nature with awesome views of Arenal volcano.

 

No trip to Costa Rica would be complete without a visit to Arenal, and this hotel puts the entire experience over the top!

 

I must add that the hotel recommended a private driver for our week, Carlos Bogarin, and he made our trip 1000 % better. No matter where you are travelling, I'd recommend a call to the resort and a request for Carlos. His knowledge of the entire country brings you to places that you'd NEVER find on your own.

 

“one of the most comfortable places you can experience”

Lost Iguana Resort

We stayed in Arenal in September, 2008. This was the rainy season and I was hesitant about going there because of the rain. It did rain nearly every day but the experience was still great. Usually the rain only lasted for a breif stint. Overall we had more good weather then bad. The volcano is amazing. I can't imagine any hotel that has a better setup for viewing the volcano then does the Lost Iguana Resort. Every night we watched the laval flow from our bed. What a fantastic experience. Costa Rica was our fifth country on this vacation trip. And we are still travelling now as I write this in October. We really miss the volcano. It was such a treat to be able to watch it from our room. I highly highly recommend this resort to anyone considering accomodations for Arenal.

 

Warm regards,

 

Jeremiah Thompson

 

“Beautiful Resort, not so great service”

Lost Iguana Resort

The hotel is beautiful. The room is wonderful. And the view of the volcano is perfect. The service is seriously lacking. We had ants crawling all over our room upon check in. After waiting a few hours for teh staff to show up we eventually had all the rainforest size insects killed ourselves. There is a wonderful jacuzzi on the balcony to use....if you like a good, ice cold bath that is. We called numerous times to complain about not having hot water in our room. They told us that we were liars and that we had water. Hello? Come see for yourselves. Eventually (and we're talking hours upon hours) they did and decided they we in fact did not have hot water. In took another few hours to get the problem fixed. We lost about a half to full day in Costa Rica dealing with the awful service.

 

“Lost Iguana was BEAUTIFUL”

Lost Iguana Resort

We stayed at the Lost Iguana for part of our honeymoon in Costa Rica for four amazing nights.

 

This hotel was my favorite by far (although DH preferred Issimo Suites in Manuel Anotnio). The rooms are large and comfortable, with to-die-for views of the volcano and lava at night. The hotel is hilly, but really – we were there to hike, so it wasn’t a big deal. The hotel was also empty, so we were the only people at the bar at night which kind of was too bad. We didn’t want a rowdy crowd, but one or two people to talk to is always nice. And it is VERY far from any other hotel and from town, so we couldn’t go out at night, really. The restaurant wasn’t great. It was overpriced, for one, and the food wasn’t very good. There are much better places in town (I recommend the Lava Lounge for lunch – REALLY good prices ($3 sangrias!) and good food). There is SO MUCH to do in Arenal – we did a zip line/canopy tour, an ATV tour, we went to Tabacon Hot Springs, we did a Volcano hike, we hiked the Hanging Bridges, and a sunset boat ride on Arenal lake – and we were only there for 3 days! I would have stayed MUCH longer if we had the time.

 

“WOW! This is THE place to stay!”

Lost Iguana Resort

OMG this was THE most beautiful place to stay! We had a king sized suite with a jacuzzi tub outside overlooking Arenal Volcano. The garden shower was OUTSIDE but surrounded by gorgeous plants and river rock for privacy. We got to see the Arenal's peak throughout the day, but we could only afford to stay one night and because it was a cloudy night, unfortunately we did not get to see the red lava flowing down at night. Try to stay longer because it'll be worth that lava experience.

 

We had the most perfect view of the volcano, the staff was very nice and accomodating. You can walk or get a golf cart ride to the Arenal Hanging Bridges or you can sit out on your private desk with a rum and coke and ponder life while listening to the birds and animals (monkeys) of the forest. They offer free internet at the front desk and the food in their restaurant is excellent, but expensive. They let us store our bags after we had checked out and did a lot of tours with Desafio, which picked us up from our hotel and made everything easy.

 

I can't wait to go back!

 

“Incredibly Beautiful Boutique Resort”

Lost Iguana Resort

Our family of 4 recently stayed at the Lost Iguana, two adults, a four yr old, and a 15 yr old. It was beautiful. The rooms were the largest and most comfortable rooms we had ever stayed in on vacation. We were given the celebrity suite with 2 bedrooms a living room, a huge balcony with jacuzzi and a lava rock shower. The whole place was so nicely decorated and gave our family plenty of space.

 

Probably the most incredible part of our stay was the direct views we had from every room of our suite of the Arenal volcano. We would sit up in the middle of the night and look over through the french doors to the volcano and see the lava flowing!!!

 

this hotel is a unique experience with the owner bringing some beautiful touches from exotic countries. The spa had interesting doorways and doors from Indonesia. It was obvious that the owner very carefully selected the decor all around the hotel and her most recent addition was this beautiful spa. The attendants were more than gracious to me and my daughter and did and excellent job giving my daughter a facial.

 

I would highly recommend this hotel over any of the hotels in this area if you plan to stay in Arenal. It is a gem and definitely away from the crowds you will find at some of the larger hotels like Tabacon or Kioro.

 

“One night in luxury”

Lost Iguana Resort

This is an excellent hotel.

 

We stayed in the luxury jacuzzi suite for one night of our honeymoon for a little taste of luxury. The room was probably the best decorated of all the ones we visited in Costa Rica, and had a splendid view of the volcano on a private porch with a nice little gardens out front.

 

We didn't have too much interaction with the staff, and didn't have enough time to enjoy the pool or much else. We did traverse the trails, didn't see much in the way of wildlife, but we probably should have gone earlier in the morning or with a guide to the hanging bridges or something.

 

Their souvenir shop actually has pretty good prices on some interesting items.

 

One small thing I didn't appreciate was that you had to buy water if you wanted it in the restaurant, so we had to buy a $4 bottle of water for the two of us. The meals were good, but not the cheapest. Perhaps worth the trouble of getting out of there.

 

“Beautiful, Intimate Resort”

Lost Iguana Resort

We were at the Lost Iguana Resort August 1st through 3rd and hated to leave. We found our room clean, private and with a wonderful view of the Volcano. We had absolutely NO problem with insects, or other critters making their way into our room. We sat out on our patio every evening with the doors wide open AND (here is the important part) with the lights OFF. Of course you are going to attract bugs with the lights on. In fact we only applied bug spray one time during our entire 11 day stay in Costa Rica.

We really enjoyed the hiking trails on the resort property, and especially enjoyed the nightly pool side happy hour where we met alot of really nice families. We had no problem with pool temperature and the hotel literature states that they dont turn the heater on until after noon or one p.m. We found the food good and the service great!! We booked one tour through the hotel and had no problem what so ever.

One reviewer stated that it competed with the Tabacon Resort.....all I can say is that every time we drove by the Tabacon we were grateful that we didnt book there as it was a crowded mess. (Once you've seen one hot spring pool, you've pretty much seen them all)

We loved the setting and the fact that it WAS a little bit outside of town....away from the crowds. We had a rental car and had no problem getting back and fourth from town and all attractions.

 

“Just like Camping...”

Lost Iguana Resort

We booked this hotel, thinking it was a competing, luxury resort to Tabacon. Boy were we wrong. Here's our take on location, cleanliness, service, food and amenities.

 

Location (3 star). The property has an excellent view of the volcano...but if the weather is uncooperative, then the rating drops to a 1 star. It is set far out of the town of La Fortuna, where the tours embark as well as where the restaurants and hot springs are. If you don't have a car, it will cost you $20 each way to get to/from town and add 20 minutes each way. The hotel does not offer any shuttle service. However, if you go to the hanging bridges, they offer you a golf cart to take you up the road.

 

Cleanliness (2 star)

The property is located in a very lush setting, and with this we expected some insects and animals.

 

Your room and patio door open to the outside. We were completely surprised, that there were no screens on the doors as there is about a 1/2" space at the bottom and around the doors. Crickets, mosquitos, beatles, geckos, flies, etc. were regulars in our room every day and night. It was hard to determine if the room was cleaned well due to the insects. A call to the front desk for extermination was met with a can of raid which did nothing except stink up the room.

 

Service (2 stars)

 

The front desk employees were slow, unorganized and simply not on their game. Endless time was spent trying to coordinate excursions and get transportation into town. Two of the trips that were booked, the guides never showed up for. When asked about alternatives, we were met with blank stares.

 

The restaurant staff also needed lessons in customer service. The restaurant was at about 35% occupancy during our stay. Although the waiters were friendly, we always seemed to be looking for a waiter, rather than being approached by one. Service was reactive, not proactive.

 

Lastly, the maintenance staff was slow to respond. This could have been the communication between the front desk, but it took at least 20 minutes or so to have someone arrive with bug spray, or to fix several of the maintenance problems in the room.

 

Even upon checkout, no one asked how our stay was. The service was just not good. In talking with two other families on our tours, they expressed similar thoughts saying this was the first place in Costa Rica that they were dissapointed.

 

Food: (3 stars)

Breakfast is served buffet style. Juices are excellent. Food was average...on a positive note, they changed the menu every day to keep it interesting.

 

Dinners were good. We'd recommend any of the tilapia dishes and the caprese salad was delicious.

 

Amenities: (2 stars)

The room were sparce - a bed, night stand with lamp, a few chairs, and a type of bookshelf with cheap, child-like decorations. Bedspreads/sheets/towels were damp and in need of upgrading. Definately not luxury. Minimalistic works well in a rain forest, it just doesn't need to be dirty.

 

In summary, our stay came down to managing expectations. If we thought we were going camping, then this would have been terrific. However, with the mind set that this was going to be higher end, save your money and stay at any of the other 2-3 star rated hotels.

 

“Wonderful Stay”

Lost Iguana Resort

Our family of 5 stayed 3 nights last week at the Lost Iguana, and had a great time. The property is as lovely as all the reviews claim -- secluded luxury jungle setting. Yes, it is a bit out of the way compared to most other Arenal area hotels, but this is a plus as far as I'm concerned, especially if you have your own car.

 

I was a bit wary of reserving the Celebrity Suites after some past bad press, but my worries were unfounded -- they turned out great. We had 2 nights in a Celebrity Suite A, and 1 night in Celebrity Suite B (this was all that was available). Each accomodation offered advantages & disadvantages. The Celebrity building is very private -- the furthest from the reception / pool / restaurant area (so be ready to walk uphill), and has only 4 rooms -- 2 "A" suites and 2 "B" suites. Suite A (Room 44) was smaller & cheaper, and was set up with the king bed in the huge main area. The other sleeping room has separate door, with a queen bed and a 2-twin bunk bed, perfect for kids. I liked being on the 2nd floor -- slightly better view. Suite B (Room 41, first floor) is set up like a regular 2 bedroom apartment, with full kitchen + living room in the middle, and one bedroom + bath on either side. Both suites have the natural rock shower for the main bedroom, and outdoor jacuzzi which I took advantage of. The shower in Suite B is a 2-person shower (awesome!).

 

Also contrary to many reviews, we were very happy with the restaurant, and had dinner there 2 nights. All our dishes were delicious, but I would particularly recommend the Puesta del Sol (Tilapia with crab cream sauce) and the Cream of Pejivaye (palm fruit that tastes half like pumpkin, half like yucca). The prices were somewhat high but not outrageous. Breakfast (included) was really good too, with lots of fresh fruit, juices, eggs. You could have pancakes & french toast cooked to order. Service was fantastic and we got to know the friendly wait staff very well (but we speak fluent Spanish).

 

There were some definite negatives in our experience however -- namely we were very disappointed in the heated temperature of the pool. We arrived late in the day and were all looking forward to a nice hot soak , but the temperature was lukewarm at best. The bartender claimed the temperature was 100 degress, but when I challenged him he agreed it was not, and apologized that the heater doesn't work very well after heavy rains. He said it would be fixed by morning but I dipped my toe in several times over the next days and the temperature was always barely warm. I find it unacceptable that a hotel of this caliber would not have a well-heated pool. Ah well, I guess that encourages a visit to one of the local hot springs, which we missed out on. Another minor gripe is that the satellite TV was out for much of our stay.

 

There seemed to be good hiking trails on site which I was itching to do in the mornings before the rest of my crew awoke, but I chickened out of going solo for fear of snakes; it was probably too rainy and muddy to fully enjoy anyway.

 

Even though our stay was great, I'm not sure I would stay here again, mainly because the area has so much to offer that I'd like to explore other hotels in the future that would be less expensive.

 

“Great Location and Service”

Lost Iguana Resort

Outside the town of La Fortuna, this is the place to stay when going to see Arenal. Our view of the Volcano (Room 37) was excellent and you could see some lava at night. The Hanging Bridge tour is right up the road and they will take you up in a golf cart. It is a good little hike with excellent views of the area and some wildlife.

 

The staff was great. We needed batteries late at night and they went across the road to the closed gift shop, opened it up just to get us some batteries. They were also helpful in booking a repelling trip with Pure Trek, also highly recommended.

 

“Gorgeous Property with Wonderful Volcano View”

Lost Iguana Resort

We just returned from a 3-night stay at the Lost Iguana and loved every minute of it. We had the LI arrange for a driver to pick us up at the airport because we really wanted to relax and enjoy the ride; our driver Carlos was wonderful and very thoughtful - he even brought pillows and blankets for us so we could take a nap since we were arriving so late. I'd highly recommend using him if you don't want to make the drive yourself, although we found the roads to be in very good condition.

 

This was our second stay at the LI, and it was just as great as the first. We had the upgraded room with the jacuzzi tub on the balcony and a wonderful view of the volcano. The room was spacious with a seating area, flat-screen t.v., air conditioning, very comfortable bed, and a small refrigerator for keeping drinks cold. Our favorite things were the two rocking chairs on the balcony so we could enjoy the view, and the jacuzzi tub which seemed like a real luxury in the jungle. The LI is set on 120 acres and slightly removed from the town of La Fortuna, which means it's a quiet property. We loved hiking the grounds and saw lots of toucans, an olingo, and an agouti right near our room. There's also gorgeous landscaping with beautiful flowers and tropical plants, and a river that runs through the property; hummingbirds abound. The location is very convenient for the Hanging Bridges, which is located right next door.

 

La Fortuna/Arenal offers lots of activities to do including the Hanging Bridges, volcano hike, a waterfall, the amazing Cano Negro tour, ziplines, and natural hot springs like Tabacon and Eco Termales. We could have easily stayed another night. We came in green season and did get some rain, but not enough to prevent us from doing any of our activities. The only thing we didn't love about this property is the restaurant - breakfasts are included and are pretty good, but for lunch or dinner, I'd go elsewhere like El Novillo or La Choza de Laurel; the resort offers a free shuttle that goes into town during certain hours of the day, and taxis are easy to get.

 

LI pays attention to the details and provides nice robes, hair dryers, shampoo, and other little ammenities, and they've recently added a spa and nice gift shop. We came away from this vacation loving it just as much as the first time. This is a property we will definitely return to in the future.

 

“Absolutely amazing hotel- Kudos to Reservations”

Lost Iguana Resort

Maritza in Reservations did a great job with our reservation. Front desk staff was really nice and made great suggestions. The staff uniforms were REALLY nice.

 

The only experience that I was not excited about was the restaurant. The staff needs improvement. Service was VERY slow.

 

Our overall experience was soooooo great I couldn't take points off for the restaurant.

 

“Perfect Costa Rican Setting”

Lost Iguana Resort

Our stay at the Lost Iguana was very last minute but definitely worth it! We had only planned a day trip to Arenal, but realized we wanted more time while staying on the coast. We went online to find a place to stay and called to make a reservation - then off we went! We had an incredible first floor suite, and our volcano view was tremendous. The front desk were very accomodating, and the property is truly amazing. I do wish the restaurant staff were a bit more warm and friendly - they seemed really frazzled and understaffed during our two meals on the property. Be ready to hike a BIG hill to get around on the property, although the staff will be glad to pick you up in a golf cart to deliver you to your destination and preserve your lung and calf function for other adventures.

 

“Great Volcano Views”

Lost Iguana Resort

My husband and I spent three nights here in May. It was the rainy season and the resort was quiet, but the afternoon rains never interfered with our plans. The clouds cleared off in the evening and gave us great views of the volcano. The volcano was very active. At night, we would sit in the whirlpool tub on our balcony or lay in bed with the French doors open and watch lava spew down the side of the volcano - much better than T.V. (There was a television in the room but we didn't turn it on once.) We found the grounds beautiful; the hiking trails were challenging but well-maintained. The walk to our room was steep, so we appreciated the little nature trail short-cut to the restaurant and pool. We had a great couples massage at the new spa one afternoon in a little thatched hut while the rain poured outside (it was done by the time we were). The resort arranged a canopy tour for us through Sky Tram/Sky Trek Tours and an evening at Eco Termales Hot Springs. I highly recommend both. We also discovered while exploring on our own the Arenal Hanging Bridges park adjacent to the property. This ended up being one of my favorite hikes while in Costa Rica. The only downside was the restuarant. We ended up up eating most of our meals there because the resort is so remote and we didn't have a car. The food was just okay, nothing special. However, the staff was friendly and helpful. I would stay here again for sure, although maybe with a car next time to get around a little easier.

 

“Fantastic views”

Lost Iguana Resort

The views from our room at Lost Iguana were the best we had anywhere in Costa Rica. Loved the rocking chairs, all the birds in the trees, and the towel "animals" that were on our beds each day. We saw lots of wildlife on the property, including a tayer (sp?) that we didn't see anyplace else in Costa Rica.

 

We had a couple of tours that left in the morning before the restaurant opened for breakfast and the staff was very accommodating in letting us in early to take some fruit and rolls with us. I agree with others that the restaurant was generally just average. But, the salad of fresh hearts of palm was the best we had anywhere....and we tried this salad at all 4 hotels we stayed in.

 

One morning we sent quite a bit of dirty laundry to be done. When it was left back in our room that afternoon it hadn't been laundered and was still dirty. We called the front desk and they were very apologetic, came for it at once and promised it back in 2 hours. They made good on their promise and when we checked out they told us that there would be no charge for it. We were very surprised because it would have been about $35 or $40 dollars worth. This was a gesture of goodwill that went far over and above any expectations and we were impressed.

 

The property is hilly, but we took our time and appreciated that the climbs helped us get in better shape for the nature hikes we had planned later in our visit.

 

Overall, we loved the resort and would definitely return.

 

“Wonderful start to our honeymoon”

Lost Iguana Resort

Absolutely wonderful! From check-in to check-out, my husband and I had a beautifully romantic stay at Lost Iguana. The room was exquisite and the view simply amazing. Even a five inch hissing cockroach in our bathroom didn't interrupt our fabulous time! After hiking each day, it was nice to come back to a clean, cozy hotel room, sit in a great handmade rocking chair on the balcony, and read a book while taking in the magnificent beauty of the surroundings. Being able to roll over in bed and look at the Arenal Volcano was pretty great too! Great food, extraordinary service, nice pools, and close (but not too close) location to surrounding attractions all contributed to a perfect honeymoon.

 

“So Many Things to Love About this Resort”

Lost Iguana Resort

My hubby and I spent two nights in a Standard Deluxe room for our honeymoon. There was so much to love about this resort. First of all, the property is amazingly beautiful. Lush green plants and colorful flowers are everywhere. The plant life swallows the manmade structures and really makes you feel secluded (and safe) inside the jungle.

 

We had a fantastic view of the volcano from our balcony. We could even see the volcano from our bed, especially if we slept with our heads at the foot of the bed. We spent most of our stay on the hotel property. There are several trails on-site, a maze, a fabulous pool (with a heated swim-up bar).

 

We had dinner at the hotel restaurant once, and it was nothing special. But I loved the complimentary breakfast both mornings.

 

Another (random) thing I enjoyed about the resort was the smell of the sheets and towels. I don't normally notice this type of thing, but I couldn't help but notice how clean the linens smelled!

 

One thing I would ask the resort to do is to add screened doors to the balcony so you can sleep with the sound of the jungle and rumbling volcano. There are small windows with screens above the balcony doors, but I would have preferred screened doors.

 

My husband had a problem one night with noise from the neighbors' TV. I was already asleep so I didn't notice it. My hubby called the front desk to complain, and 10 seconds later the noise from next door lowered.

 

While staying in this location we also visited Tabacon Hot Springs and La Fortuna Waterfall. I'd recommend both.

 

I would definitely stay at this hotel again!!!

 

“Loved the Jungle and volcano views”

Lost Iguana Resort

We stayed at the Lost Iguana from June 27th-July 1st 2008 and really enjoyed our stay there. It is a little ways away from La Fortuna, the closest town, so I highly recommend having a rental car. We didnt mind having one because we drove from the Arenal area on to Manuel Antonio after we stayed here. You can also drive yourself to local parks and shops easily. The breakfast that was included with our room was good and staff was very pleasant and helpful. The lunch and dinner menu was not very good so having a car to go into town is a good idea. A cab ride is about 20 dollars each way since it takes about 15 minutes to get down there. Lost Iguana is close to many attractions, hikes, trails, and the great little town of Fortuna. We loved how secluded it was up in the jungle and how beautiful our views were. Staff was great and arranged many activities for us. Ask for their hand drawn map at the reception desk, it was helpful. This is a nice place for a getaway but not for those looking for excellent cuisine. Its just decent food in an absolutely gorgeous setting. The Hanging bridges trail nearby is awesome! We saw white faced monkeys there without a guide.

 

“Even better than expected”

Lost Iguana Resort

After much consideration, we finally settled upon staying at the Lost Iguana for our recent visit to Arenal and now have sore arms from patting ourselves on the backs based on that decision. We were a little anxious because some reports mentioned lousy service and a marginally acceptable breakfast at the restaurant, both of which have either been rectified or the result of some people that simply can't be pleased, or perhaps both : ).

 

Their website does not do the resort justice. Unlike many places that we've travelled, it was even better than their pictures would indicate. Each room has a perfect view of the volcano and it's lava flow, which was abundant while we visited. We learned from locals that the lava flow rotates around the top of the mountain so that it doesn't always flow down the same side year round, and Lost Iguana was one of the few resorts where you can actually see the flow from your room still.

 

We truly enjoyed the outdoor shower and the outdoor jacuzzi was nice, but only used once. When you look out of the room, or step onto the back porch you get the perfect view overlooking the rainforest into the volcano. You do get the feeling of enjoying the views in total privacy, they did a terrific job designing the resort.

 

We booked a tour of the hanging bridges through the resort and was able to enter the rainforest a full hour before it was opened to the general public, which we enjoyed tremendously. The guide was so-so compared to other tours that we took, but it was still amazing. We also had them book a zip line tour through Sky Tram for us, which was another one of many trip highlights.

 

We also had rented a car, which was a plus because the resort is one of the farther ones from La Fortuna (15 mins) and we found some closer points to view the lava flow at night where we could drive to and hear the boulders tumbling down the mountain.

 

Lastly, the service was great and the breakfasts had fresh fruits, a local rice, bacon/sausage, pancakes/french toast, toasts, juices, eggs, potatoes, all of which was very good and plentiful, we actually enjoyed it! (And breakfast is VERY important to us) I would highly recommend this resort to anyone considering a trip to Arenal.

 

“Great Place, Mediocre Restaurant/Food”

Lost Iguana Resort

Overall, great place for family, couples. Restaurant leaves you wanting so best to rent a car and travel to different places in the eve but overall, great place!!! -- I also stayed at Mawamba Lodge in Toruguero Natl Park.

 

“Don't think I would go back....”

Lost Iguana Resort

 

My biggest complaint about this hotel is the rooms. I stayed in a standard deluxe, which might have been the problem, and we were bombarded with bugs. Yes, this is the rainforest, but that doesn't mean you should have the rainforest IN the room. Along with the huge bugs in the room everywhere, it was just a dingy musky smelling room. The bed wasn't comfortable and I couldn't wait to sleep somewhere else. For $185 a night plus tax, this was WAY too much money for this room. The bugs were so bad we couldn't enjoy the fabulous view on the balcony, so much of our Arenal Volcano viewing wasn't in the room, which is one of the big reasons we choose this hotel.

I don't know what the other rooms are like, if they are much different from this room, I might go back because there were many positives as well....however, we stayed at Tabacon Resort as well, and the rooms were great, different experience...see my review there. Here are the positives....

 

- The view of the volcano. Amazing Amazing. We did not see lava at night from our room but you are so close and in view of the lava flowing area, I can imagine it's amazing.

 

- The trails. The hotel offers some serious hiking trails on their grounds that we really enjoyed. You need good hiking shoes and don't go while it's raining or it just rained.

 

- The tours offered by the hotel were the cheapest anywhere. We prepaid for some things and found that they were cheaper once you got there. No need to pre-book trips here. We did the Arenal Hanging Bridges tour from here and we had our own guide who was amazing- they took us in a golf cart since the bridges are only a 15 minute hike away.

 

- Free internet, free shuttle into town- limited times, but saves you some money.

 

We heard some bad reviews about the food, but I really enjoyed the guacamole and the enchiladas. The free breakfast buffet was very good too.

 

They have a large cold pool and heated pool with swim up bar. We enjoyed hanging out there one night, very good drinks. We felt like we were the only ones at this hotel.

 

Feel free to contact me with any questions

 

“I want to say this place it brilliant, and it could be, but..........”

Lost Iguana Resort

I always use Trip Advisor to help in selecting places to stay on vacation or business. Based on the reviews, I had some trouble identifying a property in the Arenal idea that was "solid". Every property seemed to have quite a few negative reviews.

 

Anyway, I eventually selected the Lost Iguana for our three night stay, simply because it reviewed #1 in the area at the time.

 

We stayed in their Celebrity Plan B, which is effectively a two bedroom apartment, very room at that, and has a huge balcony with a jetted tub and awesome views of the volcano. Breakfast is included in the rate. The build quality of the rooms is poor, and they are not furnished at all to our taste, but they were very clean, no mean feat given that they are literally shoe-horned into some serious rainforest. We really like the outdoor shower, but you do need to be OK with the fact that in that climate anything outdoors is going to grow moss.

 

The furniture and trim is a thick cane that seems dated, and the overall decor is a pink that does not seem to fit with the rainforest setting. A pity, because good quality darker rattan furniture such as they have in the restaurant would look quite nice in the rooms. I think that a lot of my wifes "issues" would have been addressed if the rooms were decorated differently.

 

There is no internet in the rooms, and the internet service in the lobby is fairly slow. It is also unreliable in heavy rain due to a low satellite angle. TV in that part of the world is mostly in Spanish, but we didn't go to watch TV.

 

The grounds are amazing, simply amazing. The overall design has been so carefully thought out that we could not see another building from ours, and that looks to be the case with all buildings. There are some very nice trails on property as well. The property is set out with the reception area, restaurant, bar and pool at the bottom and the rooms on the hill above. The property is very steep, so you have a hike to the rooms, but there is a golf cart available should you wish to use it.

 

During our stay we met the owner Elaine Knight whilst having lunch. She is a lovely lady and very acutely aware of the negative comments about food that previous reviewers have made. She has brought in a chef to try to address these issues, but admits it is a struggle achieving consistency when the chef is off duty. In truth, we had one bad food experience, some rotten watermelon had ended up in the batch at breakfast, but we also had some very good food. The enchiladas were very good, as was the the nachos. I had a tenderloin that was quite good as well. On two of the mornings breakfast was a buffet, the fresh fruit was wonderful (leaving aside the rotten watermelon), but the hot food was unappealing. One morning, for some reason, they did a "cook to order" breakfast, and it was excellent, a much better idea in a small property in my opinion.

 

Overall, I guess I feel like a lot of previous reviewers, so much potential, but there are still some significant issues. I want to say this place it brilliant, and it could be, but right now it is a mix of very good and not so good..........

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

“Loved it loved it loved it!”

Lost Iguana Resort

My husband and I recently stayed at Lost Iguana during "green season" and had a wonderful time! The property was everything a tropical paradise should be. The views of the volcano were phenominal, the grounds were lovely, the hotel staff was friendly. The pictures on the Internet, do not do this location justice! There are 2 things we learned....if you see volcano flow, take pictures, you may not see it again. Shortly after we arrived at the resort, the lava started to flow. We were so mesmerized, we sat on the porch and watched for hours. The next night I had my camera ready, and we did not see lava again. The second bit of advise, is for those who go to the rainforest during the rainy season...DO NOT wait at the resort for the rain to stop. Just because it is raining in one location, does not mean it is raining further down the road! We forged ahead and did everything we wanted to do in our 3 days here while we watched others waiting out the weather and watching their precious vacation time slip by. Don't miss zip lining, the Vernado Caves or the Hanging Bridges which you can walk to from the resort. It was all wonderful!

 

“Fabulous, relaxing time at the Lost Iguana!”

Lost Iguana Resort

We stayed at the Lost Iguana a few weeks ago and loved our entire stay. The accommodations are top notch, from the fabulous outdoor shower (covered to keep bugs out) to the beautifully decorated room. One of the best aspects of the room was just being able to sit in bed and watch the lava coming down the mountain at night. We spent hours happily ooohing and ahhhing over the lava.

 

If someone is going to go to Arenal, the main attraction is the volcano, so we were so glad we got to see it for hours each night, especially from the comfort of our room. If you are going to Arenal you really MUST stay where you can see the lava, it made our trip priceless.

 

The Lost Iguana also has a great service where they will call your room to alert you if lava is visible. Sensibly, you can opt out of the service and they only do it if lava hasn't been visible by a certain time of night. We saw lots of lava on all three of the nights we were there and it truly is a mesmerizing sight. Without a doubt, one of the best parts of the Lost Iguana is being able to be in your room and watch the beauty of nature unfold in front of you.

 

The quality of the rooms is great, our room was large and the bed super comfortable after days of hiking around the resort or activities in the area. The pool is relaxing and has a good little swim up bar on the upper level. I highly recommend hiking the trails on the property, though it really is a hike not a walk. Unlike the States, there are no paved paths or railings, it's a real nature hike through the rain forest. The trail is easy to follow, but it's what hiking is meant to be, a hike! There is an easier, shorter hike if you want to try that first. My girlfriend and I went on a hike and had fun just exploring the different paths for over an hour.

 

The staff were all friendly, the bartender at the pool helped my girlfriend learn where to look for tree frogs and even showed us areas to search. The spa was beautiful and really relaxing. Between the spa, pool, and comfort of your room you can't go wrong for first class relaxation. That was the key for us, we really wanted a place to just relax and we were thrilled with the balance of being able to book tours at the front desk or just relax on the property.

 

Before going to Costa Rica I read reviews and saw people commenting on the food. My experience was fine, however some dishes were definitely better than others. It seemed like they were working out the kinks in the kitchen, but that was just my impression. I mentioned this to a waiter we got to know and he told us that a new chef was there, so that may be solving the one weak spot in the resort.

 

If you fly in to Arenal, I'd also recommend getting your transfer from a local company. We used Sunset Tours and they were really good, inexpensive half what the airline was going to charge for a transfer to the hotel. Be advised that the airport charges $7 per person in a special airport tax that isn't included in your air ticket for anyone leaving the airport in Arenal. (This has nothing to do with the hotel, but we were surprised by it when we landed, so I thought I should mention it.)

 

I highly recommend the Lost Iguana to anyone traveling to Costa Rica. It was a lovely, luxurious home base where we were pampered in between some adventurous zip line canopy tours, volcano hikes, and hot spring trips. If you are going to Arenal you really need to stay somewhere where you can actually see the volcano! According to Arenal.net, only three hotels had views of the lava while we were there, the Lost Iguana being one of them. The hours we spent relaxing at the resort watching the volcano were as much fun as any tour or paid activity we did. While no one knows what the clouds around the volcano will do, set yourself up with the best chance to see lava by staying somewhere where you can actually see it! The Lost Iguana offered the perfect, romantic spot to take in all the natural beauty of Costa Rica. We'll be going back to the Lost Iguana in the future.

 

“Great hotel, great staff great lava views”

Lost Iguana Resort

WE just got back from the ARENAL VOLCANO area IN COSTA RICA.. As you have noticed there are many hotels in the area but the desition where to stay is simple: you want to see the VOLCANO with lava flowing from your room, and dthere are basically 3 hotels to do so, the only 4 stars is the LOST IGUANA.

This is a piece of ART inthe middle of the JUNGLE, at night from any room in the property you DO SEE LAVA coming down the Volcano, mixed with a botlle of wine and the sound of the tropical forrest, that is it..... THE hotel is great, beatifull, great staff always ready to help you in any possible way, they arranged everything and help you for the tours. you can hike to the HANGINGS bridges, there are 2 other internal hiking paths winthin the hotel that my 5 years old sun and I did they are easy.

The hotel is full of nice lush, the pool is very hot and you can see the LAVA at night from the POOL with the drink of your choice.

The restaurant is OK, but hey you do not go there to eat OK.

DO RENT A CAR, THIS IS A MUST, THE ROADS ARE OK we drove from SAN JOSE TO ARENAL AND DURING THE DAY IS FINE, NOT A PROBLEM, get lost ask?, everybody speaks english, not to worry. THESE PEOPLE ARE VERY FRIENDLY AND HELPFULL.

I would go back to the hotel with no hesitation

 

“Great time at the Iguana!”

Lost Iguana Resort

Our family (kids 9 & 14) spent three terrific nights in a deluxe room. For those unfamiliar w/ Lost Iguana, deluxe rooms are what most people would refer to as a standard....two queen beds, cable tv, etc. We were not disappointed as the pictures on their site are accurate. If anything, the balcony and view of the volcano / surrounding area is understated. We were very fortunate and had two nights of spectacular volcanic activity. We ate dinner at the hotel and sat with staff watching the lava flow.

 

As for the restaurant....Yes, the food is not great and it is on the pricey side. However, in my not so humble opinion, I believe you could say that about most any resort. Since the deluxe rooms are not outrageous, given the location & view, we found lost iguana to be a great place and would certainly recommend it to others. We thought the staff was very friendly and more than willing to drive you where ever you needed to be taken. There is an afternoon shuttle into town and cart which will take you to your room or the hanging bridges While the property is built on a hill, we walked everywhere and only used the cart to go to the hanging bridges (we walked back).

 

Pura Vida!

“Good and Bad”

Lost Iguana Resort

Stayed at Lost Iguana for 4 nights last week. This resort is both good and bad. The views from our luxury suite were AMAZING. This is the best aspect of the resort, with a close 2nd being the beautiful grounds.

 

The Bad: The restaurant is awful and overpriced. The hills you need to climb to get to your room are ridiculous!! A mid-day hike from reception to our room left us in need of showers! The resort will shuttle you around the grounds in a golf-cart, but it felt really awkward for some reason.

 

Every guest at the resort is American, so don't expect to take in other cultures. This may not be a bad thing from your perspective, but honestly this place felt more like the Polynesian at Disney World than a foreign country. It was gorgeous, but it lacked Tico charm.

 

And don't get me started about the ridiculous uniforms the staff has to wear.

 

Overall, I think this resort is overpriced and is geared more towards people who don't intend to leave the resort to explore the local areas on their own. It was a little too tame for us.

 

“Awesome views, great grounds”

Lost Iguana Resort

OH and I stayed at Lost Iguana for 3 nights as part of our 25th Wedding Anniversary trip; we chose it for a variety of reasons, including reviews on TA and personal experience of friends who had stayed there. We arrived the afternoon that Tropical Storm Alma was hitting Nicaragua as a hurricane - initially it was cloudy and rainy, but within 2 hours the miracle occurred - the volcano was totally clear and stayed so all afternoon and all night!!

Our room (deluxe) was roomy, comfortable, clean and had a great view. The staff at Lost Iguana were cheerful, helpful and very accommodating. Full breakfast is included with the cost of the room and the food is very good. The restaurant and the pool/bar area have views of Volcan Arenal. A special treat which I was not aware of until arrival were the hiking trails on the property!! There are actually a total of three - Cascada, which is longer and a bit more challenging; Dos Rios, which is moderately challenging and not as long; and the trail leading to the Hanging Bridges, which takes about 20 minutes. All were fun, interesting and enabled us to see the most wildlife we encountered in the area - toucans, wild pigs, coatimundi, guans, and howler monkeys. The view from our balcony was fabulous; it was so nice to be awakened by birds and howler monkeys and to go to sleep watching the volcano spew lava rocks as the fireflies blinked around our balcony. The bird varieties and species kept us engrossed for several hours each afternoon.

Tours offered from the office are great with some discounts; the gift shop is really nice with lots of variety and very good prices. Best of all, most everything can be charged to your room, so that your credit card has one charge at the end of the stay, saving you bank fees for converting to international rates.

One note - the area is hilly and has many steep inclines and declines - but, you can call for golf carts to take you from your room to anywhere you want to go on the property, as well as to the entrance to the Hanging Bridges. Laundry is usually done the same day and the rates are cheap.

Would not hesitate to stay here again and would definitely recommend it to anyone.

 

“The most romantic paradise”

Lost Iguana Resort

We had a deluxe suite and we loved our room. It's spacious with a private balcony and a frog/lily pond. There's an "outdoor" shower room for 2 people. It's covered by a net, so bug don't get in. Jacuzzi was outdoor without any net, so bugs were uncontrollable. It was small so 2 people barely fit in there. We couldn't see volcano from the jacuzzi tub, but we did have amazing volcano view from balcony.

At night, we just sat at our balcony or laid in our bed watching the red lava flowing down.

 

The property was beautiful and lush. I'll go back to this hotel next time I'm in Costa Rica.

 

“A view of the Arenal Volcano”

Lost Iguana Resort

Beautiful room with a view from our bed of the volcano... wow.

Only negative is that the hotel is situated on the mountain and the climb up and down can be rather steep... they offer staff to take you to and from, and it is wise to avail yourself thereof.

While there we did the hanging bridges tour... excellent.

We also went to Eco Termales hot springs (Hidalgo family), also excellent... clean, well maintained, excellent meal... great way to end a day.

 

“Frustrating mix of very good and below par”

Lost Iguana Resort

Echoing many of the previous comments, I can briefly summarise:

 

Perfect location for views of Arenal - watching lava flows from the comfort of your bed is awesome!!

 

High quality accommodation - large rooms, A/C, TV, minibar/fridge/tea & coffee, jacuzzi, outdoor double shower (v. liberating and surprisingly bug-free!)

 

Useful free minibus service to/from La Fortuna - otherwise v. expensive taxi ride if you don't have your own car...

 

Good hiking trails up to the Hanging Bridges - plenty of wildlife-spotting (the armadillo was my favourite) on the trails and on the hotel site.

 

Good (if a bit tame) afternoon hike around the base of Arenal in the National Park with an experienced guide.

 

Pleasant pool with swim-up bar and happy-hour drinks after a day out and about. Decent snacks, but...

 

Poor food for a hotel/resort of otherwise high quality. Not so much the quality of the ingredients but just the way they are combined and served. Also not cheap compared to local restaurants. It's as if no real thought or effort has gone into the catering, despite plenty of nice touches elsewhere in the hotel. The breakfasts as well were nothing special compared to other places we stayed.

 

Variable service - some members of the hotel staff were friendly and helpful, both in recommending sights/excusions and arranging trips, but others seemed bored and had a real 'can't be bothered' attitude. Often there seemed to be too many of them hanging around reception with nothing much to do. Maybe it was someting to do with the ghastly floral shirts that they all had to wear!

 

Overall - a bit of a curate's egg: very good in some respects, but less so in others. I guess if your main reason for choosing a hotel in Arenal is to get a view of the volcano erupting then it's hard to beat Lost Iguana for its location, and our luxury room was very nice, but just be aware of the downsides as well.

 

“Great Place to Get Lost”

Lost Iguana Resort

We stayed at the Lost Iguana for 5 days and had a great time. Our room was spectacular with great views of the Volcano. Very clean and nice furnishings. The place is beautifully landscaped and has a really nice pool and restuarant. There are trails to hike which seem really nice. The staff planned a couple of trips rafting and repelling down waterfalls which were amazing. This is an excellent place in this area and is out of the way and does not feel so touristy!! Would recommend highly!!!

 

“Beautiful grounds”

Lost Iguana Resort

We stayed in an upstairs room with Jacuzzi on the terrace. Room was big, bright and clean The view was terrific - even though the weather did not cooperate to see Arenal. Breakfast was all right with a buffet. Used the hotel shuttle to go to Eco Termales - which felt great after going on the Rio Celeste hike. Lunch was disappointing at the bar.

 

“more rustic than we expected...”

Lost Iguana Resort

My husband and I spent 3 nights here during our second week of our honeymoon. The only reason I am writing this review is because I had chosen this hotel based on the previous reviews. So, I booked one of the luxury suites, that had and outdoor shower and the jacuzzi tub. The lobby of this hotel is great. the location is great. The heated pool is amazing, but definitely not cleaned often. the pool bar couldn't make any drinks requiring a blender or any juice besides orange. The restaurant is terrible! Very expensive for the quality. Food was really bad, and the complimentary breakfast was the worst I have ever had. Most mornings we were there no later than 8 AM and most of the food was gone and they didn't refill anything! We were lucky to get any thing most of the time. The spa was amazing as well. however, our room was not worth the money. our bed kept falling apart any time we simply sat on it, and it was sinking in the middle. the outdoor shower could have been nice if they ever cleaned it. there were two bats up above it, no big deal, but the "bat poop" was all over the screen covering our shower!! not pretty. there were also ants all over the bathroom and other varieties of bugs, so the shower wasn't as sealed of as it should have been. The volcano was directly across from our room, but it was cloudy every day and night. obviously not the hotel's fault, but figured I'd mention it. Overall, I think the idea the owners have is fantastic, they just need to put in the effort to make the rooms nice and food better, and keep it more clean....especially when we paid almost $1000 for 3 nights.

 

“LOVE the Lost Iguana”

Lost Iguana Resort

We stayed at the Lost Iguana for 2 nights in April and we absolutely loved it!!! The view from the room was amazing - it was awesome to watch the lava roll down the side of the volcano from the balcony. The resort itself is set into a hillside and yes, it is a slight hike to the rooms, but for anyone in reasonable shape it is not a big deal. For older people, or one with disabilities, it could be too much....

 

We spent quite a bit of time in the upper pool. Michael, the bartender was great and our son had a blast playing with the other kids and adults in the pool.

 

As for location - you can't beat the ambiance... there is an abundance of jungle, including some well-maintained hiking trails. It is a great place for those who appreciate nature and prefer some peace and quiet on vacation. It is a distance from town, so a car is preferable...

 

“Everything I hoped for!”

Lost Iguana Resort

My wife and I enjoyed a spectacular stay at the Lost Iguana resort. I decided to splurge on the luxury suite / ground floor which included the drop dead gorgeous balcony view with Jacuzzi. I set up a camera tripod and took terrific pictures of hummingbirds all over the flowers adjacent to the patio.

 

Yes, there are bugs. It is the jungle which is what I paid for. The pay-off was the howler and spider monkeys I saw on my tour of Hanging Bridges. The views of Arenal, Toucans on the grounds. Vividly colored frogs in the bird baths. Really a special experience. The remoteness that other reviews mention is true and the staff let us take the employee bus to and from La Fortuna a couple of times which I actually enjoyed. Genuinely nice people.

 

Surprised that one topic isn't touched on in other reviews - shop here! The exquisitely carved wood bowls etc I expected but not the terrific jewelry / pearls in the gift shop from MIcronesia / Vietnam and the like. Better prices on the bowls/ platters than I had seen earlier in small towns like Cana.

 

Yes, get a guide for Hanging bridges. You'll see more and gain a better perspective. For airport transportation, ask the staff for Carlos' email contact and phone number. Folks, you'll be in terrific hands. (Maybe I'll drive on trip #3 - but maybe not!) Light the candle and chill in the jacuzzi. Yes, keep the lights off in the sexy open air shower. It will attract thousands of bugs overnight.

 

The food is not bad - it is just uninspired. I expected better but this isn't enough to taint my review. We had a couple of good lunches in La Fortuna; open air grilled chicken was great. You'll see the place. The culinary offerings are something this place could work on. I didn't expect 5Star steak but was surprised there weren't great shrimp, fish or chicken offerings. Oh well.

 

A very unique experience - my thanks to the staff at Lost Iguana.

 

“Great Hideaway”

Lost Iguana Resort

The Lost Iguana Resort far surpassed my already-high expectations of what a vacation nestled in the rainforest would consist of. The resort offers a rustic, authentic feeling without leaving you wanting for any of the creature comforts you’re used to at a high-end resort. The grounds are majestic and there is great hiking on the premises, which you should definitely take advantage of.

 

The simplicity of organizing outings at the front desk is a definite plus. We arranged a zip-lining outing (which was fantastic), and they arranged for our pickup in the morning and the charge shows up without any sort of extra booking fee on the room bill when you check out, which I found much more convenient than having to whip out the credit card a dozen times.

 

The pool and swim-up bar were great, with a daily happy hour and good company. We ordered appetizers from the restaurant at the bar, and three of us couldn’t even finish a single order of nachos, which were very tasty and only about $8. The free breakfast buffet is very good also, and there is always service with a smile. I found that at the Lost Iguana, if I needed anything at any time, from a golf cart ride or directions to a hiking trail, all I had to do was ring the front desk and they were on it immediately.

 

You’ve already read about the amazing outdoor showers, Jacuzzi tubs, and volcano views, but just to reiterate- they are simply amazing. Overall, the Lost Iguana was a terrific experience and I would highly recommend staying there to anybody looking for a relaxing vacation with lots of options for day trips.

 

“Really Nice”

Lost Iguana Resort

My wife and I stayed at Lost Iguana for 3 days while on our honeymoon. It was a really pleasant experience with a beautiful well-maintained room and a great view of the volcano. While many of the hotels in the Arenal area are packed close together, Lost Iguana felt remote while still being near all of the locations that you might want to visit.

 

“Lost Iguana Is fantastic”

Lost Iguana Resort

Our stay at the Lost Iguana was fantastic. The personnel are very friendly and helpful and the facilities are gorgeous. The resort is located on a large acreage property in the jungle ~ a mile away from the highway, ensuring a pristine environment for guests. A large part of the property is natural, with a couple of hiking trails. The trails are well maintained, but not over-trafficked. The rooms (we had a deluxe suite) are spectacular and seductive, and each room has a fantastic view of the active side of Arenal volcano. Add to that beautiful amenities (the pool, bar, dining area and spa), and you have a dream vacation spot.

 

“A Little Lost at the Lost Iguana”

Lost Iguana Resort

We stayed at the Lost Iguana at the end of December and New Year's Eve. At the time we booked, this resort was ranked #2 on these boards. I find it interesting that a few months later it's dropped down to #8.

 

The grounds of the hotel really are great. As previous posters have stated, it's VERY hilly. However, a quick call to the main lobby and a golf cart will come get you from where ever you are in the resort. There are a ton of photo opportunities and almost feels like you're on the set of Jurassic Park.

 

We were in room #31 which is an upgraded room with the outdoor shower. While it seems like a nice novelty, I strongly urge you to stay away from this feature. There is no door closing off the outddor shower to the rest of the bathroom. It is fully screened in, but that doesn't stop the humidity and other creatures from getting in. We had lots of little bugs the first night and then we learned to always keep the light off and the door closed.

 

Due to the open nature of this room, the entire suite felt damp and had an odd odor...kind of like clothes that sat in the washer a bit too long. Also, the sheets always felt damp. YUCK!

 

The room was large and had a great view of the volcano (we didn't get to see any lava though...boo!) The bed was pretty awful. In fact, the frame is made of bamboo and my husband sat on the edge of the bed and the whole frame came apart. A call to maintenance solved the issue in a timely fashion...so service was there.

 

As others have posted, the food was really terrible. I got sick off the shrimp & rice and was out of commission for a whole day. The resort is really far from town, so there really aren't any viable options for dinner, unless you have a rental car.

 

We did the Hanging Bridges on our own. If you can, it would have been nice to have a guide, but we still had a great time. Beware, the information in the room states it's a short 15 minute walk to the Bridges. We verified this with the front desk and proceeded to walk. Let me tell you, it was all up a very steep hill. We were pooped by the time we got there and had to refresh with a Gatorade and a short rest before going through the park.

 

The best thing we did during our stay was the Zip Line Tour through the hotel. I forget the name of the tour company...but it's the one that is 660 feet in the air. It was a blast...and completely safe.

 

Well, in a nutshell...we would go back to Costa RIca, but we would choose to stay at the Tabacon resort probably. Certainly not return to the Lost Iguana.

 

“Beautiful views, scenery and rooms but lacking on service”

Lost Iguana Resort

My husband and I stayed at Lost Iguana for two days and two nights. The grounds were beautiful but VERY hilly - I wouldn't recommend this resort to people who have trouble hiking anything streneous...it's all uphill to everything including the restaurant on site.

 

Our room was huge and lovely. We could literally roll over and see the Arenal volcano through our window. It was AMAZING.

 

The restaurant was fair and the service was horrible - slow, indifferent and almost judgemental. We'd never experienced anything like it at that high end of a resort before....we enjoyed the resort but will not return for a future visit.

 

“Loved it”

Lost Iguana Resort

We had a wonderful time at Lost Iquana. It was easy to make friends around the swim up bar and the bartenders (Micheal) were great. The grounds are spectacular, too. But, most of all we loved our suite, #31. The bed was comfortable and the shower was so unique. Read the other reviews about the view (spectacular), the service staff ,(Alexandra was great )and the food (hiss, boo, yuch).

We loved our hike around the grounds and also at Hanging Bridges (we booked a guide at 6 am before it officially openend) All in all, we would recommend this to a friend, and that's the ultimate compliment.

“Lovely lush grounds and lava views”

Lost Iguana Resort

Our family of three spent three nights at Lost Iguana in Feb-08. I made the reservation directly with the hotel through their website; communication was prompt and clear.

 

We stayed in a standard room with two queen beds located on the upper floor. The rooms are in two-storied buildings with about 10 rooms per building which are scattered on a hillside. Our room had a small table/2 chairs, TV, small fridge, safe and air-conditioning -- it was clean and comfortable. The bathroom was nice; large tiled shower, plenty of towels and hot water, plus amenities such as shampoo, hair dryer, etc. Each room has a nice balcony with rocking chairs and a great view of Arenal volcano with lava views.

 

My only complaint about the room was the musty odor of the bed linens (especially the pillow.) I realize they're in the rainforest but we didn't experience this in any of our other hotels in CR in the same climate.

 

By the way, the only time we heard other guests was on our balcony at 3 in the morning when it cleared for a view of the lava flow -- we weren't the only ones awake ooh'ing and aah'ing over the view.

 

The hotel grounds are lovely -- more of a "rainforest" feel with the buildings discretely tucked in among the jungle-like garden. (No expansive "lawns".) From our balcony, we barely noticed the other buildings. We walked some of the rainforest trails on their property -- a lot of birds and nice streams.

 

We loved the pool area. There are two pools -- the upper one is a hot pool (large enough to swim around in) with a swim-up bar. The lower one, the same size, is a cold pool. We rarely saw anyone at the pool -- but we enjoyed "happy hour" in the hot pool after a day of activities and went back for a dip at night (pool was open until 9:00 pm).

 

The food, as noted by others, was mediocre at best and overpriced. We had one dinner there (we knew better but we were too tired to venture out) and my son's plain buttered pasta was the best thing we had! Breakfasts were fine -- perhaps we weren't all that critical since it was included in the room price. The tables along the edge of the dining room, open to the garden, are nice for breakfast. A coati came by each breakfast begging for food.

 

The staff have been noted as being reserved and "aloof" but we found them to be friendly (though not overly so) and professional. My husband's checked bag was delayed and he desperately needed a bathing suit and a change of clothes and they were kind enough to open the gift shop for us. (The gift shop, by the way, was very nice and reasonably priced.) We also had them arrange some tours for us (SkyTrek and white-water rafting) and everything went very smoothly.

 

All in all, we really liked this hotel. It did feel more like a "resort hotel" than our other accommodations in CR. We didn't leave feeling like "family". We loved the grounds and how quiet and peaceful the place was -- I would imagine that it would be great for a honeymoon. We liked the secluded feeling and were happy to be there as opposed to one of the long row of hotels on the road into La Fortuna. There were a few families with children and we certainly felt our 9 year-old son was welcome. (He taught the bartenders how to make a "Shirley Temple"... in fact, he taught the bartenders all over CR... lol)

 

We had a rental car and the ride into La Fortuna was about 20 minutes on a very nice road.

 

“Lovely Hotel (shame about the food!)”

Lost Iguana Resort

Our room was stunning with an amazing view of Arenal at night. However, we ate at the restaurant one night and it was truly one of the worst meals of our life! I would recommend heading out or staying safe with a just about eatable burger.

 

The swim up bar in the pool was great and the cocktails really nice, however we found the staff a little surly. Not rude as such but certainly not as friendly as the other hotels we stayed at on our travels around Costa Rica.

 

“Perfect short stay”

Lost Iguana Resort

The hotel is in a great location, it has a nice secluded feel as it is a short drive off the main road. Set in beautiful grounds with nature trails. Lovely rooms with large terraces, from which there are stunning volcano views.

Good restaurant and poolside bar, which is just as well- because you probably won't want to get too far from your view, and also the hotel is quite isolated. Very friendly staff too.

The hotel is also right next to the hanging bridges. We used the hotels own guide, Hector, who gave us one of the most informative tours I have ever had in CR.

 

“Great views and rooms but needs to improve its quality.”

Lost Iguana Resort

We stayed here for 3 nights and really have mixed feelings about the hotel. The location is stunning, and the view from our jacuzzi suite was great - the volcano gave us quite a show whilst there. Our room was huge and the rocking chairs on the balcony were lovely. Our experience of the food was awful and overpriced - the worst we had in CR. The reception staff were variable, sometimes pleasant and helpful, othertimes rude and abrupt. The hotel is in a very steep location but the golf buggies are always there to whisk you to your room if you could not face the walk. You are very isolated at this hotel, they do run a shuttle into Arenal twice a day and a taxi costs about 20 dollars. I would not stay here again, the view of the volcano is amazing, but there is such a wide choice of hotels in the area, I would choose somewhere that the staff do not show you are a nuisance being there and the food is considerably better and more reasonably priced.

 

“Perfect Stay!!”

Lost Iguana Resort

We just returned from 3 nights at The Lost Iguana and completely loved it. We truly felt like we were in the jungle with amazing landscapes and hiking trails all around us. The plants and flowers are gorgeous. The insects at night and birds in the morning were so loud they sounded like a recording! Many of the other hotels we passed were right on the road, but the Lost Iguana is set back into the jungle and up on a hill overlooking the volcano.

 

Our room was very comfortable, but not overly luxurious. We were a family of four in a standard room with 2 queen beds. We were on the bottom floor and did hear quite a bit of noise from the rooms above us, but our view was still great.

 

The highlight was definitely the volcano view. Two of our three nights were fairly clear and we could see the bright orange lava flowing down the side of the mountain from our beds. We could never see the top of the volcano at night, but we did during the day. We did get a few rain showers and the temperatures were surprisingly cool.

 

Our room came with a buffet breakfast which was great. Tons of fresh fruit, sausage or bacon, pancakes, rice and beans, and eggs each day. We did not have dinner at the restaurant, but did enjoy snacks and drinks at the pool.

 

The staff was very friendly and helped us book our Cano Negro tour, Sky Trek/ Sky Tram and Tabacon Hot Springs. Transportation was also arranged. Overall, a great stay.

 

“Jungle Oasis! ”

Lost Iguana Resort

This is a beautiful, unique hotel which is nestled in a Jurassic park- like setting. The buildings are staggered upon a rather steep hill with lush vegetation all around. Golf carts are driven by the staff for those who do not wish to take on the winding steep road. The grounds are beautiful, the swimming pool and bar area are gorgeous as is the semi-outdoor restaurant. The food, staff and surroundings make you feel as if you have gone to heaven. The room was so beautiful that when we walked in, I actually got tears in my eyes! A gorgeous canopy bed sits in the middle of the room, facing out toward Arenal Volcano. We cannot wait to return to this jungle oasis on our next trip to Costa Rica.

 

“Paradise by the Volcano”

Lost Iguana Resort

I've never been on a more relaxing vacation. I stayed at the Lost Iguana Resort for five days of paradise! Our rooms had a perfect view of the volcano, which we spent hours watching from the cozy rocking chairs, patio jacuzzi and in bed. The rooms were tropically decorated with hand painted quilts, bamboo ceiling and vibrant paintings. This would be perfect for any honeymoon or couples get-away.

My husband and I love the attention from the friendly staff; they arranged all of our tours. We loved the nature tours with Johnny (Hanging Bridges is located right behind the resort) and the zip line.

All of the amenities of Lost Iguana are top notch. It has a two tiered pool; the lower level is unheated and the upper level is heated with a wonderful swim up bar that tends to fill up in the afternoon. The restaurant, like everything at the resort has a view of the volcano and the the food was good.

I also got to be one of the first customers at the Golden Gecko Spa located at the base of the resort. The massage was one of the best I've ever had. The reception for the spa features a sauna and rock showers. After changing, I was lead down a teak walk way to one of the two private bungalows. Inside the bungalow was a lit fireplace and the smell of incense. The massage started with a leg scrub and foot massage on the balcony facing the river. During the massage, I loved the warmth of the fireplace and the sound of the birds and water flowing down the river. I'm not sure why this isn't featured on any web site yet??

To finish up, I found this resort one of the best places I've ever been. The people were warm and friendly (as seemed to be everywhere in Costa Rica). I wouldn't recommend this resort for people with young children, but there were families with teenagers and older children having a nice time. The rooms are located on a mountain side and walking up and down the hill was a work out, but there are golf carts always offered for a ride to your room. I can't wait to go back!

 

“Relaxation At It's Best”

Lost Iguana Resort

This past Spring Break I visited Lost Iguana with two of my friends. I was beyond impressed with my visit there.

The service was nothing short of extraordinary. Anything you needed the staff was more than happy to help you with.

The food was amazing and reasonably priced. There was even complimentary breakfast every morning.

Everywhere you were at the resort, the view was amazing. Wether you were on the patio of your room or at the swim-up bar, you could always find a great view of the volcano or the rainforest.

It was the most relaxing vacation I have ever had. I can't wait to go back!

 

“Amazing attention to detail!”

Lost Iguana Resort

I stayed here with two of my good college friends for three nights during spring break. We divided our trip between the coast and the rain forest--and the Lost Iguana resort at the base of Arenal Volcano was by far the most satisfying experience of our trip.

 

Those looking for adventure will want to zip-line through the pristine canopy just a short bus ride away, while those looking for a quiet escape from the clock can relax for hours right on the property.

 

We stayed in a two-bedroom, apartment-style suite complete with a luxurious private outdoor shower, jacuzzi and spectacular view of the volcano. The amenities are above and beyond what we expected to find in the middle of the jungle, but attention to detail is what really made the place memorable: the wooden hand-carved furniture, candles and matches next to the tub, a pair of cotton robes in the bathrooms, exotic flowers at every turn, lanterns made from hollowed out squashes that light the way along rustic paths weaving through the resort...

 

The restaurant was affordable and the food delicious (free breakfast!). On our first day, we ate lunch and watched a hummingbird flit among the flowers growing along the restaurant's ledge. When our food arrived, the skies opened up and we ate on the covered portico just watching the rain forest do its thing.

 

Behind the resort are acres of untouched primal rain forest with rough trails that guests are invited to wander. My friends and I took our time wading through clear streams and marveling at the lush greenery, feeling like little kids who didn't have to worry about finishing up the semester when our trip was over.

 

The staff members are charming, helpful and knowledgeable about wildlife on the property. On our last day there, my friend and I decided to splurge on an evening massage to sooth our tired arms (zip-lining) and legs (hiking). The private bungalows where we each had our massage are tucked away in the forest where the chirping insects supply the ultimate relaxing soundtrack. After a 90-minute session that turned the knots in our back to jelly, we considered staying forever but decided--in the end--just to come back.

 

The Lost Iguana is indeed perfect for honeymooners, but anyone looking for a upscale, organic, authentic vacation in the jungle will not be disappointed.

 

“Beautiful jungle setting”

Lost Iguana Resort

This was one of our more memorable accomodations on our two week Costa Rican vacation. We had just arrived from a few rustic dormitory lodges, so the Lost Iguana was truly a treat. Beautiful view of the volcano from our 2nd floor room, fortunately for us the volcano came into view on our second night. The birds are incredible to watch from the balcony in comfy rocking chairs.

We only had one dinner meal in the restaurant which I would rate 6 out of 10. The lunches we ordered from the bar pool area were a little pricey, but tasty.

 

“GREAT LOCATION, FRONT DESK NEEDS TRAINING”

Lost Iguana Resort

My family of 4 stayed at Lost Iguana during spring break and generally had a great time. The view from the room was breathtaking and peaceful, but you could here the conversations from adjacent rooms clearly.This resort had mostly Americans as guest, compared to the other hotels we stayed at. We enjoyed walking around the resort, and sometimes took the golf cart rides. My biggest complaint was the front desk staff. I found them to be young and inexperienced. We checked out and waited almost an hour for our driver and asked the woman at the front desk to call the company.All she told us was that they were on their way. When I called the company again , I found out that the driver had called us twice within the hour and left 2 messages with the same woman at the front desk. She admitted she had received the calls, but forgot to tell us! I really don't think she cared, as she was unapologetic. We were the only family in the lobby! We were completely dissatisfied with their lack of customer service.

 

“Lost Iguana - Gorgeous setting, friendly staff”

Lost Iguana Resort

My wife and I spent 4 nights at The Lost Iguana and had a great time. The rooms are nicely sized, well decorated and very authentic. The patio (with rocking chairs) stares at the volcano and we were lucky enough to see the glowing rocks and their red trails falling from the mouth of the volcano on 2 nights. Currently, this is maybe the only hotel that has the right vantage point to see the activity.

 

Like all other places we stayed in Costa Rica, the people were extremely friendly and helpful. The setting, literally in the middle of the jungle, is awesome and the pool has 2 levels with a swim up bar...perfect for relaxing after a day out exploring.

 

As for the food, it was not very good. Breakfast was ample, lunch was OK and the dinners were not worth talking about. But, I would still stay here again as all the other factors made up for the lack of good food. I heard from other travelers that like here, their hotels also weren't so hot in the food dept. We found the best meals as we drove around, stopping in little shacks and local spots.

 

All in all, this is a beautiful place to stay in a great country.

 

“Excellent stay”

Lost Iguana Resort

Lovely place with excellent accomodations. All rooms have a view of the volcano. Property is away from the La Fortuna which makes it nicer. It is one of the few properties where u can actually see the lava flow. The direction of the flow varies and currently Lost Iguana offers a view of the flow. Close to Lake Arenal too. Go for a room on the upper (2nd) floor as then u do not need to worry about shutting the windows at dusk.

 

“Fabulous volcano view”

Lost Iguana Resort

The Lost Iguana Hotel tied for the “best view from a hotel room or deck”. We had an unobstructed view of the volcano from our own ground-

floor deck, which was shielded by vegetation from the neighboring rooms. Great rocking chairs on the deck and quiet surroundings really made it serene. The room itself was also large and fit the jungle mode. Just a note: even in relatively good physical condition, we were winded at times walking the challenging steep road to our room. Golf carts are the main mode of transportation for a reason there and are readily available. The restaurant choices were wonderful and the service was top-notch. Even though it was cool while we were there, we did get to enjoy the pool for a bit and the facilities are in excellent condition—a great reception area and gift shop with reasonable prices.

 

“The view was awesome”

Lost Iguana Resort

We stayed in the Luxury suite and were very happy with the room. The bed was situated to overlook the volcano and I couldn't sleep a wink! I sat on the balcony at dawn with Arenal still spilling over the top – howler monkeys singing a wakeup song and jungle birds beginning their day. Wow. (By-the-way, this was the most comfortable bed I've had in 6 years of visiting Costa Rica!)

 

Food was a little overpriced but wait staff was gracious. The spa was fantastic. Your own little cabana open to the river gorge jungle – no need for that ubiquitous spa music there!

 

We usually stay in "rustic" accommodations during the first part of our C.R. visit and then give ourselves a treat with an upscale resort. This was very much an upscale resort as far as the property and the staff.

 

“We saw lava!”

Lost Iguana Resort

We stayed at Lost Iguana for 3 nights in a luxury suite, number 23. Our top priority for our stay near Arenal was seeing lava and our first choice had been the Observatory Lodge but it was booked for our dates. We chose Lost Iguana as a backup because we knew we could see lava from there.

 

Our room was very nice - very roomy, a nice porch with water garden below, and big lava rock shower. The only shortcoming, IMO, was the lighting - all lamps were placed in odd locations and the bed, placed in the middle of the room, had no lighting at all. We did a little 'remodeling' and moved the bed back against the wall where there was a lit alcove so we could read.

 

The grounds are gorgeous and the pool/bar/restaurant is very nice. The food, as other reviewers have mentioned, is just ok and a little on the expensive side. But we had very busy days while we were there and ordered room service sandwiches 2 out of 3 nights, which were fine. We found the staff to be adequately courteous and helpful, but we're pretty low-maintenance.

 

The resort is built on a hillside so you are walking up and down slope all the time but we didn't find this a problem. What WAS annoying was that our room was on the end of the building with a driveway next to it. The golf cart traffic (for those who preferred not to walk) was very noisy while we were sitting on our porch. We noticed that there was one driver who would coast down the hill and then start the engine once he was past the building, which we appreciated, but this didn't always happen. Not the end of the world, but if I could have chosen I would have been at the other end of the building and away from the driveway.

 

But let's face it, when you're in La Fortuna it's all about the volcano. We saw and heard it every night and it was great! You don't get a 'head-on' view as you would from the Observatory Lodge - it's really more from the side - but we had clear weather the entire time and it was a great show every night!

 

If I go to Arenal again, I probably won't stay there - it's very nice but it's pricey and, if the lava is flowing as it currently is, I'd go to the Observatory Lodge.

 

“Excellent Base for Exploring Arenal Area”

Lost Iguana Resort

My wife and I spent two nights in a luxury room, wish we had more time there. Our room was quite spacious with a luxurious king bed, a lava rock private outdoor shower with 2 shower heads, and a jacuzzi tub for two on the private patio. The view of the volcano was spectacular and most important, you are located on the side of the volcano with the night lava flows and eruptions fully visible.

 

The room has interesting, somewhat eclectic furnishings personally picked out by the owner of the property, Elaine Knight, who was on site most of the time we were there. The room has a minibar and fridge. The property is located on a hillside, and if you don't feel like walking the short distances, there are golf carts with staff to drive you at your beck and call.

 

There is a pool bar and a happy hour from 3-5PM where the drinks are half price. There is internet service only available in the reception lobby, and the hotel does provide 2 laptops in the lobby in case you do not feel like booting yours up.

 

The restaurant is very good but the menu is somewhat repetitive with 5 of 8 seafood dishes being some variation of tilapia. Breakfast is included, served buffet style, but the waiters will get you any special requests not on the buffet.

 

There is a fabulous store on the property with excellent values, especially for jewelry.

 

Fodor's describes the entry road as "rugged" and this initially scared me as I am not into rugged roads. But the road is fine, paved with pavestones, no sheer cliffs and quite easy to manage in a car. They even have tour buses use the road easily!

 

The hotel is adjacent to the Hanging Bridges attraction, a must do activity, and the front desk will provide tickets and a guide (recommended) as well as a golf cart to the entrance. It is also convenient to the SkyTrek tram and zip line tour. And there is regular free van service to/from the La Fortuna area in case you want to try some other restaurants or hot springs.

 

If you are driving from San Jose, it is about 2 1/2 hours and the roads were fine despite all the scary things I had read. Do yourself a favor and make the trip in daylight. We left there for the Guancaste beach area (Playa Conchal) which was about 4 hours drive, much of it scenic. The road around the northern shore of Arenal was somewhat less well paved, but nothing dramatic or uncomfortable in the slightest. The Liberia Airport is about 3 hours away.

 

The resort has spent much on a brand new spa facility which we toured. Again, we just have to come back as we had no extra time!

 

Summary: Lost Iguana provides a very comfortable, romantic setting where a couple can sit in a jacuzzi on their deck or balcony and gaze out at an active volcano.

 

“Perfect Rainforest Getaway”

Lost Iguana Resort

We stayed at the Lost Iguana for 3 nights in mid-february. We chose a standard deluxe room and were impressed with the room and the incredible volcano view. We spent many hours watching the wildlife, and various birds and hummingbirds from our patio. We also loved Rebecca's towel sculptures in our room.

The hotel has a newly opened large gift shop with an excellent selection of reasonably priced gifts, so we did not have to go to La Fortuna to shop for giftware. .

We especially enjoyed the new spa and a massage in one of the massage cabinas. The cabinas are adjacent to a stream and the evening massage with fireplace and candles was amazing. After the massage we went to the spa building to complete the experience in one of the private saunas. The sauna room included a cooling pool with a small waterfall.

The hotel grounds are extremely lush, and birds and wildlife are abundant. We specially enjoyed the toucans dining on the banana trees, and the white faced capuchin monkeys in the trees adjacent to the gift shop. We awoke to the howler monkeys in the morning and went to sleep with the sounds of the frogs.

We found the staff to be very friendly and enjoyed our meals at the Blue Hibiscus restaurant.

The Lost Iguana is the perfect place for those looking for a rainforest setting with an incredible volcano view, minus the traffic and noise of other hotels in the area.

We hated to leave and are looking forward to our next visit.

 

“Beautiful Lodge in the Middle of the Forest”

Lost Iguana Resort

We stayed at the lodge for three nights while enjoying the local attractions.

 

The reception staff was very friendly and helpful throughout our stay.

 

Free Internet in the lobby, two laptops.

 

Our room was outstanding. Clean and spacious. Two double beds. Great bathroom. Coffee maker. TV. Poor bedside reading lights.

 

Of course the highlight of the lodge is the views of the Arenal Volcano from each room. The view from our room and private patio was stunning, exceeding our expectations. we sat out on our patio each evening, sipping wine and watching the red-hot boulders bounce down the side of the volcano.

 

The pool is nice, not great. The bar is friendly, adjoins the pool, open air, needs some soft music.

 

The restaurant was a bit of a disappointment. We found it to have a rather limited selection, average quality food, and overpriced. The open air setting, with views of the volcano, is very nice.

 

The overall experience is very plush with a beautiful setting and grounds. The hotel's gift shop is across the road from the lodge and is extensive, pricey, and always empty of customers.

 

“A Jewel”

Lost Iguana Resort

Off the beaten path hotel. Incredible views of volcano--we saw lava flows each of our four nights as we sat in rocking chairs on our balcony. We spoke with others on tours who didnt see the volcano at all.

 

Food was good. Staff was very friendly. Thought it was a great value.

 

“A Jungle Paradise”

Lost Iguana Resort

My partner and I just returned from Costa Rica and it is indeed one of the most beautiful countries we ever visited. We did a great deal of homework before booking at any of the resorts we selected to stay at while in Costa Rica and we are happy to report that all of our hard work paid off. While in Arenal we stayed at The Lost Iguana Hotel and Resort and we were simply blown away by it's beauty and the way the owner Elaine is so hand's on.

The suite we stayed in was breathtaking as really they all must be from what we heard at breakfast and saw while we were there. It was large, very well equipped and had the most magnificant volcano view and the resort itself was immaculately clean and spread out over acres and acres of lush jungle. It even had it's own hiking trails!

The staff was "extremely" accomodating and the restaurant was very good serving an array of dishes, most freshly made to order. The gift shop was enormous and had some of the best deals in Costa Rica. (Check out the pearls!) The Spa was a brand new state of the art facility that was just being completed while we were there and I would dare say that the treatments measured right up there to the spa treatments we received in France.

Overall, as very seasoned world travelers we give The Lost Iguana and it's owner a huge "thumb's up" for helping to make our stay in Arenal and Costa Rica one of the best vacations of our lives...

Thanks,

Rich Rolon

Canton, Ma

 

“Least favourite of all in Costa Rica”

Lost Iguana Resort

My impression of this hotel is best summarized by a conversation with the bartender at the pool. When I inquired about the change of music from salsa one night to country music the next; I was told that the manager only wanted american music to be played because that is what the clientèle wants.

 

The management have clearly determined their desired clientèle - wealthy americans with more money than taste.

 

Music isn't my only gripe... noise from the neighbors above disturbed us early in the morning, the restaurant managed to serve us the worst breakfast AND the worst dinner of our 2 week trip to Costa Rica. This is a "luxury" hotel built and run on the cheap.

 

“Idyllic! ”

Lost Iguana Resort

We just returned yesterday from 11 nights in CR--and I have decided that Lost Iguana was my very favorite. The website does not do it justice and I had an opportunity to speak with the owner about this--she is aware of it and will be updating soon.

 

Had room 16, upstairs on a corner with the outdoor bathtub (not a hot tub per se). Spent hours on the balcony watching the volcano which was completely visible at all times for the two days and nights we were there--just spectacular. Incredible jungle foliage all around, which I loved. We used the golf cart quite a bit for the uphill, which was a big help.

 

Just a few minor things, since I am very picky. The staff was efficient but I would say 60% were not overly friendly--they did their jobs but were just not very personable. I have noticed a couple of other references to this. The food, in my opinion, was just "okay"--the free breakfast buffet was filling without being at all enticing. Dinner was on the pricey side and not memorable, but then you have the volcano to watch which makes the food seem secondary. And lastly, although the bed-in-the-middle-of-the-room concept is great, there are no nightstands or reading lights, so bring your own clip-on light if you like to read in bed as I do. I think you're just supposed to turn out the lights, leave the curtains open, and enjoy the view--which we did, and loved it, but a little nightstand would have been very nice to have. If those things could be fixed up just a tad, this place would be perfect, and as it is I have to give it the highest recommendation if you are looking for incredible beauty, seclusion, and romance!

 

“Nice 2 days at Lost Iguana”

Lost Iguana Resort

My wife and I stayed at the Lost Iguana for 2 nights at the end of January, in a Luxury Suite. The room was great, particularly the lava rock outdoor shower and the french doors offering sunrise volcano views. The morning sun coming up behind the volcano was truly awesome. Having a mini fridge was also nice because we picked up some bottled drinks in Tilaran on the way from the Liberia airport. The drive was a little more than 3 hours (not including the grocery store stop).

 

Walking the property can be a bit strenuous - our room was atop a pretty big hill - but unlike other guests in recent posts we did not encounter any problem getting the shuttle to pick us up. Usually the wait was under 10 minutes. The shuttle will also take you to the top of the property where there is a nice 20 min trail to the Hanging Bridges.

 

A prior poster mentioned settling for a Luxury Suite because the resort was allegedly full. We booked the Luxury Suite from the start because we wanted the outdoor shower, but during our visit it did seem like the resort was rather empty, so I would have been very upset if I had been told that the regular rooms were booked when that was not the case. The difference is around $70/night. Again, we were not absolutely sure that these type of rooms were available, but it sure seems empty at breakfast, etc.

 

Overall we really enjoyed the resort, even if it was a little on the expensive side. It's also nicely located if you want to go west to the Pacific beaches from there, as La Fortuna proper is another 20-30 minutes further east.

 

While in the area we also hiked the Arenal National Park 1992 lava flow, climbed down to the La Fortuna Waterfall, and spent an evening at Ecotermales.

 

Ecotermales is HIGHLY recommended, particularly at night. It is far more private and secluded than Tabacon or Baldi (not even a sign on the road, and can easily be missed), and the food was terrific. Larger groups were served buffet style, but my wife and I were unexpectedly presented with private tableside waitress service by candlelight, which was a really nice touch.

 

La Choza de Laurel in La Fortuna is also recommended for more traditional casual, Tico fare (think open air thatched roof and picnic tables with beers and arroz con pollo).

 

Pura vida.

 

“Lovely”

Lost Iguana Resort

My husband and kids and I stayed in one of the "celebrity suites," which was very attractive and spacious and had a large balcony with an amazing view of the volcano. This was my favorite of our three hotels in Costa Rica (and also the most expensive). The grounds are gorgeous and we had a nice hike on one of the trails on the property. The property is on a hill but the walk to our room from reception was quite manageable.

 

The room was very clean but had a bit of a damp smell -- probably inevitable in the jungle.

 

The staff were pleasant and helpful enough; they were not effusively friendly but they were certainly not rude. The restaurant is lovely, again with the gorgeous views and birds flying around; breakfast and lunch were fine, dinner was just okay. One potential disadvantage of Lost Iguana is that it is at least a 20-minute drive to the town of La Fortuna, so if you don't have a car, you'll be reliant on taxis to go anywhere. We only stayed for two days, and most of our time was taken up with tours we had pre-booked with Sunset Tours (these were excellent). I would have loved to have one more day to just relax at Lost iguana.

 

“Fantastic place”

Lost Iguana Resort

Our family of 4 stayed here on a Friday night and had a wonderful time. The room (#7) was beautiful, we had an amazing view of Arenal volcano right from our bed. And it delivered an amazing lava/hot rocks display that night (though it took until 3:30AM for the clouds to clear!) and a spectacular sunrise, with howler monkeys making their other worldly noises in the distance. We had dinner at the restaurant and it was great - if a bit pricey. The breakfast buffet (included in the room) was delicious. We hiked on the hotel's trails and it's cool labyrinth; nothing spectacular, but good for some morning exercise. The pools - one heated with a swim-up bar and one not - are great for relaxing after hiking to the volcano. Though the staff was a little bit anal about not leaving the pool area with their towels.

 

You will pay more here than for comparable places near La Fortuna, but you are getting lava views and proximity to the park and Lake Arenal.

 

“Great property!”

Lost Iguana Resort

It took three hours to drive to the Lost Iguana Resort from San Jose. We were very pleased with the property and our room. It was very spacious and had a nice balcony with rocking chairs and a great view of the Arenal Volcano. Our room (#7) had AC, a television (although only one channel was in English), a safe, a small refrigerator and a huge shower. One evening we lost power (due to a storm?) and didn't have hot water the next morning. By the time we returned to our room that afternoon, everything was back in working order. We would definitely stay there again!

 

“The view alone is worth the drive”

Lost Iguana Resort

Sitting on the porch, watching the volcano, it's totally fascinating and why we chose to stay at the LI again this year.

 

The rooms are well appointed, the shower large with great pressure. But, it's really the balcony that keeps us coming back.

 

Great property, just added a spa which I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to use. Prices were reasonable (compared to NYC).

 

The staff is accomodating, they actually recognized us from last year. The dining room staff became our best friends after 3 nights, the food is just ok though.

 

Anyway, great spot and we would return here again!

 

“Could not have been any better”

Lost Iguana Resort

My wife and I stayed at Lost Iguana the same time as the other NJ family who posted an unfavorable review earlier (very nice family- kids behaved so well at breakfast it made me embarrassed to think of my four little little ones in contrast). Our experiences were very different however. We loved our room and the setting. A great view of the volcano in the background, and beautiful birds darting around the trees right outside our balcony.

We stayed in a Deluxe Suite which was pretty similar to a standard room, except a little larger, bed facing the balcony and view, and jacuzzi on the balcony. In fact, when we arrived in MA and stayed at one of the nicest hotels there, it took us a full day to get over our Lost Iguana/Arenal withdrawl.

 

We felt the service was spot on. We felt like the front desk people went out of their way to help us. Saved us taxi fare to and from Ecos Thermoles by offering to take us in their shuttle when I asked them to get a taxi. Took us in the golf cart to Hanging Bridges as soon as I asked. Canceled a guided tour I had booked through them while back in the states without hesitation or deposit charge. And I received every wake up call on time.

 

We enjoyed the breakfast. Although it was pretty simple, the fruit was the best we ate anywhere in CR. The staff left some bananas out on a little stand, and we were treated to a series of birds and some sort of slow moving critter up close and personal. Ate lunch there as well. It was good, not great, but the setting was very nice.

 

Of course, I'm not disputing that other posters had an experience which disappointed them. But I would think carefully before dismissing this place, and read through all the posts to see whether there's a pattern here, or just a couple of unfortunate encounters. I would also be reluctant to conclude the hotel is not family friendly just because of one group of obnoxious guests. I've traveled pretty extensively throughout the world and stayed at some phenomenal places. I would not hesitate to return here, and hope to do so soon.

 

“My Newest Favorite Destination!!!”

Lost Iguana Resort

The Lost Iguana Resort (and now Spa!) is amazing! I keep going back. Carved out of the jungle and under the shadow of an active volcano it has the best of all worlds. Complete with jungle trails leading to hanging bridges, river walks, and even a maze made from natural vegetation. It is coupled with multiple star accommodations and brand new spa. I have never had a spa treatment before – so I have nothing to compare it to. But I was astounded at their new spa reception area and cabanas as well as the professionalism of the staff and my masseuse. I only had the basic massage yet the treatment left me completely relaxed!

 

Both the restaurant and bar are full of atmosphere and open to the jungle with a spectacular view of the Arenal Volcano. (As does every room) . . . Last visit I watch a lava eruption from my porch for hours one evening! The next morning I spoke with a couple at the buffet breakfast. They had watched the eruptions from the hot-pool “swim up” bar. You actually sit on bar stools in a huge hot pool where the food and drinks are plentiful and reasonably priced.

 

The room was perfect. A direct view of the volcano, a wet bar, a big comfy bed and the best part is a lush bathroom with a huge double shower artfully constructed from the local lava rock with a live jungle vegetation planter and partially open at the top to the elements.

 

I must admit I was concerned when I had read some negative reviews on this resort before my first trip to Costa Rica. I have no idea where these people stayed, but it wasn’t The Lost Iguana Resort I was at. Most of the unfavorable comments concerned the staff. However, I found all the employees to be professional, friendly and very helpful. Our bartender, Michael, even took time to explain and help us identify the local wildlife and even pointed out a toucan in a nearby tree to the astonishment of everyone at the bar. They blend in to the trees so well we never would have seen it without his help!

 

I found the on property store to be a real surprise. It is stuffed with quality Costa-Rican themed merchandise (and more!) and the prices seemed very reasonable. I walked away with only a Lost Iguana tee shirt – but a really nice one!

 

This was just my second visit to The Lost Iguana and I plan to go back again soon. Are there any downsides? I can think of only a couple minor ones. Perhaps the fact the resort is sculpted into the side of a mountain there is some up-and-down walking required to get from place to place. However, the grounds and paths are well marked and beautiful. Plus it is good exercise. Additionally there are several “club cars” (actually covered golf carts) and the resort encourages you to call for one if you need a lift. Also it is good to know, the resort is stunning, dynamic, and ever changing. It is not uncommon to see workers, and gardeners doing their job – but they never seem to get in the way of the guests. Also, when you go back, there will always be something new to see, do, eat and drink!

 

When (and if) you care to leave the resort, the Arenal/Fortuna area is full of unique attractions. I especially love the zip lines!! What a rush!!! And only a few minutes drive from your room. Hanging bridges, ATV adventures, horseback riding, and natural hot springs are but a few of the local and unique temptations.

 

I have learned car rentals at SJO airport are somewhat of a hassle. I would recommend hiring a driver to get from the airport to the resort and back. It is the same price as a two-day car rental and you get to enjoy the ride and the scenery! Once there, it is easy to arrange for a local rental car to be delivered right to the reception building even if you only need it for the day. Personally, I don’t mind driving a manual transmission but the rental companies in La Fortuna also have automatic transmission vehicles as well. I found the resort desk staff to be knowledgeable about the local rental car companies.

 

Finally, when you plan this get-a-way . . . go with someone you care about . . . as this could easily be the most romantic place in all of Costa Rica. You will feel lost in time. In two trips we have never once turned on the TV in our room for more than 5 minutes. It is a total escape. I can’t wait to get back! And with airfare less than $200 from Miami – it won’t be long!

 

“Aloof, arrogant staff”

Lost Iguana Resort

My family and I stayed here for two nights in Feb. We had one of the celebrity suites which was really beautiful. The shower in the master bedroom was incredible, the resort is gorgeous. That being said we didn't enjoy our stay here. While the place is quite lovely the staff isn't. They are quite aloof and a bit arrogant I thought. Our room rate was $469 a night plus taxes and fees so probably over $500 a night. I think its reasonable to expect a few services from the hotel. We requested a wake up call one day, never happened. We called the front desk for a golf cart to take us to the restaurant, never came. When I checked out and paid my big bill, the desk attendant didn't even bother to hang up the phone and end his personal telephone conversation, didn't even say thank you. Also, I do not recommend this hotel for families. We were at the pool one evening and the children were behaving themselves, simply sipping smoothies at the pool. There was a group from Chicago I believe and a very obnoxious lady kept saying, quite loudly to be sure we heard, how shocked she was that they allowed children at the resort and that she didn't think they should allow children at the resort. She is entitled to her opinion, but it was rude and made us feel very uncomfortable. Never saw any lava, although thats not the resorts fault. Food at restaurant was mediocre at best. We won't return.

“Very Overrated and Overpriced”

Lost Iguana Resort

The Lost Iguana left me and my husband feeling very underwhelmed. When I made the reservation, months in advance, I was told there was only 1 Luxury suite left, therefore making me think I had better hurry and take it. It cost us $296 a night with the tax. Normally, we wouldn't have gotten a luxury suite as we are so busy doing other things. Way overpriced. Upon arriving, we found the hotel to be more than half empty. I felt I had been lied too. We also felt as if the staff were "watching" us. The breakfasts each day were cold. Cold prefried eggs is the worst. The one dinner we ate there was just OK, again expensive. The plus of the place is the setting. It is pretty with a nice view of the volcano. Our room, though, had a bad ant problem. Each day my husband killed numerous ants in the bathroom. When he retrieved his suitcase to pack and leave he found at least 40 big black ants in it swarming around. There was no food in it, so go figure. There also seemed to be termites as we saw sawdust residue in two spots in our room and my husband saw the termites. The walls are paper thin. Our last night someone was next to us and I could hear him coughing as plain as day in the wee hours of the morning. Oh, and the first night we were there the electricity went out for 45 minutes. Don't be fooled with the "best prices around" written about their gift shop across the street. I was in Tamarindo first and even in La Fortuna there are better prices. I'd stay in one the of hot springs resorts closer to town if I went again. Las Brasitas is a great Mexican restaraunt on the way into La Fortuna I highly recommend. Also, we went on a great canopy tour, very resonably priced, but I can't remember the name of the place. It is right past the La Fortuna falls entrance. It has 10 cables with beautiful views especially of the waterfalls. Get tickets from the tour info stop about 8 km from town. We were also fortunate enough to see the lava at night and the rocks spewing down during the day from the volcano. We rented a condo on the beach in Langosta. By far the highlight of our trip.

Write if you want more info.

Liz

 

“Exceeded my expectations!!”

Lost Iguana Resort

We stayed at The Lost Iguana Resort for three nights during our honeymoon. This resort exceeded my expectations! We actually arrived at the resort after dark on Wednesday night after a long (7 hour) drive from Manuel Antonia. We were greeted warmly in the lobby at check in. The clerk was very nice and offered us a couple of cool drinks and showed us to our room. What a beautiful room! The pictures online dont do it justice. We had room number 24. It was a second floor delux room with a jacuzzi on the balcony. The hotel management had a bottle of champagne on ice fresh flowers and a commemerative photo album waiting for us in the room as a gift for our honeymoon! Very nice touch. We decided to go to dinner. The resort is decent size but not large however it is built on the side of a mountain so they have golf carts that will drive you from place to place if you choose. We preferred to walk. The grounds are beautiful both during the day and at night! There are security guards with flashlights stationed around the resort to add to your comfort although they really didnt need them. Dinner was a bit disappointing as was all the food there.

The next morning we woke up to an amazing view of the volcano! I did get lucky and see lava one night while we were there! Really cool experience. We spent alot of time at the pool in the afternoons. They have a cool two tiered pool. The upper tier is a heated (like a jacuzzi) pool with a swim up bar and the lower pool is a cool pool. Very nice

I highly recommend the zip line tour that they offer at the front desk! What a rush! One of the lines goes for over half a mile 660 feet above the jungle at 40 miles an hour! Awesome. We also did the hanging bridges hike which was worth the $20 per person cost of admission. Not only were the bridges fun we saw quite a bit of wildlife while we were there.

Unfortunately my wife had the flu one day while we were there so we had to cancel the volcano / hot springs tour but I heard great things about that as well. Bottom line I wish we would have stayed here longer.

 

“Lost Iguana was awesome!”

Lost Iguana Resort

Me and my family stayed at the lost iguana over the holidays and loved it! We were also there the day the new spa opened which was beautiful and the massages were great! The resort is a very nervracking 3 hour drive from the airport. If you have a drive its probably better. We were one of very few people who rented a car, which in the long run we loved having. The roads are not as bad as people make them out to be, but they are still very dangerous, (ok i kinda contradicted myself but you get the picture). We stayed here for 4 nights and then went to heredia to peace lodge which was AWESOME!, but thats another story. When we finally got to the lost iguana the first thing we noticed is how beautiful the grounds are! I dont know about the other reviews but the front desk staff were very friendly and very helpful....They have internet in reception but it goes in and out. We had one of the larger rooms. It was excellent and the views were also excellent of the volcano. Our rooms had a little koi pond in the backyard and the bathroom was "rainforest style" it was an outdoor bathroom but still inside your room (another contradiction but youll get it). It was awesome, the second bathroom was not this way but still very nice. Televisions got great channels even though we only watched at night because we were always out doing things (ziplining was awesome and rappeling too!!!) Every staff member was polite and courteous. They all repsonded very quickly whenever we needed something and the restaurant staff as well. The free morning breakfast buffett is almost the same every morning and not amazing but its not a big deal. The pool is very nice as well. A must do is the hanging bridges, about a 5-10 minute walk or you can take the golf cart which is about 3-4 minutes.

 

The hotel is only about 20 minutes from town. The town is very small and not overly attractive but the restaurants are all amazing! We highly recommend Las Brasitas you cant miss it its right in town on the way to the hotel. Overll you must stay at the lost iguana if you are staying in this area, and if you stay in heredia near the waterfall gardens stay at peace lodge! Please dont hesitate to ask me any questions!

 

“volcano view”

Lost Iguana Resort

We stayed at the Lost Iguana room #23 from December 30 2007 to Jan 2 2008. It was fantastic .

 

The view was beautiful. We truly enjoyed the outside shower and the outside Jacuzzi tub. (although it took forever to fill – but we expected that as we have experienced this in several other tropical locations – we simple started running it ½ hour before we really wanted to use it). The open/glass door concept of the room made you feel like you were in the rainforest. We spent many hours rocking in the rocking chairs on the porch.

 

We enjoyed the hiking trails through the rainforest, however, quickly realized that the trail maps were not up-to-date. Two “bridges” that were indicated to cross small waterways, did not exist and the water levels were high. This made that part of the hike challenging and a bit frustrating.

 

If you like walking - uphill - you'll love this place. It is spread out and hilly. We didn't mind. We walked all over the resort every evening. If you prefer, you can take a golf cart to your room.

 

The staff here appeared a little “young” and appeared less experienced or trained as at Villa Caletas. They were, however, pleasant. The meals were not very good at all.

 

Tours: aerial tram pacific - wouldn't do again

 

canopy tour - if you want to try a zipline go with Arenal Mundo Aventura - very safety conscious, friendly, knowledgeable and fun.

 

Manuel Antonio park - would not do a group tour again - groups way too large. We would book a private tour with guide. We did see some wildlife and the swim in the ocean was nice, however it was crowded.

 

Hanging bridges - we could walk from the Lost Iguana - uphill of course! We did not use a guide but did take our time through the hike. We spent a great deal of time watching a family of howler monkeys.

 

Arenal volcano hike - private tour - with a guide - best we did. We had a funny, friendly, very knowledgeable young man as our guide. We went early in the morning and there were very few people around. We saw a lot of animals, birds and insects and spent time sitting, relaxing and enjoying the view at the base of the volcano. For us, this was the best organized tour.

 

We will go to Costa Rica again but perhaps if we stay in the same area we will pick another hotel.

 

“Beautiful Room and Grounds”

Lost Iguana Resort

We stayed at the Lost Iguana for two nights during Christmas in a luxury suite. The biggest difference between a standard deluxe and a luxury suite is a larger area with a living room and the jacuzzi. The views are the same regardless of the room. We had a ground level room, but was very happy with that because we had an outdoor shower whereas the upper rooms do not. The upper rooms do have higher ceilings though. It rained all day on Christmas, but the skies cleared the following afternoon and we were able to see the volcano from our room. The best views of the volcano were from the Sky Trek observation deck though. We were lucky enough to finish our ziplining when the skies turned dark and were able to see Arenal volcano up close and even saw lava flowing down clearly. You should book your Sky Trek canopy tour through the front desk as you get a $10 discount. The grounds were beautiful and we saw coatis, toucans, hummingbirds, and so many more types of birds too numerous to mention.

 

My only complainta are that when the power outage happened on Christmas night, we asked for candles to be delivered to our room, but they never came. Then we had no water for the first half of the following day. Otherwise, a very satisfying stay.

 

“Great Hotel But Don't Believe the Hype”

Lost Iguana Resort

The hotel was nice for Costa Rica. Beware though, the volcano rarely errupts in a visible fashion anymore. During our stay it rained for 3 days straight and there was very little to do. It was too wet for the tours and the view never really happened.

 

“Great secluded resort!!”

Lost Iguana Resort

            My girlfriend and I went to the Arenal area for our first leg of our central american trip. We stayed at the Lost Iguana for four nights. We felt we truly found a gem of a resort. The beautifully landscaped grounds were amazing to hike around, very nice rooms w/ private balconies for viewing the volcano, good food, great service, great heated pool with swim-up bar service. The power went out on us on Christmas due to a down power line, but the staff quickly made sure we all had candles and managed to still serve dinner, keep the bar open, etc.. We especially enjoyed the 'towel animals' the maid made for us every morning. The reception workers were very helpful in organizing day trips and all of them spoke very good english. The location is about 15-20 minutes from the main town of La Fortuna, so it is secluded. But, we enjoyed the remoteness and felt that it added to our adventure. We highly recommend the La Fortuna waterfall hike. Also, the Hanging Bridges tour is worthwile and is only about a 1/2 mile from the resort. Cab rides to La Fortuna ranged from $8-$12, but the resort also offered daily shuttles to town in their vans at set times.

 

“Better views/scenery than Tabacon, jacuzzi on balcony.Volcano view”

Lost Iguana Resort

Stay at the Lost Iguana Resort if you want a Costa Rican room, huge balcony, view of Volcano, excellent customer service, room service, experience of being in the jungle, access to restaurants on sight, access to brand new *Spa on sight. Romantic for honeymooners yet perfect for backpackers.

*(I had a massage and facial that was done inside my room because the Spa wasn't completed. The Spa employees are dedicated, talented and nice.)

For Thanksgiving, my husband and I included a stay at the Lost Iguana for 2 nights during our Costa Rican adventure. A friend recommended it.

Lost Iguana is in the jungle with views of Mt. Arenal. Make sure that you get a room on the 2nd floor because the view of the Volcano and jungle are better. Be sure to ask for a jacuzzi on the balcony and a room with a view of the Volcano. Huge balconies, room service is phenomenal, you are actually IN the jungle!

We ate at the restaurants on sight and they were great. Our stay was during Thanksgiving Day and we were not expecting to eat turkey, but to our surprise, the chef made one of the best Thanksgiving meals I have ever had...turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce... pumpkin pie.

The rooms are decorated in a way that you know you are in Costa Rica.

Be sure to visit & eat at the Linda Vista Restaurant. It is close by and has the absolute best views of Mt. Arenal. If you want a room that is smaller with fewer amenities, cheaper rate and a phenomenal (the absolute best) view, then you should stay at Linda Vista Hotel. It just depends on what you want as a traveler. I want it all, so I chose Lost Iguana.

I recommend staying at Lost Iguana and visiting/eating at Linda Vista. I feel that a traveler would be missing out if they did not do that. I felt so sorry for the tourists on the tour busses that would stop and unload its passengers on a bridge to take pictures of the Volcano..I wanted to shout to them, "Go up the road to the Linda Vista!!!"

The second that we arrived at The Lost Iguana, we knew that we had made the right choice.

I feel that the Lost Iguana is a jewel that should not be overlooked.

I almost booked the Tabacon and I am very glad that we did not. We did visit the Tabacon, only to hear a guest yelling at the front desk management about how his family was deceived by the Tabacon....they thought that they would get easy transportation everywhere and they did not..." The rooms at the Tabacon were normal and had the feel of a regular hotel, no views of the Arenal Volcano and no views of the jungle and very over priced.

I recommend visiting the Tabacon's Hot Springs during the day, visiting/eating at The Linda Vista Hotel/Restaurant, and staying at the Lost Iguana Resort.

I easily booked The Lost Iguana and my 4x4 suv with Marlen Rojas at www.centralamerica.com

I hope that you take my advice.

 

 

 

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