Hotel Lavas Tacotal, Arenal/La Fortuna

Pros

• You'll have amazing views of the volcano from the bungalows and some of the rooms.
• The hotel is set in a lush tropical garden with beautiful flowers.
• The large bungalows have a full fridge and microwave, which is unusual for the area.
• You'll find the hotel between La Fortuna and the Volcano National Park, a perfect location for exploring both.

Cons

• The hotel is fairly old, with the rooms showing their age. 
• Noise can be a problem in units closer to the main entrance, and past guests say it's easy to hear people's conversations in the bungalow next door. 
• The pool water may be overchlorinated. 

Authenticity

Established in 2000, the hotel is one of the oldest in Arenal. It has a rustic charm, with individual wooden cabins set in lush tropical gardens. Plants and greenery separate these cabins, so you'll have a bit of privacy. The houses are designed with large glass doors and windows facing the Arenal Volcano, allowing you to enjoy the views from your room. The furniture is rustic, made of wood and twine, which adds to the hotel's overall old-world charm.

Location

The hotel is conveniently located between Fortuna and Volcano National Park, about a 15-minute drive to downtown. Although there's no shuttle service to downtown, taxis are available and cost around $15 each way. The hotel also has a sushi restaurant at the entrance, and you can walk to a steak grill across the street or a local family-run restaurant (soda) about 10 minutes away on foot. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel offers four rooms: Double, Superior Double, Bungalows, and Superior Bungalows. The Double and Superior Double rooms come with two double beds and amenities like air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a coffee machine, and free WiFi. The Superior Double rooms also offer views of the volcano. The Bungalows and Superior Bungalows have two double-size beds and additional amenities like a microwave, full-size fridge, and safe. These bungalows also feature large attached bathrooms and a porch facing the volcano.

Wildlife

Guests can expect to see vibrantly colored birds, monkeys, reptiles, and other animals in the gardens, around the pools, and elsewhere on the hotel's grounds. 

Amenities

Lavas Tacotal offers two outdoor pools on opposite ends of the property. Both are framed by jungle gardens and have sun decks and shallower areas (appropriate for children), and the larger pool has a view of Arenal Volcano. There aren't any rooms specifically outfitted for travelers with limited mobility, but it's possible to use a wheelchair around many areas of the property.

Family-Friendliness

This is a family-friendly hotel, and children of all ages are welcome. Kids are charged reduced rates based on their age groups. Cribs are available for free for babies up to age two. The pools are popular with kids, and the breakfast buffet has good options for kids. Bungalows with kitchen equipment are good options for families who want to prepare food themselves. 

Other Highlights

The hotel serves a complimentary buffet breakfast each morning in an open-air setting with views of the gardens. Past guests say the breakfast is excellent, offering various choices such as eggs, pancakes, toast, sausage, gallo pinto (rice and beans), plantains, fresh fruit,  cereal, coffee, and juice. The hotel has no bar or dining options for lunch or dinner. However, a Japanese restaurant and a steakhouse are conveniently located in the neighboring building, just a few steps from the hotel.