Lost Iguana Resort & Spa, Arenal/La Fortuna

4.4 (10 reviews) · Standard
Charming jungle retreat offering volcano views, a gourmet restaurant, spa treatments, a heated outdoor pool, and a bar
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Jamie
Jamie V.
Feb 09, 2024
Omg this hotel and the view is spectacular!
Marie-Claude
Marie-Claude E.
Feb 24, 2023
the room we had was amazing with a view on the volcano Arenal. Staff very friendly.
Alexandros
Alexandros T.
Jan 07, 2023
Great place, right next to nature.
Sheri
Sheri L.
Jan 27, 2022
We absolutely loved staying here. The resort was so welcoming. Food was great and very accommodating. We liked that one pool was cold and one was... Read more
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Overview

Nestled amid a tropical forest, Lost Iguanas Resort & Spa offers a tranquil and immersive experience in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. With various accommodation options, including Standard and Deluxe Rooms, suites, and spacious villas, guests can choose the perfect choice for their needs. All rooms and villas offer views of the iconic Arenal Volcano, creating a picturesque backdrop. The resort features a range of amenities, including an on-site spa, heated and cold-water pools, a kids' pool, family activities, and an on-site restaurant serving locally inspired cuisine.

Kimkim's Take

Adam
Adam Gomez kimkim staff
Based on kimkim staff visit, August 2023 (Learn more)
Pros
  • You'll be surrounded by nature at this resort, providing a tranquil atmosphere.
  • The resort offers several rooms and villas to cater to your needs and group size.
  • All rooms offer picturesque views of the impressive Arenal Volcano.
  • A wellness retreat awaits you at the on-site spa, offering relaxation and rejuvenation.
Cons
  • The shuttle service to town is available but may have limited availability, which could require some planning.
  • It's a 25-minute drive to downtown La Fortuna, so having a car during your stay here is advisable.

Authenticity

Lost Iguanas Resort & Spa is a nature-oriented property that offers an authentic experience of Costa Rica's natural beauty. You'll enjoy a serene and immersive experience with a tranquil and nature-focused atmosphere. The on-site spa offers a range of treatments inspired by local traditions, and the restaurant focuses on locally inspired cuisine.

Location

Lost Iguanas Resort & Spa is located about 3 miles (5 km) west of La Fortuna de San Carlos, set within the Arenal Volcano National Park. This secluded location provides a serene environment, but the trade-off is being a bit far from the town. Still, driving into the national park to the start of the lava trail network takes just 10 minutes, and getting to Fortuna Waterfall on the other side of the volcano takes about 30 minutes, passing two popular hot springs along the way.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The resort offers various room options, including Standard, Deluxe, and Suite categories, as well as villas with different layouts and amenities. Most rooms and villas offer views of Arenal Volcano and are designed to create a tranquil and nature-focused atmosphere, with outdoor spaces in select rooms. The outdoor shower in some rooms adds a unique touch to the accommodation experience. 

Other Highlights

You can explore the lush surroundings with various walking trails within the resort, then soak your muscles in heated and cold-water pools with outdoor seating areas. Families will appreciate the kids' pool and kid-centric activities. The on-site restaurant and coffee bar serve meals and drinks, focusing on local cuisine. There's also a bar near the pool and a small on-site gift shop. 

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +506 24791557
Hotel address icon 1.5 km northwest from Arenal Dam
Hotel website icon Hotel website
Lost Iguana Resort & Spa map

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Travelers often mention

Summarized by AI based on kimkim traveler reviews

Spectacular Volcano View

Guests loved the spectacular view of the Arenal Volcano from various parts of the hotel, including rooms and patios. (5 mentions)

Sheri
“The view of Arenal was breathtaking.”  — Sheri L.
Debi
“We loved being able to see the volcano from our patio!”  — Debi R.
Marie-Claude
“the room we had was amazing with a view on the volcano Arenal.”  — Marie-Claude E.
Great Location

The hotel has a great, remote location which adds to the sense of adventure and remoteness. However, it is noted to be quite far from other activities and difficult to navigate. (4 mentions)

N
“Great location!”  — Nici F.
Alexandros
“Great place, right next to nature.”  — Alexandros T.
Wonderful Service

Multiple guests highlighted the friendly and accommodating staff, describing them as wonderful and fun. (4 mentions)

S
“service was wonderful”  — Sarah T.
N
“Fun staff and a wonderful environment.”  — Nici F.
Sheri
“The resort was so welcoming.”  — Sheri L.
Mixed Pool Experience

The pools are noted for having one cold and one hot, which guests appreciated. However, the pools are considered small and the swim-up bar area was crowded with kids at times. (3 mentions)

A
“The pool is lovely with a heated part that is a swim up bar.”  — Abby S.
A
“The swim up bar was over run with kids on our second day.”  — Abby S.
Sheri
“We liked that one pool was cold and one was hot.”  — Sheri L.

Traveler Reviews

10 total ratings, 9 with reviews
4.4
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
4.8
Location
4.2
Staff
4.8
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.6
S
Sarah T.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on May 27, 2024
Rooms were spacious and service was wonderful. Pools are rather small and location can be a bit further away from activities. Read more

Rooms were spacious and service was wonderful. Pools are rather small and location can be a bit further away from activities.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in May 2024
Jamie
Jamie V.
Defiance, OH | Reviewed on Feb 09, 2024
Omg this hotel and the view is spectacular! Read more

Omg this hotel and the view is spectacular!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in January 2024
Debi
Debi R.
Maplewood, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 28, 2023
We really loved how off the beaten path this hotel was. Navigating around the dam to get there added to the feeling of remoteness. The hotel was clean with a good restaurant on site, some other excellent restaurants nearby, and so many fun adventures to take. We loved being able to see the volcano from our patio! Read more

We really loved how off the beaten path this hotel was. Navigating around the dam to get there added to the feeling of remoteness. The hotel was clean with a good restaurant on site, some other excellent restaurants nearby, and so many fun adventures to take. We loved being able to see the volcano from our patio!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in March 2023
Marie-Claude
Marie-Claude E.
Canada | Reviewed on Feb 24, 2023
the room we had was amazing with a view on the volcano Arenal. Staff very friendly. Read more

the room we had was amazing with a view on the volcano Arenal. Staff very friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in February 2023
N
Nici F.
Prairie Du Rocher, IL | Reviewed on Jan 16, 2023
Great location! Fun staff and a wonderful environment. The rock shower is neat but not really usable, and the rooms are pretty sparse but very clean. The rooms could use a little updating but overall it's still very nice and a relaxing place to stay. Read more

Great location! Fun staff and a wonderful environment. The rock shower is neat but not really usable, and the rooms are pretty sparse but very clean. The rooms could use a little updating but overall it's still very nice and a relaxing place to stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in January 2023
Alexandros
Alexandros T.
Greece | Reviewed on Jan 07, 2023
Great place, right next to nature. Read more

Great place, right next to nature.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in December 2022
A
Abby S.
New Orleans, LA | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2022
The hotel is on beautiful grounds. The pool is lovely with a heated part that is a swim up bar. The swim up bar was over run with kids on our second day. The lighting in my son's room was very odd. Just one dim overhead light and a tiny LED by his bed with n o windows to speak of. Fortunately the amazing outdoor shower made up for it. The view from our suite was spectacular. The food was fine. Read more

The hotel is on beautiful grounds. The pool is lovely with a heated part that is a swim up bar. The swim up bar was over run with kids on our second day. The lighting in my son's room was very odd. Just one dim overhead light and a tiny LED by his bed with n o windows to speak of. Fortunately the amazing outdoor shower made up for it. The view from our suite was spectacular. The food was fine.

Authenticity & Character
The grounds were beautiful
Location
It was very secluded which was nice but a little far for in town dining.
Staff
We didn't have much interaction. But the ones we met were very nice.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The outdoor shower was spectacular. The lighting in the rooms could definitely be improved upon.
Stayed in April 2022
Sheri
Sheri L.
Laconia, NH | Reviewed on Jan 27, 2022
We absolutely loved staying here. The resort was so welcoming. Food was great and very accommodating. We liked that one pool was cold and one was hot. Toucans flew right up to trees by our room and by the pool. The view of Arenal was breathtaking. Read more

We absolutely loved staying here. The resort was so welcoming. Food was great and very accommodating. We liked that one pool was cold and one was hot. Toucans flew right up to trees by our room and by the pool. The view of Arenal was breathtaking.

Tips for future travelers

Check out the trails, nice adventure.

Authenticity & Character
Location
View of the volvano
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in July 2021
S
senthil r.
Austin, TX | Reviewed on Dec 28, 2021
It’s good not great! Would take a star or even 2 away for the distance from everything. Also inside the resorts it rough to get around Read more

It’s good not great! Would take a star or even 2 away for the distance from everything. Also inside the resorts it rough to get around

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in December 2021

Like what you see?

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +506 24791557
Hotel address icon 1.5 km northwest from Arenal Dam
Hotel website icon Hotel website
Lost Iguana Resort & Spa map

Open map

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