Montaña de Fuego Mountain Resort & Spa, Arenal/La Fortuna

Pros

• Set at its base, you'll have excellent views of the still-active Arenal volcano from almost anywhere on the property, including your room.
• The resort features a range of thermal-mineral pools, a swim-up bar, and a rooftop Jacuzzi surrounded by lush tropical gardens.
• The P'alma Mud Spa provides treatments using volcanic mud and other natural ingredients, inspired by traditional Costa Rican healing practices.
• Dining options include two on-site restaurants, Rocca Grill and Helechos, serving local and sustainable cuisine.
• The resort is part of a significant environmental conservation project, surrounded by 80 acres of forest and native plant gardens.

Cons

• Staying in an idyllic, secluded setting has its benefits, though you might not care for the 13-minute drive to La Fortuna for dining and shopping outside the property.
• While Montaña de Fuego has its rustic charms, rooms and bathrooms feel a little dated and could do with an update.
• Some past guests noted that the WiFi signal in their room was weak.

Authenticity

Montaňa de Fuego Resort & Spa offers an authentic Costa Rican experience with its eco-friendly practices, food and rustic design aesthetic, and, of course, its setting. Established over 30 years ago by Don Leo, the resort began as a reforestation project, and today, the property is surrounded by 80 acres (32 ha) of secondary forest, supporting a wide variety of flora and fauna. The resort's commitment to sustainability is evident in many of its practices, including its #Savetherainforest initiative, which encourages guests to plant a tree during their stay. 

Location

Nestled at the foot of Arenal Volcano, Montaña de Fuego is located just 5.5 miles (8.8 km) west of La Fortuna, offering exceptional views from almost anywhere on the property and easy access to the Arenal Volcano National Park. The setting is rural, with the Arenal River running behind the property, providing a naturally beautiful backdrop. Self-driving travelers can drive to La Fortuna within about 15 minutes, and others can get a taxi or Uber. However, as this is an all-inclusive resort with dining and activity packages, there may be limited reasons to leave the resort during the stay. The hotel is about a 2.5-hour drive from the airport in San José or a 15-minute drive to the Arenal airport. An airport shuttle can be arranged for an extra fee.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Rooms are rustic, particularly ones with exposed dark wood floors and walls and rainforest-inspired decor like green feature walls and pillows and brown tiles and furniture. Each room provides a balcony or terrace, some furnished, offering breathtaking views of the volcano. The accommodations range from Standard wooden bungalows to more spacious Junior Suites, some of which include whirlpool Jacuzzis and a dryer (convenient for the year-round damp weather). While rooms are generally cozy, they may feel a bit dated, but the large windows offering volcano views might help to make up for it.

Amenities

You won't have to go far to use any of the resort's amenities, including three thermal mineral pools, a main pool with a swim-up bar and kiddie pool, and a rooftop Jacuzzi surrounded by lush transitional rainforest. There's also P'alma Mud Spa offering massages, body treatments, facials, beauty services, and a sauna. Guests can dine at Rocca Grill and Restaurant, which features meats grilled on volcanic rocks and a diverse menu that caters to different dietary needs. The Helechos Wet Bar serves ceviche, burgers, and nachos, and drinks by the pool.

Keep in mind, as this is an all-inclusive resort with various package tiers, different dining options are available to travelers, though all include breakfast. There are also numerous on-site activities, many of which are included in the all-inclusive package, which and how many depend on the package.

Family-Friendliness

Montaňa de Fuego is a family-friendly resort where kids aged 10 and under stay free when sharing a room with their parents, and cribs are available for infants. The resort offers plenty of outdoor space for children to explore, including a kid-friendly pool (though the main pool has a shallow end, too) and many activities like hiking, tree planting, and bird-watching. The Rocca Grill and Restaurant features a kids' menu, and babysitting services can be arranged for a fee.

Wildlife

The resort is surrounded by secondary forest, providing a habitat for diverse wildlife, including frogs, sloths, and butterflies. Guests can also participate in a free daily bird-watching walk at 6:30 am, offering a chance to observe the local birdlife in their natural habitat. 

Sustainability

Montaña de Fuego is committed to environmental conservation, protecting over 80 acres (32 ha) of regenerated forest and two watersheds while supporting nearby ecosystems like Arenal Volcano National Park. The resort uses renewable energy, including solar, achieving zero emissions for operations, and has ICT's Sustainable Tourism certification (currently at a 2-leaf level). Native and pollinator-friendly plants fill the gardens, while waste reduction and recycling efforts include repurposing the property's organic waste to feed livestock at nearby Montaña Farm. The resort supports over 25 families living in poverty through the sale of crafts on-site under a cultural preservation initiative, the Villa Maleku project.