Arenal Oasis Wildlife Refuge
Arenal Oasis Wildlife Refuge
4.5
About
Experience Arenal´s only wild frog sanctuary at night, when colorful tree frogs and other rainforest wildlife are most active and most easily observed. At least 28 frog species have made their home the ponds of Arenal Oasis. The Rojas Bonilla family carefully maintains native plants of Arenal, to create needed frog habitat in this private wildlife reserve of fresh spring water fed ponds; within a rainforest refuge connecting the rainforests of the Arenal Volcano and El Rio Burio. The night tour continues past the frog ponds along flat trails immersed in the noisy night rainforest. The guide will point out animals hiding from you. Support, enjoy and learn about the only wild frog sanctuary in the Arenal Volacano Area. Tours led by trained naturalist along flat rainforest trails start at 5:45pm at Arenal Oasis. Flashlights are provided and reservations are necessary. Included in the Tour: - Flashlights - Transportation Round Trip - Certified Naturalist Guide - Entrance Fee - Drinks What to Bring: - Camera - Closed Shoes - Long Pants - Raincoat - Confortable light Clothing - Big Smile
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.5
364 reviews
Excellent
289
Very good
58
Average
11
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4
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2
Isabelle S
Ayen, France477 contributions
Mar 2020
If you're a wildlife lover and especially a bird watcher, this place will enchant you. The ecolodges are set amongst a thick lush garden, a jungle even... At night, except for the path illuminated by soft "mushroom lights", it's pitch black. All you can hear is the wind shaking the trees and the rain dropping on the roof of your cabana.
We had the lodge number 6 which seems to be the darkest one, the only downside of our stay. Otherwise, the bed was comfortable and the ceiling fan gave us enough freshness for the night. After all, you're only here for sleeping.The rest of the time you will be exploring the national park of dipping in the nearby hot springs...
At breakfast, all sorts of colourful birds and other squirrels are feasting on the fruits displayed around the restaurant. Don't forget your camera!
The staff is excellent, friendly and efficient.
Before sunset, you can walk to the town, it will take around 30 minutes but best to pick up a taxi back.
We had the lodge number 6 which seems to be the darkest one, the only downside of our stay. Otherwise, the bed was comfortable and the ceiling fan gave us enough freshness for the night. After all, you're only here for sleeping.The rest of the time you will be exploring the national park of dipping in the nearby hot springs...
At breakfast, all sorts of colourful birds and other squirrels are feasting on the fruits displayed around the restaurant. Don't forget your camera!
The staff is excellent, friendly and efficient.
Before sunset, you can walk to the town, it will take around 30 minutes but best to pick up a taxi back.
Written 6 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paige D
Cleveland, OH53 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
My boyfriend and I did a night hike and saw SO many things! We saw a ton of frogs, especially my favorite (the red eyed tree frog!) insects & a snake! We probably walked around the refuge for 3 hours and were provided a water bottle and a flashlight to look for wildlife! It kind of felt like a “where’s Waldo” of wildlife, it was really fun. The amazing guide we had is a professional at taking night pictures and extremely knowledgeable. He was the best! We even did a little activity where he threw an army ant into a spider web. Totally not-geo up close! I highly recommend for anyone looking to view CR’s night-time friends!
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
axasal
Anguilla227 contributions
May 2021
I wasn’t sure I wanted to go see frogs on a night walk but am so glad I went. This is indeed an oasis and magical. We had an excellent private guide (Jason from Desafio) who uncovered so many amazing frogs, a huge gecko, some snakes, and other critters. The oasis built by this family is beautiful with wandering paths, surprise ponds, and gorgeous foliage. It had rained the day we went but was clear at night, the perfect environment per our guide for frogs to lay their eggs. See the photos of the gorgeous red eyed tree frog couples; we saw several. Do a private tour rather than with a group if you can.
Written 16 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Friends
What a pleasure to read these comments!
It was a real pleasure to serve you, we are so grateful that you visited us, this really motivates us to continue giving the best possible service with dedication.
Thank you for sharing your opinion and recommending us! We look forward to host you again.
Good trip Friends
Written 30 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rosie A
3 contributions
Mar 2022
Our guide was very informative and we saw various types of frogs and insects, but it is way too highly priced for what it is! A tour like this should be half the price of what it was. I have participated in a few tours around Costa Rica and this was by far the most expensive considering how long the tour was and what it consisted of. Also they had a few different groups out on tours at the same time. Sometimes other groups would catch up with us because we were finding animals and wanting to take our time looking at them. When the other tour groups caught up with ours, our tour guide would hurry us along, even though some people wanted to take a bit longer to study the animals. So it felt a bit rushed in parts.
Written 5 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allison Z
New York City, NY53 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
My husband and I did the nighttime frog watching tour with Juan and had a great time! The tour leaves at 5:45pm and involves about a 2 hour walk through the beautiful Arenal Wildlife forest. The paths are gravel and clear, and the tour size was small (8 people). We felt incredibly safe with Juan as we got up close to nearly 12 different species of frogs and toads, as well as insects, two different snakes, spiders, and turtles. Juan was very informative and patient and assisted us with taking lots of photos of the wildlife. We are really happy we took this tour and we have a newfound appreciation for frogs and critters!
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iain T
Los Angeles, CA17 contributions
Dec 2019
Just go ... no, seriously, just book and go, it's amazing! I'm a tree frog freak, I mean I even have a tree frog tattoo ...simply exquisite setting, sublime plants, humongous coral snakes, bullet ants the size of your thumb and froggies galore! One of the best experiences of sharing local knowledge of the wildlife I've had :))
Written 25 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sightsee50956926191
8 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
We went on the night frog tour and saw so many species of frogs, toads, and insects. We spotted on snake and the tour started with monkey sightings in the trees. Our guide, Juan Esteban Rojas, was knowledgeable and informative. He was a lovely host as we walked for two hours through the darkness. He found very hard to spot creatures and shared his extensive knowledge with us. He was patient as we took photos and helped get some great shots. I highly recommend booking directly with Oasis for this tour rather than the other companies who come in to the property to do tours. I much preferred his style to some of the other guides we encountered along the way.
Written 14 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Inspiration314655
Salt Lake City, UT3 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We took the night walk tour. Our guide Edson was an engaging, very well educated guide with professional photographer capabilities which he used along with his scope light to take amazing photos for us with our phone. He also quickly, kindly and generously pulled multiple army ants off of us before we were bitten. Both of my teenagers were fascinated and engaged for hours. We saw SO many frogs as well as snakes, toucans, ants, and spiders. He kept us safe the entire time and we learned a great deal and had a lot of fun in the process. It was incredible to be seeing and experiencing some things we have only seen before on shows like Planet Earth. I love experiencing how the Ticos appreciate and protect the biodiversity of this country. My teens and I would highly recommend this tour!
Written 20 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chaletaria
London, United Kingdom558 contributions
May 2022
Although the frogs (bats, snakes, etc) are all wild, they are protected in this well set out sanctuary. The area feels very natural with a selection of pools, and I got the impression most visitors saw some of the most iconic frogs of Costa Rica; we certainly saw Red-eyed Tree frogs, Glass Frogs, Rain frogs and even watched a Fer-de-Lance capture a bullfrog. The guide was very knowledgeable and helpful (ask if she/he will take photos using their scope + your phone for amazing pictures). Obviously this is a night tour, so dress accordingly. Transport to/ from the hotel was provided.
Written 9 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Don C
6 contributions
Mar 2020
Did not stay in the cabins, but wish we had known about them when booking our trip. Walked the jungle trail a few times on different days and saw several varieties of birds. The restaurant was a pleasant surprise and we had a breakfast and a dinner. Excellent food and very friendly service with reasonable prices. Dinner for two came to about $22 US.
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can I check that there are no animals (frogs/snakes etc) in any type of cages/ glass boxes? I saw a review from many years ago suggesting there were and I just want to check this is no longer the case?
Written 25 January 2020
there are none in captivity! i went two days ago and its a piece of secondary rainforest full of wild (and free!) creatures
Written 23 September 2023
Hola buenas tardes. Acabamos de llegar y estaríamos interesados en hacer el tour nocturno. Seríamos cuatro personas adultas. Me podrían decir si tienen plazas y que precios tienen???
Written 21 May 2019
hola me puede regalar el precio neto recogiendo en el hotel los lagos gracias
Written 12 November 2018
Estimado Didier José A.
La tarifa rack para caminata nocturna recogiendo en Hotel Los Lagos es de $50 por persona .!
Tarifas netas para hoteles y agencias se pueden solicitar al email.
Saludos
Written 18 November 2018
Just a few questions. How long is the walk/tour? How were the mosquitoes? How much was the tour? How far was it from La Fortuna?
- Thank you! Jason
Written 30 March 2018
Hi,
The Arenal Oasis website tells you the tour cost - sorry it won't let me paste the website link here!
When we went (November) we didn't really get any mozzie bites but we did wear long trousers/coats etc for the night walk!
I think it was maximum 10 minute car ride from the main road in La Fortuna!
Written 10 April 2018
Are the tours wheelchair accessible?
Written 6 February 2017
The trails would probably be very difficult in a wheelchair. They are pebbly gravel and some are very steep. I only did the night walk so not sure if there might be something more accessible.
Written 8 February 2017
We booked all of our tours and activities through Pacific Tradewinds. I'm sure your hotel or other trips planning sites will be able to help you book.
Written 29 June 2017
We would like to take the Night Frog Tour in February. How far in advance do we need to reserve? How do we make reservations? How long does the tour last?
Thank you!
Written 7 November 2016
Hi Lory , you book it anytime between now And one hour before tour starts.!
Written 10 December 2016
Does this tour allow you to see more than frogs, although those are also beautiful? Some tour companies market this tour as frog focused tour as the family maintains flora/fauna/ponds to preserve these frog species? I found it a bit confusing that same location/tour is marketed differently on diff websites.
Written 3 November 2016
Yes especially if you do the night tour in which you may see bats, Snakes, crabs, spiders, although yes LOTS of frogs. During the day you'll probably see stuff like toucans, Sloths, dart frogs, butterflys, monkeys and other stuff.
Written 4 November 2016
Could someone tell me the price of a Night tour please?
Written 27 July 2016
Hello,
There are 3 options, $25 if you stay at arenal Oasis Eco Lodge, $40 if you stay somewhere else but you arrive there on your own vehicle , or $50 if you stay somewhere else and need them to pick you up at your hotel .
Written 28 July 2016
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