This award is our highest recognition and is presented annually to those businesses that are the Best of the Best on Tripadvisor, those that earn excellent reviews from travellers and are ranked in the top 1% of properties worldwide.
Arenal Manoa Hotel is a beautiful Arenal hotel to relax and enjoy the marvelous view of Arenal volcano in Costa Rica. Surrounded by gardens, pastures and animals, our rooms have been designed so that each one offers you a panoramic view of the Arenal volcano. Our visitors can take advantage of our spacious gardens for walking and meditation as well as the opportunities to see the daily operations of a typical Costa Rican farm.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
Nestled near La Fortuna with majestic Arenal Volcano views, Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs receives high marks for its exceptional service, with staff that go above and beyond in helpfulness and efficiency. Guests have called out the resort's cleanliness and well-kept grounds, adding to the comfortable and private atmosphere.
While some find the rooms a tad outdated, the spaciousness and cleanliness are consistently praised. Amenities like the luxurious hot springs and wildlife encounters are popular, although dining on-site might stretch your budget, prompting many to explore local eateries.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Inviting
Rooms
Spacious
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveller reviews and learn more about how the site works.
We had a great time at Arenal Manoa. My husband and I went there with my 4-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son. Everywhere we looked was postcard-worthy. The way the bungalows are laid out was genious--we had a perfect view of the volcano with the feeling of full privacy. The pools were fantastic. The hot springs pools (termales) were not too hot, and perfectly comfortable for the kids. The customer service was incredible from the front-desk staff, to the drivers, to the cleaning crew, to the servers at the restaurant. We felt welcomed and taken care of by everyone there. We actually saw more wildlife at the resort than we did on our tours--caymans, lizards, butterflies, and too many kinds of birds to name. We ate all our meals at the restaurant or through room service and liked nearly everything. The breakfast buffet was highly varied, so we found something for everyone. A couple tips--if you have small children, bring a folding step-stool. The sinks in the bathrooms are high. Also, be prepared for a short walk to most amenities (or just ask for a free in-resort transport). We loved this resort and hope to return!
Read more
Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Bring a step-stool for small children to reach the sink. Have your camera ready at all...
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.
Response from Guest Service, Propietario at Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs
Responded 05 Apr 2023
Hi there! We are very happy to have had another satisfied guest and also to know that you and you little ones enjoyed our property. Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review with such a perfect qualification and with so many beautiful words it makes us feel very motivated to keep on giving our best. We are delighted to waiting for your return. Pura vida! 🖐
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stayed here 3 nights as part of a tour. Lovely little lodges in a peaceful location, with a nice big bathroom - clothes line in the shower which is useful for your wet swimsuit etc. I liked the little touches like discovering your clean towels in a different animal sculpture every day! As you're a bit far from town you can't really go wandering far on foot, but there is wildlife to be seen in the grounds and a hot thermal pool. Great selection of food at breakfast.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2019
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
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.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
This hotel has a large amount of rooms, however they are bungalows placed beautifully throughout a lush tropical garden. Despite the size of the hotel you never feel it. The rooms are excellent with fridge, minibar, free WiFi and coffee making facilities. There are 2 comfortable double beds with and enormous shower room. There is a small patio with 2 rocking chairs and a table where you can relax and watch the wildlife. Breakfast is excellent with a lot of choice and an eggs station but is a little walk away depending on the location of you room. We also had dinner there which was good. You are really restricted to the hotel as the nearest town is a $13 taxi ride away. Staff are helpful and efficient
Read more
Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
Response from Guest Service, Propietario at Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs
Responded 26 Jul 2020
First thing's first: We apologize for not replying before, we've been a bit busier than usual with the unfortunate situation the world is going through. In any case, it's very important for us to thank you from the bottom of our hearts, we just can't find a way to measure the impact of such kind words in our motivation. We work hard everyday to make the best experience possible out of the time you decide to spend in our home and knowing we were able to deliver that to your last visit makes us feel really good! We hope that in the future we can have you around again, at least for sharing a cup of tea or coffee. Warm regards from the Pura Vida land!
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This place is just not done and has a lot to learn. There is only a small sign for the hotel off the main road. You drive down a rutted dirt road for a bit before the road becomes paved with brick. The visit started off with unfriendly front desk attendants in a “lobby” that looked like an updated bus station. The property is all in Spanish, and VERY spread out. Most of the plants look like they‘be been planted in the past couple years, so don’t expect a lush jungle landscape. There is a bog right in the middle of the property that is trying to be passed off as a small lake. There is one pool that is whatever temperature the air is, so it can get really cold. The traditional hot tub by the pool is really just warm and has no jets. The bar tender at the pool was not very friendly and was more concerned about reconciling old bills in the system than making drinks. There is also not many places to sit around the pool to relax. There are a couple drilled hot spring pools, but are not very hot. Each room is a separate building, and the grounds around them are only well kept on the street side of them. Outside your patio is not well groomed. The rooms have almost no outlets, and the ones that are in there are far from the bed. So don’t expect to have your phone plugged in next to your bed. The bathroom was decent, but had no air vent and the shower head came from the same distributed that sells to roadside motels back in the States. The beds are decently comfortable, but only had a fitted and top sheet on them! no comforter or throw or anything. I had to call and ask for a coffee set up as only the pot was in the room. I also wanted a couple extra pillows. The housekeeping person was more unfriendly than the front desk people. No Pura Vida in these people’s lives. Very out of character for CR. The restaurants are over priced. Highly recommend going the short drive into La Fortuna where there are great restaurants. If you can find the under $180/night deal and just want a safe and decently landscaped place to crash after being out and about all day and evening, it’s a worthy option. But any more than that, I would say keep looking. It has a lot of potential. But it needs some years to make some adjustments and growth to the grounds, amenities and service. They just don’t seem to know who they are yet.
Read more
Date of stay: April 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
Response from Guest Service, Propietario at Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs
Responded 08 Apr 2021
Hello Mr. Howard, We hope that you and your family are doing very well. We would like to thank you for your visit and your comment, we are very sorry that the experience has not lived up to what you were looking for in this beautiful area of La Fortuna. We wish you luck in your future and we hope you continue enjoying CR Pura Vida! 🖐
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
An absolute wonderful stay! Super friendly staff, immaculate grounds and room and what a view!!!! Breakfast was amazing and you are truly able to submerge yourself in the Costa Rican nature with the full privacy the rooms provide in the lush garden. There is nothing negative to say as the full experience was 100%. The hotel is located very close to the highlights of the Arenal area, but the surroundings are an experience in itself. As we were staying here during the Covid pandemic, I can only say; they have it covered! Visiting the Manoa is 100% safe. Staff is taking every precautionary measurement possible, such as facemasks, handwashing, disinfecting everything all the time (including menu’s, restaurant tables etc). Guest temperature is taken upon arrival and social distancing is in place throughout the entire hotel. We loved every minute of our stay!
Read more
Date of stay: October 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Bungalow 252! Very private yet close to the restaurants and pool and with the best,...
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.
Response from Guest Service, Propietario at Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs
Responded 02 Dec 2020
Dagmar, ¡amiga! Thanks so much for taking your valuable time to let us know that our serious efforts are paying off. We definitely invest ourselves for both your well-being and your experience. You can rest assured these words are coming to motivate the whole crew and that we hope that as time goes by, you can keep your wonderful Arenal Manoa memories alive, next time you come, at least you have to stop by for a coffee Take care! 😃
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed over Christmas 2019 - traveling with two teens, we had adjoining rooms in the same bungalow, which was a perfect set up for us.
We stayed at three hotels over our CR trip, and this one was the best overall experience - nice rooms, beautiful property, excellent service, very good food in the restaurants, especially the breakfast buffet.
As others noted, the poolside happy hours are a great deal, and the pools are beautiful.
We would have had a perfect view of the volcano from our room if we had better weather. We saw many beautiful birds, including toucans, on the property.
The only con is that it is not walking distance into LaFortuna, so we did not spend as much time in town as we wanted. With even minimal Spanish you can (and should) negotiate a price with a cab.
I would not hesitate to recommend this hotel, especially for families who want adjoining rooms.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2019
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
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.
I booked a trip through JetSet Vacations and one of the included hotels on the trip was Hotel Arenal Manoa and we were stunned by the beauty of this hotel from start to finish. Although most of the time the volcano was foggy and could not be visualized well, the grounds are absolutely breathtaking and very well taken care of. Breakfast was included in our package and every morning was better than the last. We spent time at both pool bars. The larger of the two (which is not a hot springs pool) had a brick oven pizzeria and a beautiful view of the volcano behind it. The hot springs pool, located closer to the lobby but walkable from any area of the hotel grounds, was really our favorite part. The warm water at night with the swim up bar seats was just incredible, and the bartenders were so friendly and accommodating. The room views also gave us the view of the volcano and the housekeeping staff was just incredible, providing us with extra blankets and making animals out of the blankets and towels every morning. We did not have lunch or dinner at the hotel as we had a rental car and there’s a lot of reliable restaurants within a 10 minute drive from the hotel, but if breakfast was any guess, lunch and dinner here are probably just as phenomenal. Highly recommend this cute private beautiful hotel if you’re staying in the Arenal area.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
Response from Guest Service, Propietario at Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs
Responded 17 Feb 2021
Dear Friends, First of all, thank you so very much for all the time you give us commenting about your nice experience, it is very important for all the travelers to know about your experience, and with the level of detail you added, they will have a very clear view of our property and services. Thnak your for choosing our hotel for your visit to COsta Rica, and we hope to count with your visit in a near future, Pura Vida from all of your frineds at Arenal Manoa.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
After a week in a house near the beach in beautiful, rustic, Puerto Viejo, I had booked three nights at the manoa hotel for my little family of four. I have two kids, aged 5&7, and wifey. I’m not rewriting this review, as I’m unable, for whatever reason, so I’ve added as
Pros: The manoa is a place to get pampered. I never thought having AC would be considered “pampering” per se, but the room was perfectly cooled off with an AC you can manually adjust. The property was pristine. There are individual casitas so it didn’t feel crowded whatsoever. The view from our bed was just gorgeous, as you could see the volcano as well. The showers heated up quickly with great pressure. We went over to the pool, ordered delish pina coladas and non-alcoholic banana and chocolate syrup drinks for the kids. Holy lord, so good. The grounds were incredible, manicured, etc. the staff were incredibly nice and helpful! We ordered room service, ordered a wood fired pizza from the pool (twice) , and easily booked a tour with the front desk for the Mistico bridges and la fortuna waterfall. There are a TON of options. The key to this whole story is that, it was EASY. The last night my wife and I each had an hour long massage. I get regular massages and this was sublime to say the least. It was FOR REAL!! You could hear wildlife, babbling Brooks, aaaaaaand me snoring. The massages were the perfect way to put an explanation point on our trip as a whole. Finally, the breakfasts are part of your stay and were really excellent. The views from the open air restaurant were a volcano, sooooo it was awesome.
Cons: The only negative for us was the food. Meats in general. The fish was incredibly dry, like way over cooked dry. Buuuut, all the vegetables were excellent! The pumpkin soup was rich but delish. I would say, just stay away from the meats.
As you can see, the “pro” paragraph is way longer than the “cons”. The spas were super cool as well, forgot to mention. Our whole family had an incredible time. HIGHLY recommended! Thank you so much.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
Response from Guest Service, Dueño at Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs
Responded 22 Jun 2021
Dear Sleeve Thank you very much for choosing our hotel as your resting place in the beautiful area of La Fortuna, it was a pleasure to meet you and have the oportunity to assit you. Thank you very much for taking your time and give us such a nice review. It is always truly important for us to know our guest experience and feedbacks in order to improve our services, facilities and in this case the food according to your report. Pura Vida! 🖐
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is great hotel with beautiful grounds, stunning views, huge rooms / bathrooms, and friendly staff. Children loved the animals folded out of the towels sitting on the beds each day. Good breakfast with wide choice. Nice pools with swim up bars which also serve snacks. People with limited mobility might struggle getting around but there is a shuttle available. It is a short drive into La Fortuna and taxis are readily available. There is a huge variety of activities locally and we wish we could have stayed longer!
Read more
Date of stay: June 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
We spent the last few days of 2020 here and had an amazing time. The rooms were large, clean, and had an unparalleled view of the volcano. The staff was professional from the moment we arrived and they showed genuine pleasure in making sure we were taken care of. The waiters, bartenders, shuttle drivers, and clerks seem to go out of their way to make sure we had a great experience. Their Covid protocols were a welcome site. You had to have your temperature checked before entering the lobby and you had to wash hands prior to entering any public building. We would definitely recommend staying here.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
Response from Guest Service, Propietario at Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs
Responded 05 Jan 2021
Hello Mr. Patrick, it was a real pleasure for us to have you in our hotel We greatly appreciate the time you took to comment about your stay. Thank you very much for all those words that encourage us to continue providing the best possible experiences for our visitors. Certainly all of our co-workers go above and beyond to ensure that you have enjoyed yourself as you deserve. We hope to have you back with us very soon and we wish you an excellent 2021
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The superior rooms do not have a sitting area (coffee table and 2 chairs) like the junior suites. They only had a chair and desk in the room. If you plan to eat in your room, or prefer to watch tv sitting, i would go to the Junior suite.
There are more places to choose from in the La Fortuna de San Carlos area.
PRICE RANGE
R 2,853 - R 6,906 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
arenal manoa hotel la fortuna de san carlos, arenal manoa hotel and spa
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of AlajuelaArenal Volcano National ParkLa Fortuna de San Carlos
NUMBER OF ROOMS
102
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
