Name: Essence Arenal and Spa
Address: 1 Km al Sur de la Escuela del Castillo, 24796 El Castillo de La Fortuna, Costa Rica, 1 Km al Sur de la Escuela del Castillo, Alajuela, 24796, Costa Rica
Price range: Prices for upcoming dates start at $22 per night (We Price Match)
Rating: 8.8

Info & prices
Facilities
House rules
Guest reviews (521)

Lodge Essence Arenal and Spa

Airport shuttle. Airport shuttle available at an additional charge. You can request this in the next step.

1 Km al Sur de la Escuela del Castillo, 24796 El Castillo de La Fortuna, Costa Rica –

The swimming pool at or near Essence Arenal and Spa

A balcony or terrace at Essence Arenal and Spa

A bunk bed or bunk beds in a room at Essence Arenal and Spa

A general mountain view or a mountain view taken from the lodge

A bed or beds in a room at Essence Arenal and Spa

A bird's-eye view of Essence Arenal and Spa

A seating area at Essence Arenal and Spa

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A porch or other outdoor area at Essence Arenal and Spa

The lounge or bar area at Essence Arenal and Spa

Spa and/or other wellness facilities at Essence Arenal and Spa

BBQ facilities available to guests at the lodge

Lock in a great price for Essence Arenal and Spa – rated 8.8 by recent guests!

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Beautiful view of the volcano and helpful staff with a lot of recommendations on activities to do around the area

Kaspar

Austria

Loved the tent experience! It was just "rustic" enough to whet my whistle for a tropical adventure. And of course, the grounds - a permaculture farm, operated by volunteers on work exchange, which provided produce for the restaurant's menu. Essence seems to be the trendy spot for staff from other establishments in the area to hang out as well, due no doubt to the excellent food and communal atmosphere.

Cheryl

Canada

The place had an amazing view of the lake and volcano and all the people were very friendly and helpful. It was a great experience immersed in nature with all the animals and an unbelievable view of the stars at night. I even got to see a meteor fall from the sky! All of the vegetarian food was excellent as well. I would highly recommend Essence Arenal and Spa to anyone looking for a great experience with nature. Pura vida

Noah

United States of America

It is everything one would imagine in an organic farmhouse perched high up in the mountains overlooking a magnificent lake and a volcano as a backdrop...simply spectacular. The locales, the fresh homegrown food and tranquility!!

Preeti

United States of America

The staff were super helpful and very friendly. The food was excellent! The view was amazing!

Katherine

United States of America

It was clean. The room was very small and very noisy bunk bed. Overall comfortable. Great staff and wonderful breakfast. Excellent kitchen. Great view and short walk to town.

Claudie

Canada

Nico has poured his love and passion into this gem. His organic permaculture farm is a labor of love. The staff and volunteers were welcoming and talented. The food is excellent and the views to die for. Highlight was the cacao workshop in which we made our own gourmet chocolate.

Barbara

United States of America

Vegetarian restaurant, yoga, the staff, the jacuzzi Is Great!

Bibilooy

Netherlands

Nice Flair! Super nice stuff and beautiful surrounding!

Lena

Austria

Friendly staff Beautiful location with an amazing view

Gio

Belgium

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9.6

Staff
Highly rated for:
Great neighborhood
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Views from the property
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Great neighborhood
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Views from the property
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Views from the property
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Views from the property
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Great check-in experience
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On-site restaurant
Highly rated for:
On-site restaurant
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On-site restaurant
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Great check-in experience
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Great neighborhood
Highly rated for:
Great neighborhood

What guests loved the most:
“Beautiful view of the volcano and helpful staff with a lot of recommendations on activities to do around the area”

Kaspar Austria
“Loved the tent experience! It was just "rustic" enough to whet my whistle for a tropical adventure.”

Cheryl Canada
“The place had an amazing view of the lake and volcano and all the people were very friendly and helpful.”

Noah United States of America
“It is everything one would imagine in an organic farmhouse perched high up in the mountains overlooking a magnificent lake and a volcano as a backdrop...simply spectacular.”

Preeti United States of America
“The staff were super helpful and very friendly. The food was excellent! The view was amazing!”

Katherine United States of America
“It was clean. The room was very small and very noisy bunk bed. Overall comfortable. Great staff and wonderful breakfast. Excellent kitchen. Great view and short walk to town.”

Claudie Canada
“Nico has poured his love and passion into this gem. His organic permaculture farm is a labor of love. The staff and volunteers were welcoming and talented.”

Barbara United States of America
“Vegetarian restaurant, yoga, the staff, the jacuzzi Is Great!”

Bibilooy Netherlands
“Nice Flair! Super nice stuff and beautiful surrounding!”

Lena Austria
“Friendly staff Beautiful location with an amazing view”

Gio Belgium

Located less than 6.2 mi from Arenal Volcano National Park, this rustic farm stay features a spring-fed outdoor swimming pool, on-site yoga lessons and a working coffee plantation.

Essence Arenal offers spacious rooms with a wardrobe, tiled floors and a private bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. They also feature mountain and lake views.

The property serves vegetarian cuisine at its on-site restaurant, and guests will find other dining options within 1,950 feet of the property.

Essence Arenal also offers on-site massage services and temazcal treatments and can help guests arrange hiking and horse riding.

The local Butterfly Conservatory is 2,650 feet from the property, while Juan Santamaria International Airport can be reached in a 3-hour drive.

Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 9.0 for a two-person trip.

We speak your language!

Essence Arenal and Spa has been welcoming Booking.com guests since Sept 20, 2013

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Most popular facilities

Swimming pool

Free parking

Free WiFi

Family rooms

Outdoor pool

Spa

Good for couples – they rated the facilities 8.2 for two-person stays.

Bookers love...

“helpful staff”
21 related reviews

“great views”
19 related reviews

“great place”
16 related reviews

Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.1)

Breakfast Info

Vegetarian

Free Private Parking Available On Site

Checkin day

Checkin month

Checkout day

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Availability

When would you like to stay at Essence Arenal and Spa?

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Rooms

Adults

Children

Sleeps	Room Type
	Superior Double Room 1 full bed	Show prices
Something went wrong – please try again later. Check-in date / / Check-in Date Check-out date / / Check-out Date Rooms Adults Children
	Quadruple Room with Shared Bathroom 1 full bed and 1 bunk bed	Show prices
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	Superior Quadruple Room 1 full bed and 1 bunk bed	Show prices
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	Quadruple Room 1 full bed and 1 bunk bed	Show prices
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	Triple Room with Shared Bathroom 1 bunk bed	Show prices
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× 5	One-Bedroom House Bedroom 1: 2 full beds Living room: 1 sofa bed	Show prices
Something went wrong – please try again later. Check-in date / / Check-in Date Check-out date / / Check-out Date Rooms Adults Children
	Standard Tent 1 bunk bed	Show prices
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	Superior Tent 1 full bed	Show prices
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Booked once in the last 6 hours

Contact the host

Area Info

–

Closest Landmarks *

Arenal Eco Zoo
0.3 miles
Sky Adventures Arenal
1.2 miles
Arenal 1968 Trail
3.3 miles
Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
4.6 miles
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
6.1 miles
La Fortuna Waterfall
6.1 miles
Selvatura Adventure Park
6.2 miles
Ecoglide Arenal Park
6.5 miles
Kalambu Hot Springs
6.7 miles
Children's Eternal Rainforest
6.7 miles

Restaurants & Markets *

Supermarket Supermarket
0.2 miles

Natural Beauty *

Arenal Lake Lake
0.6 miles
Hot springs river River
10.6 miles

Closest Airports *

Juan Santamaría International Airport
47.5 miles
San Carlos Airport
49.4 miles
Tambor Airport
50.4 miles

What Travelers Love About This Location

“I had the best stay at Essence hostel. Fabian and Jairo are the kindest and most helpful people ever and they made me feel at home the moment I got there. I had...”

Tara

United Kingdom

“Location, Nice view if not smoggy, people!”

Pierre

France

7.9

“The food of the restaurant is very tasty, made with fresh products. The staff is very welcoming and always very nice. The hot bathtub with a view on the lake is...”

Maryse

France

Are you missing any information about this area?

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4 reasons to choose Essence Arenal and Spa

Why book with us?

Manage your bookings online

The staff speaks English

Booking is safe

House rules Essence Arenal and Spa takes special requests – add in the next step!

Check-in

12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Check-out

7:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Cancellation/
prepayment

Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodations type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check what conditions apply to your preferred room.

Children & Beds

Children of all ages are welcome.

To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.

This property doesn't offer cribs.

This property doesn't offer extra beds.

Pets

Free! Pets are allowed on request. No extra charges.

Essence Arenal and Spa accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.

The fine print

Please inform Essence Arenal and Spa of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.

“Loved the tent experience! It was just "rustic" enough to whet my whistle for a tropical adventure. And of course, the grounds - a permaculture farm, operated by volunteers on work exchange, which provided produce for the restaurant's menu. Essence seems to be the trendy spot for staff from other establishments in the area to hang out as well, due no doubt to the excellent food and communal atmosphere.”

“The place had an amazing view of the lake and volcano and all the people were very friendly and helpful. It was a great experience immersed in nature with all the animals and an unbelievable view of the stars at night. I even got to see a meteor fall from the sky! All of the vegetarian food was excellent as well. I would highly recommend Essence Arenal and Spa to anyone looking for a great experience with nature. Pura vida”

“It is everything one would imagine in an organic farmhouse perched high up in the mountains overlooking a magnificent lake and a volcano as a backdrop...simply spectacular. The locales, the fresh homegrown food and tranquility!!”

“Nico has poured his love and passion into this gem. His organic permaculture farm is a labor of love. The staff and volunteers were welcoming and talented. The food is excellent and the views to die for. Highlight was the cacao workshop in which we made our own gourmet chocolate.”

See all guest reviews for Essence Arenal and Spa

Newest Reviews for Essence Arenal and Spa

Reviewed: October 15, 2019

Katja
Germany
10

Exceptional
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
A very nice place to stay with an amazing view to the lake and vulcano. The compound is beautiful, you can even see humming birds and monkeys. The staff is very friendly and the whole place is made with lots of love.

Stayed in October 2019
Reviewed: September 19, 2019

Tara
United Kingdom

2 helpful votes
10

“Lovely and friendly hostel, a little gem!”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
I had the best stay at Essence hostel. Fabian and Jairo are the kindest and most helpful people ever and they made me feel at home the moment I got there. I had quite important diet restrictions and they (and the lovely ladies in charge of the cooking) did everything they could to accommodate me and prepared great food for me :) Generally speaking the place is in a great location, calm and relaxing and with breathtaking views of the volcano. The communal bathrooms were clean and the water warm. Honestly I cannot think of anything negative to say, I am just so grateful that I found somewhere so simple and lovely but yet feels so luxurious. Thanks for the great stay, I will definitely come back when I am in the area! Abrazos

Stayed in September 2019
Reviewed: September 12, 2019

Mathieu
Belgium
9.2

Awesome
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
I don't really have bad points. Maybe just no hair dryer in my room but I didn't ask for it.
The super friendly and available staff. The location of the hotel with a incredible view of the lagoons and the volcano.

Stayed in September 2019
Reviewed: August 21, 2019

Wanda
Italy
7.9

“Best place to stay in Arenal”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The Hostel has The most Beautiful view of The Volcan Arenal. The staff is great and very warm welcoming. They gave us The best suggestions and helped us with every request. Amazing place and people!

Stayed in August 2019
Reviewed: August 19, 2019

Anonymous
United States of America
9.6

“Very nice”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 7 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Shared bathrooms could be cleaned more often. Some of the animals in the region are out of control. Would have liked more menu options for breakfast and lunch
The manager is really great and made the customer service spectacular. There seem to be a lot of families staying there, but there were also a good amount of solo travellers, so I made some great friends there. I stayed in the superior tent and had great views of the jungle, the nature here is not to be missed. There have holistic care facilities in addition to the spa treatments, so inquire about those if you're interested.

Stayed in August 2019
Reviewed: August 16, 2019

Paola
Italy
7.9

Good
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The philosophy of live

Stayed in August 2019
Reviewed: August 12, 2019

Pierre
France
7.9

“Great Location”
- • Leisure trip
- • Travelers with friends
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Location, Nice view if not smoggy, people!

Stayed in August 2019
Reviewed: August 9, 2019

Becky
United States of America
10

Exceptional
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 4 nights
very friendly staff

Stayed in August 2019
Reviewed: July 28, 2019

Kaspar
Austria
10

Exceptional
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Beautiful view of the volcano and helpful staff with a lot of recommendations on activities to do around the area

Stayed in July 2019
Reviewed: July 15, 2019

Cheryl
Canada

1 helpful vote
8.8

“Super welcoming staff and beautiful location, very close to all of Arenal's regional highlights.”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 1 night
My own fault for travelling in the off-season, but missed out on the spa services and yoga.
Loved the tent experience! It was just "rustic" enough to whet my whistle for a tropical adventure. And of course, the grounds - a permaculture farm, operated by volunteers on work exchange, which provided produce for the restaurant's menu. Essence seems to be the trendy spot for staff from other establishments in the area to hang out as well, due no doubt to the excellent food and communal atmosphere.

Stayed in June 2019
Reviewed: July 2, 2019

Amandine
France

6 helpful votes
7.5

“Correct room ”
- • Leisure trip
- • Travelers with friends
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Breakfast not included. Expensive for what you have. Very hard road to go to yoga and swimming pool (not possible to swim at that time).

Stayed in June 2019
Reviewed: May 12, 2019

Maryse
France
10

“Very good place ”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The only problem is that we didn't have any hot water in the shower
The food of the restaurant is very tasty, made with fresh products. The staff is very welcoming and always very nice. The hot bathtub with a view on the lake is perfect after a walk in the area. Very nice place. Highly recommended.

Stayed in May 2019
Reviewed: May 9, 2019

Okan
Rwanda
10

Exceptional
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Very nice staff and beautiful place to stay. Realy happy with my two nights.

Stayed in May 2019
Reviewed: May 2, 2019

Andy
United Kingdom
9.6

Exceptional
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
You just ideally need a car to get there or the do offer a shuttle.
Gorgeous place in the hills with amazing views of the volcano and lake, lovely farm, spa, yoga deck and amazing, fresh meals.

Stayed in April 2019
Reviewed: April 30, 2019

Tobi
Germany

2 helpful votes
10

“Beautiful paradise Spa with Volcán views and a very sustainable overall concept”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Hostel with the best view on Volcán Arenal. The overall concept of growing their own food on a finca next to the hotel, changing restaurant menus according to what they have and on top a pool and a jacuzzi on the surrounding are simply the perfect combination. We will for sure comeback.

Stayed in April 2019

Lodge Essence Arenal and Spa

Essence Arenal and Spa

Most popular facilities

Bookers love...

Availability

Contact the host

Area Info

Closest Landmarks *

Restaurants & Markets *

Natural Beauty *

Closest Airports *

Most Popular Landmarks *

What Travelers Love About This Location

4 reasons to choose Essence Arenal and Spa

Why book with us?

See availability Facilities of Essence Arenal and Spa Great facilities! Review score, 8.3

Most popular facilities

Outdoors

Pets

Activities

Food & Drink

Internet

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Pool and Spa

Front Desk Services

Entertainment & Family Services

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See availability House rules Essence Arenal and Spa takes special requests – add in the next step!

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Facilities of Essence Arenal and Spa Great facilities! Review score, 8.3

House rules Essence Arenal and Spa takes special requests – add in the next step!