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 The Arenal Observatory Lodge is located
on a ridge about a hundred yards above Lake Arenal and is protected
from the volcano by the deep gorge of the Aqua Caliente River. This
gorge is an important topographic feature to the Lodge as it prevents
any nearby lava flow from reaching the property.
Chosen by the scientists of the Smithsonian for its proximity to the
volcano, but also for its safe vantage point, the Lodge is as close as
you can stay to the Arenal Volcano.
The proximity of
Arenal Volcano makes the Lodge the premier place to enjoy the
excitement and beauty of the volcano. The Lodge is in the Zone D Low
Danger Area and is even protected by prevailing easterly winds from ash
and other fallout from an eruption of the volcano.
Arenal Observatory Lodge is a 3 Star mountain lodge, which is the
highest rating for mountain lodges given by the Costa Rican Tourism
Institute. It has also been categorized as a 4 BAND Ecolodge in a
program designed to rate sustainability by the ICT.
 Arenal Observatory Lodge was
originally built in 1987 as a Smithsonian Institute scientific research
center. The Lodge has the distinction of being the only Arenal Volcano
observatory actually located in the Arenal Volcano National Park.
Located on 870 acres of land adjacent to the National Park, the Lodge
contains over 250 acres of primary rain for-est with well marked
trails, 400 acres of various reforestation projects and nearly 200
acres of working farmland.
The Arenal Observation Lodge also features a viewing deck, a conference
room and their own volcano museum, with an active seis-mograph
constantly monitoring the volcanic and seismic activity just outside
your door.
Visitors can hear the constant rumbling of the nearby volcano and can
view the activity on the monitors throughout the center. With its
proximity to Lake Arenal with its amazing sport fishing and
windsurfing, as well as the world famous Arenal Volcano National Park
with its vast rain forest and many species of flora and fauna, there
are a plethora of activities to engage in year round. The Arenal
Observation Lodge is the perfect location to base all of your Arenal
adventure from.
Being this close to an active volcano is an once in a lifetime
experience and the Lodge capitalizes on the amazing views from almost
every room. Visitors are little more than a mile away from the volcano
while staying at the Lodge. The forty three spacious rooms of the Lodge
are all extremely comfortable and emphasize the rustic nature of the
area and its origins.
 There are handicap
accessible rooms available and a restaurant with an entire glass wall
facing the volcano. The Lodge has a well in-formed staff and offers a
number of guided and unguided hiking options to guests. There is a free
morning hike to an area of cooled off lava flow that is very popular.
There is an amazing infinity edge pool and a twelve person hot tub for
relaxing after hiking in the national park. Both facilities are
surrounded by tall pine trees on one side and stellar views of the
volcano on the other.
Arenal Volcano is a must see destination for any Costa Rican visitor
and the Arenal Observatory Lodge is a wonderful place to base that
visit out of. Long recognized as a premier lodge, it has the added
value of being a scientific research facility, as well as, the only
lodging available actually in the Arenal Volcano National Park, making
proximity to the volcano and it’s nightly displays a
non-issue
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