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Lost Iguana Resort & Spa: Traveler Reviews

3.5 of 5
1.5 km North of Arenal dam, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Arenal Volcano National Park A2004, Costa Rica
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852 reviews from our community

Traveler rating
    592
    174
    46
    35
    5
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Families
201
 
Couples
414
 
Solo
14
 
Business
8
 
Rating summary
  • Sleep Quality
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Location
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Service
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Value
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    4.5 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Connecticut
Senior Contributor
28 reviews 28 reviews
21 hotel reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
40 helpful votes 40 helpful votes
“Wonderful Costa Rica Experience”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 10, 2013

A wonderful, relaxing resort that brings out the best of Costa Rica.

Lost Iguana is located in the heart of the Arenal Volcano region (get a rental car though, nothing is within walking distance). It was convenient for everything we did - we went canoneering, white water rafting (both with Desafino, which I'd recommend), hiked the hanging bridges, braved the zip line, and hiked one of the hotels own trails. Town is a 15 minute drive, but there's not much there.

After our busy days it was incredibly relaxing to return to this resort. It's built into a hillside and fits in with the environment making it feel like an authentic costa rican experience.

Our room had a lovely view of the Volcano although it was often obscured by clouds. There was a large balcony, outdoor hot-tub and the room itself was huge. The room's furniture looked to be hand-crafted of costa rican wood which added to the authentic experience.

There was a great (though small in size) pool with swim up access to the bar. The perfect place for happy hour after a busy day! It was heated -- which is needed since February temps were in the high 70s and it was often cloudy.

Most nights we ate dinner at the bar (for a more casual experience than the restaurant) where Jonathan, the friendly bartender, took great care of us. We only ate the costa rican food and it was outstanding. Amazing nachos, beans and rice, guacamole and quesadillas. There is non-costa rican food available but I'd stick to the food they know.

Breakfast was tasty, and was a good opportunity to watch toucans munch on the fruit left out for them.

This is the perfect spot for a 3-4 night stay (we stayed three nights but could have used one more). I'd recommend it for active people. If you were to stay at the resort all day you may get bored. Additionally, it's built on a hill - walking from the lobby to your room is not for the lazy (but there are golf carts).

  • Stayed February 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Metepec, Mexico
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
5 hotel reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Great resort”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 10, 2013

We spent 3 nights in this resort last week and really enjoyed the location and service of the hotel. The food was very delicious being served in a very nice setting. Beautiful views from the room. Definitely to recommend for people who seek quiet times deep in the nature.

  • Stayed February 2013, traveled with family
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
4 hotel reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“The Place to stay at Arenal”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 9, 2013

This is a beautiful property, with hiking trails on the premises through the jungle--two hour trails. The rooms are luxurious, the food is good and the staff is attentive. Our guide for a hike of the Arenal Volcano grounds picked us up at the hotel and a hotel shuttle took us to LaFortuna. Spectacular views of Arenal Volcano from the rooms. Good bird viewing from the grounds. Not only were we glad we stayed here, we were also so glad we passed on the more densely populated tourist properties closer to LaFortuna

  • Stayed January 2013
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Orange County
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Family loved it!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 7, 2013

This resort was amazing. Our room was clean and comfortable with the best view of Arenal imaginable. We dined in the restaurant and the food and service was great. The location to the hanging bridges and Arenal lake was perfect. We had a great time and wished we could have stayed longer. We have two children 10 and 12, we felt welcome and comfortable.

  • Stayed April 2012, traveled with family
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Holyoke, Massachusetts
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
4 hotel reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
“Fun and beautiful.”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 5, 2013

La Fortuna was the funnest stop on our trip. zip lines, safari boat tour and tabacoon coming back to this hotel made it a great end to our 11 day adventure. Hotel room was beautiful. We had an outdoor tub and shower. Mattress was hard but the decor was beautiful. Very welcoming we got a frozen drink bouquet of tropical flowers, nice card and bottle of wine. We saw many different birds. Also saw wild pigs hummingbirds monkey sloths, coyote, raccoon, iguana. Downtown is great. Sitting outside was a delight listening to the sounds of the jungle. Volcano was beautiful great views. We took the hotels jungle hike which was very magical. They also have a maze but looks nothing like the pics. Needs to be kept up better. The resort has lots of steep hills but with one call to the front desk they are at your door with a golf cart ready to bring you anywhere on the resort. Gift shop was excellent. Spa was amazing. Arenal lake was serene. . Only bad thing, taxis are a rip off here but the hotel does shuttle pic up from and to tabacoon and downtown! Thank god bc this hotel is a little further out it was 40.00 everywhere you went. Overall awesome stay.

  • Stayed January 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
 
 
Lost Iguana Resort & Spa
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Additional Information about Lost Iguana Resort & Spa

Also Known As:
Lost Iguana Hotel La Fortuna De San Carlos
Lost Iguana Resort And Spa
Lost Iguana Hotel
Hotel Lost Iguana
Lost Iguana Resort & Spa Costa Rica/Arenal Volcano National Park
Address: 1.5 km North of Arenal dam, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Arenal Volcano National Park A2004, Costa Rica
Phone Number:
Region: Costa Rica > Province of Alajuela > Arenal Volcano National Park > La Fortuna de San Carlos
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Fitness Center Free Breakfast Free High-Speed Internet Free Parking Kids Activities Kitchenette Restaurant Room Service Suites Swimming Pool Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
#8 Family Hotels in La Fortuna de San Carlos
#12 Romantic Hotels in La Fortuna de San Carlos
Price Range: $$
Hotel Class:3.5 star (3.5*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
The Lost Iguana Resort is Arenal's newest hotel, offering luxury accommodations in the rain forest The resort's 100 acre property overlooks the world's most active volcano, Arenal Volcano located near La Fortuna, Costa Rica. A premiere, upscale retreat nestled gently in the jungle, the Lost Iguana Resort only offers rooms with large private balconies overlooking the Arenal Volcano and Arenal River Gorge. All rooms are spacious and well appointed with first-class furnishings, artwork and full amenities. ... more   less 
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