Our tent was a little underwhelming at first, but we got to like it in the end :) Could be a little sturdier, the construction might need a bit more love but it was very clean and well kept.

View is incredible! Additional activities offered are amazing. Staff is lovely. Food is very good. great value for money. A lot of effort is put into it. Really appreciated it.

Stayed in August 2022

It is very far out so if you don't have a car I wouldn't recommend it.

Very beautiful view and the food served at the restaurant is delicious

Stayed in June 2022

It would have been improved if the toilet bins were cleaned more often than once a day.

Superb views over Lake Arenal and of the volcano. A really quiet location with trails on the doorstep through rain forest and to a waterfall.

Stayed in August 2022

- access road to the property is very steep and rough in the rainy season, but you can do it with a sedan if you drive carefully - access road within the property to the most of the villas is not doable with normal sedan and you need a 4WD or use their truck, which only brings your luggage up to the villa and back to the reception for check-out. If you are in the rainy season and want to get to the reception in the evening then it is a 10 min walk on a very steep partly paved road through the rainforest - rooms did neither have aircon nor ventilator, so it got pretty muggy in the first hours of the night

- landscape: beautiful view of the volcanoes and the lake, if you are lucky in rainy season. The villas are set in serene surroundings. - staff is very helpful - price is just fantastic

Stayed in July 2022

The water in the shower was completely cold both in the evening and the morning.

Was a quiet location, nice waking up to the birds and the tent had everything required.

Stayed in July 2022

Unfortunatly it rained a lot when we were there and water came in to our tent on the side walls. They immediately gave us a different tent which was bigger than the one we had so that was nice and there was no leaking anymore. We thought that for this price the tents could be a bit newer or at least whole :) for example a zipper (they were all broken)

We stayed here for three nights in a tent. The staff is super nice and helpful. The shared bathrooms were clean. Our tent had a balcony which was cool. The views are really nice when the weather is clear. The restaurant is very delicious and there are also other cheaper options in walking distance. The yoga in the morning was nice. Right next to the tents is a trail through the jungle. it’s very nice but pretty steep.

Stayed in May 2022

Great views Area full of wildlife

Stayed in April 2022

We stayed in the "Superior Tent" and were enchanted. The sounds and views are indescrible being right in the rain forest. It was especially fabulous at night when it rained. The bathrooms were shared but close by and spotless, with hot showers daily. We had yoga classes each morning, followed by a delicious breakfast, and then a meditation walk through the forest, spa services, naps, more hiking, and a truly incredible dinner. We really loved this special retreat and recommend it highly.

Stayed in April 2022

nothing not to like.

out of the tourist trap that is La Fortuna. very nice setting on an interesting property. very good for yoga lovers.

Stayed in April 2022

Now, full disclosure: to reach the cabin, you have to drive across a ravine and tackle a driveway that is very very VERY steep — like, hold-your-breath-and-pray steep. It’s totally doable, but mildly terrifying. Inside the cabin, it would’ve been great to have a real dining table with chairs — right now it’s more of a lounge setup with low sofas and a coffee table, which isn’t ideal for meals. Also, no outdoor chairs by the cabin, so I may or may not have “borrowed” a couple from the pool area. Worth it.

I stayed in the Bonita Vista cabin, and wow… that view of the Arenal volcano was next level. No neighbors, just pure peace and quiet in the middle of nature, with a private little plunge pool to cool off. The cabin came with a small kitchen and a fridge, so I could cook my own meals — not that I was ever in a rush to leave paradise. I spotted birds, a toucan (!!), and wandered the lovely forest trails around the property… I loved everything.

Stayed in March 2025

Hated leaving!!

What an amazing location and place to learn about Costa Rica. The food was wonderful and the people even better. The nature tours here with Aurelio were incredible. He is so knowledgeable and passionate about the land, I learned so much, and he has such a wonderful personality, we went on all 3 tours. It's nice to see where your money goes- to the PEOPLE- and not big resorts and tour operators. Incredible place!

Stayed in March 2025

We felt very isolated, and it was very difficult to get around, without spending a lot of money, so I really don’t recommend going there without a car. We ended up leaving 3 days early, because we felt so isolated. The room was lacking some amenities, space to hang your clothes, a trash can and it would have been nice with a little fridge. Besides that the pool was sooo dirty and it took 15-20 min to get to the pool.

The Nature around was beautiful, and the food in the restaurant was nice.

Stayed in March 2025

The breakfast wasn't included and it might have felt a bit overpriced.

Everything. Literally everything. It's one of those places where you can't go wrong. The rooms are a perfect combination of modern facilities and nature. There's a daily yoga session (paid) with a view to the Arenal volcano and nothing but green and nature around. The place has 2 or 3 trails, connecting the reception to the rooms' area that allow you to see several types of animals (from monkeys to tocanos). There's not much "light pollution" around which is perfect to watch a starry night sky.

Stayed in February 2025

There was nothing

What an amazing place and one that we would recommend if you are a digital nomad, earthy and spiritual with a hint of liking great organic food. Their food mainly comes from their own eco farm and fresh fruit in the morning is to die for. It's all vegan and vegetarian and they have theme nights related to the food of the day. The three tours run by Aurelio are really exceptional delivered with passion and enthusiasm. The bird, wildlife and cacau are the three tours. He has learnt so much from his professor and the indigenous people of Costa Rica. The tours show how interconnected life is with nature and how we have abused it as well. It's an inspiration and mind changing. There's also a real social connection with people that come here who have the same core values. Yoga, Spa, massage, Reiki, great food and sharing of stories and experience. We had some spontaneous hot springs sessions at 5.30am with two people who were staying there We didn't really want to leave, it started as a three day stay and we kept adding more until we were here for 6 days. It's a special place I've posted four photos, three dishes and the canvas tent that has a balcony over looking the bamboo forest.

Stayed in January 2025

There was nothing we did not like

What an amazing place and one that we would recommend if you are a digital nomad, earthy and spiritual with a hint of liking great organic food. Their food mainly comes from their own eco farm and fresh fruit in the morning is to die for. It’s all vegan and vegetarian and they have theme nights related to the food of the day. The three tours run by Aurelio are really exceptional delivered with passion and enthusiasm. The bird, wildlife and cacau are the three tours. He has learnt so much from his professor and the indigenous people of Costa Rica. The tours show how interconnected life is with nature and how we have abused it as well. It’s an inspiration and mind changing. There’s also a real social connection with people that come here who have the same core values. Yoga, Spa, massage, Reiki, great food and sharing of stories and experience. We had some spontaneous hot springs sessions at 5.30am with two people who were staying there We didn’t really want to leave, it started as a three day stay and we kept adding more until we were here for 6 days. It’s a special place I’ve posted four photos, three dishes and the canvas tent that has a balcony over looking the bamboo forest.

Stayed in January 2025

Nothing!

From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed and at home. Staff are exceptional - very helpful and well informed. The vegetarian food served is delicious and imaginative, grown on their farm. Beautiful surroundings and places to walk and relax with . yoga, massage and a spa. Excellent tours on site. It seems to attract very nice guests and meal times were a great opportunity to talk together. We felt very relaxed and were sorry to leave

Stayed in January 2025

Everything was AMAZING. We did all three tours and can’t recommend them enough. Aurelio was a perfect guide and provided a truly priceless experience. The food was unbelievably good and very reasonably priced, and the staff were all amazing. Our lodging was clean, comfortable, and private. All around it was a very memorable and pleasant experience. We didn’t want to leave.

Stayed in January 2025

Tent was damp without all the rain.

Great location, wonderful restaurant with exquisite vegetarian food. Staff were great.

Stayed in January 2025

The rooms are quite basic and it’s difficult to dry any clothing that gets wet, however for the value it is excellent and you can lay a small fee for laundry service.

Amazing place to stay, with its own forest trails, 2 amazing viewpoints and onsite tours with a fantastic tour guide Aurelio. We saw loads of wildlife on the night and bird tour including toucans and tree frogs and Aurelio was such an informative and enthusiastic guide. The staff are super friendly staff especially Rui and Manfred. The yoga was excellent and the whole site and facilities were excellent. Really good value for money for. The view from our room was beautiful across lake Arenal. It rained most of the time but this didn’t affect how much of a brilliant time we had. El Castillo is a beautiful area and we did our own really good solo hike around the area. Essence is a great option to stay surrounded with forest and views, with additional tours, yoga and really good vegetarian food. Breakfasts were excellent.

Stayed in January 2025

The breakfast was basic but you can just make your own in your room. Too many ornaments in the room.

Can’t fault this place. It’s very family orientated. If you have WhatsApp it’s really easy to communicate with the hotel. You ask for anything and they are there within a flash. I know it’s not everyone’s forte but we were really appreciative of the fact that you can’t bring animals or smoke on the complex as I have very bad allergies. You all have your own table and chairs to sit out the front around the pool. You can even take your own food and drink on site and treat your room as your home. There is a gated entrance and you need a key fob to get in. It is extremely safe. If you like your Snorkling and scuba diving the office is literally a 5 minute walk, 2 minute drive or they collect you. The prices for these activities were reasonable. We say hump back wales swimming in the harbour too. It was such a good location.

Stayed in December 2024

Was an amazing place, nicest people, best food, best therapies, best yoga, and s purely magical place!

Stayed in November 2024

Simply the best place ive stayed in

Stayed in December 2024

Essence Arenal was a great place to stay and a perfect location to explore the nature of Arenal. We were greeted by staff who were ready to help at any moment. The spa was the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring the volcano and nearby rainforests. We ate breakfast and dinner at the in house restaurant every day as the farm to fork food was exceptional. Gabriel, the chef, made sure we were catered for every evening for dinner and the food was more than delicious, with great care taken over the flavours and composition. We also went on the guided night tour which was a great experience, seeing frogs, spiders, snakes and birds that we hasn't seen on any other tours. There's an incredible view of the volcano and lake from the top of the land at the viewing point, which is a perfect area to experience sunrise or sunset.

Stayed in August 2024

You need to be prepared to drive into it which required an all wheel drive. We walked through one night to get the restaurant and it was wild but that’s what we asked for. We would have liked another pan for cooking as there was only one.

This is a bio farm and yoga haven. It was like being in Eden. Every aspect of the place was beautiful from the farm to table meals to the morning yoga and sound baths. Our little cottage was great. It had a kitchen that was fully equipped and a nice bathroom. We had a great time and the staff was unbelievably nice. They also do laundry service which is necessary when hiking the volcanos and forests.

Stayed in July 2024