Arenal Lodge, Costa Rica

August 25-27, 2023  |  Arenal, Costa Rica

Lodge at Arenal, Costa Rica August 25-27

Following our hasty packing job, we drove up to the Arenal Lodge with the most spectacular grounds and view of Arenal Volcano. It rained the entire journey, a downpour of water pummeling the windshield and the roof of the car. Upon our arrival, the concierge greeted us by slithering thru the puddle in our path, reminding us to watch where we step.

The receptionist was a bit more civilized, but not quite as memorable, greeting us by name and handing us our room key. We quickly scampered off to unload our heavy packs in the room. While there, we marveled at the grounds view from our room, even in the rain it was a site to behold.

As it was off season, the hotel and the grounds were nearly devoid of humans. It seemed we had willingly inserted ourselves into Central America’s version of The Shining. It was damn near empty and eerily quiet, save the few and far between noises emanating from the jungle beyond the infinity pool. Instead of ghosts of twins and apparitions of the dead we encountered live reminders of the jungle we were in.

One of the most enduring of all the living reminders was a Red Eye Tree Frog. He perched himself on Chris’s colorfully tattooed arm trying to blend in. He did a phenomenal job of it too.



Chris and I believe we are guests in mother nature, it is a rare day when either of us resort to killing a creature who’s home we are visiting. Up until this point of our adventure, everywhere we’ve stayed we rescue some poor creature, thus far, two crabs, four spiders and a snake, who really rescued himself, we just opened the door. There is an exception when we hit Valencia, Spain however. Stay tuned for the blog entry coming soon.

I could not imagine killing something for simply existing, unless they were actively trying to hurt me, but most of these creatures just want to be left alone in the only home they know. Uninvited guests such as us are rarely on the menu but unappreciated all the same.

The two creatures I have run into who I would absolutely stay clear of, even though I was within two-three feet of both of them getting a photo are the Bushmaster Viper at Mystic Rainforest and the Yellow Eyelash Viper on an Arenal hike. Absolutely beautiful snakes but their beauty is matched and even surpassed by their vicious speed and lethal venom. Both were juveniles but they are at their most lethal when they are young. In the case of the Yellow Eyelash Viper I was really in no danger even at a couple feet away as they are docile unless provoked. In the case of the bushmaster, I’m very glad I had my telephoto. They are vicious and deadly when they need to be.


Our first trip outside the grounds of Arenal Lodge was a SUP (Stand up paddle board) trip in Arenal Lake. The lake is enormous with boats going back and forth along with a stiff wind blowing us the opposite direction from shore. It wasn’t the meditative adventure I was hoping for but the meal afterwards certainly made up for it.

We found a Bavarian/German bakery/Restaurant on the other side of the lake and both walked out of there very satisfied. I would definitely share the info, however, they have closed down permanently. Shame, it was delicious and well worth the 20 minute drive the next morning to have breakfast.

On our return from our phenomenal breakfast we found ourselves smack dab in a horse race. Evidently the Costa Ricans have a yearly endurance horse race around Arenal Lake and we found ourselves right smack in the middle of it. I combed the internet to find the name of the horse race but, alas, it must be a secret.


Nonetheless, part of the drive to Playa Hermosa was riddled with remnants of the race.

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