Hotel Heliconias Nature Inn & Hot Springs
Treehouses, hot springs and a family coffee farm in Peñas Blancas, south of La Fortuna
Hotel Heliconias Nature Inn & Hot Springs, in Peñas Blancas south of La Fortuna
Heliconias is a family-run lodge in San Isidro de Peñas Blancas, 17 km south of La Fortuna on Route 702, in the green hills on the quiet side of the Arenal area. It started when a grandfather who worked as a carpenter built the first treehouse himself, and every cabin since uses the same hardwood and glass. It suits families and couples who would rather wake up in the rainforest than in town.
Why we choose it
- The treehouses. The Deluxe Treehouse is built 20 feet up in an old mango tree, with a balcony and a hot-water bathtub. The Premium Treehouse, among the rambutan trees, adds a private jacuzzi and mountain views. Kids remember these.
- Hot springs and river pools. The hot springs section has six pools fed by mineral water from underground rivers of the Arenal Volcano, and a bar. Trails lead down to natural swimming holes in the river.
- Coffee from the farm. The family grows its own coffee on an organic farm, and that is what you drink at breakfast and make in the room.
Rooms and views
Beyond the treehouses there are bungalows of several kinds. The Glass Bungalow has panoramic glass walls onto the rainforest, with curtains when you want privacy. The Deluxe Bungalow sleeps up to 4 in two queen beds, with hammocks on the balcony over the rambutan grove, and the Forest Bungalow looks into the trees.
The Standard Room faces the pool. Every unit has air conditioning, a refrigerator and a coffee maker.
On the property
Leonardos is the open-air restaurant, set in the rainforest, with Costa Rican and international food, steaks, seafood and a wine list. It is open to the public too, so you may share it with people from the area. Breakfast runs from 07:00 to 09:30.
Besides the hot springs there is a swimming pool with a mermaid statue and loungers under a pergola. In the evening, join the guided night walk on the property. The tour desk works with local operators for ziplining, rafting, hanging bridges and sloth watching, and there is an AVIS desk on site.
Location and getting there
Heliconias is in Peñas Blancas, in the San Ramón canton, 17 km south of La Fortuna. It is not in Monteverde. San José airport is about 2 to 2.5 hours away, and we arrange the private transfer. Check-in is at 14:00 and check-out at 12:00. Read more about La Fortuna and the Arenal area.
Hotels we book in Arenal
From our own hotel records: stars, themes and amenities. Nothing here is a price.
| Hotel Heliconias Nature Inn & Hot Springs | Chachagua Rainforest Hotel & Hacienda | Arenal Oasis Ecolodge & Wildlife Refuge | Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel + Retreat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stars | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Volcano setting | Not listed | Not listed | Yes | Not listed |
| Private jacuzzi in room | Not listed | Yes | Not listed | Yes |
| Spa | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Yes |
| Team favourite | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Check availability | See hotel | See hotel | See hotel |
Where it is
Your Costa Rican driver waits at arrivals and stops whenever you like on the way: fruit stands, a sloth in a tree, a bathroom.
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