Costa Rica - Arenal Manoa Resort: A Picture-Perfect Escape in the Costa Rican Rainforest
Arenal Manoa Resort in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, is a lush rainforest getaway with volcano views, walkable paths, thermal pools, and top-notch staff. Read this honest review before booking your stay!
Stayed July 14–17, 2025 – Room 201 – Booked through Hotels.com (Expedia) – $293.52/night, breakfast included
TL;DR Summary
- Stunning rainforest resort with direct Arenal Volcano views
- Single-story bungalows with private patios and zero stairs
- Huge pool area + multiple volcanically-heated thermal pools (not hot, just warm)
- Fully walkable resort with wide, gently sloped paths — wheelchair and mobility friendly
- Free resort transport on demand — call for a fan or golf cart from reception
- Breakfast buffet is outstanding and included; lunch/dinner are à la carte
- Spa treatments in riverside tents — tranquil but pricey
- Best hotel staff I’ve encountered: professional, friendly, engaged
- Not all-inclusive; food and spa pricing can add up
- Request rooms in the low 200s for proximity to pool and dining
Arenal Manoa Resort: Honest Review of a Costa Rica Rainforest Hotel with Volcano Views
Ready to plan your Costa Rica adventure? Save this pin and get a real traveler’s review of Arenal Manoa Resort—walkable bungalows, rainforest, spa, and thermal pools with volcano views.
Save this Review on Pinterest
Full Review
Arenal Manoa is exactly what you hope for when you book a Costa Rican resort. Set amid lush, curated rainforest and gazing toward the majestic Arenal Volcano, the resort hits the perfect balance between comfort, beauty, and tranquility. Every detail was attended to, everything in my room worked flawlessly, and nothing felt neglected or second-rate.
The Room
I stayed in a duplex-style bungalow (Room 201), one of many single-story accommodations spread across the expansive property. The room came with a private patio, framed by thick foliage and distant volcano views — the kind of space that practically demands a slow cup of coffee or a late-night glass of wine.
Inside: high-quality linens, a firm but comfy bed, a spacious open-style bathroom with excellent water pressure and a large walk-in shower. The minibar fridge had pay-per-item drinks, but two bottles of still water were provided daily for free. A personal welcome slate with my name on the door was a thoughtful touch.
Accessibility
This is a mobility-friendly resort. While the property covers a large area, all rooms are on the ground level, and there are no stairs or steps. The roads and paths within the resort are gently sloped and easily walkable, even for someone with limited mobility. Nothing I saw would present a problem for elderly or disabled guests. And if you don’t feel like walking at all, a quick phone call to reception brings a golf cart or a fan directly to your door.
Pools & Thermal Springs
The pool complex is large, clean, and beautifully landscaped. It features a wide, sloped entry perfect for kids and a poolside bar with waiter service.
Adjacent to the main pool are several natural rock-lined thermal pools, each about 3–4 meters across and nestled into rainforest nooks. These aren’t steaming-hot springs — the temperature hovers around 86°F (30°C), which is a little cooler than body temperature. While that was slightly disappointing, the setting more than made up for it. Being immersed in warm volcanic water while surrounded by Costa Rican rainforest is its own kind of luxury. A few of the pools are designated adult-only, which simply means kid-free zones for peaceful soaking.
Dining
The restaurant opens up on one side to the rainforest, offering a panoramic view of the volcano and the surrounding green. Breakfast is included and truly excellent — a full buffet with omelettes, cereals (hot and cold), fresh fruit, yogurt, pastries, and more.
Lunch and dinner are not included, and while the menu isn’t vast, it covers a decent range of international and local favorites. Their pizza is genuinely great. Prices are mid-tier: not outrageous, but you’ll feel it if you stay for multiple meals.
Spa
The spa is both a visual and sensory treat — treatments take place in elegant tent-like structures perched on the riverbank. Rather than a piped-in soundscape, you hear a real river flowing just below you. The environment is serene, private, and beautifully designed. That said, the pricing is steep: my 60-minute hot stone massage was $160 before a $30 discount from Expedia. Still, the quality of the massage and the ambiance made it a memorable splurge.
Grounds and Staff
The grounds are a living painting — lush, pruned, and designed to showcase the region’s biodiversity. Wide, flat roads and generous spacing make the entire resort feel uncrowded and calm.
The staff is another highlight. Reception staff spoke excellent English and offered fast, polished service. More impressively, everyone I interacted with — waiters, drivers, cleaners — was friendly, engaged, and clearly took pride in their work. There’s a visible lack of burnout here, which is rare in hospitality. This might be the most genuinely professional staff I’ve encountered in any resort.
Room Location Tip
If you want to be close to the pool and restaurant but don’t mind being a bit farther from reception, ask for a room in the low 200s. Room 201 was just right.
Final Verdict
Arenal Manoa offers the kind of rainforest-luxury experience you imagine when dreaming about Costa Rica. It's polished without being pretentious, tranquil without being boring, and accessible without sacrificing charm. While the spa and food pricing may add up, the experience is well worth the investment.
Rating: 9.5/10
Arenal Manoa Resort: Honest Review of a Costa Rica Rainforest Hotel with Volcano Views
Ready to plan your Costa Rica adventure? Save this pin and get a real traveler’s review of Arenal Manoa Resort—walkable bungalows, rainforest, spa, and thermal pools with volcano views.
Save this Review on Pinterest