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Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat – reviews, photos

500 meters South Super Kike | Alto Monterrey, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Hotel amenities
Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat
5.0 of 5 stars 286 Reviews
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286 reviews from our community

What travellers say about this hotel
  • Costa rica(49)
  • L L(26)
  • Hot springs(16)
  • Private waterfalls(14)
  • Great view(10)
  • Other guest(9)
  • New restaurant(7)
  • Zip line(7)
  • Heliconia house(7)
  • Open air(6)
Traveller rating
    253
    30
    0
    2
    1
Only show reviews for Family (126) | Couples (102) | Business (4)
Date Rating
Louisville, Colorado
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Memorable stay”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 February 2012
2
people found this review helpful

We stayed at Leaves and Lizards in March 2010 and I have recommended these accommodations to so many I felt compelled to incorporate my comments on Trip Advisor. For those who are looking to experience nature, see and hear the Volcano, while staying in comfortable accommdations with their family...This is IT! We stayed in the Monkey Cabin, with amazing, uninterrupted views of the rain forest and the volcano directly ahead of us. The outdoor balcony was spacious and comfortable with its authentic wood furnishings. Steve and Debbie were friendly and on a very rainy day which we had planned to go horseback riding on, they rearranged all of our plans to ensure a great experience and sent us on a guided river tour, in a sunny area, in which we saw the most wildlife, up close, we possibly could have seen. Our 12 and 14 year old kids loved it as well! Highly recommended! (I would go back and stay longer than 3 days!)

Room Tip: Monkey Cabin was amazing!
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  • Stayed March 2011, travelled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask CTMcDonald about Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Heathfield, United Kingdom
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Magical place”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 February 2012
2
people found this review helpful

We had only 4 days here with our 2 young boys ( 5 & 7), yet it felt we had stayed much longer. Despite a long drive up from Montezuma, and arriving afeter dark having managed to get lost Debbie was stil around to greet us.
We seemed to do so much in such a short time, Do go horse riding with them. It was the highlight for the whole family of our 4 week trip to costa rica. I have never ridden such beautiful well mannered horses. All the guides are fantastic, be that for the horses, kayaking, or hanging bridges, all made the experiences fun and interesting for all the family - our boys are still talking about this now. Everyone at lizards and leaves was great. Debbie and Steve manage to blend hospitality and friendliness alongside efficiency, it's not an easy task we know! The food was also really good, the bird life brilliant, and the fact we never saw the top of the volcano really didn't matter.
We all hope we will get to return, there was stil so much we would have liked to have done. This must be one of the very best experiences of a place to stay that all members of the family have been able to enjoy. Thank you to Debbie, Steve and all those working at lizards and leaves that made everything work so well.

  • Stayed December 2011, travelled with family
    • 5 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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Ask marbleandfergus about Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Saint Louis, Missouri
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Awesome!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 January 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Just came home from a nine day trip with a friend. We spent 4 nights at Leaves and Lizards in the Congo Cabin with a beautiful window wall view of Arenal Volcano which was completely visible on our first morning (what a treat) We had a wonderful time overall. Steve and Debbie (the owners) were hospitable, gracious and incredibly helpful in organizing our excursions (Rio Celeste, Cano Negro, horseback riding, canyoning); and even helped quickly change a tire on our rental car which had a slow puncture overnight! The day trips were great and the guides used by L&L were really knowledgeable. We enjoyed eating in the dining room in the evenings; however food is served at 7 pm and you have to decide in the morning whether you want to dine and order ahead. It worked well for us; but was a bit limiting in terms of making a spontaneous last minute decision. The breakfasts were fantastic and the small dining room enabled interesting conversations with other travelers about their trips and excursions. This is a really special spot - refreshingly different from big commercial hotels; and I know I will want to return with my children when I have an opportunity for a family vacation in Costa Rica. Debbie and Steve's commitment to reforesting the rainforest and giving back to the community they live in was apparent and lovely to see.

  • Stayed January 2012, travelled with friends
    • 5 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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Ask TravelAA2012 about Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Los Angeles, California
1 review
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Perfecto!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 January 2012
4
people found this review helpful

We stayed here with our 9 year old for three days. It was beyond our expectations even after reading all the great reviews. I have traveled a lot in my life and have to say this is one of the best places and value I have come across in Avery long time. First of all the cabins - we stayed in the coco cabin was magnificent! The way the cabins are constructed goes to show the thought and care they have put into creating an amazing place. You feel you are submerged into the land and environment. At the time of our stay there was also a sloth hanging out in a tree above the reception cabin!!

As hosts they are incredibly caring, thoughtful and warm. You will discover they are as proud of the land and appreciative of its gifts and it's reflected in the way they work and value the community they are nestled in. Simply stated they are humble but with large hearts and we were touched by them during our stay. The food was delicious at the restaurant and the portions large and fresh. We did the horseback ride to the waterfall and it was crazy beautiful. Deb took time with our 9 year old son to give him a good introduction to horses and how to ride. Under her care he was quickly comfortable and learned more than just how to ride a horse. He learned how to respect them. We were all saddled up with horses appropriate for our individual experiences. Our guides took us into the forest and we saw a small group of toucans, dart frogs and other birds. It was truly the highlight of our trip.

We can't recommend this place enough! It was peaceful, quiet, and full of opportunities to explore or sit and just enjoy the view. I say hurry up, they could easily charge double for the rooms as they are that great . You won't be disappointed. Only disappointed you didn't stay longer!!

  • Stayed January 2012
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask 120goworldgo about Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
New York City, New York
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
“A Special and Beautiful Place”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 January 2012
4
people found this review helpful

We just got back from 10 days in Costa Rica with our 5 and 2 years old boys.

We spent the last 3 nights at Leaves and Lizards and it was truly a beautiful way to end our vacation.

This hotel is so unique and sooo beautiful, the rooms are specious, very clean and the view from them is spectacular. We stayed at the Toucan room.

Debbie, Steve and the team really take care of everything you need and pay attention to the little details. Each room has a mini refrigerator, and they out there fresh juice and fresh milk every day. You also have coffee machine, plates, wine glasses, and other little things needed, including some books and games.

Oscar who works there offers free tours a few times a week in one of the trials around the place.

Getting to Leaves and Lizards is not the easiest, when you get to the area of Arenal and La Fortuna you have another few miles to drive up to the mountains, but the road is beautiful and it makes all the difference...you get to this heaven and enjoy every minute if it.

Breakfasts were great, dinner was wonderful one night and just ok second night, but truly it is very convenient to stay and eat there.

Our kids really enjoyed milking the cows and picking eggs in the morning, and we really enjoyed meeting the other guests, as this is a small hotel and the atmosphere is very homey.

I would love to have the chance to go back to Leave and Lizards, even if its only for seating out in my balcony and enjoying the spectacular view.

I'm so happy I learned about Leaves and Lizards through Trip Advisor and truly recommend it.

  • Stayed January 2012, travelled with family
    • 5 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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Additional Information about Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat

500 meters South Super Kike | Alto Monterrey, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Price range (per night):* INR7,503 - 8,337

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