"Our cabin had a covered balcony from which we saw capuchin monkeys and lots of birds."
John from United Kingdom
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"The grounds are beautiful and we could watch the rain come over the mountain, which gave us the most amazing rainbow."
mcD
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"It's close to shops and restaurants and the staff helped with booking tours and transportation."
1streetover from United States
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3-star lodge in the quiet center of Santa Elena
ACCOMMODATIONS
Arco Iris Lodge has 13 cabin-style rooms, including stand-alone cabins, family rooms, suites with balconies, and budget doubles. The stand-alone cabin #8 offers a private balcony facing a forest grove where white-faced monkeys regularly visit. The honeymoon suite includes a kitchen, Jacuzzi, and two balconies, with a view of the surrounding gardens.
BREAKFAST & DINING
A buffet breakfast is served daily from 6:30 AM in a bright communal room looking out onto the garden. The buffet offers gallo pinto, fresh tropical fruit, made-to-order eggs, pancakes, pastries, and unlimited coffee. The breakfast also includes quail eggs, homemade jams, and a range of local and western items that keep guests going until mid-afternoon.
LOCATION
The lodge is a 5-minute walk from the restaurants, shops, and tour offices in Santa Elena. It is 6 kilometers from both the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Santa Elena Reserve. The property sits at the end of a steep driveway that removes it from street noise, giving guests a quiet compound while remaining central.
GROUNDS & WILDLIFE
The property has mature trees, tropical vegetation, fruit trees, a small chicken farm, and horses on site. Guests regularly see capuchin monkeys moving through the guava tree near the breakfast room, along with agoutis, howler monkeys, and a variety of birds. A short hiking path behind the lodge leads to a viewpoint over the town and offers opportunities to spot more wildlife.
SERVICES & ACTIVITIES
The tour desk staff arrange night tours, cloud forest walks, coffee tours, zipline excursions, and shuttles to the reserves. The reception can also organize taxi pick-ups and drop-offs, with round-trip transport to the cloud forest at $8 per person. The lodge has a safety deposit box at reception, key access to rooms, daily housekeeping, and a laundry service.
Highlights
Accommodations: stand-alone cabins, suites with balconies, family rooms
Breakfast: made-to-order eggs, quail eggs, fresh tropical fruit
Wildlife: capuchin monkeys, agoutis, howler monkeys on property
Tours: night walks, coffee tours, zipline, cloud forest shuttles
“The location strikes a rare balance: near the city center and a bus stop, yet set back on a hill amid lush gardens, creating a tranquil escape; abundant birdlife and the occasional agouti can be spotted right on the grounds. Breakfasts impress with fresh fruit and expansive choices, while the staff is helpful in arranging tours. It's a conveniently located base with a touch of nature.”
Grace WhitmanContent & Editorial Director at Familyhotels
Choose from a variety of room types
Choose from a wide variety of rooms designed for families, including double rooms, family suites, and rooms with breakfast included
Budget Double Room
2 persons
175 sq. feet
1 Queen-size bed
Shower
room details
Budget Single Room
2 persons
110 sq. feet
1 Single bed
Shower
room details
Standard Double Room
2 persons
230 sq. feet
1 Double bed
Shower
room details
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Availability and pricing for your selected dates
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Facilities
Each family-friendly hotel provides top-notch amenities for an unforgettable stay with your loved ones
Facilities: Great
8.3/10Review score
General
No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Key access
Sports & Fitness
Hiking
Horseback riding
Services
Housekeeping
Laundry
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink
Dining
Special diet menus
Children
Cots
Board games
Spa & Leisure
Beach umbrellas
Sun loungers
Garden area
Room features
Sitting area
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Dining table
Ironing facilities
Bathroom
Sink
Self-catering
Cookware/ Kitchen utensils
Media
Flat-screen TV
Room decor
Parquet floor
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Arco Iris Lodge Location
Santa Elena, Monteverde, 60109,
Map view
City landmarks
Garden
Butterfly Garden
1.1 mi
Garden
Monteverde Orchid Garden
4000 ft
Nature reserve
Curi Cancha Wildlife Refuge
1.3 mi
Landmark
The Bat Jungle Tour
1.3 mi
Landmark
Ecological Sanctuary
1.1 mi
Zoo
Serpentario de Monteverde
4000 ft
Theme Park
Frog Pond Ranario
4000 ft
Gallery
Art House
2900 ft
Forest
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
2.2 mi
Landmark
Local Farmer's Market
4000 ft
Landmark
Monteverde Theme Park
5200 ft
Landmark
San Luis Waterfall
4000 ft
Landmark
Monteverde Wildlife Refuge
1.1 mi
Nature reserve
Valle Escondido Preserve
1.1 mi
Nearby
Botanical Garden
Herpetarium
800 ft
SRC Adventure
300 ft
Buggy Expeditions Tour
300 ft
Monteverde Beer House
400 ft
Giuliano Monteverde Guided Tour
400 ft
Iglesia Santa Elena
500 ft
Church
Santa Elena Catholic Church
500 ft
Iglesia
500 ft
Puntarenas Province
Monteverde Chamber of Tourism
600 ft
Beso Cafe
600 ft
Spa Centre
Aura Spa Massage Monteverde
800 ft
UNED - Centro Universitario Monte Verde
800 ft
Guides of Monteverde
800 ft
Mundo de los Insectos
1400 ft
Restaurants
Sabor Tico
1100 ft
Frente la Plaza de Deportes Monteverde Centro Comercial Monteverde
Raulito's Pollo
600 ft
Santa Elena
Restaurante El Venado
600 ft
Costado Norte de La Panaderia Jimenez Santa Elena
Soda La Campesino
600 ft
Diagonal de Almacen Vitosi 75m norte
I'm Hungry Monteverde
700 ft
Santa Elena
Cafeteria Evy's World
1400 ft
Centro Comercial Local #10
Soda Bonanza
2000 ft
150 mts nort from donw tonw St Elena 150 mts southwest of Super mercado Cope Compro on unpaved road right next to Soda La Amistad
Explore Monteverde
Explore Monteverde
Top Attractions
Activities
Dining
Entertainment
Monteverde Orchid Garden
15 minutes' walk
Showcasing a diverse collection of orchids, this garden provides guided tours and a serene atmosphere for nature lovers.
Curi Cancha Wildlife Refuge
25 minutes' walk
Home to rich biodiversity, this refuge offers trails for birdwatching and observing wildlife in their natural habitat.
Herpetarium
5 minutes' walk
Featuring exotic reptiles and amphibians, this facility provides educational insights about local wildlife conservation.
Cloud Forest Hiking
25 minutes' walk
Scenic trails through the Cloud Forest Reserve offer breathtaking views and a chance to see unique flora and fauna.
Yoga Classes
15 minutes' walk
Relaxing yoga classes available nearby bring peace and rejuvenation amidst the natural beauty of Monteverde.
Sabor Tico
4 minutes' walk
Authentic Costa Rican cuisine with a cozy ambiance, renowned for its gallo pinto and fresh fruit juices.
Raulito's Pollo
3 minutes' walk
Casual eatery famous for its grilled chicken. Quick service and flavorful dishes at affordable prices.
Monteverde Beer House
5 minutes' walk
An inviting brewery featuring local craft beers. Regular events and live music enhance the lively atmosphere.
Art House
10 minutes' walk
A cultural venue showcasing local artists with exhibitions and workshops. Family-friendly and inspiring.
Tips on navigating the city
City Centre
Monteverde 3 min · 700 ft
Airports
Aeropuerto de La Fortuna (fon) 127 min · 52.4 mi
Liberia (LIR) 177 min · 73.2 mi
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 14:00-20:00
Check-out
until 12 pm
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.
Breakfast
You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs USD 1.0 per person.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Number of rooms:
14
Family-focused reviews and ratings
Read feedback from other families who have stayed to ensure you make the right choice.
Cleanliness
8.9/10
Comfort
8.9/10
Facilities
8.3/10
Free Wi-Fi
8.1/10
Location
9.4/10
Staff
9.4/10
Value for money
8.3/10
Pros
Helpful staff
Well-maintained grounds
Excellent breakfast
Quiet retreat
Cons
Insufficient towels
Guest reviews
based on 348 reviews
8.8/10
No reviews yet on our siteUnfortunately, our guests have not yet left any reviews for this hotel, but you can read reviews from Booking.com.
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