See all properties

Ara Ambigua Lodge

3.0 star property
Hotel in Puerto Viejo with 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Ara Ambigua Lodge

2 outdoor pools
Superior Quadruple Room, 2 Double Beds | 1 bedroom, in-room safe, free WiFi
Classic Quadruple Room | 1 bedroom, in-room safe, free WiFi
Interior detail
Property grounds

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Spa
  • Pool
  • Air conditioning
  • Pet friendly

Explore the area

Map
400m North of the Church in La Guaria, Puerto Viejo, Heredia
  • San Agustin Church
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Costa Rican Bird Route
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • La Selva Biological Station
    ‪11 min drive‬

Book today, save on your next hotel stay

It's that easy when you're a member of Orbitz Rewards. It's free to join!

Room options

Family Room

  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Twin Bed and 2 Double Beds OR 3 Double Beds

View all photos for Classic Quadruple Room

Classic Quadruple Room | 1 bedroom, in-room safe, free WiFi

Classic Quadruple Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(3 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Classic Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 1 Double Bed

Classic Room

  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Double Beds

About the neighborhood

Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui

Located within 2 miles (3 km) of San Agustin Church, Ara Ambigua Lodge is within 3 miles (5 km) of La Selva Biological Station. This 50-room, 3-star hotel has 2 outdoor pools along with a full-service spa and free breakfast.

What's nearby

  • San Agustin Church - 3 min drive - 1.6 miles
  • Costa Rican Bird Route - 7 min drive - 3.3 miles
  • Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mixto Maquenque - 7 min drive - 3.3 miles
  • San Juan–La Selva Biological Corridor - 7 min drive - 3.3 miles
  • La Selva Biological Station - 11 min drive - 3.7 miles

Getting around

  • Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) - 118 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Rusti Ticos - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Soda Lucrecia - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Pizzaria La Terraza - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Típico La Carreta - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Soda La Casita Típica - ‬2 min drive

About this property

Ara Ambigua Lodge

Hotel in Puerto Viejo with 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa
Guests of Ara Ambigua Lodge have access to a full-service spa, 2 outdoor pools, and a children's pool. There's free parking and an airport shuttle for a fee. Front-desk staff can assist with securing valuables and tours/tickets. Other amenities at this spa hotel include a steam room, free WiFi in public areas, and meeting rooms.
Guests can stay connected with free WiFi. Other amenities include coffee makers, hair dryers, and safes.
2 outdoor swimming pools are on site along with a children's pool. Other recreational amenities include a steam room.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Guests can pamper themselves with a trip to the onsite spa, which has 1 treatment room. Services include hot stone massages, sports massages, Swedish massages, and facials. The spa is equipped with a sauna. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy and reflexology. The spa is open daily.

Languages

English, Spanish

Similar properties

Property grounds

Selva Verde Lodge

  • Pool
  • Hot Tub
  • Breakfast included
  • Kids pool
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, 161 reviews
Selva Verde Lodge

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Free daily manager's reception

Restaurants on site

  • La Casona

Things to do

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • Children's pool
  • Full-service spa
  • Playground
  • Steam room

Family friendly

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • Children's pool
  • Laundry facilities
  • Playground

Conveniences

  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Safe at front desk
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Terrace

Full-service spa

  • Aromatherapy
  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Facials
  • Hot stone massages
  • Prenatal massages
  • Reflexology
  • Sauna
  • Spa open daily
  • Sports massages
  • Swedish massages
  • Treatment room

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking

More

  • Ballroom
  • Banquet hall
  • Mosquito nets
  • Reception hall
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • This property welcomes pets for free
  • Dogs only
  • 1 total (22 lbs is the maximum weight per pet)
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, guests can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals exempt from fees

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Cashless transactions are available
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
  • Check-in: 2:00 PM—-anytime
  • Check-out: noon
  • Minimum check-in age: 18
The front desk is available during limited hours. For convenient arrivals and departures, you can take advantage of the airport shuttle (fees apply). Driving? This property offers free parking.

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • This property accepts credit cards and cash.
  • Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • Reservations need to be made in advance for massage services and spa treatments. Contact the hotel at the phone number listed on your booking confirmation.
  • There are no elevators.
  • No cribs or infant beds are available.
  • No rollaway or extra beds are available.

Property is also known as

Ara Ambigua Lodge Sarapiqui
Ara Ambigua Lodge
Ara Ambigua Sarapiqui
Ara Ambigua
Ara Ambigua Lodge Costa Rica/Sarapiqui
Ara Ambigua Lodge Hotel
Ara Ambigua Lodge Puerto Viejo
Ara Ambigua Lodge Hotel Puerto Viejo
Ara Ambigua Lodge Hotel
Ara Ambigua Lodge Puerto Viejo
Ara Ambigua Lodge Hotel Puerto Viejo

Frequently asked questions

Is a free cancellation option available at Ara Ambigua Lodge?

Ara Ambigua Lodge provides free cancellation on select room rates. If you'd like to learn more, review the cancellation policy on our site.

What's there to see around Ara Ambigua Lodge?

This hotel is located in Puerto Viejo, close to Costa Rican Bird Route, La Selva Biological Station, and Tirimbina Rainforest Center. You'll also find San Agustin Church and San Juan–La Selva Biological Corridor within a short drive.

Will I be able to park at Ara Ambigua Lodge?

Yes, self parking is offered for free at the hotel. Accessible parking is also available for guests.

Is there a spa at Ara Ambigua Lodge?

There is a full-service spa available for guests to enjoy and services include hot stone massages, prenatal massages, couples treatments, and aromatherapy.

Does Ara Ambigua Lodge include a casino?

No, Ara Ambigua Lodge doesn't have a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at Ara Ambigua Lodge?

No, this hotel doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there are 2 outdoor pools.

What do couples enjoy most about Ara Ambigua Lodge?

There are plenty of amenities for couples at this hotel, including 2 outdoor pools, a bar, and a restaurant.

Does Ara Ambigua Lodge have a hot tub?

No, but this hotel does have a steam room.

Does Ara Ambigua Lodge feature a restaurant that includes a breakfast menu?

Yes, Ara Ambigua Lodge serves free continental breakfast at La Casona each morning.

Will Ara Ambigua Lodge allow pets to stay free of charge?

Yes, dogs can stay for free at Ara Ambigua Lodge.

Are there connecting rooms at Ara Ambigua Lodge?

No, there aren't connecting guestrooms at this hotel.

Are there rooms with balconies that I can book at Ara Ambigua Lodge?

Yes, some guestrooms at Ara Ambigua Lodge offer a balcony and may feature garden views.

Does Ara Ambigua Lodge host weddings?

If wedding bells are in your future, take advantage of the wedding venue at Ara Ambigua Lodge.

Ara Ambigua Lodge Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 26 out of 66 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 30 out of 66 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 66 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 66 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 66 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

7.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Norma

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Greg

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
All good except some rooms are a long walk uphill when carrying a bunch of luggage. Staff is great. Bed and shower great. Cool birds and frogs around Would stsy again
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Priscilla

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

Evie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great stay and great value for money

Really enjoyed our stay here, wish we could have stayed longer! Saw so many tropical frogs too.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Becky, Murray

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved this place. Clean, comfy and friendly

6/10 Okay

Adely

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
This property is a little bit out dated but is equipped with all basic amenities. The lodges are surrounded by nature. This hotel has international cable TV, which is not available everywhere in Costa Rica. The hotel has a gift shop and a restaurant with good food. The restaurant also serves fresh pizza and room service is available. This hotel also offers you different tours. The night walk tour on the property was worth it for only $20 p.p.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Amazing wildlife - but lacking some comforts

It was very hot and humid when we arrived. The rooms are quite small with cramped bathrooms but quite clean. Unfortunately our AC was barely adequate. It was on but not cooling well - they had 2 people check it, but it made basically no difference - by nighttime it was tolerable (running at max capacity for several hours) but not great.The staff seemed mildly annoyed that we wanted it cooler and there was no fridge in the room (although they did allow us to keep items in the restaurant fridge), so it was hard to keep comfortable. That said, there is wildlife everywhere and amazing trails (although also a lot of mosquitoes!). We saw howler monkeys, green macaws, sloths, white collared manakins, trogons, red eyed tree frogs, Jesus Christ lizards and more. The pools were good for wildlife viewing but not very clean. Great place for birding. Breakfast was nice, good selection of hot and cold items. Overall the restaurant has perfectly decent food, nothing great, ok prices. I would come back for the trails, but not sure if I would stay the night again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jan

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carol

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We were really surprised when we arrived to this Lodge. There are lovely walking trails around the property and lots of wildlife all around. Our room was large and clean. Staff was very friendly and helpful. We look forward to going back in the future.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Todd

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This hotel was an unexpected joy. Absolutely stunning landscaping that invites many different types of birds to hang out near the restaurant. I could have watched for hours. Staff went above and beyond in every aspect of our visit. If I could give it better than 10/10 I would. Should we visit Costa Rica again, we will come back to this hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023

8/10 Good

L

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good for birding!

10/10 Excellent

Edwin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022

8/10 Good

Daniele, Riverside

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly place
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022

8/10 Good

John

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Very peaceful, beautiful location in the rain forest. Rows of cabins nestled in the thick vegetation. Sounds of midnight rain and falling almond fruit clanking on the tin roof added to the atmosphere. Rooms are a little tired but super clean. There is no wi-fi internet in the cabins but cell phone reception is good. Wi-fi is free in main building. Open air restaurant with tables on the edge of the forest. Friendly staff and first-rate food especially buffet breakfast that’s included with room price. There’s a magical self-guided frog walk in the dark on a paved trail around the small pond below the restaurant. Amazing red-eyed frogs with blue, green and yellow markings. In the morning, staff put out fruit on a tree in front of the restaurant and guests are treated to a large variety of very colourful tropical birds feeding just metres away. We’ll be back.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Lovely grounds, nice rooms.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice place. Quiet. Nice dinner. Service good. The area good
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice services. Good food. Nice birding. Nice people.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

4/10 Poor

Arthur

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Not clean enough but good breakfast and friendly s

Do not check in to room10, it is horrible. We were given that room, which isn't what we requested on hotelscom. We were moved due to problems (bees by the front door and hot water went off) . The butterfly and frog area needed attention, as well as the trails. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The breakfast was good too.

8/10 Good

Sebastien, Montreal

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great resort-style hotel

Ara Ambigua is more of a resort than a hotel. There's a VERY good (but expensive) restaurant on site, 2 pools, frog pond, butterfly enclosure, trails with howler monkeys and caymans... You could spend a whole there without having to leave. The room was comfortable and large with a nice balcony, everything was clean. About the only minus point is that you only get wifi close to the reception/restaurant area, but they set up plenty of sitting room there and wifi was fast enough for most uses so no big deal.

10/10 Excellent

carla, canada

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Excellent accoms for $80/night including breakfast

exceeded expectations. Property and grounds are lovely. very clean, very quiet. Complimentary night tour - saw numerous reptiles including red eyed tree frogs. Full breakfast. Very pleased and will stay again

10/10 Excellent

stephen, tacoma

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
was very nice, nice trails, lot of birds ,would stay again

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Old hotel need to Be renovated

Disappointed because I had to pay extra fee for my teen-ager while my reservation was for 2 adults,1 teenager and 1 child

8/10 Good

Luz Adriana, Guadalajara, Mexico

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Clean room, helpful staff.

We stayed two nights, and the staff was nice and helpful. Clean Room. Good food.

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

No Brach near

Nery nice nature place and very quite. Food is deliciosa.

Hotels

Cabin Rentals Lynchburg
Hotels with an Indoor Pool in Lufkin
Hotels with Hot Tubs in Westlake
Casino Resorts & Hotels in Mexico
Hotels with Hot Tubs in Dana Point
Hotels near Illinois State University
Hotels near Broadway
Pet Friendly Hotels in Wenatchee
EVEN Hotel Rochester - Mayo Clinic Area by IHG
Hotels with Balconies in Downtown Portland

Flights

Flights from Columbia to Boston
Flights from Houston to Taos Pueblo
Flights from Houston to Bridgetown
Flights from Nashville to Little Rock
Flights from Jackson to Greensboro
Flights from Boise to Mazatlán
Flights from Harrisburg - Hershey to Phoenix
Flights from Fort Myers to Buffalo
Flights from Portland to Palm Springs
Flights from Philadelphia to Port Saint Lucie
Flights from Lewiston to Phoenix
Flights from Tucson to Nashville
Flights from Sarasota to Cabo San Lucas
Flights from Seattle (SEA) to Los Angeles (LAX)

Cars

Car rentals in Wesley Chapel
Car rentals in Purcellville

Packages

Quivira Golf Club
Netherlands Vacations