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Ara Ambigua Lodge

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

Photo gallery for Ara Ambigua Lodge

2 outdoor pools
Property grounds
Interior detail
Lounge
Interior detail

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

View map
400m North of the Church in La Guaria, Puerto Viejo, Heredia
  • Costa Rican Bird Route
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mixto Maquenque
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • La Selva Biological Station
    ‪11 min drive‬

Room options

Family Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Hairdryer
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Twin Bed and 2 Double Beds OR 3 Double Beds

View all photos for Classic Quadruple Room

Classic Quadruple Room

Classic Quadruple Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(3 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Hairdryer
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Classic Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Hairdryer
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 1 Double Bed

Classic Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Hairdryer
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Double Beds

About the area

Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui

At Ara Ambigua Lodge you'll be 2.9 km (1.8 mi) from San Agustin Church and 3.5 km (2.2 mi) from La Selva Biological Station. Highlights at this hotel include 2 outdoor swimming pools, a full-service spa and a restaurant. .A day of pampering can include hot stone massages, Swedish massages, body wraps and body scrubs along with access to the sauna. The restaurant, La Casona, serves Regional cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. At the hotel's own lounge bar, you can stop for a drink. Enjoy the steam room and kids' swimming pool as well as access to a playground. Plus you'll find free Wi-Fi in public areas, a free manager's reception and laundry facilities. Free continental breakfast is available daily between 7 AM and 9:00 AM. There's also free self parking, along with the convenience of an airport shuttle. .Attractions in proximity to this 3-property class Puerto Viejo hotel include Braulio Carrillo National Park and Poás Volcano National Park.

What's nearby

  • San Agustin Church - 3 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Costa Rican Bird Route - 7 min drive - 5.2 km
  • Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mixto Maquenque - 7 min drive - 5.2 km
  • San Juan–La Selva Biological Corridor - 7 min drive - 5.2 km
  • La Selva Biological Station - 11 min drive - 5.7 km

Getting around

  • San José (SJO-Juan Santamaría Intl.) - 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 full-service spa
Ara Ambigua Lodge offers its guests a full-service spa, 2 outdoor swimming pools, a steam room, and a children's pool. There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Free breakfast is served daily, and guests can also enjoy a free nightly manager's reception. Public spaces have free WiFi.

A terrace, barbecue grills, and gift shops/newsstands are also featured at Ara Ambigua Lodge. Free self parking is available.

This 3-star Puerto Viejo hotel is smoke free.

  • 50 guestrooms or units
  • Conference rooms
  • Continental breakfast (free)
  • Manager's reception (free)
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Front desk safe
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Wedding services available
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Gift shop
  • No smoking on site
  • Water dispenser
  • Bar or lounge
  • Dining venue
Ara Ambigua Lodge offers 50 air-conditioned accommodations with a safe and coffee/tea makers. This Puerto Viejo hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Bathrooms include a shower and hairdryers. Housekeeping is offered on a daily basis and hairdryers can be requested.
Guests can pamper themselves with a trip to the on-site 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

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Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

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

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily 7 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 lift
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking

More

  • Ballroom
  • Banquet hall
  • Mosquito nets
  • Reception hall
  • Smoke-free property

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 and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Contactless check-out

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

  • Pets are welcome and stay free
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 1 (weight limit: 22 lb per pet)
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

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 and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    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 and terraces, which may not be suitable for children. If you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and cash. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

We should mention

  • Reservations are needed for massage services and spa treatments. For reservations, contact the hotel before arrival using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

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

What is the cancellation policy at Ara Ambigua Lodge?

Ara Ambigua Lodge offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.

Is parking available at Ara Ambigua Lodge?

Yep, Ara Ambigua Lodge has a free self car park.

Is there a spa on site at Ara Ambigua Lodge?

Yep, there is an onsite spa at Ara Ambigua Lodge. You'll enjoy heaps of services like body wraps, body scrubs and facials, as well as hot stone massages.

Does Ara Ambigua Lodge have a pool?

Ara Ambigua Lodge has 2 outdoor swimming pools and a kids' pool.

Does Ara Ambigua Lodge serve breakfast?

Yep, free continental breakfast is on offer daily between 7 AM and 9:00 AM.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Ara Ambigua Lodge?

No, but there's an airport shuttle for a fee.

Is there a bar or restaurant at Ara Ambigua Lodge?

Yep, they've got a lounge bar and an onsite restaurant that serves Regional cuisine. Pre dinner cocktails anyone?

What time are check-in & check-out at Ara Ambigua Lodge?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM. Check-out time is noon.

Ara Ambigua Lodge Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 26 out of 67 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 31 out of 67 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 67 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 67 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 67 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

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

6/10 Okay

Adely

Travelled 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 traveller

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

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

8/10 Good

John

Travelled 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 traveller

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

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled 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 traveller

Travelled 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 traveller

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 traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

No Brach near

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