Essence Arenal Hotel, Spa & Bio Farm

Really nice staff, beautiful scenery, great food. Slightly removed (~20-30min drive) from the town of la fortuna, for the better. Peaceful & full of life!

Staying here was truly magical. Being immersed in the rainforest — waking up to howler monkeys howling and hearing tropical birds singing during morning yoga — was an unforgettable experience. The property itself is stunning, and I saw so many incredible animals and insects during my stay. The staff are genuinely kind and make you feel right at home. A special shout-out to Ana in the restaurant, who is so charming and warm—you feel truly welcomed every time you sit down to eat. Aurelio’s passion for the farm and Costa Rica’s nature is absolutely intoxicating—sign up for everything he offers. And Fabi is a true gem of a human being—so kind and caring, the kind of person who makes you feel like you’re in a home away from home. My room was very clean and comfortable. The location is a bit secluded, but there’s a town about 30 minutes away, and honestly, there’s so much to do around the property that you don’t mind being fully immersed in nature. This is also a wonderful place for solo travelers. I met people from all over the world and ended up exploring Costa Rica in ways I never would have if I’d arrived with a set group. Finally, a huge thank you to the kitchen and farm staff—the food is incredible, fresh, and so thoughtfully prepared from garden to table. I truly adored this place and would return in a heartbeat.

This is a wonderfully peaceful retreat located in the small village of El Castillo, perfect for anyone wanting to experience the jungle away from crowded tourist hotspots. The surroundings feel authentic, calm, and deeply connected to nature. There are many activities available and plenty of opportunities for physical movement, which makes the stay both energizing and restorative. The vegetarian food is excellent! Well prepared, flavorful, and made with fresh ingredients from local farms. What really makes this place stand out is its genuine commitment to sustainable development and responsible tourism. The people working here clearly care deeply about what they do and show real love and respect for nature. It feels like an honest, meaningful place in contrast to the otherwise busy tourist scene around Costa Rica. The staff are friendly, attentive, and always willing to help, answering questions and offering that little extra that makes a big difference. Because the location is quite remote, transportation can occasionally be a bit tricky, which is worth keeping in mind when planning your stay. That said, I personally had no issues at all, and the hotel also offers shuttle services for an additional fee. The only minor downside was that the walls in the single rooms are a bit thin, so you can hear your neighbor fairly clearly. That said, this was a small issue compared to the overall experience. This is absolutely a place worth visiting. If you’re going to spend your money somewhere, this is the place to do it.

We had already stayed in a number of places and then finally spent 3 full days here. This was where the magic happened, from the stunning food to the majestic natural beauty and the wonderful educational experience provided by the guides we were truly enriched. I love these guys and all that they are doing.

The room was great -- clean and spacious. The yoga classes and meals were awesome. I went solo and met a lot of great people, we ended up putting together a group that ate meals together and took a couple of trips together outside of the property. The only real friction point was commuting between the room (some of the rooms are deeper into the property) and the restaurant/sauna area. You can walk the steep road, take a 20 minute trail (which is beautiful), or wait for the shuttle. Not a dealbreaker, just wish I had known. Awesome time! Take the night tour with Aurelio!

Great Service, all the team is absoletuly kind, patient and genouinly willing to make you feel Home. Views and trails are amazona. If you want a quite trip and to reconnect with life’s essence, this is the place with the right People and amenities for it.

I won t recommend you to visit this place,they want to show you the best energy,the best enviroment even for work,but they ARE TOTALLY UNFAIR!!!!!,please Fortuna have a thosand of hotels better than this place,plese take your time for research about it,everything is so expensive if your are not for retreat you should pay for everything,spa,tours,jacuzzi,food,yoga,amenties ..etc.

The Most Incredible Healing Experience of My Life! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Just returned from 5 days (Monday-Friday) at Essence Arenal Fortuna El Castillo and I'm forever changed! My bungalow had Volcán Arenal on the left side, its majestic presence constantly felt. Every 5 seconds: toucans, parrots, monkeys! Surrounded by medicinal plants, majestic bamboo, stunning lake views, and always the volcano. Facilities: Spa with Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, jacuzzi, lounge. Hot springs 10 minutes away (they HEALED me, arrived sick, left restored!). Reception, restaurant, and a daily-visiting parrot nearby. The Magic: The hiking trails are like a rollercoaster going up and down, phenomenal! Every 5 seconds brought something new. This place perfectly combines wellness AND adventure, which is rare. On the premises: infinite bliss through meditation, awesome yoga shala, traditional temazcal sauna, 140 cacao trees, fruit trees, medicinal gardens, lake, rivers, sacred waterfalls and pools, and divine authentic farm-to-table food. Why I Never Left: They offer a luxurious shuttle, but I stayed on-site because there was SO MUCH TO DO! True deep healing, a Disney for the soul with anything your heart desires. The Staff: ALL the staff are incredible, the most beautiful human beings you don't find anywhere else! Jairo and Stephanie especially, always ready for deeply connecting talks. Instant home feeling, instant healing, the most perfect human interactions possible. Honestly, no other place can offer this. Digital Detox Success: Desperately needed it and got it completely! Never checked my phone except to share the majestic views. Life-Changing: In 5 days, I completely reset. More aware, more present. Even now, I wake at 5am, sleep at 9pm. I still feel that unmeasurable deepness. It removed all darkness and enabled me to face life full-on. This place changed who I am and how I exist in this world. If you need deep healing, adventure, and transformation, THIS IS YOUR PLACE!

We did the night tour with A]urelio and I couldn't recommend the experience more highly! Aurelio is an engaging, well-spoken, and passionate tour guide and he was such a great tour guide. Not afraid to get his hands dirty to show off the wildlife (tarantulas, frogs, mushrooms, etc.) which gave us a very hands-on experience when learning about the beautiful nature that Costa Rica has to offer. Aurelio, if you're reading this - you're the man!! We had dinner at the restaurant on site and it was delicious, everything was fresh and prepared with love and attention. If you're looking for a night-tour, Essence Arenal Hotel is the place to check out. It's a close drive to zipline tours and wildlife.