Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly, helpful staff (organised taxis/tours)
Idyllic garden and abundant wildlife (toucan, sloth, frogs)
Spacious rooms
Good pools and opportunities for nature walks/night tours
Pleasant on-site restaurant (good meals, nice setting for birdwatching)
Cons:
Some rooms dated, noisy or with worn mattresses
At least one report of a dirty room and cockroach
Limited breakfast/menu options
WiFi outages reported
Restaurant/prices seen as expensive by some guests

Categories

Cleanliness
7.5
Mixed reports: generally acceptable in a jungle property, but at least one review reports a dirty room and a cockroach, so cleanliness is slightly below ideal.
Service
9.5
Consistently praised: staff described as friendly, very helpful, organised taxis and tours, and went out of their way to assist guests.
Location
9.5
Very strong: repeatedly described as idyllic, surrounded by nature, excellent garden with abundant wildlife and a good base for exploring.
Room Quality
8
Rooms are spacious but some are dated: reports of worn mattresses, thin/noisy walls and at least one poor-quality shower; overall comfortable but not consistently modern.
Amenities
8.5
Good facilities: multiple pools, night walks, self-guided garden walks and wildlife viewing; downside includes wifi outages and occasional large crowds at pools/buffets.
Value for Money
7.5
Mixed value: many guests enjoy the experience but several comment on high restaurant prices, limited buffet offerings and dated aspects that reduce perceived value.
Food and Beverage
8
Generally positive: restaurant often described as delicious and pleasant for birdwatching, though menu variety (especially breakfast) is limited and prices are noted as high by some.
Overall Experience
9.5
Very positive overall: the setting, wildlife, friendly staff and unique night tours create an idyllic and memorable stay for most guests.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-08-13 06:10

Property Description

Exotic Getaway in Costa Rica

Outdoor Pool and International Dining
Indulge in relaxation with an outdoor pool and savor delectable international dishes at the on-site restaurant, open daily for your convenience.

Comfortable Rooms and Exciting Activities
Experience comfort in the functional rooms equipped with modern amenities. Engage in various activities such as billiards, birdwatching, and hiking, ensuring a memorable stay.

Family-Friendly Facilities and Convenient Location
Enjoy family-friendly amenities like a children's playground and make use of practical services including a tour desk. Located just over an hour from Juan Santamaría International Airport, with free parking provided.

Book your stay at Ara Ambigua Lodge for an unforgettable Costa Rican adventure!

Important information:

A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Airport code: SJO

Location

Guest Reviews

8.5
Based on 212 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.5
Service: 9.5
Location: 9.5
Room Quality: 8
Amenities: 8.5
Value for Money: 7.5
Food and Beverage: 8
Overall Experience: 9.5
P
Pierre • family_with_children • fr
9
bungallow très agréable, piscine, restaurant très bon
Pros:

les chambres sont répartis sous forme de bungallow, 2 piscine étaient disponible et répartis au nord et au sud de l'établissement, la salle de restaurant est énorme, la nouriture et le service très bons.

Cons:

salle de bain un peu sommaire,

2026-08-14 • via Nuitee
R
Rachel Megan • solo_traveller • ch
10
Pros:

The staff were friendly and helped us organise a taxi driver as well as a tour to Finca Sura. The room was very spacious, the property itself is very nice with forest all around, and the food at the in-house restaurant was good.

2026-08-08 • via Nuitee
S
samuel • extended_group • fr
9
2026-08-02 • via Nuitee
S
Sander • family_with_children • nl
8
2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
E
Ed • couple • nl
6
Goede uitvalsplek voor natuur om je heen
Pros:

Prima locatie, als uitvalsbasis.

Cons:

Allemaal een beetje oud, slecht onderhouden en massa buffet, ook nog eens heel minimaal.

2026-07-22 • via Nuitee
B
Brandon • solo_traveller • cr
10
2026-07-17 • via Nuitee
M
Mariek1309 • solo_traveller • nl
8
Pros:

Great garden, good pools. Fun to have the opportunity to do your own wildlife walk in the garden. At the reception they are of great help in organising activities.

Cons:

To our taste just a bit too big hotel but for the rest all is perfect.

2026-07-16 • via Nuitee
A
Anna • couple • cr
9
Pros:

Le hotel esta rodeado de naturaleza

2026-07-13 • via Nuitee
L
Leen • family_with_children • be
10
Prachtig domein, prachtig hotel, supervriendelijk
Pros:

Prachtig hotel, supervriendelijk personeel. Ze deden er alles aan om ons goed te voelen. Prachtige nachttour. Echt zo zo vriendelijk. We missen het al.

Cons:

Niets

2026-07-07 • via Nuitee
L
Luis Molina • solo_traveller • cr
4
2026-06-29 • via Nuitee
L
Lilly • family_with_children • cr
10
2026-06-10 • via Nuitee
F
Fco Javier • couple • es
8
Lugar idílico
Pros:

Atención personal, zonas comunes estupendas, habitaciones muy buenas.

2026-05-14 • via Nuitee
M
Marije • family_with_children • nl
8
Mooie locatie en goede uitvalsbasis
Pros:

De locatie in de prachtige tuin en centraal gelegen. Veel mooie dieren gezien, waaronder verschillende toekans en een luiaard in een boom naast onze kamer. Vriendelijk en behulpzaam personeel.

Cons:

De kamers zijn gedateerd, maar dat was bekend.

2026-05-06 • via Nuitee
K
Kevin • solo_traveller • cr
10
2026-05-03 • via Nuitee
E
Ernst Roemers • solo_traveller • nl
9
2026-05-01 • via Nuitee
M
Marieke • family_with_children • nl
7
Kan beter
Pros:

Een lekker bed en heel stil leuke apen en toekans op locatie. Kregen na klagen een nieuwe kamer en helaas ziek geworden (niet daar gegeten) en toen mochten we blijven tot ik weer kon reizen

Cons:

Rommelig bussen met tieners bij het grote zwembad kakkerlak en vies op de kamer. Kregen wel een nieuwe kamer

2026-04-25 • via Nuitee
A
Antonio • couple • ch
7
Étape dans la découverte du Costa Rica.
Pros:

Chambre spacieuse et lit très grand. Le cadre naturel entourant les dépendances. Piscine pour se prélasser.

Cons:

Douche de mauvaise qualité. Prix trop élevé du restaurant. Chantier de construction durant la journée, juste à côté.

2026-04-16 • via Nuitee
M
Marcus • couple • be
8
Very nice place in the middle of garden full of frogs
Pros:

Hotel is situated in a tropical garden with lots of tiny frogs and a collection of birds

Lots of semi-professional nature photographers with special lights are at work when it gets dark - in order to catch pictures of the frogs

Open air restaurant is a nice place to watch the birds

Nice walking in the garden

Cons:

WIFI was not working due to a general breakdown in the neighbourhood

2026-04-11 • via Nuitee
N
Nicolas • couple • cr
10
Incontournable
Pros:

Le cadre idyllique! Le restaurant est délicieux et donne directement sur une jungle intérieure ou l’on peut observer une très grande diversité d’oiseaux. Le soir, les grenouilles red eye sont visibles depuis la terrasse.

2026-04-07 • via Nuitee
M
Marilyn • family_with_children • cr
10
2026-04-06 • via Nuitee