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Ara Ambigua Lodge

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

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Photo gallery for Ara Ambigua Lodge

2 outdoor pools
Interior detail
Property grounds
Lounge
Interior detail
Immerse yourself in rural tranquility at Ara Ambigua Lodge, where a warm welcome awaits with continental breakfast and daily manager's receptions. Unwind with reflexology or aromatherapy at the spa, then dine on Regional cuisine at La Casona. With free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, a children’s pool and playground for kids to burn off energy.

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Spa
  • Pool
  • Air conditioning
  • Housekeeping
Quadruple Room, 2 Double Beds | In-room safe, free WiFi

Spa

The on-site spa has couples treatment rooms. The hotel's spa offers hot stone massages, prenatal massages, sports massages, and Swedish massages. Types of treatments available include aromatherapy, body scrubs, body wraps, and facials. Other on-site facilities include a steam room and a sauna.

Couples treatment rooms, sauna, body treatments, aromatherapy

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

Family Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Private bathroom
Hair dryer
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 | In-room safe, free WiFi

Classic Quadruple Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(3 reviews)

Highlights

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

Classic Room

Highlights

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

Classic Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Private bathroom
Hair dryer
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Double Beds
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About the neighborhood

Located in Puerto Viejo, Ara Ambigua Lodge is in a rural area. La Selva Biological Station and Costa Rican Bird Route reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Mini Zoo and Jardin Yori and Frogs Heaven. Take an opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like ziplining.
Visit our Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui travel guideOpens in a new window
Map
400m North of the Church in La Guaria, Puerto Viejo, Heredia

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

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Rusti Ticos - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Típico La Carreta - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Pizzaria La Terraza - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Momentos - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Comedor de la Estación Biológica La Selva - ‬9 min drive

About this property

Ara Ambigua Lodge

Hotel in a rural location
Consider a stay at Ara Ambigua Lodge and take advantage of free continental breakfast, a free daily manager's reception, and a terrace. Treat yourself to reflexology, a massage, or aromatherapy at the onsite spa. The on-site Regional cuisine restaurant, La Casona, offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, light fare, and happy hour. Free in-room WiFi is available to all guests, along with a garden and a playground.
Other perks include:
  • 2 outdoor pools and a children's pool
  • Free self parking
  • A roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge), a water dispenser, and a front-desk safe
  • Smoke-free premises, a ballroom, and a gift shop
Room features
All 50 rooms have comforts such as air conditioning, as well as perks like free WiFi and safes.
More conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Bathrooms with showers and hair dryers
  • Electric kettles and daily housekeeping

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

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the 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

Does Ara Ambigua Lodge have a pool?

Yes, this property has 2 outdoor pools and a children's pool.

Is Ara Ambigua Lodge pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking at Ara Ambigua Lodge?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Ara Ambigua Lodge?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.

What time is check-out at Ara Ambigua Lodge?

Check-out is at noon.

Does Ara Ambigua Lodge provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's an airport shuttle.

Where is Ara Ambigua Lodge located?

Situated in a rural location, this spa hotel is within 3 mi (5 km) of San Agustin Church, La Selva Biological Station, and Costa Rican Bird Route. Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mixto Maquenque and San Juan–La Selva Biological Corridor are also within 3 mi (5 km).

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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

Juan Carlos

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was in middle of jungle, did night and bird watching around lodge and we saw many animals. Very happy we found this gem. Rooms are basic and breakfast wss great.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 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

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

10/10 Excellent

Becky

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

8/10 Good

L

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

10/10 Excellent

Carol

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

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

6/10 Okay

Adely

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

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

8/10 Good

Kirsten

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Mitten in der Natur, leckeres Essen und Happy hour. Freundliches Personal.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ana

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Norma

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

8/10 Good

Priscilla

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

6/10 Okay

Suzanne

Liked: Staff & service

Très très vieillot!

Très très vieillot, cet hôtel aurait besoin d une rénovation complète et de plus d éclairage dans les chambres comme à l extérieur! Les prises sont toutes branlantes et une sur 2 fonctionnent… bonne idée la machine à café, mais sans dosettes! Le restaurant n est vraiment pas terrible! La salle de bain rudimentaire, rue pour poser vos affaires, la seule chose positive c est la pression dans la douche… J allais oublié devant la terrasse du restaurant, la nuit vous pourrez voir de nombreuses rainettes aux yeux rouges! Par contre, tout une partie de l hôtel est complètement désaffecté, ça fait peur! Nous avons testé les massages qui sont très bien, mais ont vous fait descendre dans une pièce qui sent l humidité, c est vraiment dommage!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

laurent

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

Super sejour

Super sejour Personnels agréables, peuvent faire les réservations de visites pour vous . Restaurant de lhotel tres bon
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

2/10 Terrible

Sonja

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nicht sein Geld wert.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

2/10 Terrible

CATHERINE

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jan

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023

8/10 Good

sylvain

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Beau séjour

Hôtel au milieu de la végétation, très bel endroit avec deux piscines. Très propre. Il manque juste le wifi dans les chambres et une salle de bain un peu plus confortable sinon c'était parfait!
Piscine d'en haut
Vue de la terrasse de la chambre
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

bertrand

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Très bon établissement a l'ecart de la route calme beau parc avec piscine Bon restaurant très bon petit déjeuner A recommander
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Edwin

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

8/10 Good

Daniele, Riverside

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

8/10 Good

John

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