Sip your tamarindo juice, lie back in a hammock slung from your private balcony and gaze out at the luxuriant wildlife in lush tropical gardens and primary rainforest beyond. Swim in the spring-water pool or soak in the solar-heated hot tub, and you may well feel you’re in paradise.
But this is no ordinary eco-lodge. It's part of a farm specialising in regenerative agriculture with a 'beyond organic' ethos, taking inspiration from the natural world. Luna Nueva protects large tracts of primary rainforest and has a vast garden of medicinal plants in a remarkable conservation project. Guests are encouraged to discover the importance of the fragile ecosystem alongside the natural richness of this beautiful place (biologists and birders are frequent visitors). All dishes in the open-sided restaurant are elevated to mouth-watering status by the quality of the produce; flavours leap off the plate. Honeymooners, yogis on retreat and families alike are welcomed in stylish bungalows and in double rooms. The Rain Forest Spa has a long menu of massages and more, while the bamboo yoga pavilion is well set-up should you want to salute the sun. You're secluded away from touristy Arenal for maximum tranquility, yet all activities and sights are within striking distance. This is a unique, unforgettable oasis; we departed replenished and replete.
Highs
- Gorgeous setting amid beautiful gardens and spectacular rainforest, with wonderful wildlife to spot (there was a sloth perched above the pool when we stayed)
- Absolutely delicious organic food, 90% of it produced on the finca
- A wealth of activities to try, from farm tours and rainforest trails to Arenal Volcano and the hot springs
- Ideal for families: adventurous and curious kids really fall in love with this place
- Very good value
Lows
- You're 25km from the closest town and Arenal Volcano is 40 minutes away, so transfers or taxis can add up and you'll need to plan ahead for activities (inevitably you'll eat here for the vast majority of your meals, which is no hardship)
- Some of the accommodation is simple rather than luxurious, but this is the most comfortable of Costa Rica’s rustic rainforest lodges
- Can get busy with retreats, so book in advance for peak times
NB there are no travel cots!
- High chair
- Bottle warming
Some equipment may need to be requested in advance
There's no specific babysitting service, but if you want to go for a jungle trek, staff are happy to look after babies or youngsters for a short while
There's a kids menu of buttered noodles, breaded chicken fingers, burger with veggies, and mac and cheese with carrot sticks. Children can order half portions too
- Springwater swimming pool
- Hot tub
- Farm and animals, with free tours
- Games room with ping pong, fussball, Jenga, cards and Monopoly
- Rainforest treks
- Arenal volcano and hot springs, zip wires and white water rafting (10km)
- Birdwatching, animal sanctuaries, and plenty more nearby
- Jungle Lodge
- 15 rooms
- Breakfast (+ other meals on request)
- Over 2s welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
Accommodation is scattered about the pretty landscaped gardens at the centre of the 200-acre estate. There are five stylish and spacious Casita Deluxe bungalows (for 2-3), constructed with fallen timber from the forest, which have kingsize beds, walk-in shower bathrooms, and polished concrete floors. All have peaceful sit-outs; we loved chilling on our blissful balcony overlooking the forest. Honeymoon favourite Dome Suite is an unusually shaped structure, with a bedroom in one dome and bathroom in another.
Other individual bungalows have queensize beds, including the 2-bedroom family bungalows (which sleep up to 6), and Casa de Barro (sleeps 2-3), a circular adobe house made from the deep red clay found on the farm.
Casa Luna is a large open 2-storey house in a marvellous elevated position. On the first floor are four guest rooms: each has a ceiling fan, screened windows, a comfortable firm double and single bed with simple white linen. Floors are polished (recycled) wood, and the ceiling is high vaulted wood. All rooms open onto the wide wraparound balcony, with chairs and hammocks for splendid views over the forest. There’s a huge sitting area downstairs, with comfortable sofas where guests can relax, and help themselves to a beverage.
Ensuite bathrooms are shower only, but there’s abundant hot water, and biodegradable toiletries are provided, along with lovely handmade soap. Your towels will be sculpted into incredible shapes adorned with flowers (a Costa Rican tradition), but otherwise rooms are understated.
Features include:
- Fan
- WiFi
Eating
Finca Luna Nueva grows fabulous organic and biodynamic food of the highest standard on its 200 acre farm, showcased in the open-sided poolside restaurant, which twinkles with lanterns at night.
Lunch and dinner menus are similar, with a mix of Costa Rican staples – quesadillas, daily home-made ceviche, nachos and mariscada (shellfish in a tomato broth on quinoa) – and more fusion-style dishes such as a humous platter, grass-fed beef- or veggie burger with a side of yuca fries, vegetable kebabs, or roasted cauliflower bowl with farm greens topped with lemon tahini sauce. Add chicken or fish to the mains if preferred. There's often a mouth-watering buffet to select from, as when we stayed, with hot dishes and delicious salads served with a choice of really excellent dressings.
A continental breakfast is included in the tariff: seasonal tropical fruit (we had papaya, watermelon, banana and pineapple), superb homemade kefir, locally made granola, home-grown raw honey, generous Costa Rican coffee and tea supplies, fresh juices, and typical Gallo pinto (rice and beans), fried plantain, Finca Luna Nueva cheese, sour cream and eggs. There's also an a la carte menu including coconut chia pudding with farm grown cacao nibs, omelette, turmeric quinoa and black beans with roasted vegetables and fried plantain, and eggs to order.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Dinner by arrangement
- Kids' meals
- Lunch by arrangement
- Organic produce
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Take the (9am daily) fascinating farm tour for an insight into pioneering sustainable agriculture with principles based on how the rainforest grows. Try the cocoa tour – a 1000-year journey from bean to bar – where you'll end up making the Drink of the Gods and organic chocolate
- Ask about the Sacred Seeds Sanctuary: over 300 species of medicinal plants grown to preserve their genetic material for future generations, and the knowledge of how to use them for healing
- Visit Arenal Volcano and the hot springs at its base – 40 minutes away. Hire a guide to make the most of the experience; hike on old lava flows on the Arenal 1968 Trail for the best views including to Lake Arenal
- Swim in the spring-fed pool or lounge in the solar-heated hot tub
- Rainforest tours are easily arranged. Plant a tree to assist in reforesting biological corridors. Take a night tour (self-guided or with guide) on the Rainforest Mysteries Trail which starts near the restaurant
- Relax in your hammock and watch amazingly colourful birds from toucans to hummingbirds (250 species have been recorded). There's also a canopy tower for a more 'birds eye' view across the landscape
- The Rain Forest Spa offers a range of massages, aromatherapy treatments, acupuncture and Reiki
- The beautiful bamboo yoga pavilion is popular with retreats, and has mats, blocks, blankets and straps if you want to practice
- There's a wealth to do in and around Arenal which can be booked for you including rafting, ziplines, paddle-boarding, kayaking, horse riding and canyoning
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Canyoning
- Cooking classes
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Plantlife / flora
- Rafting
- Swimming
- Traditional cultures
- Trekking
- Well being
- Wildlife
- Yoga
- Zip-wiring
Best Time to go
The Lodge is beautiful all year round. November to April are the best months for sunshine, but note that December to March is high season and Arenal gets very busy (though Luna Nueva remains tranquil). The ‘Green’ season, from May to September, is a great time to visit: it’s sunny in the mornings - and this is when you should get out and make the most of the surrounding area - and rainy in the afternoons. For 2 weeks late June, early July, there’s often a Veranillo - 'little summer' - when the weather temporarily improves. The rain can be strong in September and October.
Our Top Tips
Our absolute highlight was the fascinating farm tour: we learned so much about regenerative agriculture, soils, species. We were shown around orchards, organic banana plantations, vegetable and herb gardens and tasted many delicious fruits along the way!
Location
Finca Luna Nueva Lodge is between San Ramon and La Fortuna, just over 2 hours from San José and 40 minutes from Arenal Volcano.
By Air:
Arenal/La Fortuna (45km) is served by domestic flights from San José Juan Santamaria International (90km) which is also the main airport for international flights, though seasonal charter flights from North America and Europe arrive into Liberia (180km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.
From the Airport
Finca Luna Nueva Lodge can arrange a transfer from either airport. Alternatively, take the bus, and they will collect you from the nearest bus stop.
By Car:
You might want the freedom of a hire car for exploring the Arenal area, in which case we recommend a 4-wheel drive - see our car rental recommendations. If you're not planning to stray far from the Lodge you could consider coming by public transport or bus, and then taking a transfer to Arenal. It will save you money, and you can completely relax.
Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Costa Rica and getting around
Airports:
- Arenal/La Fortuna 45.0 km FON
- San José Juan Santamaría International 90.0 km SJO
Other:
- Beach 80.0 km
- Shops 20.0 km
- Restaurant 10.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 3 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape