Ara Ambigua Lodge offers a rural escape with continental breakfast, manager's receptions, reflexology, aromatherapy, and regional dishes at La Casona. Families enjoy two outdoor pools, a children's pool, playground, and free WiFi throughout.
Located in Puerto Viejo, Ara Ambigua Lodge is in a rural area. Braulio Carrillo National Park and La Selva Biological Station reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Costa Rica Best Chocolate and Mini Zoo and Jardin Yori. Take the opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like ziplining. Visit our Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui travel guide
400m North of the Church in La Guaria, Puerto Viejo, Heredia
What's nearby
San Agustin Church
3 min drive - 2.5 km
Costa Rica Best Chocolate
6 min drive - 4.6 km
La Selva Biological Station
6 min drive - 5.3 km
Costa Rica Nature Pavilion
20 min drive - 16.8 km
Tirimbina Rainforest Center
22 min drive - 13.7 km
Getting around
San José (SJO-Juan Santamaría Intl.)
132 min drive
Restaurants
Epic Coffee & Grill
8 min drive
Dining Room
5 min drive
Restaurante Típico La Carreta
3 min drive
Comedor de la Estación Biológica La Selva
9 min drive
Soda Doña Julia
10 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 on-site 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 round-trip airport shuttle (surcharge), a water dispenser and a front desk safe
Smoke-free property, a ballroom and a gift shop
Room features
All 50 rooms feature comforts such as air conditioning, as well as perks such as free WiFi and safes.
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
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 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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
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.
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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
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
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
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
Frequently asked questions
Does Ara Ambigua Lodge have a pool?
Yes, this property has 2 outdoor pools and a children's pool.
How much does it cost to stay at Ara Ambigua Lodge?
As of 22 Jul 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Ara Ambigua Lodge on 23 Jul 2026 start from NZ$209, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
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?
Checkout 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 1.8 mi (2.9 km) from San Agustin Church and 2.8 mi (4.5 km) from Costa Rica Best Chocolate. La Selva Biological Station and Braulio Carrillo National Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?
Yes, this property offers free cancellation on selected room rates because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.
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Reviews
Ara Ambigua Lodge Reviews
8.4
Very good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
Absolutely beautiful. If we hadn’t reserved a room for the next night in a different place along our route, we would have stayed at least one more night.
The room was comfortable and the pools were tranquil and surrounded by beautiful scenery. The walls of the room were a bit thin (we could hear our neighbours very clearly) but the property itself was great. Breakfast was yummy and there were a lot of exotic creatures throughout the hotel!
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.
The food at this resort is quite bad.. The rooms are great, the staff was great, the pool is great but the food (most all of it) is really pretty bad. The pizza is awful, the pasta overcooked and bland, The specials were fine, but the food overall was very bad.
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
Greg
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025
Verified
6/10 Okay
Adely
11 Aug 2023
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.
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.
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.
No shampoo or conditioner. There is a coffee maker in the room not no coffee to make. There is no refrigerator or microwave.. beds are very hard.
William
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified
8/10 Good
Verified traveller
26 Jun 2023
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.
Ein schönes Hotel mit der Möglichkeit Vögel und Frösche zu beobachten.
Unser Zimmer hatte eine wundervolle Terrasse. Es war sauber und auch das Frühstücksbuffet war okay.
Es hat uns gut gefallen
Mitten in der Natur, leckeres Essen und Happy hour. Freundliches Personal.
Kirsten
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
Verified
6/10 Okay
Suzanne
16 Dec 2024
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!
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!