Blog

Bird Count 2023

Bird Count 2023

Once again, like every year, in the month of December, the bird count was carried out in our natural reserve owned by...

Occupational Health Week

Occupational Health Week

At Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails, we care about the physical and mental well-being of our collaborators. For...

World Recycling Day

World Recycling Day

World Recycling Day is celebrated on May 17, with the aim of raising awareness among the population about the...

La Fortuna Electric Route

La Fortuna Electric Route

La Fortuna Electric Route In Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails, we value the importance of the environment and we...

Bird Count 2022

Bird Count 2022

The year 2022 ends and one of the best experiences for bird lovers begins -Arenal Bird Count 2022. This time we had...

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails 3-day Itinerary.

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails 3-day Itinerary.

Planning how to best spend a two-night, three-day stay at the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa in La Fortuna, Costa Rica is no easy task. With a complimentary morning walk, two observation towers, a pool and jacuzzi, a variety of spa treatments, a historical museum, horseback riding tours, some of the best birding in the country, 7 miles (11 kilometers) of trails to explore across 870 acres (352 hectares) of property, and much more to offer, finding time for it all can seem an impossible task.

Arenal Volcano’s 50th Anniversary

Arenal Volcano’s 50th Anniversary

50 years ago today, on July 29, 1968, a large forested hill, known as Cerro Arenal, exploded ending its nearly 500-year slumber. The large eruption of rock, lava, and ash lasted three days, affecting more than 15 square kilometers and devastating the towns of Tabacón, Pueblo Nuevo, and San Luis. 87 people living in these areas tragically lost their lives.

Environmental Education at the El Castillo High School

Environmental Education at the El Castillo High School

As a part of our continued activities involving environmental education in the local community, the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa in coordination with SONATI (Sociedad y Naturaleza Internacional), carried out a class about the threats facing wildlife in Costa Rica at the nearby high school in El Castillo.

The second part of the lesson consisted of a field trip to the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa trails, where students learned about the ecology of the tropical rainforest.

Environmental Education at the El Castillo School

Environmental Education at the El Castillo School

As a part of our commitment to sustainable tourism, the local community, and the environment, the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa, in coordination with SONATI (Sociedad y Naturaleza Internacional) carried out a course about environmental education for the nearby school in El Castillo, La Fortuna.

The course consisted of two theoretical and dynamic talks which encouraged participation from the students. Topics included: the different types of ecosystems, the importance of the forests, conservation, and wildlife among others.

Arenal’s Hidden Waterfalls

Arenal’s Hidden Waterfalls

The Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa is an eco-lodge entrenched in nature. Surrounded by the Arenal Volcano National Park in Costa Rica, and in between the Guanacaste and Tilarán Mountain Ranges, it is an area of incredible geological and ecological diversity. The union of mountainous terrain and abundance of water that exists at the lodge creates the perfect conditions for the formation of waterfalls.

Protecting Birds from Window Collisions

Protecting Birds from Window Collisions

In the United States alone, it is estimated that up to a billion birds die each year in collisions with windows, walls, and other structures. In fact, window collisions are the second largest anthropocentric mortality threat to birds, second only to domestic cat predation (more on that in a future blog). Although this widow collision problem is serious, and human-caused, solving it is complicated, involving cooperation from businesses and members of the public alike.

Emblematic Birds of the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

Emblematic Birds of the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

With over 500 species of birds sighted at the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa, shortlisting a selection of several especially emblematic birds is no easy task. However, we believe these following nine species deserve the designation due to their uniqueness, dependence on the area, and representation of the tropical rainforest.

1) Lovely cotinga (Cotinga amabilis)