When you arrive at Montaña de Fuego Resort & Spa, tucked into the lush foothills of the Arenal Volcano, the first thing you notice is the stillness. The air is thick with birdsong, the pools glisten in the tropical sun, and a sense of calm begins to settle before you’ve even unpacked your bags. For couples seeking reconnection or families traveling with older children who can explore independently, this hotel offers a rare combination: adventure at your doorstep and wellness woven into every corner of the experience.
A Setting That Inspires Calm
Montaña de Fuego is surrounded by 45 hectares of rainforest and open land, with trails winding past bubbling streams and towering ceiba trees. Whether you’re here as a pair or with kids in tow, nature sets the rhythm. Couples can slip away to our thermal mineral pools while teenagers wander the gardens or spot wildlife along the paths. It feels remote, yet the hotel is only minutes from La Fortuna, making it easy to blend local culture with quiet, restorative days on the property.
The true centerpiece is the view: the dramatic Arenal Volcano rising beyond the thermal mineral pools and spa terrace. Many of the rooms are individual bungalows with private balconies, giving you space to breathe, read, or simply sip coffee while the clouds drift past the volcano’s peak.
Thermal Mineral Waters and Natural Healing
Our mineral-rich pools are at the heart of Montaña de Fuego’s wellness experience. Fed by natural volcanic springs, the pools are heated with solar energy to create a variety of temperatures, allowing you to shift between warm and cool waters as you relax tired muscles. These waters have natural healing properties, apart from their calming effects.
For couples, it’s a chance to unwind side by side, letting the stress of travel melt away. For parents, it’s a welcome pocket of peace while older kids splash in the family pool or take part in adventure activities.
Adding to this ritual is the hotel’s volcanic mud station. Guests smooth the dark clay across their skin before rinsing off in warm water, a simple but grounding treatment that leaves the skin soft and refreshed. Children often enjoy the novelty of the mud too, making it an easy family activity that still feels indulgent for adults.
The Spa Experience
For a more private escape, Montaña de Fuego’s full-service spa offers massages, body wraps, exfoliations, and facials, all inspired by local traditions and natural ingredients. Couples can book side-by-side treatments, while parents with older children might seize the chance for an hour of serenity, knowing their teens are happily exploring the grounds or enjoying the pool.
The spa setting itself is part of the therapy: open-air pavilions surrounded by jungle sounds, aromatic oils infused with herbs and flowers, and therapists who understand the restorative power of slowing down. Guests often describe these treatments as the highlight of their trip, not because they are extravagant, but because they allow for a rare pause amid a busy vacation.
One recent guest put it simply:
“What a beautiful hotel, the mud station and mineral pools were so relaxing! All the food and drinks included were so delicious. Would definitely come back!”
Balancing Adventure and Relaxation
What makes Montaña de Fuego unique is its balance of adventure and relaxation. One day, group activities might begin with a zipline tour or a horseback ride to the nearby rivers. Older children can join tubing excursions or wildlife walks, giving parents the freedom to spend the afternoon in the spa. Couples can alternate between adrenaline-filled mornings and tranquil evenings in the thermal mineral pools. This balance matters, especially for families. Parents of younger children often sacrifice relaxation for supervision, but with teenagers or older kids, Montaña de Fuego offers the space to reclaim moments for themselves. For couples traveling alone, the combination means you never have to choose between exploration and restoration—you can have both in one place.
Culinary Wellness
Wellness at Montaña de Fuego also extends to the dining experience. Meals feature fresh tropical fruits, locally sourced ingredients, and traditional Costa Rican flavors. After a day of hiking or soaking in the pools, guests gather in the restaurant for hearty casados, fresh grilled fish, and vibrant salads.
Couples may linger over dinner with a glass of wine and a volcano view, while families enjoy the comfort of all-inclusive dining, including everything from fresh fruit smoothies to healthy lunches, knowing that everyone can find something they love. Food here is part of the rhythm of relaxation, slow, generous, and nourishing.
Creating Space for Connection
At its heart, Montaña de Fuego is about creating space: for couples to reconnect, for parents to rest, and for families to bond. Unlike resorts that are crowded or chaotic, the property’s spread-out design allows for privacy. Bungalows feel secluded, gardens stretch wide, and there are plenty of nooks for both solitude and togetherness. Montaña de Fuego gardens blend into the regenerative Costa Rican rainforest, making them a refuge for a great variety of flora and fauna. Surround yourself with Costa Rica’s biodiversity and the energy of the Arenal Volcano from any area of the hotel and enjoy sightings of animals like sloths, monkeys, and toucans, all in one place.
This is why so many couples return year after year to celebrate anniversaries or simply escape routine. It’s also why families with teenagers find it so refreshing; kids have independence, and adults rediscover the luxury of unhurried time.
Why Choose Montaña de Fuego
For travelers deciding where to stay in Arenal, Montaña de Fuego stands out because it offers more than a bed for the night. It offers a way of being on vacation that feels restorative, not rushed. Here, you can watch the volcano glow at sunset from a thermal mineral pool, walk rainforest trails alive with toucans, or enjoy a massage while your children try tubing for the first time.
In a world where vacations often feel packed with schedules, this hotel allows you to breathe. It’s not just a place to stay—it’s a place to heal, reconnect, and remember why you travel together in the first place.