Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat is a small, intimate, pet friendly facility with 3 cabins, 2 barns and a main lodge situated on 26 acres of rolling hills, laced with several streams, 5 springs and of course that unbelievable, panoramic view of the Arenal Volcano, from a safe distance, and the surrounding mountians and valley. Leaves and Lizards is featured in Costa Rica's new guide book: "Sleeping with the Toucans, 100 Great Places to Stay in Costa Rica" "....When it's time to wind down at the end of the day, sit on your cabin's porch and soak in that killer view as the mountain's explosions glowand drizzle down its sides. If you are looking for a simple down home Costa Rican farm experience in an abundantly rich forest setting with individualized service, lots to do and a spectacular view of the volcano while bird watching and sipping a cerveza, then pack you binoculars, throw the car into 4-WD and head up to Leaves and Lizards." What Makes Leaves and Lizards Special?
Our Philosophy Leaves and Lizards believes in our community. Farmers and other locals show off their farms, waterfalls and forests to our guests on private, personalized guided tours. Rural tourism promotes cross cultural experiences for our guests and Costa Rican neighbors.
Flory and Ronald showing off the shower curtains she made. Our Environment During your stay at Leaves and Lizards you will notice practices that promote environmental proctection, preservation and renewal. We will ask you to let us know if you need your towels and sheets replaced daily, or if you can use them twice to save the earth's precious water supply and put less soap into the environment. We minimize the use of plastics by refilling shampoo, soap, and conditioner containers. You may see our staff planting and caring for our baby trees as we continue our reforestation project.
Although we do not have a large number of biting insects near the cabins, you will want to use repellant when hiking in the forest. Click here for an all natural insect repellant
Chole standing by a baby Almendro Tree, the only nesting tree of the endangered Great Green Macaw. (right) Steve and Hector Ramirez talking about Our Reforestation Project.
For more information about Reforestation in Costa Rica.
Baby trees planted in former pastures (right) A one year old Kapok tree, already 25 feet tall!
We were fortunate to have a group of students, lead by Dr. Marcy Brown Marsden, chairman of University of Dallas Biology Department visit us in May 2008 to conduct a biodiversity study. The EcoMap Costa Rica Study is being performed by University of Dallas students as a part of their Field Ecology class. The study includes panoramic photographs and interactive maps of field data. Future field seasons, conducted yearly, will produce similar data, allowing comparisons to be made. The reforestation project started in 2007, this study allows students a rare opportunity to chart rainforest recovery from the very beginning.
Our Tours All of the tours* at Leaves and Lizards are personalized, educational, unhurried with our hand picked tours guides. We promote rural tourism by using locals for guides when possible. Our tour guides deliver the quality of service expected by individuals who are looking for a vacation that is an experience you will remember for life. *Canopy tour, rafting and canyoning are provided by well respected local companies. Our Meals While staying at Leaves and Lizards you may enjoy meals served family style at the main house. Food is prepared using fresh, locally grown produce, meat and fish. Our Cabins
Leaves and Lizards is located at a high elevation, we enjoy nice breezes and cool nights, we do not need air conditioning in the cabins. With our windows open at night, you will enjoy the tropical sounds of mother nature including the occasional rumblings of Arenal.
For Guest Photographs click here: Guest Photographs
This great shot (at right) was taken by a guest from their cabin porch, notice the lights below Arenal, that is the road that runs around tha base of the volcano. The lights are the string of hotels that run along each side of the road. From their location, so near the base, they don't have the birds eye veiw of the eruptions like we do. In addition, there is often a layer of clouds that settle in the valley that block their view. We are the only hotel in our location. We sit in the outskirts of a little, quaint villiage, unspoiled by tourism. Please Note: Leaves and Lizards is a 30-40 minute drive to Fortuna.
Click here for information about What to Pack and What to Expect Panoramic Photographs taken by the University of Dallas Students at 2 of their 14 bird counting points. The Red line is North. Click here if you are interested in reading about Our Story.
Sweaty and tired after a hiking to the top of Cerro Chato. |
Chole with our 6 month old teak trees
Guests are welcome to use the phone and high speed internet at the main lodge. 
