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

"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?

Panoramic View of Arenal at Leaves and Lizards

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.

Rural Tourism in Costa RicaCommunity involvement in Tourism

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

Almendro Tree Planted in May 2007Reforestation Plan

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.

Reforestation Teak Trees at Leaves and Lizards November 2007Chole with our 6 month old teak trees

For more information about Reforestation in Costa Rica

Reforestation in Costa Rica  Native Trees Planted May 2007  Kapok Tree Costa Rica November 2007

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 studyThe 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.


Bird watching in Costa Rica Mot Mot's

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

  • Our custom designed and built cabins were built with 9 different kinds of tropical hardwoods.
  • The wood used in our cabins was harvested using environmentally responsable methods.   
  • The cabins are located high on a hill, each with a large deck that over looks the valley, Arenal and the surrounding mountain range.
  • The cabins are located away from roads, ensuring our guests peacefulness and tranquility
  • Each of the three cabins has a theme, Monkey, Volcano, Toucan.
  • The cabins are spaced to ensure privacy for our guests.
  • Custom hand painted murals matching each cabin's theme.
  •  Hand carved doors, matching each cabin's theme
  •  Queen sized orthopedic bed facing volcano with 800 count  Egyptian Cotton sheets.
  •  Large private deck facing the volcano
  •  2 hammock chairs, the perfect perch!
  •  Mini-fridge and coffee maker


Arenal Volcano with Cerro Chato Costa Rica

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. 


Guests are welcome to use the phone and high speed internet at the main lodge.

Panoramic View of Arenel Volcano at Leaves and Lizards

 

For Guest Photographs click here: Guest Photographs

 

Arenal Volcano from the Porch of our CabinsArenel Volcano Eruptioning Photo taken from a cabin porch

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. 

 Monkey Cabin at Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat Costa RicaCabins are perched like tree houses in a Costa Rica Rain Forest

Toucan Cabin at Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat Costa RicaThe Cabin Porches are perfect for Bird Watching

Hand Painted Murals by Steve make each Cabin UniqueTropical Flowers Welcome Our Guests

 Set Up on a hill on Teak Posts our Cabins Provide the Feel of a TreeHouse  Arenal Volcano Costa Rica                                      

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.

The Crater Lake at Cerro Chato Costa Rica 

Sweaty and tired after a hiking to the top of Cerro Chato.

More Photographs