Mystica Hotel is a tropical paradise with an excellent Italian restaurant, wonderful yoga and meditation classes in a forest sanctuary, a detoxifying infrared sauna, a dipping pool with a waterfall, and tree-top therapies such as massage and Reiki. Mystica is conveniently close to all of the great adventures and water sports that Lake Arenal offers: windsurfing, kayaking and fishing, excursions to Arenal Volcano including canopy tour and hot springs (40 km/25 miles from the hotel) and Tenorio National Park with its world famous Rio Celeste waterfall hike (35 km/22 miles from the hotel). Mystica Hotel is especially designed for travelers who want to relax and/or be in contact with nature. The lodge sits atop a rolling green hill and is surrounded by lush gardens. The rooms don't have TV, WiFi, or phones to support the complete relaxation of our guests, but there is free WiFi in the reception and restaurant area. Mystica's motto, inspiring all who visit, is: 'Live the Magic!'
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Business
Languages Spoken
English, French, Spanish, Italian
Location
13 Km On The Road To Tierras Morenas Turn Onto Hwy 927 Halfway between Nuevo Arenal and Tilarán, Arenal Volcano National Park 29-5710 Costa Rica
I have been fortunate enough to have been a guest at Mystica 3 times in as many years. Yes, I am looking forward to next year! The staff at Mystica is top notch, from the front desk to the kitchen, to the well manicured property, and to the chambermaids tidying up your room, everyone is friendly, efficient and helpful.
All the rooms are lovely, and each room is painted in a unique nature motif by a wonderful local artist. The property is beautifully maintained, it's so pleasant to wander thru the labyrinth, relax by the the dipping pool or take a yoga class in the newly renovated yoga sanctuary. They also offer tree-top massage and Reiki sessions, there's a sauna room near the dipping pool too.
The food is so amazing and fresh, you certainly won't go hungry. Meals taste even better than they look, and the presentation is gorgeous!
I always feel so welcomed by Lori & Francesco, and their staff, they are the ultimate hosts.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2020
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:The Jungle rooms offer privacy and a close-to-nature experience while the lodge rooms offer...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mystica is unreal. Most amazing staff, atmosphere, lodging & food! Every meal was better than the last, and it was served & created by extremely lovely people. Everyone who is a part of Mystica makes you feel like you are at home & the whole experience makes you want to move there! It was definitely hard to leave. Went with a decent sized group of people and each person had such a fantastic time. It was the perfect combination of relaxing and interactive. The yoga sanctuary and grounds are world class & overall contribute immensely to the peace you feel while you are there. However, the owners & the rest of the staff run their hotel with such passion and love that it would be impossible not to acknowledge that it’s such a magical place because of those who put all the care into making sure your stay is exactly what it becomes: complete bliss. Lastly, I never once felt safety was an issue in or around Mystica. Everyone employed by them or affiliated with them were trustworthy & wonderful- they begin to feel like family by the time you leave !! 10/10 would only ever stay there again & have recommended it to everyone who’s been interested in a Costa Rica vacation!
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We decided to leave our all inclusive resort early because of how terrible it was. We really wanted to stay in a room in the jungle and came upon this hotel. We were blown away by this hotel from the absolutely beautiful grounds to the best food hands down! It was so peaceful and you were able to see the Arenal Lake along with the Volcano. The jungle room was stunning, our porch walked right out to the view of the thick forest. We love camping and this 100% reminded me of that being out in the wilderness but in a nice room. The shower is an outside shower but it was so connected to the room. The food was delicious you can tell everything was so fresh and their presentation was beautiful. For dinner I had the sea bass cooked in a banana leaf and it was out of this world! The sleep was great we woke up to howler monkey's howling. We saw monkeys and toucans right thru our window. The grounds have beautiful flowers everywhere. I cant say enough about this place it was just the best and the staff treat you just like family. I would highly recommend this hotel!!
Read more
Date of stay: February 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oh, how I am missing al the beautiful features of Hotel Mystica. The setting is perfection, away from the noises of modern man—beautiful, lush plantings inhabited by lovely birds and other wildlife, ever changing views of Lake Arenal, often graced with rainbows! All of the structures are designed to nestle into the natural surroundings, whether they be the lodgings, the yoga sanctuary, the restaurant, the pool or the treehouse(!). The food!!Fresh, often directly harvested from the property, always artfully prepared, seasoned, and presented. Any dietary concerns are compassionately and creatively accommodated. The Decor is artful, cheerful, soulful and playful. Above all, what makes the magic are the hosts and all their wonderful, kind support staff. I have never felt so welcome and comfortable.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mystica is one of the most beautiful hotel retreats we've ever been to. The grounds are so gorgeously landscaped and cared for, including the pathways, waterfalls, plantings, yoga deck, main house, and restaurant, the large and well-appointed rooms with super comfortable beds, fireplaces, large bathrooms, it couldn't be captured in words or pictures. It must be experienced. Barbara, Francesco and the staff were so caring and helpful, especially during these difficult times. They even arranged for our Covid tests in Liberia to return home! The food is wonderful, and so beautifully presented! All the staff was so friendly and helpful. The drivers and guides that were recommended were all super reliable and informative, especially Flaco. The views from all the rooms are spectacular, looking out over Lake Arenal and beautiful fields and mountains. There are wonderful yoga retreats available there and within five minutes there are others as well as equine therapy and fabulous volcano tours and hiking through magical forests, visiting the Ecotheramales mineral pools, etc. And the prices were so reasonable - right down to the massages! All we can say is, give yourself the gift of a trip to Mystica.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2021
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
These reviews are machine translated from their original language. Show machine translations?
Mystica is in a wonderful location, on top of a hill with a great view of Arenal Lake. The place is pure peace, with soft ambient music in the lounge and dining room, which also has a fireplace. The rooms are simple, but very comfortable and spacious and all have a large balcony at the front. For Brazilian standards, breakfast is very simple (as in all the places I visited in Costa Rica). Fruits, eggs, coffee, milk, juice are served; but there is flexibility to ask for something extra or support from the kitchen if you have a special need. In addition to all this, the staff is very friendly and helpful. They are always available to help, sometimes with something that goes beyond the accommodation itself. Bárbara, the owner, for example, gave tips and booked tours for my family. All this, always with a smile on your face. I highly recommend a stay at Mystica.
Mystica is in a wonderful location, on top of a hill with a great view of Arenal Lake. The place is pure peace, with soft ambient music in the lounge and dining room, which also has a fireplace. The rooms are simple, but very comfortable and spacious and all have a large balcony at the front. For Brazilian standards, breakfast is very simple (as in all the places I visited in Costa Rica). Fruits, eggs, coffee, milk, juice are served; but there is flexibility to ask for something extra or support from the kitchen if you have a special need. In addition to all this, the staff is very friendly and helpful. They are always available to help, sometimes with something that goes beyond the accommodation itself. Bárbara, the owner, for example, gave tips and booked tours for my family. All this, always with a smile on your face. I highly recommend a stay at Mystica.
Mystica is in a wonderful location, on top of a hill with an excellent view of Lake Arenal. The place is pure peace, with soft ambient music in the room and the dining room, which also sounds like a chimenea. The rooms are small, but very comfortable and spacious and all have a large balcony at the front. For Brazilian standards, the challenge is very simple (as in all the places I visit in Costa Rica). Fruits, eggs, coffee, milk, juices are served; But there is flexibility to ask for something extra or kitchen support if you have a special need. Besides all this, the personal is very kind and helpful. They are always available to help, sometimes with something that goes beyond the accommodation itself. Bárbara, her dueña, for example, gave me advice and booked tours for my family. All of him, always with a smile on his face. I highly recommend a stay in Mystica.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Se você vai para arenal em busca de paz, bem viver e tranquilidade considere o Mystica.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have been to Mystica in 2015, 2016, 2019 & 2020 near Lake Arenal. The land and property is absolutely magical. The care and love that emanates from every detail from the wonderful and caring staff to the beautifully appointed, clean, vibrant rooms is unique and special like no other place I have yet been on during my world travels. I have attended 4 retreats as a student, and this year I and also hosted my own yoga retreat as the ‘teacher’. I would choose this venue again and again. I look forward to going back next year and it may even be sooner. I love Costa Rica and most especially Mystica!! I feel safe, supported and recharged when I enter back to my home life. I also love the location and ease and proximity to Liberia airport and also other amazing restaurants & villages. There is so much at your finger tips to enjoy all that the PURA VIDA life has to offer. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Everything about Mystica was a magical experience, from the location overlooking Lake Arenal and volcano to the nourishing, delicious meals, to the cozy accommodations and incredible owners and staff who made me feel like family. It's such a unique and wonderful experience that should not be passed up. I left feeling rejuvenated, wonderful and wanting to return. Thank you Lori and Francesco!
Read more
Date of stay: January 2022
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed at the Mystica Lodge & Retreats through the "Awaken your Soul" Yoga Retreat. I couldn't believe that a place so beautiful and full of love exists here on Earth. Everyone was so friendly and made us feel right at home. We ate the freshest foods from their organic garden, meditated in the yoga sanctuary, and relaxed in the dipping pool. The rooms were extremely clean and each one is unique with beautiful murals. I truly did not want to leave! The loving energy is so powerful there.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I left Mystica feeling healed and revitalized by the lush sacred environment. The food was amazing and nourishing - prepared with such caring for detail and personal food sensitivities. Exploring the property and all of it's unique characteristics like the labyrinth, relaxing by the pool, and learning on the yoga platform (such a sacred space) filled my soul and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to visit Mystica and get to know it's gracious hosts.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
You can make arrangements with Mystica to have a driver come get you, or you can book a driver from the airport. The driver that Mystica uses is awesome and knows the area well!
There are more places to choose from in the Arenal Volcano National Park area.
PRICE RANGE
C$207 - C$228 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
mystica restaurant lodge & retreats hotel arenal volcano national park, mystica restaurant lodge and retreats
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of AlajuelaArenal Volcano National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
