Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat

Staying at Leaves and Lizards was a great experience for my family. Steve, Debbie and their staff treated us like family and made our stay so carefree and enjoyable. The Monkey cabin was clean and had a great view of the volcano. Unwinding on the balcony at the end of each day was fantastic. The sounds of countess birds, the howling of monkeys and the breathtaking sunsets where incredible. The horseback ride through the forest and to the waterfall was like a mini expidition. My kids loved the swim in the waterfall and our guides Enrique and Chito where very knowledgable and friendly. Dinner with Steve and Debbie and the other guests was like being at a family get together. The food and conversation was great. The zip line and tico farm tours where a blast and an unforgetable experience for my family. The kids got a chance to milk the cow and also played with Miss Piggy's baby pigglets. I couldnt have asked for better vacation with my family. Learning about the environment, wildlife, and the Costa Rican culture was unlike any other vacation experience myself and my family have had in the past. I know my kids will never forget our trip to Costa Rica and all the great experiences we shared together. Thanks Steve and Debbie!

My husband and I were overwhelmed by the scenery. Birds, flowers and so much wildlife. We loved rafting down the river and the view of the sunset and the volcano from our cabin was the best.

I have stayed at Leaves & Lizards twice and plan to return in a few months. Stayed in a cabin once and Heliconia House once. Will stay in Heliconia House again when I return. This place is incredible! The hosts treat you like family. They are dedicated to eco tourism, and returning the land to nature. Both Deb and Steve are very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna, and are dedicated birders as well. They will arrange activities for you that suit your needs, abilities and interests (kids included). All their guides are superb. They are all trained in eco tourism and provide a wealth of knowledge about Costa Rica. Mireya, the chef, provides wonderful meals. If you want to be pampered and coddled this isn't the place for you. But if you want to experience Costa Rica and nature at its best, and learn a great deal in the process, try Leaves and Lizards. If you're not adventurous you can just sit on the covered porches and admire the incredible view of an active volcano while watching for toucans, parrots, and other exotics. It's addictive. You can't just go once.

This bed and breakfast offers authentic Costa Rican food and culture. The views of the volcano are second to none. Steve, Debbie and their staff provide their guests with outstanding personal service. I highly recommend Leaves and Lizards.

Staying at Leaves and Lizards on our first visit to Costa Rica was like escaping to paradise. Debbie and Steve have created a wonderful haven where you can get away from your hectic routine and either just relax on your porch that offers a fantastic view of Volcan Arenal or experience adventures that range from horseback rides to a private waterfall/swimming area to an all-day pontoon boat birding trip on the Rio Frio in the Cano Negro preserve. Leaves and Lizards is a great destination for people of all ages and ranges of physical ability. For those interested in birds, one need go no further than the patio of the main house. From there we saw everything from Chestnut Mandibled Toucans to Passerini's Tanagers, to Yellow-crowned Euphonia. From our front porch, we saw Crested Guan, Crimson-collared Tanager, and Montezuma Oropendola. Debbie and Steve are gracious hosts who want each visitor to have the best experience possible. Their staff is friendly and helpful. The food is excellent. And Enrique, our guide while we were there, is not only extremely knowledgable about the flora and fauna of Costa Rica but also easy-going, funny, and a great person to spend time with. We enjoyed our time at Leaves and Lizards so much that we can't wait to go back for a longer visit!

I stayed in the monkey cabin with my husband and 2 children ages 8 and 11. We loved the view of the volcano, it was out for most of the time we were there! Nothing can beat the sunset from the porch... hanging from the hammock swings and enjoying the sound of the hummingbirds! My kids had a lot of fun playing with their dogs, Sam and Clyde. We also all learned to horseback ride and went on our first adventure which was a horseback ride to a private waterfall!! We swam and cooled off in the refreshing water and we even got to go behind the waterfall! A trip to Costa Rica is not complete without staying at Leaves and Lizards!