More pictures of our rain forest hotel!

After five days of relaxing on the Costa Rican beaches, we made our way across the country to Arenal. Arenal is a city that is higher in elevation at the base of the largest volcano in the country. It is also in the middle of the rain forest. The difference in climate in a four hour drive is astounding...it felt like we were in a different country. Our hotel was building on the side of the mountain away from any other hotels, stores or civilization. We were in the middle of the jungle. At night the sounds of the jungle came alive...we could hear crickets, frogs, birds and other things moving around. Our hotel room was kind of open to the outdoors...the top of the windows and showers were only covered with screens so all of the sounds could easily be heard at night. The first night I was a little nervous falling asleep...but by the third night I slept like a baby listening to the surroundings.
Many people stay at the hotel for a full week and never see the top of the mountain because it is always surrounded by clouds, but we were able to see it in full view the first day we were there! It was beautiful! Here are some pictures of the hotel and the volcano.