Hotel Senda Monteverde
You'll find the luxury Hotel Senda Monteverde hidden in the cloud forest but just a 20-minute walk from downtown Santa Elena. The property's tagline is "Wonder and Wander," which you can do with exclusive access to the neighboring Aguti Wildlife Reserve, complete with hanging bridges, old-growth rainforest, and local wildlife. The trails pass through the jungle and lead you to numerous lookout terraces with incredible views. So, this is an excellent option for those wanting to enjoy a romantic stay while not missing out on the natural appeal of Costa Rica.
To maintain that romantic mood, there are merely 24 rooms and suites at Senda Monteverde. These cabin-like bungalows sit atop a hillside, all with complimentary minibars and private open-air terraces overlooking the cloud forest. Enjoy bright, clean, and welcoming units with cozy decor and furnishings. Honeymooners might like to book a spacious suite with views stretching to the Gulf of Nicoya. Most cabins come in pairs, so you'll share only one wall with your neighbor, though you can book the Senda Suite in a private bungalow.
Other amenities include a yoga studio, private nature trails, the El Sapo Restaurant, and a bar and lounge area. The restaurant uses "hyper-local" ingredients and puts a Costa Rican spin on international dishes. And because the dining area is west-facing with huge windows, it's an ideal spot for a romantic sunset meal.
Read kimkim's review of Hotel Senda Monteverde
Monteverde Lodge & Gardens
Although within walking distance to the downtown area, Monteverde Lodge & Gardens feels far away in the quiet jungle. Just 28 rooms dot the grounds next to the property's private cloud forest reserve. Bright and airy rooms and suites feature garden or forest views, all with private terraces or balconies, wooden floors, ceiling fans, and plush bedding. For the ideal Costa Rican honeymoon, it's not uncommon to spot wildlife from your balcony!
Monteverde Lodge & Gardens connects guests to Costa Rica's incredible nature so that you can enjoy the romantic paradise ambience with pools, a lovely garden area, and sustainability efforts. The hotel is part of the Böëna Wilderness Lodges Group, a set of the country's best eco-lodges, and strives to preserve the land and environment the properties inhabit.
You'll eat well at the lodge, as its El Jardín Restaurant uses local ingredients to elevate traditional Costa Rican cuisine, so you get a bit of fine dining right in the jungle. As a bonus, the restaurant has a plant-based version of its menu for vegans and vegetarians. There's indoor and outdoor seating for you to best drink in the fresh air and sounds of wildlife or stay cozy next to the fire.
Read kimkim's review of Monteverde Lodge & Gardens
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Hotel Belmar
Farther away from downtown Monteverde is the luxury property Hotel Belmar. Still, you'll trade proximity to Santa Elena for a bit of luxury and a truly idyllic setting—perfect for a honeymoon or romantic trip. Three wooden lodges with multiple rooms sit atop the region's hills, looking out over the cloud forest, which guests can easily enjoy from private balconies. More than half the property's nine acres encompass a protected rainforest, a stream, and a waterfall. Enjoy walking along a private trail to experience the grounds or relax on the sun deck at the property's pond.
Enjoy meals at the farm-to-table Restaurante Celajes, which sources its ingredients from the property's organic garden or the Belmar Family Farm. The restaurant can arrange private dining and picnic meals upon request and has an entire section of its menu devoted to vegan dishes. You can also sip drinks at the lounge bar, which features a daily happy hour with tapas, or hang out in the taproom and beer garden, juice bar, or tea room. For a unique experience, participate in the Garden to Glass workshop, where you'll learn how to craft unique cocktails with ingredients sourced from the hotel's garden.
Though the standard rooms are perfectly comfortable, you might want to upgrade to chalet rooms or suites for more space and romance. All come with locally handmade furniture and decor, including warm wood paneling and private balconies with hammocks and garden or forest views. Top-tier rooms add seating areas, soaking tubs, private Jacuzzis, large windows, and/or wraparound verandas.
Read kimkim's review of Hotel Belmar
Hotel Koora Monteverde
Sleep among the romantic and misty cloud forest at Hotel Koora, as each bungalow sits atop a hill surrounded by trees with vistas out to the coast. Many of the rooms and common areas of the hotel offer outstanding views of the Gulf of Nicoya—meaning pretty amazing daily sunsets for an intimate trip. You also enjoy time spotting wildlife right from the grounds or with complimentary access to the nearby Aguti Wildlife Reserve, filled with 200-year-old trees, birds, butterflies, and other critters, such as agoutis and coatis.
Hotel Koora offers independent, cabin-like rooms, so you won't share walls with your neighbors. All include ceiling fans, minifridges, and balconies and are set high in the cloud forest. Larger rooms have kitchens, seating areas, and multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. Currently, there are just eight rooms, but the property has plans to expand with new designs featuring units with outdoor showers and private plunge pools (honeymooners, stay tuned).
The on-site Restaurant Kiré serves meals with all food grown on the property and prepared with care by a local chef. The outdoor dining space sits above the cloud forest and wraps around the restaurant to provide panoramic views.
Read kimkim's review of Hotel Koora
Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco
Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco has grown "little by little," hence the name. The property started with five rooms in 2000 and now hosts 30 warm and simple lodgings near downtown Santa Elena. Elevate your experience with the Garden Superior room (honeymoon suite), featuring a private patio and hot tub. This is one of the few recommended properties in the town center, so it's an excellent choice for those looking for a romantic stay within walking distance of restaurants, cafés, and even a grocery store.
As you explore the grounds, you may feel like you're in a secret oasis at Poco a Poco. Wooden patios, tropical gardens, a small nature path, and outdoor pools create a relaxing environment that perfectly matches the intimate vibe of Monteverde. You can enjoy your meals at the on-site bar/restaurant, relax in the open-air (but covered) pool area, or treat yourself and your partner to spa services using regional botanicals from the Monteverde jungle.
Read kimkim's review of Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco
Jaguarundi Lodge
It doesn't get more Costa Rican than being enveloped by a beautiful, dense, chatty forest. You'll be right in the thick of it without any views, but you might be too busy watching the monkeys in the trees from your room—an important aspect of the quintessential honeymoon in Costa Rica! Still, Jaguarundi Lodge is almost in downtown Santa Elena and on a relatively flat street, so you can easily walk to nearby restaurants, cafés, and attractions. You can also explore the grounds via a half-mile (1 km) walking trail. Enjoy a traditional breakfast in the morning and relax at the lobby bar in the afternoon.
Rooms are straightforward, with a rustic cabin-like feel. Some have upgraded to tile floors, but you'll still get that rural vibe with wood ceilings and paneling, plus balconies or terraces that look out into the jungle. The layout is slightly different, with shelving and clothes racks in the bathrooms rather than the room itself. The modern and clean bathrooms are in the process of upgrading to tile, and you'll have your own minifridge.
Read kimkim's review of Jaguarundi Lodge
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