The 7 Best Lodges in Monteverde
Monteverde Lodge & Gardens
Although within walking distance of downtown Santa Elena, Monteverde Lodge & Gardens feels far away in the quiet jungle. Just 28 rooms dot the grounds, next door 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, plus wooden floors, ceiling fans, and plush bedding. Like a few other properties on this list, it's not uncommon to spot wildlife from your balcony!
Monteverde Lodge & Gardens focuses on connecting guests to Costa Rica's incredible nature. The hotel is part of the Böena Wilderness Lodges Group, a set of the country's best eco-lodges, and strives to preserve the land and environment the properties inhabit. The lodge also prioritizes responsible water use, energy conservation, and waste disposal while utilizing 47 solar panels and purifying its natural-looking pool (surrounded by forests and gardens) with salt rather than chlorine.
You'll eat well at the lodge, as its 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, you'll dine in a glass room that was once a greenhouse and have the choice of a plant-based version of the menu. There's indoor and outdoor seating, so you can enjoy the fresh air and sounds of wildlife or stay cozy next to the indoor fireplace.
Read kimkim's review of Monteverde Lodge & Gardens
Hotel Belmar
Farther away from the downtown area is Hotel Belmar, where three wooden lodges with multiple rooms sit atop the region's hills, looking out over the cloud forest. Guests can enjoy the views from private balconies with hammocks. Choose from standard units or upgrade to chalet rooms and suites for a bit more space. All come with locally handmade furniture and decor, plus warm wood paneling. Upgraded rooms add seating areas, soaking tubs, private Jacuzzis, large windows, and/or wraparound verandas.
More than half the property's 9 acres (4 ha) 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. Hotel Belmar has a strong focus on sustainability and one full-time staff member who works exclusively on sustainability efforts. You'll find an entire composting system on the property, which has been completely carbon-neutral since 2016.
Other highlights of Hotel Belmar include yoga classes, massage services, and two eateries. 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. 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.
Read kimkim's review of Hotel Belmar
Los Pinos—Cabañas & Jardines
A Monteverde staple, Los Pinos opened in 1987 when tourism in the area was just beginning. The property features nearly 20 acres (8 ha) of a private forest reserve, as the owners dedicated about 60% to reforestation and conservation. With five trails on the grounds, it's not uncommon to spot wildlife right out your window or on the grounds. Since wildlife viewing is one of the best things to do in Monteverde, it's a perk to have it right at your hotel!
Choose from standard studios, one-bedroom suites, and three-bedroom family cabins with private terraces. Each cabin—even the standard options—is spacious and has a private kitchen, as there's no on-site restaurant. You'll have free access to the enormous organic garden, where you can source the ingredients for all the meals you prepare. Still, you'll also be within walking distance of several eateries, including restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries.
The property's grounds and cabin concept are the appeals, but keep in mind that the rooms and furnishings are a little outdated. Not much may have changed since the 80s! But not updating decor aligns well with the lodge's focus on sustainability.
Read kimkim's review of Los Pinos
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
El Establo Mountain Hotel
For a unique option that feels like you're on top of the cloud forest, go for El Establo Mountain Hotel. This hotel is a bit larger than other boutique options in Monteverde, but the expansive hillside grounds keep it feeling tranquil. In contrast, the wood ceiling interiors and green-stone exteriors maintain the rustic lodge vibe.
Rooms come in four categories: standard units, junior suites, family suites, and honeymoon suites. All have private terraces or balconies with mountain views but feel dated, especially the bathrooms. Still, you'll get spacious, spotless accommodations and incredible views.
Other ways to enjoy the property include relaxing at the outdoor pool area, pampering yourself at the spa, or walking on the private forest trails, where you might spot local wildlife. The spa features open-air treatments using products sourced from the forest, giving you a truly unique and authentic experience. When hungry, you can dine at the two on-site eateries, Las Riendas restaurant with its vaulted ceilings, buffet, and a la carte meals, or the fine-dining Restaurant Laggus with its open-air balcony seating overlooking the property's pond, bar, lounge, and extensive wine menu.
Read kimkim's review of El Establo Mountain Hotel
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 views, but you might be too busy watching the monkeys in the trees, anyway! Still, Jaguarundi Lodge is a standard property 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 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
Hotel Heliconia
Hotel Heliconia offers a standard, chalet-style hotel in the Cerro Plano area, right off the main road through Santa Elena. Although the road is busy, you'll be within walking distance of several restaurants and about a 20-minute stroll to the downtown area. But if you want to stay on-site to eat, the property has a surprisingly impressive restaurant called The Fig, named for the beautiful fig tree just outside. Sit near the windows, and you'll have a great view of the tree, which attracts a lot of critters and birds.
The hotel has three stories, so each room gets a small slice of a shared terrace or balcony. You'll have your choice of four categories, all offering cedar furnishings, free WiFi, TVs, and organic coffee from Rancho Helonica. Because this is a chalet-style hotel, there's a lot of wood paneling, making the rooms feel a little dark. Opt for suites if you prefer more space and privacy—some have lofts, which are great for families with older kids. Stay on the top floor for the best views that stretch out to the Gulf of Nicoya.
Read kimkim's review of Hotel Heliconia
Monteverde Rustic Lodge
Monteverde Rustic Lodge sits just north of central Santa Elena, offering a small, intimate, and quiet stay with only nine units and rustic decor. These pastoral accents perfectly blend into the area's environment, using hardwood furnishings and tree stumps as building materials. Although no-frills, it's an excellent price for the quality, as you have basic amenities and clean, well-kept rooms. Choose from single/double, triple, and family rooms, all including complimentary breakfast. Rooms may feel a bit dated, but you can relax outside in the garden area or on the shared patio.
Enjoy a breakfast of fresh local fruit, other traditional foods (like eggs and gallo pinto), and some of the region's beloved coffee. As a sister property of Poco a Poco, the guests of Monteverde Rustic Lodge are welcome to use the pool and spa facilities at the downtown hotel, about one mile away.
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