Monteverde Country Lodge, Monteverde

Pros

• The lodge's location just outside Santa Elena puts you within walking distance of the local Butterly Gardens and Ecological Reserve and a 15-minute drive from the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
• Rooms are basic but comfortable, with free WiFi and views of the surrounding gardens and grounds. 
• The on-site restaurant serves simple but tasty Costa Rican comfort food, and a complimentary buffet breakfast is included in the rate.
• Extensive grounds are planted with 75% endemic plants and trees and attract colorful birdlife like motmots and toucans. 

Cons

• The rooms aren't air-conditioned, which isn't unusual in Monteverde due to the cooler climate.
• Standard rooms can feel dark and dated; opt for the newer Superior options for more space and updated decor. 
• There's no pool or spa on-site, but guests have access to those at the sister property, a 5-minute drive away.

Authenticity

Monteverde Country Lodge dates back to the 1980s, but a renovation in 2014 brought older rooms and interiors up to a comfortable standard. Today, there's still some dated-feeling 1980s decor, but the overall look is classic rustic Costa Rica, from hardwood paneling to red tile floors and open-air walkways to each room. A big draw here are the grounds—planted with native species and frequented by colorful birdlife—and the handy on-site restaurant, which is known for its hearty traditional fare and live music nights. Staff are renowned for their friendliness, and overall there's a relaxed, family feel to the whole property. 

Location

The lodge sits just outside the small town of Santa Elena, and you'll be within walking distance of a few restaurants and cafés. The Monteverde Butterfly Gardens and an Ecological Sanctuary with hiking options are a 2-minute drive (or a 10-minute stroll) down the street, and area highlights like the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and Sky Adventures Park are within 15 minutes by car. If you'd like to use the pool or spa at the Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco, it's a 5-minute drive.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The 60+ rooms are simple but comfortable, spread across two-story cabin-style buildings linked by porch-style walkways and surrounded by greenery and gardens. All rooms feature tiled floors, local hardwood accents, and some pops of color in the form of Costa Rican-inspired art. The Classic options are the most basic, with wood paneling that can get a bit dark and dated; opt for the renovated Superior rooms for more space and decor that feels more intentionally retro. Bathrooms are basic but clean, and most rooms open out onto small terraces or porches with seating areas. 

Amenities

This is a simple spot that doesn't offer much in the way of amenities, but guests have access to the pool and spa at the hotel's sister property, a 5-minute drive away. The lodge's on-site restaurant is a casual, popular spot for lunch and dinner, serving tasty traditional Costa Rican dishes and some international classics, but it can get busy, so book ahead to make sure you have a table waiting. A complimentary buffet breakfast is also served here each morning, complete with excellent local coffee, and there are occasional live music performances put on by the talented staff. 

Family-Friendliness

Families are welcome at the lodge, though if a pool is a priority, you should look elsewhere. Most rooms sleep four, and extra rollaway cots and cribs are available upon request. Little ones will also find a dedicated kids' playground and plenty of room to explore nature in the lodge's gardens. 

Wildlife

The property's gardens and grounds are frequented by colorful birdlife, including toucans, toucanets, motmots, and blue-grey tanagers. You're also just a 10-minute stroll from the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens and the resident sloths, capuchin monkeys, and armadillos of the local Ecological Reserve.

Sustainability

Monteverde Country Lodge aims to promote environmentally conscious and sustainable practices throughout its property. The gardens are planted with 75% endemic plants and watered via a state-of-the-art wastewater purification irrigation system, and the restaurant sources a portion of its produce, meat, and dairy from local producers. Solar panels help minimize electricity use, all cleaning products are fully biodegradable, and single-use items and disposable packaging are avoided wherever possible.