El Silencio Lodge & Spa
Luxury eco-lodge with a genuine green soul. Misty cloud forest setting, cottage-style suites elevated on pillars above the forest floor, open-air yoga decks, and a spa that smells like actual Costa Rica. Quiet and deliberate — the kind of place where afternoon hot chocolate is delivered to your cabin and hummingbirds are lured to your porch with purple verbena.
Request suite #16 — it's centrally located with great mountain cloud views from the private jacuzzi
Why It Matters
One of Central America's most credentialed eco-luxury properties: Relais & Châteaux member, Level 5 Costa Rican sustainable tourism certification (the highest available), and designated 'Climate Change Friendly' by the Costa Rican Tropical Science Center. Every room has a private outdoor heated jacuzzi. The organic farm and trout ponds supply the restaurant directly.
El Silencio Lodge & Spa sits on a 500-acre private cloud forest reserve between Poás Volcano and Juan Castro Blanco National Parks, about 90 minutes from San José. It's a Relais & Châteaux eco-lodge that takes the concept seriously: Costa Rica's highest-level sustainable tourism certification (Level 5), carbon-neutral credentials, and a functioning organic farm that feeds the restaurant. The name means 'silence' — no TVs in the rooms, intentionally remote, and surrounded by three on-property waterfalls.
Where You'll Stay
5 room types available
Deluxe Suite
Terraced along the hillside in a tiered layout, each Deluxe Suite sits on above-ground pillars to minimize impact on the forest floor. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors frame mist-covered mountain or forest views. Inside: vaulted bamboo-tile ceilings, a king pillowtop bed, sofa bed, cozy living room, mini bar, and a master bathroom with double sink. Step outside to the private viewing deck with handcrafted rocking chairs and a heated outdoor jacuzzi. Organic personal care products by a Costa Rican brand. No TV — by design.
King pillowtopThree-Bedroom Villa
The largest accommodation on property. A full-sized forest home with a master bedroom (king bed), two additional bedrooms (queen beds in each), three en-suite bathrooms, full kitchen, ample living spaces, a stacked stone fireplace, and a spacious deck with a heated outdoor jet pool. Built for families or groups wanting an entirely private compound in the cloud forest.
Two-Bedroom Riverside Villa
The standout feature here is the grand river-view deck — a cut above the standard villas for scenery. Uniquely outfitted with two private outdoor heated jet pools instead of one, making it especially popular for couples or friends traveling together.
Two-Bedroom Suite
A larger option for families or friends traveling together who want premium accommodations but prefer a suite layout over a standalone villa. Same high-end finishes as the Deluxe Suite with the added convenience of two bedrooms.
Two-Bedroom Villa
Spacious standalone villa with homelike amenities including ample lounging and dining areas. Ideal for longer stays or groups that want more space to spread out. Same luxury finishes and private outdoor jacuzzi, with a more residential feel.
The Property
Eat & Drink
5 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
One-hour introductory archery class on the lodge's archery range. No prior experience needed. Included complimentary with rates.
Non-electric mountain bikes available complimentary for exploring the lodge grounds and surrounding trails.
Guests can try to catch their own dinner in the hotel's on-property trout ponds.
Full day excursion to La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano, approximately two hours from the lodge, including the famous hot springs.
Guided hike to spot cloud forest species including hummingbirds, Long-tailed Silky-flycatchers, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, and potentially the Resplendent Quetzal (May–June season).
Guided hike through private trails to three cascading waterfalls on the 500-acre reserve, following a pristine creek with the Eco-Concierge.
A guided hike through hidden forest trails along the Bajos del Toro River, led by the personal Eco-Concierge. Included complimentary with all stays.
Guided nocturnal wildlife walk to spot rare species unique to the Costa Rican cloud forest.
Tasting experience featuring Costa Rican Central Valley beans, highlighting the region's coffee heritage.
A short drive into Bajos del Toro village to learn traditional tortilla-making at Doña Olga's house. A beloved local cultural experience.
Guided visit to the lodge's own organic farm, which supplies the restaurant with fresh herbs, vegetables, eggs, and trout.
Tasting session with aged Costa Rican rum paired with food.
Hatha yoga classes held daily at 7:30am in the new Samana Wellness Center. Variations of Hatha yoga led by on-site instructors.
Guided horseback ride through the landscape around Bajos del Toro, with views of mist-covered mountains and Poás Volcano slopes.
Rappelling down the waterfalls in and around Bajos del Toro. Part of the Extreme Adventure Package.
Canopy zipline through the cloud forest. All necessary gear included.
Complimentary tree planting with eco-guides, part of the lodge's active reforestation program. Guests can also offset their air travel CO2 through the program.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Conference room with TV, DVD, and complimentary WiFi for private or corporate meetings.
WiFi available in the restaurant, bar, and rooms. Cell signal is limited in the forest cottages. Each villa has its own WiFi router.
Daily complimentary organic hot chocolate with cookies delivered to guest rooms in the afternoon.
Two-level glass-walled wellness center with 180-degree views of the forest and river. State-of-the-art resistance training equipment, yoga studio, meditation and sound therapy room.
Every suite and villa has its own private heated outdoor jacuzzi on the viewing deck.
Outdoor fire pit on property for evening gatherings.
Library of books and media room in the main building.
Each party is assigned a personal Eco-Concierge who leads the courtesy Mystic Hike, coordinates the tree-planting activity, and helps plan and book all activities and day trips.
Complimentary laundry service for guests.
On-site gift shop in the main building.
5,000-square-foot on-site greenhouse and organic farm that supplies the restaurant with fresh herbs, vegetables, eggs, and trout.
Private transportation to/from San José airport (SJO) can be arranged through the lodge. Highly recommended given the mountain road conditions.
A unique conical-shaped meditation and yoga room designed to channel the forest's energy.
Open-air yoga deck overlooking the forest and a gently flowing creek. Daily complimentary Hatha yoga at 7:30am.
Full-service spa with private treatment rooms offering massages, body treatments, facials, and beauty rituals. Priced per person (taxes not included).
BUILD YOUR EL SILENCIO LODGE & SPA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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