A cozy lodge is an excellent choice when staying in the misty cloud forests in Monteverde, as many sit in the jungle and offer views within or above the treetops. Sleep in luxury cabins with plush furnishings, area staples operating since the 1980s, or lodges with spas, outdoor pools, and fine dining restaurants.
## Discovering the Enchanting Lodges of Monteverde: A Comprehensive Guide
Nestled high in the cloud forests of Costa Rica, Monteverde offers an unparalleled experience for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Choosing the right lodging can significantly enhance your visit, immersing you in the region’s unique beauty and tranquility. This guide delves into some of the best lodges in Monteverde, providing a detailed look at their offerings and highlighting what makes each one special.
## Monteverde Lodge & Gardens
While conveniently located within easy walking distance of downtown **Santa Elena**, the **Monteverde Lodge & Gardens** provides a serene escape into the heart of the jungle. This tranquil retreat features just 28 meticulously designed rooms scattered across the grounds, offering guests an exclusive and intimate experience. Adjacent to the lodge lies the property’s private cloud forest reserve, inviting exploration and discovery.
Each bright and airy room and suite at the **Monteverde Lodge & Gardens** boasts breathtaking garden or forest views. Private terraces or balconies extend the living space, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of nature. Inside, wooden floors, ceiling fans, and plush bedding create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. Keep an eye out – like at several other lodges in this captivating region, you might just spot some of Costa Rica’s incredible wildlife right from the comfort of your own balcony!
The **Monteverde Lodge & Gardens** is deeply committed to connecting guests with the incredible natural beauty of Costa Rica. As a proud member of the Böena Wilderness Lodges Group, a collection of the country’s premier eco-lodges, the hotel prioritizes the preservation of the land and environment it inhabits. The lodge embraces responsible water usage, energy conservation, and mindful waste disposal practices. Impressively, the property utilizes 47 solar panels to generate clean energy and employs a salt-based purification system for its natural-looking pool, ensuring an eco-friendly swimming experience surrounded by lush forests and vibrant gardens.
Dining at the **Monteverde Lodge & Gardens** is a culinary delight. The lodge’s restaurant showcases the flavors of traditional Costa Rican cuisine, elevated with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Guests can savor a fine dining experience within the unique setting of a glass-enclosed room, once a greenhouse. A plant-based menu option caters to diverse dietary preferences. With both indoor and outdoor seating available, guests can choose to dine amidst the refreshing air and captivating sounds of the surrounding wildlife or cozy up next to the inviting indoor fireplace. The **Monteverde Lodge & Gardens** offers a complete and immersive experience.
## Hotel Belmar
Situated a bit farther from the bustling downtown area, **Hotel Belmar** offers a unique and unforgettable experience. Here, three charming wooden lodges, each housing multiple rooms, perch atop the region’s rolling hills, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the mesmerizing cloud forest.
Guests at **Hotel Belmar** can soak in the stunning vistas from the privacy of their balconies, complete with relaxing hammocks. Accommodation options range from comfortable standard units to more spacious chalet rooms and suites, catering to a variety of needs and preferences. Each room is thoughtfully furnished with locally handmade furniture and décor, complemented by warm wood paneling to create a cozy and authentic ambiance. Upgraded rooms elevate the experience with added seating areas, luxurious soaking tubs, private Jacuzzis, expansive windows, and wraparound verandas.
More than half of **Hotel Belmar’s** sprawling 9 acres (4 ha) are dedicated to preserving the region’s natural heritage, encompassing a protected rainforest, a serene stream, and a cascading waterfall. Guests can explore the beauty of the grounds along a private trail or unwind on the sun deck adjacent to the property’s tranquil pond. **Hotel Belmar** is deeply committed to sustainability, employing a dedicated full-time staff member who focuses exclusively on environmental initiatives. The property boasts a comprehensive composting system and has achieved complete carbon neutrality since 2016, demonstrating its dedication to responsible tourism.
Beyond its natural setting and sustainability efforts, **Hotel Belmar** offers a range of amenities and services to enhance the guest experience. Indulge in rejuvenating yoga classes, pamper yourself with soothing massage services, and savor delectable meals at one of the hotel’s two exceptional eateries. **Restaurante Celajes** offers a true farm-to-table experience, sourcing its ingredients from the property’s own organic garden or the **Belmar Family Farm**. The restaurant is also happy to arrange private dining experiences and picnic meals upon request and features a dedicated section of its menu featuring innovative vegan dishes. Guests can also sip on refreshing drinks at the lounge bar, which hosts a daily happy hour with delicious tapas, or explore the taproom and beer garden, juice bar, or tea room for a variety of delightful culinary experiences. A stay at **Hotel Belmar** is guaranteed to be one of unforgettable beauty and enjoyment.
## Los Pinos—Cabañas & Jardines
A true Monteverde institution, **Los Pinos** first opened its doors in 1987, just as tourism in the area was beginning to blossom. This cherished property encompasses nearly 20 acres (8 ha) of a private forest reserve, with the owners having dedicated approximately 60% of the land to reforestation and conservation efforts. With five well-maintained trails weaving through the grounds, it’s common to spot the region’s captivating wildlife directly from your window or while exploring the property. Since wildlife viewing is one of the main attractions in Monteverde, having it readily available right at your hotel is an undeniable perk!
**Los Pinos** offers a variety of lodging options to suit diverse needs, including standard studios, spacious one-bedroom suites, and comfortable three-bedroom family cabins, each with its own private terrace. Every cabin, including the standard options, is generously sized and equipped with a private kitchen, as there is no on-site restaurant. Guests enjoy free access to the property’s expansive organic garden, where they can harvest fresh ingredients to prepare their own meals. In addition, the hotel is within easy walking distance of a selection of restaurants, cozy coffee shops, and inviting bakeries.
While the property’s natural setting and the cabin concept are the main draws, it is important to note that the rooms and furnishings may appear somewhat dated. In fact, not much may have changed since the 1980s! However, this commitment to preserving the original charm aligns perfectly with the lodge’s focus on sustainability and minimizing its environmental footprint. **Los Pinos** offers an authentic and unique experience in the heart of Monteverde.
## El Establo Mountain Hotel
For a unique experience that feels like you’re perched atop the cloud forest canopy, consider **El Establo Mountain Hotel**. This hotel is slightly larger than other boutique options in Monteverde, but its expansive hillside grounds maintain a tranquil and serene atmosphere. The rustic lodge vibe is preserved by wood-ceiling interiors and green-stone exteriors.
**El Establo Mountain Hotel** offers rooms in four distinct categories: standard units, junior suites, family suites, and honeymoon suites. Each offers a private terrace or balcony with stunning mountain views, however some guests may find the decor slightly dated, especially in the bathrooms. Nevertheless, guests can expect spacious and spotless accommodations and truly incredible views.
Guests can enjoy relaxing at the outdoor pool area, pampering themselves at the spa, or venturing out on the property’s private forest trails. The spa offers open-air treatments using products sourced directly from the forest, providing a truly unique and authentic experience. When hunger strikes, choose from two on-site eateries: **Las Riendas** restaurant, with its vaulted ceilings, buffet service, and à la carte meals, or the fine-dining **Restaurant Laggus**, featuring open-air balcony seating overlooking the property’s pond, bar, lounge, and extensive wine menu.
## Jaguarundi Lodge
For an authentic Costa Rican experience, consider **Jaguarundi Lodge**. Here you will find yourself embraced by a lush, vibrant forest. Although the views might be somewhat limited, you might be too busy enjoying the monkeys playing in the trees to notice! **Jaguarundi Lodge** offers standard accommodations conveniently located near downtown **Santa Elena** on a relatively flat street, making it easy to reach nearby restaurants, cafes, and attractions on foot. Guests can also explore the property’s grounds via a half-mile walking trail. Start your day with a traditional breakfast and unwind at the lobby bar in the afternoon.
The rooms at **Jaguarundi Lodge** are comfortable and straightforward, creating a rustic cabin-like atmosphere. While some have been upgraded with tile floors, the rooms retain a rural vibe with wood ceilings and paneling, along with balconies or terraces that open onto the surrounding jungle. The layout is slightly unconventional, with shelving and clothes racks located in the bathrooms rather than the main room. The modern and clean bathrooms are in the process of being upgraded to tile, and each room has its own minifridge. **Jaguarundi Lodge** is a peaceful haven in the heart of Monteverde.
## Hotel Heliconia
**Hotel Heliconia** offers a standard, chalet-style hotel experience in the **Cerro Plano** area, conveniently located just off the main road through **Santa Elena**. While the road can be busy, the hotel is within walking distance of several restaurants and about a 20-minute stroll to the downtown area. Guests can also choose to dine on-site at the surprisingly impressive restaurant called **The Fig**, named for the magnificent fig tree just outside. Guests seated near the windows enjoy fantastic views of the tree, which attracts a variety of wildlife and birds.
This three-story hotel offers rooms that each have a small slice of a shared terrace or balcony. You can choose from four categories, each offering cedar furnishings, free Wi-Fi, TVs, and organic coffee from Rancho Helonica. Because this is a chalet-style hotel, there’s a lot of wood paneling, which can make the rooms feel a little dark. Guests seeking more space and privacy can opt for suites, some of which feature lofts that are perfect for families with older children. Rooms on the top floor offer the best views, stretching out to the **Gulf of Nicoya**.
## Monteverde Rustic Lodge
**Monteverde Rustic Lodge** is situated just north of central **Santa Elena**, offering a small, intimate, and quiet stay with only nine units and rustic decor. These pastoral accents blend seamlessly into the surrounding environment, using hardwood furnishings and tree stumps as building materials. Although the amenities are basic, the lodge offers excellent value for its quality, with clean, well-kept rooms. Choose from single/double, triple, and family rooms, all including complimentary breakfast. While the rooms may feel a bit dated, guests can relax outside in the garden area or on the shared patio.
Guests can enjoy a breakfast of fresh local fruit, traditional Costa Rican dishes (such as eggs and *gallo pinto*), and some of the region’s beloved coffee. As a sister property of Poco a Poco, guests of Monteverde Rustic Lodge can enjoy access to the pool and spa facilities at the downtown hotel, located about one mile away.
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