El Silencio Lodge & Spa

El Silencio was absolutely amazing in so many respects. The staff - all over very courteous, accommodating, and respectful. Our accommodation was beautiful (including our perfect plunge pool), comfortable, even opulent. We spent half of our time just relaxing in and enjoying this space! The "excursions" on the property were great - short, but fun. We only did one outside of the property - that one was so scenic and interesting (waterfalls). The food - both made-to-order breakfasts, and dinners in the dining room were delicious to a single one! We especially enjoyed the private, romantic dinner for two that we signed up for, and the breakfast down by the river, that we requested spur-of-the-moment. Overall, we loved El Silencio, hope to be back soon, and thank all of the staff for our wonderful stay there.

We have been to many places around the world, and this place was by far or favorite stay. Rather than a complicated Costa Rica trip, we decided to start at El Solencio the whole 7 days. We were a bit worried we might be bored. That was never a problem, and we could have stayed far longer. Experience: after an extensive uphill drive to the tiny town of Bajos Del Toro, this place impressed from the minute we drive through the gate. In the afternoon, a light mist descends on the jungle (or "cloud forest"), serving as a stunning and dramatic backdrop for the beautiful architecture of the resort buildings. Every staff member is kind and amazingly friendly, and we have never experienced such attention to detail to help guests have a stay that isn't just great, but memorable. Food: there are 2-3 restaurants in the 300-person town, which is a short walk through a not-very-pedestrian friendly road. For the most part though, we ate at the resort restaurant. The chef was really great, with a cuisine that is influenced by his Peruvian background, the Costa Rican setting, and various other world dishes. The breakfast was free, and had every breakfast dish you could think of prepared flawlessly. If this restaurant was in NYC, it might have a Michelin star. The dinner prices aren't cheap but aren't expensive by American standards (entrees average $25-30 USD). The wait staff is patient and friendly, as with all the staff at this resort. The villa was flawless and beautiful. The Staff: The resort's Manager, Pedro, manages to find people that truly try to be the best at their job, taking every customer request as a mission. We try very hard to be easy and courteous guests, but one gets the impression that the staff here can handle anyone with grace. The restaurant supervisor Danny was very helpful and responsive. The front desk is run by the very talented and friendly Fernanda. The driver, Bryam, is very friendly and personable, and we enjoyed hanging out with him on our various rides. The one person that really made our stay though was Jeancarlo - if you can get him as a guide on resort events or excursions, we can't recommend him highly enough. After our week there, we consider him a friend, and we were very impressed by his knowledge of local wildlife. I hope the resort works hard to keep him on staff because he really transformed our stay to a singular experience. Tips: There is a bar! It's great! We didn't really notice it for our first few days but don't sleep on it. Even the mocktails are great. The Arenal volcano tour with hot springs was fun, but it is expensive. There is so much wildlife at the resort, they own a lot of land with hiking trails and waterfalls. But if you want a greater chance of seeing certain animals like toucans, monkeys, or sloths, consider a side tour to the lowlands where those animals are more common (such as La Fortuna area).

A perfect retreat in a stunning setting. Our family of four (kids 5 and 8) had the best time taking part in the activities offered and exploring the expansive trails within the property and around it. The villa was extremely clean, spacious, and comfortable. Every member of staff was extremely personable and accommodating. The guides were extremely knowledgeable, especially Estevan who took us on a night hike and fishing in the river. My experience in the spa was so luxurious- Erika was fabulous! The food served at the property was delicious and Luis made sure every meal was an enjoyable experience for all. If you're looking for an unforgettable adventure in a luxurious setting, this is the perfect place.

Great place, great service, amazing infraestructure From the arrival to the check out Food, landscapes, waterfalls, the room!!! And the customer service. I recomend to book at least 3 days. Will be never enough! 🚘🏎️❣️🦋🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳

Rustic luxury, El Silencio Lodge and Spa exceeded all our expectations. From check-in at reception, we were delighted to discover the Coffee Bar, serving delicious Costa Rican coffee drinks. The restaurant on premises serves locally-sourced ingredients (they grow their own vegetables). On a nice day, you can dine outside by a babbling streaming river. On a 500-acre private nature preserve, our rustic "cabin" had all the amenities of a 5-star resort, including our own private outdoor hot tub, and a terrace with rocking chairs overlooking the forest. Lots of outdoor activities available. We especially enjoyed a private guided hike to the property's 4 Waterfalls. The spa looked great. Horseback riding, archery, and zip-lining activities were also available. Weather was perfect with a low of 50° Farenheit and a high of 70°.