El Silencio Lodge & Spa Costa Rica

This is a beautiful, secluded, serene and hidden corner of Costa Rica. Even though remote we felt like we were experiencing an authentic piece of Costa Rica, completely removed from everything and in the middle of nature. The property is tucked in a stunning green valley and surrounded by rivers and waterfalls. The villa that we stayed in was gorgeous, across the river from the main buildings, with a private hot tub and with every comfort you can ask for. Our family hiked, did zip lining, horseback riding, archery, a cooking class and sound healing....all amazing and on property. The staff were wonderful, everyone of them attentive and kind and professional. My daughter and I have celiac disease and they went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of....and the food is incredible, the best we had during our Costa Rican travels. I will remember the peacefulness, the sound of the river current, the birds, cicadas and falling rain when I am stressed in the real world.

It’s definitely a 5 stars place. Food was amazing and tasty. Bedrooms are very comfortable and clean. It’s perfect for couples, the place is quiet and natural. Perfect to rest and connect with yourself We celebrate a birthday, There is always live music and the staff sang with the violin man. Unforgettable!

Best trip ever! I highly recommend a stay at this cloud forest retreat. My suite #16 was centrally located to everything on the property with a private jacuzzi to view the clouds moving over the mountains everyday. The lodge staff, guides, chefs, hostees, mixiologist/bartender, servers, drivers, etc. were all so attentive, friendly, and professional. Do try a volcano clay massage at the spa with Lina. She is fabulous! The food & cocktails experience is not to be missed. Cooking lessons with Chef Brendan was fantastic! The private location overlooking the river was perfect as he educated me on making local food like tortillas, stuffed cassava rolls, cilantro chicken & potatoes, and dessert sweet treats. Loved it! Horseback riding and canopy ziplining were my favorite adventure experiences. Finally, I planted a tree by the Hummingbird Garden which I dedicated to my husband. Amazing and touching experience for me. I will always remember it, so sweet.

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).

10/10!!! We loved this place! In addition to the resort being set in the middle of the rain forest, the resort staff went above and beyond! Rudy was extremely detailed oriented and very enthusiastic about his duties. He made us feel so special and we are so grateful for all of his efforts during our stay. Nicole always greeted us with a smile and made sure we were well taken care of. Luis was also very enthusiastic about his job and made a simple stop for coffee feel like our own personal coffee tasting experience. Estevan was an amazing tour guide and very knowledgeable. Karen led us through multiple Wellness experiences and she was amazing and so personable. She played a major role in helping us feel connected spiritually. We cannot thank everyone enough for all the amazing hospitality. We were so sad to leave. Needless to say we will be visiting again. Until next time!

Luxury in the beautiful cloud forest. Everything about the Lodge is spectacular and an understated luxury. All the staff without exception are friendly and helpful. The rooms are individual cabins nestled in the forest with total privacy and they are superb. A deck with a rocking sofa for relaxation, an amazing hot tub and the most comfortable bed possible. Breakfast is included and has all the choices you can want plus the “Tico” breakfast. All prepared to order and excellent. Dinner was delicious, the mushroom tagliatelle and the lo temperature beef ribs outstanding. Again the service was impeccable. The complimentary activities added to our experience and the secluded 500 acres of rainforest and waterfalls made our stay relaxing and enjoyable. Our thanks to each and every one of the staff for an amazing time. No one could possibly regret staying here it’s wonderful and exceptional