Special Stay: Monteverde Lodge, Costa Rica

Last updated on May 23, 2025

Monteverde Lodge was one of those places that quietly crept onto my list of favourites. At first glance, it’s elegant and polished – part of the Boena collection of eco-luxury lodges – so I wondered if it might feel a bit too hotel-y for my taste. But once we arrived, I was completely won over. The jungle gardens are dreamy, the pool is one of the most beautiful we saw on our trip, and the food was some of the best we ate in Costa Rica.

It’s not a homespun guesthouse, but it still feels special and thoughtful, with plenty of heart. The staff are warm and welcoming, the rooms are stylish and supremely comfy, and the whole place is wrapped in the misty magic of the cloud forest. It’s also in walking distance to town, yet somehow manages to feel completely secluded.

If you’re looking for a luxurious base in Monteverde with family-friendly flair and immersive nature on your doorstep, this one’s hard to beat.

Highlights

• Beautiful designer gardens and a private cloud forest reserve with easy trails and wildlife sightings.
• Heated jungle-view pool, one of the most picturesque we’ve seen.
• Exceptional food at the onsite El Jardín restaurant.
• Walking distance to Santa Elena town, but still feels wonderfully secluded.

Best bits for kids

• Heated pool for all-weather swimming.
• Kid-friendly food options at El Jardín (Otis loved his Beyond Burger)
• Huge rooms with space to play – and even mini dressing gowns (an easy way to my heart!)

Best bits for grown-ups

• Award-worthy cuisine and craft cocktails – don’t miss the signature Mono Capuchino cocktail.
• Nightly turndown service, plush linens, and soft bathrobes add to the comfort.
• Nature immersion, but with all the comforts – including stylish rooms and a well-stocked wine list.

Good to know

• Monteverde Lodge is part of a small chain called Boena, but it’s no cookie-cutter resort. It’s unique and elegant, but leans more polished than bohemian
• It’s one of the more high-end options in Monteverde, but feels worth it for the quality of the hotel, food and setting.
• The altitude (4,662 feet) means it’s refreshingly cool year-round – pack layers!

Style and vibe

The lodge is beautifully in tune with its surroundings – think modern eco-lodge with jungle-luxe styling. There’s a calm, refined atmosphere throughout, with tasteful interiors, fireplaces, polished service, and a strong connection to nature. The gardens are lush and stylishly designed, filled with birdsong and cloud forest air, and the pool is one of the prettiest we’ve seen.

Location

Perched nearly a mile above sea level, Monteverde Lodge sits high in the Tilarán Mountains, right on the continental divide. The town of Santa Elena is walkable, but it’s tucked away enough to feel like a retreat. It’s an ideal base for visiting both the Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves, as well as the many zipline and adventure parks nearby.

Rooms

Rooms range from charming forest-view standards to luxurious suites like the Quetzal and Mountain Gem categories, complete with forest-facing balconies, bathtubs, and oversized rain showers. Every room includes pillow-top beds, bathrobes and nightly turndown service. We stayed in a Toucanet room with two queen beds and plenty of space. Couples might prefer the romantic Quetzal Suite with outdoor tub (I love the design of this one!)

Facilities

The showstopper here is the pool – a heated, jungle-surrounded beauty that our whole family loved. It’s not huge, but it’s perfectly formed, with views into the greenery and loungers for soaking it all in. There are also forest trails around the property, and plenty of hidden spots to sit and watch for wildlife. We saw monkeys and plenty of birdlife.

The lodge also offers curated nature tours, and a cozy indoor lounge. You’ll also find a wood-burning fireplace, complimentary coffee in the lobby, and plenty of tucked-away seating to enjoy the cloud forest atmosphere.

Food and drink

El Jardín is one of the best restaurants we tried in Costa Rica – and that’s saying something. It’s got the kind of menu that feels special but still makes space for kids (Otis got his Beyond Burger fix, and Arlo had a fancy pesto pasta).

The chef, George Belesis, has crafted something quietly brilliant here – blending Costa Rican traditions with modern flair. And there’s a dedicated vegetarian menu, which we appreciated.

What I loved most was how the setting matches the food – garden views and a sense that nature is woven into every part of the experience. They even converted one of the lodge’s gardens into a greenhouse, so many of the ingredients come straight from their doorstep. Even if you’re not staying at Monteverde Lodge, El Jardín is worth a visit.

Breakfasts were equally good, with fresh tropical fruit, smoothies, and made-to-order hot dishes.

Things to do nearby

Monteverde is packed with things to do, from cloud forest hikes to thrilling zipline adventures and butterfly gardens. Explore the Monteverde, Santa Elena, and Curi Cancha reserves with expert guides, or book zipline and canopy bridge tours through reception. Onsite, you can join birdwatching walks, relax in the gardens, or stargaze from the pool deck. The town of Santa Elena is in walking distance with souvenir shops, and a handful of museums including ones dedicated to bats, frogs and orchids. I also highly recommend doing a coffee tour at Trapiche.

Do we recommend it?

Monteverde Lodge is a refined, nature-forward hotel that gets all the details right – from the stylish rooms to the standout food. It may not have the quirky, homespun vibe of some of our other favourite places, but it more than makes up for that in quality, setting and comfort. A brilliant choice for families or couples who want a slice of jungle luxury in the heart of the cloud forest.

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