El Silencio Lodge and Spa
El Silencio is a cloud-forest lodge with its own waterfalls, a published inclusion list, and villas sized for families, an hour and a half from San Jose.
- From where you are
- Distance appears once we know where you are.
Bajos del Toro, Alajuela
El Silencio Lodge and Spa
A cloud-forest lodge in Bajos del Toro, about 90 minutes from San Jose, with villas, a spa, and three waterfalls.
Our read
El Silencio is a cloud-forest lodge with its own waterfalls, a published inclusion list, and villas sized for families, an hour and a half from San Jose.
Come here for
- A first Costa Rica stay that is still in the forest
- Families who want a villa and included hikes
Skip it if
- You want the beach
- You want a silent retreat with no adventure program
01 - Arrive
The place itself
El Silencio Lodge and Spa is in Bajos del Toro, Costa Rica, in cloud forest about 65 kilometers northwest of Juan Santamaria International Airport. Their site says the drive is about 90 minutes from the airport. The property has three waterfalls and more than 2 kilometers of trails. Rooms on the site run from Deluxe Suites terraced on the hillside, to two-bedroom suites, two-bedroom villas, a two-bedroom riverside villa with two outdoor heated jet pools, and a three-bedroom villa. Dining is at Las Ventanas, which they describe as Costa Rican, Peruvian, and Mediterranean cooking from local ingredients. Toro Bohemio is the bar. Sophia serves coffee and pastries. Esencia Spa and the Samana Wellness Center are on the property: massage and treatments at the spa, yoga, meditation, and wellness retreats at Samana. Activities their site says are included in the rate: yoga, archery, a mystic hike, tree planting, mountain bikes, a farm visit, and organic hot chocolate with cookies, plus breakfast. Other outings named there include waterfall rappelling, a canopy tour, horseback riding, and guided hikes. Day trips they offer go to Juan Castro Blanco and Poas, and to La Fortuna and Arenal, which they place about two hours away. Book at elsilenciolodge.com. Reservations email on the site: reserve@elsilenciolodge.com. Guest service: guestservice@elsilenciolodge.com. Phone +506 4070 1100, and a USA toll-free number 1-888-621-7262.
02 - Feel
Why it is different
Cloud forest at Bajos del Toro
About 90 minutes from San Jose, with three waterfalls and more than 2 kilometers of trails on the property.
Suites and villas
Hillside deluxe suites, two-bedroom suites and villas, a riverside villa with heated jet pools, and a three-bedroom villa.
Included in the rate
Their site lists yoga, archery, a mystic hike, tree planting, bikes, a farm visit, hot chocolate, and breakfast.
Esencia Spa and Samana
Massage and treatments at Esencia. Yoga, meditation, and retreats at Samana.
Las Ventanas
The restaurant cooks Costa Rican, Peruvian, and Mediterranean dishes from local ingredients.
03 · Live here
How the days go
Arrive
About 90 minutes from San Jose, with three waterfalls and more than 2 kilometers of trails on the property.
Feel
El Silencio is a cloud-forest lodge with its own waterfalls, a published inclusion list, and villas sized for families, an hour and a half from San Jose.
Live here
Their site lists yoga, archery, a mystic hike, tree planting, bikes, a farm visit, hot chocolate, and breakfast.
Stay
A suite or villa in Bajos del Toro, with breakfast and the included activities published on their site.
Go
Book the next night with the house, on their own site.
04 - Stay
Ways to stay
A night at El Silencio
Ask on their site
A suite or villa in Bajos del Toro, with breakfast and the included activities published on their site.
Book this packageWaterfall and trail days
Ask on their site
Three private waterfalls and guided hikes on the reserve, plus outings they arrange to Poas and Arenal.
Book this packageMore of the place
More of the place
05 - Know
Before you go
Find it in MapsHow far is El Silencio from the airport?
Their site says about 65 kilometers, and about 90 minutes, from Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose.
What is included?
Breakfast, yoga, archery, a mystic hike, tree planting, mountain bike use, a farm visit, and organic hot chocolate with cookies, as listed on their site.
Are there villas for families?
Yes. They publish two-bedroom suites and villas, a riverside villa, and a three-bedroom villa.
Is there a spa?
Esencia Spa is for massage and treatments. Samana Wellness Center is for yoga, meditation, and retreats.
How do I book?
On elsilenciolodge.com, or reserve@elsilenciolodge.com, or +506 4070 1100. Rates are on their site.
06 · Go
If this one drew you in
Where we would look next
El Silencio Lodge and Spa