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El Silencio Lodge & Spa

Bajos del Toro Valley • Bajos del Toro • SPLURGE

avg. $429 / night

Includes $23 / night in cash back

Cash back is redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out

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Cash back

5% cash back on all completed stays (redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out)

Credit card points

Credit and debit card charges are processed directly by the hotel (i.e. not PressBeyond), meaning that any travel-specific credit card points or incentives that you normally get as a cardholder for direct hotel bookings are preserved

Hotel loyalty points

Points accrual and status eligibility with major hotel loyalty programs: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, and others

Free breakfast

Breakfast-included rate options available

Room upgrades

Complimentary room upgrades (subject to property availability)

Extend your stay

Early check-in and late check-out (subject to property availability)

Part of Relais & Châteaux

Location

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At a glance

Cloud-forest lodge in Costa Rica's highlands where dark-timber villas dissolve into primary rainforest at 1,400 metres elevation.

Best for: Architecture enthusiasts seeking cloud-forest immersion

Highlights:

  • 16 villas camouflaged within primary rainforest canopy
  • Dark-timber pavilions with post-and-beam vernacular sharpened into modernist restraint
  • Glazed dining pavilion frames forest views without barrier
Minimalist-immersiveremote

PB hotel design editorial

Folded into a cloud-draped valley in the Alajuela highlands of Costa Rica, where the Río Bajos del Toro carves through primary rainforest at around 1,400 metres elevation, El Silencio Lodge & Spa was conceived from the outset as an argument against visibility. The low-slung pavilion structures, clad in dark-stained timber with shallow-pitched roofs, are so thoroughly absorbed by the surrounding canopy that the aerial view reveals little more than flashes of metal roofing breaking through the green. The architecture draws on a vernacular language of the rural Costa Rican lodge — post-and-beam construction, wide overhanging eaves, wraparound decks — but sharpens it into something more considered, the glazed walls of the dining pavilion functioning essentially as a frame for the forest beyond rather than a barrier to it. Woven-rattan pendant lights and solid-timber furniture in the restaurant maintain that same calibration between craft and restraint. The guest villas distribute across the hillside in two distinct registers. The jungle-facing rooms favour dark hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings lined in reclaimed wood, and full-height glazed panels that dissolve the boundary between interior and canopy. A separate category of accommodation, clearly visible in the images, takes a cooler, more architectural approach — vaulted white plaster ceilings, free-standing wood-burning stoves, horizontal clerestory windows cut through charcoal-finished walls — suited to the mist and lower temperatures that roll through the valley at altitude. Together, the 16 villas manage the central tension of the eco-lodge typology: immersion without exposure, comfort without compromise.

Travel notes

1hr 30min drive from San Jose airport (SJO)

About

Luxury hideaway and soul retreat in Costa Rica. El Silencio Lodge & Spa, a distinguished member of Relais & Châteaux in Costa Rica, is a captivating gateway to the ethereal beauty of the mystical cloud forest. Nestled within a 500-acre nature reserve that cascades down the slopes of Poás Volcano, verdant canopies and roaring waterfalls set the stage for the authentic, heartfelt experiences that are the initial stage to a transformative journey.

Amenities

Internet

Free Internet

Free Parking

Suites

Wheelchair Access

Restaurant

Bar/Lounge

Spa

Wifi

Public Wifi

El Silencio Lodge & Spa Reviews

1,367 reviews

"I had the pleasure of planning a wedding at Hotel El Silencio, and I can truly say the entire experience was exceptional from beginning to end. The planning process was incredibly smooth thanks to the outstanding support of Paola Bolaños, Victoria Campos, and Nicolas Cambronero. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine passion for what they do made all the difference. They were always one step ahead, providing us with all the information we needed and making us feel completely supported throughout the journey. My clients from the U.S., as well as my entire team, fell in love with the hotel and its breathtaking atmosphere—but what truly makes this place special is its people. Every single staff member went above and beyond to create a memorable experience. Even on the wedding day, when it rained, the team handled everything with such grace and positivity that guests ended up embracing and enjoying the moment even more. The reception was simply unforgettable. The food was exquisite, and the service was impeccable. A very special thank you to Didier, Rudy, Randall, and Johans, who took such wonderful care of everyone, they are truly exceptional at what they do. I also want to highlight Nicolas’s incredible dedication—when we needed additional candles and they weren’t available on the property, he personally went into town to get them for us. That level of commitment is rare and meant so much to all of us. This wedding would not have been possible without the support and dedication of the entire Hotel El Silencio team. I wholeheartedly recommend this beautiful property as a wedding destination and truly hope to create many more events together in the future. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

May 18, 2026

"As a R & C property, we were expecting exceptional standards across all aspects of hospitality and guiding and this was not delivered. Whilst the room was very good with plenty of space and a lovely hot tub, very little else impressed us. Overall from arrival to departure, with a few exceptions such as the coffee shop, we experienced a lack of warmth or engagement and this has to be levelled at the management. This Lodge came across as an events based space rather than a comfy hotel. Compared to other similar priced properties where we stayed, this was by far the only disappointing place. What a shame!"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

May 08, 2026

"A truly beautiful setting, incredibly tranquil, there is a lot to love about El Silencio. The rooms are really wonderful -- spacious private cabins in the forest with outdoor jacuzzis on the terrace of each room. Comfortable bed with high-quality linens, and space to spread out. We really enjoyed exploring the property, particularly the forest trails and the hummingbird garden which is absolutely packed with hummingbirds enjoying the flowers (instead of feeders), quite magical. We had spa services which were good but not great, the massage was not a true deep tissue therapy. Spa facilities are nice, but wish they were a bit more extensive with better sauna, steam, and hydrotherapy; it would be a great way to pass a rainy day lounging in a European-style spa. They have unfortunately fallen into the 'resort fee' swindle, which is always disappointing; wouldn't it be lovely to just receive an up-front and honest room rate? We didn't see any mountain bikes, tree planing, or archery, which were apparently included, and the guided walk was disappointing. We did enjoy the hot chocolate and in fact, the extremely knowledgeable barista was a true highlight, even demonstrating the traditional method for preparing filter coffee and explaining various roasting techniques. For the prices they are charging (regularly in the $600-1200/night range), it would certainly be nice if they included the other on-property activities (birdwatching, zip lining, night walks, etc.) in the complimentary activities. I suspect you could arrange the off-site activities yourself for a fraction of the cost, but if you're doing long day trips away from El Silencio, you would probably be better off to stay elsewhere. We enjoyed the restaurant, nothing spectacular, but good meals. Variety starts lacking after a couple of days, and the menu leans toward heavy/rich/cream-based, and could benefit from some variation and lighter options. A couple of service issues, most prominently a plumbing problem that was not fixed after numerous calls and visits from maintenance (who did track mud through our room on one occasion) over several days -- at this level of property for the rates charged, this was a bit shocking. I would describe the service in general as a bit distant, not particularly proactive, but at least folks were pleasant. Overall, I would return for the peace and quiet and the unbelievable beauty of the property itself, but hope the problems wouldn't repeat."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Apr 04, 2026

"The accommodation, food, service, location are fabulous. We were spoiled by the quality, choice and the amount of food available. The only tiny criticism we would have was that dining in the evening was very formal, waiters in suits which seemed a bit over the top when everyone is fairly relaxed in outdoor gear etc."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Mar 30, 2026

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