El Silencio lived up to its reputation, I was very calming, and very beautiful. The staff was amazing and everyone was incredibly nice. Pura Vida.

The accommodations, people, service, adventures were all top notch and beyond our expectations. We had an absolutely magical time at El Silencio. So much attention to detail, staff kindness and attentiveness, gorgeous appointments.

This lodge and spa is located in a valley between two mountain ranges at about 5000 feet (compared to Monte Verde 4300 feet) and is considered to be within the range of cloud forest. When we arrived, we were checked in and the host was very nice but failed to give us clear information of how to navigate the privately owned cloud forest with very hilly resort location and four water falls all within the property. But staff are otherwise great. Look for Bryan in the guide services. He stands very tall amongst all of them. Book activities in advance as they get full and then there is not much to do. Just walk around the property if it is very sunny. Lots of birds and clouds.

This place is amazing and worth the drive to get there. The area is beautiful and it’s a very nice small resort which made it almost private. The staff are amazing The food as well was great. They have a great little bar which is so warm and beautiful as well as the special drinks. I also had a special cooking class for my self which was so nice. Hiking to the waterfalls was interesting since they have a few trails but worth it To get to the top. If you want to learn to fish thru have trout ponds… Just a great place to chill and relax.

Pros: gorgeous property, serene, beautiful rooms, each has an outdoor hot tub, our weather was perfect, everyone loved zip lining, we loved the waterfall hike, and we were very happy with the tour leaders and organizers. They made things happen and didn’t seem put out in the least. Spa and yoga were both great. Food and drinks were good quality. In the context of our Costa Rica trip, this was the most serene hotel, kind of a honeymoon hotel. Not a lot going on but beautiful setting and a few things if you want them. Cons: if you don’t get a well located room, you either are far, far away or you are up a very steep hill. Your room location is the most important detail when you book. Once you get to the room it’s great but my kids will never stop complaining about the hike to our rooms (10 and 11). As for dining, we were a large group, and there really are very minimal options other than eating at the hotel. Given that, you’d think that the menu would change or rotate. It did not. Also because we were a large group they always wanted us to “pre-order” to make it easier for them. The problem with this is 1) on vacation, I don’t necessarily want to commit to when I’m getting to breakfast and 2) the service wasn’t that much better having pre- ordered. While the servers were nice, it just became tired quickly to be eating breakfast, lunch and dinner in the same place and to have to think in advance what you want. This could be solved if breakfast was more buffet style. And maybe mix things up on the menu. There are like 6 entrees. I had beef tenderloin every single night. A note about excursions- our agent who booked recommended horse riding and bikes for our families. We split our group and did both. Both activities were at a much higher level of difficulty than what we anticipated. The horses ran and were not well behaved with each other which was not good at all with kids. The bike guide told two of us at the outset that we wouldn’t be able to do the bike ride. And apparently it was hard even with e-bikes because the terrain was so bumpy. Meanwhile when we booked them we were told both activities were for beginners. So that was disappointing. Skip the free “mystic hike”it was meh. And I just wouldn’t stay here too long- 3 nights max- just a little too much of the same thing over and over. 2 nights probably better but if I were recommending to a family I’d say skip this all together. Far better places for families in Costa Rica. But for the relaxing portion of the trip, this is a great option.