El Silencio Lodge & Spa is a Relais & Châteaux luxury lodge of 23 suites and villas in a cloud forest valley at Bajos del Toro, about 90 minutes from San José’s airport. It has its own reserve with three private waterfalls, a spa and wellness center, and an Elite rating from Costa Rica’s official sustainability program. It suits couples and families who want polished comfort and guided nature close to the capital, rather than a long trip to the coast.
At a glance
| Location | Bajos del Toro, Alajuela, 65 km northwest of Juan Santamaría airport |
|---|---|
| Style | Luxury lodge: hillside suites and two- and three-bedroom villas |
| Setting | Private cloud forest reserve along the Gorrión River, with three waterfalls |
| Best for | Couples, honeymooners and families wanting high-end comfort plus easy nature |
| Getting there | About 90 minutes by road from SJO, according to the lodge |
| CST status | CST Elite, valid to 2027-Nov-19 |
Where it is
Bajos del Toro is a small farming village in a deep green valley on the Caribbean side of the Central Volcanic Range, between Poás Volcano and Juan Castro Blanco National Park. The lodge’s contact page puts it 65 km northwest of Juan Santamaría International Airport, and the homepage estimates the drive at about 90 minutes. The last part of the route climbs over the mountains past Sarchí, the town famous for its painted oxcarts, so most guests arrive by private transfer.
The valley is known for waterfalls. Besides the three on the lodge’s land, the area’s best-known falls are close by, and Poás Volcano National Park is within day-trip range.
Suites and villas
Relais & Châteaux’s listing for the lodge counts 23 units in five types:
- Deluxe Suites (about 75 square meters), terraced along the hillside, each with floor-to-ceiling windows, a private deck with handmade rocking chairs and a heated outdoor hot tub.
- Two-Bedroom Suites (about 98 square meters).
- Two-Bedroom Villas (about 177 square meters).
- Two-Bedroom Riverside Villas (about 269 square meters), each with two private heated outdoor pools.
- Three-Bedroom Villas (about 207 square meters), the choice for larger families.
The suites look out into mist and forest, and the suites page leans into that: no TV-heavy luxury, just glass, wood and the sound of the river.
Food
Las Ventanas is the main restaurant. The gastronomy page says it draws on the lodge’s organic mini-farm, and that executive chef Robert Álvarez Pianto, who has a Peruvian-Italian background and trained in Lima and Tenerife, is reworking the menu around Costa Rican, Peruvian and Mediterranean flavors. There is also the Toro Bohemio bar, Sophia’s coffee and pastry shop, and private dinners at Rancho Orquídeas. In the cooking class, guests pick vegetables and herbs from the garden and cook a traditional Costa Rican meal with the kitchen team.
Spa and wellness
The Esencia Spa offers massages and body treatments. The Samana Wellness Center is a two-level space with 180-degree views over the forest and river, used for yoga, meditation, sound sessions and training. The wellness page lists a free Hatha-style yoga class every morning at 7:30, and there is an open-air yoga deck and a conical relaxation room.
In the reserve and beyond
The experiences page splits activities between the lodge’s own land and the valley:
- On the property: a guided trail to the three private waterfalls, the Mystic Hike with an eco-concierge, night walks, birding, archery, mountain biking, a farm visit and tree planting. Relais & Châteaux mentions about 3 miles of trails along the Gorrión River; the lodge’s own site says over 2 km.
- Off the property: a 7 km walk to see four waterfalls at Las Gemelas, a steep hike down to the base of the roughly 290-foot Catarata del Toro, waterfall rappelling and zip lining (gear included).
- Village life: tortilla-making with Doña Olga, a long-time Bajos del Toro cook, and oxcart painting with Kenneth, one of the lodge’s eco-concierges.
According to the homepage, yoga, archery, the Mystic Hike, tree planting, mountain bikes, the farm visit, an afternoon hot chocolate and breakfast are included in the stay. Check what your rate covers when you book, as packages vary.
Wildlife
Cloud forest at this altitude is good for birds: hummingbirds, tanagers, toucanets and, in season, the resplendent quetzal, which the lodge says its tree-planting work aims to bring back to the valley. Mammals are shy here, but coatis and agoutis are often seen along the trails. As with any forest, nothing is guaranteed.
Sustainability
El Silencio holds the Elite level of the government’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism, valid until November 19, 2027, according to the official CST listing. The CST summary notes rooms built on sustainable construction principles, environmental impacts tracked through performance indicators, programs to restore local plants and animals, and support for social welfare groups that help vulnerable people. Our guide to CST certification explains what Elite means.
The lodge also says guests can plant native trees in its carbon-offsetting forest, and its mini-farm supplies the kitchen. It doesn’t publish energy or water figures on its website.
Who it suits
El Silencio is built for couples, honeymooners and families who want five-star service, a private hot tub and daily guided nature without long transfers. It works well as a first or last stop near the airport.
It is not a budget or backpacker option, and it’s not a place for big-wildlife safaris: the forest here is about waterfalls, birds and mist. For a simpler, birding-focused stay in the same mountains, look at Bosque de Paz, and for a farm lodge near the volcano, Poás Volcano Lodge. See all our Northern Plains eco-lodges and our roundup of the best luxury eco-lodges in Costa Rica.
Frequently asked questions
How far is El Silencio from San José airport?
About 65 km, roughly 90 minutes by road according to the lodge. The route crosses the mountains on winding roads, so a private transfer is the easiest option.
What does CST Elite mean for El Silencio?
Elite is the top level of Costa Rica's official sustainability certification run by the Costa Rica Tourism Board. El Silencio's certificate was issued in November 2024 and runs to November 2027.
Can I visit waterfalls without leaving the property?
Yes. The lodge has three private waterfalls in its reserve, reached on a guided trail that only guests use. Larger falls such as Catarata del Toro are a short drive away.
Which villa is best for a family?
The two- and three-bedroom villas are the family options, from about 177 to 269 square meters. The Riverside Villas add two private heated pools.
