Previous Trip Notes
A Friendly Trip to Costa Rica: Part 3 – National Car Rental & SJO > Bajos Del Toro
A Friendly Trip to Costa Rica: Part 2 – MIA Centurion Lounge & MIA > SJO
A Friendly Trip to Costa Rica: Part 1 – AA DCA > MIA
Our friends who we were traveling with didn’t even know that morning that we were going to Costa Rica, none-the-less the itinerary. El Silencio Lodge & Spa was one of the highest rated hotels I had found during my research of Costa. NSPwife and I both had a ton of Barclays Arrival points to burn, and utilizing Topcashback & Hotels.Com, we scored a solid deal on a 2-Bedroom Villa. As we pulled into the main lodge, it was clear why this had been rated so highly. This seemed like the Conrad Koh Samui of Costa. You are surrounded by rain-forest mountains. Clouds are visibly rolling over these hills to the point where it feels like you should be able to reach out and grab them. Pictures don’t do it justice, but I’ll try:
El Silencio Lodge & Spa – Bajos del Toro
The check-in area was simple, yet elegant.
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Main Lodge – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Main Lodge – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Main Lodge – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Main Lodge – Bajos del Toro
Welcome drinks awaited us, and Ronald – who was fantastic – gave us a tour of the main lodge and spa area. He then led us in a car to our villa. El Silencio Lodge & Spa has a number of suites and four 2-bedroom villas. We booked a villa for the four of us. And. Wow. It’s elegant and gorgeous. The porch view over the forests, mountains and clouds, with a large hot-tub perfectly positioned to take in the view, was fantastic. The porch, with a bench, four chairs and two rocking chairs is a perfect place to relax. I actually think our friends were in the hot tub before I even checked out our room.
We cooked dinner in the kitchen, which had all the necessary cookware and utensils, had some more drinks and cigars in the hot tub and hit the bed, after what seemed like a never-ending day.
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Villa – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Villa – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Villa – Bajos del Toro
The lodge itself, with a stove, oven, and full refrigerator is perfect. There were multiple LCD TVs, although I don’t think anyone ever turned on one.
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Villa Kitchen – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Villa Dining Table – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Villa Family Room – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Villa Laundry – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Villa Bathroom – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Villa Bedroom #1 – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Villa Bedroom #2 – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Villa Gas Heaters – Bajos del Toro
The restaurant menus were there….wait, a three-course dinner is only $40 per person? OK…I was wrong about that one. Breakfast was included in the rate, and included both a buffet of bread, meats and fruits, as well as a la carte ordering.
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Breakfast Menu – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Breakfast Menu – Bajos del Toro
The next morning we woke up rather early and went to the main lodge. Breakfast. Was. Phenomenal.
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Breakfast – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Breakfast – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Breakfast – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Breakfast – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Breakfast – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Breakfast – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Coffee – Bajos del Toro
They claim this is a “5-leaf resort” (their version of a sustainable 5-star hotel). Most of their produce, eggs and fish come from their greenhouse, garden, chicken coupes and trout ponds.
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Chickens – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Garden – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Greenhouse – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Trout Pond – Bajos del Toro
We then decided to hike to the three waterfalls within walking distance. It was about two kilometers, and a hundred or so kilometers higher up in altitude. The sites were beautiful, with each waterfall being prettier than the one before. The “jungle” was amazing. Although we didn’t see much wildlife, much to our disappointment, the odd looking trees, plants and other vegetation was quite an experience.
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Waterfall Hike – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Waterfall Hike – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Waterfall Hike – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Waterfall Hike – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Waterfall Hike – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Waterfall Hike – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Waterfall Hike – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Waterfall Hike – Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Waterfall Hike – Bajos del Toro
After the hike we ventured back to our villa, where we took a dip in the pool with a beverage and cigar. Some of the friends ventured to the spa for a massage, and the ladies readied for their horseback riding excursion. Overall, a solid afternoon. We then made our way to dinner. The meal was fantastic, with multiple courses and some good wine.
We settled in early, as we had to take off early the next morning. Two nights here was not enough. We again ate the included breakfast at the lodge – more fantastic food – at 7:00am, and hit the road by 8am. The ambiance, service, f&b and accommodations were all remarkable, and I would highly recommend El Silencio Lodge & Spa to anyone traveling to Costa Rica – it is definitely in my Top 5 list of resorts that I’ve stayed at.
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