Rancho de Lelo Ecolodge

Location: San Luis, Rancho de Lelo, 1km NE of Escuela Bajos de San Luis, Monteverde, Puntarenas, 60109, Monteverde, CR

Star Rating: 2 Stars

Property Type: Lodges

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 02:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Check-out: 11:00 AM

Instructions: This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply). To arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 24 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. The front desk is open daily from 6:30 AM - 10:00 PM. This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in. To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions. The front desk is staffed during limited hours.

Amenities & Facilities

• Area shuttle (surcharge)
• Free WiFi
• Terrace
• Garden
• Luggage storage
• Designated smoking area
• Concierge service
• Wheelchair accessible
• Picnic area
• Gift shops or newsstand
• Television in common areas
• Multilingual staff
• Front desk (limited hours)
• Tours/ticket assistance
• Area shuttle (surcharge)
• Shopping center shuttle (surcharge)
• Playground on site
• Free self parking
• Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
• Housekeeping on request
• Mosquito nets
• Horse riding nearby
• Accessible shuttle
• No accessible shuttle

Rooms Available

• Basic Studio

  1 Queen Bed

  Overlooking the courtyard

  
  

  Food & Drink - Kitchenette with cookware/dishware, coffee/tea maker, and dining table

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, towels, and shampoo

  Practical - Desk and wardrobe or closet

  Comfort - Portable fan

  Accessibility - Tile flooring in room

  Need to Know - Housekeeping on request, toothbrush and toothpaste not available

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Kitchenette
  • Desk
  • Private bathroom
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Dining table
  • Toilet paper
  • Shampoo
  • Room service (limited hours)
  • Portable fan
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Soap
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste available
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste not available

• Superior Cabin

  2 Queen Beds

  387-sq-foot room, balcony/patio with mountain views

  
  

  Layout - 2 bedrooms and living room

  Food & Drink - Kitchenette with microwave, cookware/dishware, coffee/tea maker, and dining table

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - 2 bathrooms, shower, towels, and shampoo

  Practical - Desk and wardrobe or closet

  Comfort - Portable fan

  Accessibility - Tile flooring in room

  Need to Know - Housekeeping on request, toothbrush and toothpaste not available

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 4 (3 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Kitchenette
  • Desk
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Dining table
  • Toilet paper
  • Shampoo
  • Room service (limited hours)
  • Balcony or patio
  • Portable fan
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Soap
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste available
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste not available

• Traditional Cabin, Balcony

  1 Queen Bed, 1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bed

  323-sq-foot room, balcony/patio with garden views

  
  

  Food & Drink - Mini-fridge, coffee/tea maker, room service (limited hours), and dining table

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, towels, and shampoo

  Practical - Desk and wardrobe or closet

  Comfort - Portable fan

  Accessibility - Wheelchair accessible

  Need to Know - Housekeeping on request, toothbrush and toothpaste not available

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 5 (5 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Desk
  • Private bathroom
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Dining table
  • Toilet paper
  • Shampoo
  • Room service (limited hours)
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Balcony or patio
  • Portable fan
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Soap
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste available
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste not available

Guest Reviews

• Tawny (6/5): - First I would like to say the customer service and communication was great at Rancho de Lelo. They did a great job suggesting activities around the area. The breakfast was delicious and property was beautiful. My kids loved spending time with the dogs. The view from the room was beautiful and calming. The negative is there was heavy rainfall while we were visiting and as a result the room felt very wet due to poor window and door insulation and condensation. All our items in the room felt damp. There were also bugs in the room that bit us. My kids had a hard time with this and spent most of the night awake and upset.
• Yuemei (10/5): - We love our stay. It was only one night but very memorable with the friendly staffs and the welcoming gift basket. We feel like staying at a family's home. Would definitely plan for a longer stay in the future.
• Dominique (10/5): - The Rancho de Lelo was AMAZING! When we arrived, Beatriz was so kind to us and very helpful. She helped us planning activities and she recommended restaurants. It was probably the best welcome that we ever experienced at a hotel! The Rancho is located on a great property. It's beautiful, peaceful and very quiet! It's a family-owned hotel. They even have their own coffee plantation. The rooms are private "cabanas", so cabin style. The breakfast is delicious. The pool has nice clean natural water (no chlorine). There are very friendly dogs on the property and they were my son's trip highlight in Monteverde! The Rancho is located about 25 min from Santa Elena, the nearest town. The views from the town to the Rancho are absolutely stunning!
• Julie (8/5): 2 jours en nature, tellement beau! - Cest un tres beau site,dans la nature et beaucoup d'oiseaux . Route pour sy rendre est ardue, on se demande si cest le bon chemin haha. La piscine est froide puisu'ils utilisent de l'eau des montagnes pour la re remplir a tous les jours. Quelques insectes a l'intérieur des chambres mais pas de moustiques. Personnel tellement accueillants et gentil. Déjeuner bon.
• Carla (6/5): - The owners were polite and kind. But it is a drive up into the mountains on a very bumpy gravel road, so make sure you have a good SUV not a car. Our room was not one of the photos that you see on Expedia so it truly wasn’t what we expected. It was clean and we did have what we needed (shower and bed), but we would not go back. The property is beautiful and with the walk up the gravel road allow us to see many birds which was pleasant and joyful. Also, if you are not a dog person, this property is not for you. You are constantly greeted and escorted by their dogs.
• Chris (10/5): - I wish staff and service had an option for six stars. This is a family run farm and B&B and the family is fantastic. Very helpful and friendly.
• Adam (10/5): - Super friendly staff and great breakfast! Lovely spot. Only trouble was it’s a bit out of town and the driving is rough.
• Ronald (10/5): - Warm welcome by the owners Lelo, Juana, Beatriz and Natalia who were very nice, kind, helpful and professional. Our cabin was clean, lovely, spacious with a balcony overlooking the mountains. The lush gardens were fantastic. They offer laundry service at $5/kg, assigned free parking, pool with mineral spring water, strong WiFi, delicious breakfast from 7-9am and dinner at 6pm. The dirt road from the highway to the lodge was rather lengthy. Great job and thanks. Highly recommended!
• Ryan (10/5): Would stay again!!! - Great experience, stay was extremely friendly. All the meals were home cooked and authentic foods.
• Mark (10/5): A great choice! - We are so pleased that we stayed at Rancho de Lelo. The family is super helpful and accommodating. We showed up without a plan and they helped us with everything. Highly recommend!
• Verified traveler (10/5): Highly recommended! - Loved our stay here. The property is gorgeous, set in a stunning valley. The food was delicious and serving sizes generous. Beatriz and Natalie were friendly, helpful and accommodating. They will help you with tour booking and make recommendations for sights/activities in the area. We weren’t disappointed.
• Nicole (10/5): - This place is
• candace (10/5): - The property itself was beautiful, with a wide variety of plants/trees and birds, which was a main reason for our trip this time. We will stay longer if we return to this area in the future.
• Verified traveler (10/5): Perfect base of operations for Monteverde - We stayed here three wonderful nights. The staff was amazing—five star attention with many great local recommendations. Breakfast was a highlight—fried eggs, fresh fruit, and the best (homemade) hot sauce we’ve ever had. The Rancho’s dogs were friendly and more interested in scratches from younger travelers than the beautiful birds on the grounds. The cabins have all the necessities—fans for circulation but no need for AC in the cool mountain nights. Rancho de Lelo is the perfect base of operations for Monteverde. The drive into Santa Elena was very manageable, especially since many of the attractions and reservations are spread out anyway.
• Dominique (10/5): - We had an excellent stay at the lodge and enjoyed the food a lot. You really have to take the dirt road on the right like indicated otherwise you'll go through Monterverde, it will be much longer and the road after a while won't be better.
• Carroll (10/5): - This extraordinary family, and their sustainable farm, personify the Costa Rican principles of care for the environment and cooperation. Truly, this is Pura Vida! We didn’t rent a car and I would suggest that it would be a good idea to have wheels as the farm is somewhat remote.
• Cindy (10/5): - Natalie’s and Beatriz are lovely. The food is great and we loved our little cabins. Very spacious and comfortable.
• Robert (8/5): - Very friendly and helpful staff! Excellent cooking for breakfast and dinner...fresh, hot, generous portions! Ver.y good value. Off the beaten path
• Julie (10/5): Superb! - Everything was top notch!!! Will stay there again. Super clean. Amazing friendly staff. Breakfast great. Five thermal pools amazing!Room was very cozy. Great location to town and activities.
• Abbie (10/5): - Wonderful hosts, beautiful property. Great location for driving to all you need to see in the area.
• Mark (10/5): - Very clean and excellent food and beautiful grounds. We saw a motmot and an aracari right on the grounds.
• Irina (10/5): - A Christmas Eve to Remember at Expedia I cannot say enough about our recent stay at Rancho de Lelo Ecolodge. From the moment we booked, the host was incredibly welcoming and accommodating. They invited us to join their Christmas Eve celebration, which felt like spending the holiday with family. The food was absolutely delicious. The cozy little house nestled in the forest created a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. The property was clean and inviting. It was an unforgettable experience that made our Christmas vacation truly special.
• Paul (10/5): - This family owned place is awesome!! We were very late getting to the hotel due to mudslides in La Fortuna. We were really tired when we got there. They brought us dinner to our room. They even fixed a flat tire for me. Very clean place and they are very accomodating to whatever you need. They have no ACbut with the windows abd door open there us enough breeze to cool your room. Cant say enough goos things about our time there.
• Julie (10/5): - The property is beautiful and the staff is amazing. Our stay was beautiful. I would gladly stay there again. The only thing to know is the road there is a bit rough, I made it in a tiny 2W drive car though. I thought we would go back to Santa Elena for dinner but I did not want to do the drive extra, especially ar night. Good news their dinner was great and their dogs are a highlight of our stay.
• Laurie (8/5): - Very beautiful family run ranch. Atmosphere was friendly and grounds were beautiful. Our only issue was the distance to town… it is a good 30 min drive and if you don’t have a car that’s $20-25 each way.
• Ravi (8/5): - The host and staff were very good , the hotel was in lush green on the mountains. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
• Albert (10/5): - Beautiful place in Monteverde. We ate there every night for dinner in addition to the included breakfast - food was better than anything you can get in town. The owners was amazing, helping us with everything we needed with coordinating our things to do while there for 3 days. Cabin was also great, spacious and clean. Would definitely recommend staying here!
• Oleksandr (10/5): - Beautiful and nice place, so quiet. Very friendly family owner. Delicious breakfast and dinner. Just one thing, when you come ask about pool. When we stay, pool doesn’t work.
• Halle (10/5): - The staff was amazing and Bronco, the pup, was an amazing host :-) the dinner was excellent and the location remote and beautiful
• Sarah (10/5): - We loved our two night stay with our young children (5, 4 & 2). The staff were fantastic, really friendly and welcoming and gave great advice and tips about the local area and things to do. The food was absolutely delicious at both breakfast and dinner. It had a real family vibe and felt like we were welcomed into their family too. The lodges were great, good size, and clean. They were set in a really beautiful location and we saw lots of hummingbirds and butterflies from our balcony at the room. I would highly recommend a stay here!
• Melanie (10/5): - We loved our stay at Rancho de Lelo. Family-owned, quiet, peaceful, with beautiful surroundings and nicely appointed, clean rooms. Beatriz and her family are a delight and we felt right at home. We enjoyed watching motmots and toucans from our balcony while having coffee in the morning! Breakfast was fresh and delicious with fruits from the garden. Dinner was incredible, too! My daughter loved and dogs and my kids really appreciated the pool. Thanks for a memorable stay!
• Himat (10/5): - Rancho de Lelo Ecolodge is a family owned small lodge, located about 20 minutes from the main area of Monte Verde. We had a thoroughly enjoyable stay with this charming family. The National Park is only 10-15 minutes drive. The farm to table cuisine was awesome. Highly recommended.
• Jennifer (10/5): - Everything was perfect, the owners really take care of everything you need and make you feel like part of the family. We will come back!
• Michele (10/5): - Beautiful property and very welcoming staff.
• Gary (10/5): Amazing family-run oasis! - Rancho de Lelo is a gem and makes a great base for exploring Monteverde. The Mata family are amazing hosts and the rooms and food are lovely. Would recommend a 4x4 for the drive in though!
• victoria (10/5): Wonderful! - Soooo friendly and welcoming! Great location. Great food. Private cabinas. All was perfect
• jyoti (10/5): - This is secluded place in monteverde area situated in the mountains … beautiful location with greenery, friendly staff and dogs. I would suggest to drive if you staying here… Great experience!
• Ester (10/5): - We had a fantastic time at Rancho De Lelo, staying for two nights with our three kids. This ecolodge, located just outside Monteverde, is truly special. While the rooms are basic, they have everything you need for a comfortable stay. Sitting on the balcony at night, listening to the sounds of nature, was a magical experience, especially with the kids. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, even when we were a bit nervous about driving back after sunset. The food was outstanding! You have to try their dinner menu (shoutout to the chef! The fried Tilapia is a must). The property is well-kept, with a lovely little pool and a great soccer field for some family fun. Just keep in mind that the only access is via a gravel road, so in the rainy season, a 4x4 vehicle is recommended. Overall, it was a wonderful stay that our whole family will cherish, and I highly recommend it. Thank you, Rancho De Lelo, for adding to our Costa Rica adventure!
• Mark (8/5): - You need a 4x4 to get here. Road conditions not that great. Property is nice but getting to/from Elena is treacherous . If you are staying here it’s very nice. Hosts are awesome. Pool is more of a soaker tub size
• Stephanie (10/5): - The property was absolutely beautiful and the staff were incredibly welcoming and warm. You truly felt a part of the family when you were there. The meals served daily were delicious and were a highlight of our trip.
• Nancy (10/5): - This is a very special ecolodge because the Mata family cares deeply about their home, the land, and their guests. They are incredibly friendly and welcoming. The rooms are beautiful and peaceful. The grounds are serene. The farm to table food is excellent. The drive to Monte Verde cloud forest and nearby town of Santa Elena is a fun drive on a well maintained gravel road through beautiful mountain passes and villages. If you are looking to have a special Tico experience near Monte Verde, this is the place. We hope to come back!
• Judith (10/5): - Nous avons adoré notre séjour au Rancho de Lelo. La famille qui gère cet établissement est très sympathique et accueillante. La cabine était parfaite pour notre famille de 5. Nous avons apprécié le calme de cet endroit. Nos enfants ont adoré le terrain de soccer, les arbres fruitiers, les petits chiens et les excellents jus préparés maison. Il faut avoir un véhicule pour s’y rendre car c’est un peu éloigné mais ça vaut le déplacement!
• Carly (10/5): - Beautiful location in the Monteverde area. Rainbows everywhere. Run by a lovely family. We were traveling with our toddler and they let her help catch the fish from the little pond for dinner (which was delicious!).
• Karmal (10/5): Felt like staying with friends! - Great stay, lovely family run Ecolodge. The food at the onsite restaurant was delicious. We had the whole fried tilapia, and smoked pork dinners. As well as an amazing huge breakfast with delicious fresh fruit, rice and beans and eggs and coffee. Our casita was equipped with everything we needed to cook. Plenty of room, deeply relaxing to have the windows open and watch the birds. We saw a toucan and a hummingbird, there are coffee plants and banana plants and orchids growing right outside the door. They had excellent suggestions for tours, restaurants and the best places to stop and watch the sunset. The lodge is about 25 minutes drive outside Santa Elena, it’s a pretty drive with a couple incredible views. One afternoon we just relaxed at the lodge, sat with our legs in the spring fed pool, watched the birds and played with the dogs.
• Vibhu (10/5): - We enjoyed the family like hospitality from the entire staff ! Will visit again !
• Erik (10/5): - We enjoyed our stay and think you probably will too. This assumes you are comfortable with a family run operation and you can manage a little mountain driving to get there. Oh, and they have some dogs. The cabin was comfortable, the food was good and the property is nice. Also, as mentioned the staff are helpful and terrific. Beautiful area and the price was reasonable.
• ANGELA (10/5): - She greeted me by name before I even got out of the car! Absolutely felt welcome and comfortable with the people, the grounds and our cabin. She helped prepare our travels for the next day so we could avoid the Costa Rican massage on our drive (avoid bumpy gravel roads). I feel we got extremely lucky to stay here.
• Belinda (10/5): - Rancho de Lelo was a wonderful place to stay as a family of 4. Our hosts were very hospitable. The food was amazing at breakfast and dinner. The kids loved the natural spring fed pool (a little cool, but didnt bother our Canadian kids!). The cabin was clean and well kept. It is a bit off the beaten path, but we had no issues finding it and didnt mind the 25 minute drive to the Monteverde activities.
• David (10/5): Lovely Lodge Accommodation - Lovely lodge accommodation with fantastic views across Monteverde. Excellent home cooked / bred dinner available.
• Mike (10/5): - It was a great stay here, the family is wonderful. They have a lot of dogs on the property which gave us a lot of joy. Bronco is the lead German Shepherd and he’s very friendly. Their restaurant serves good food, breakfast and dinner were delicious. The cabins are nice and relaxing. Who ever you talk to before arriving will try to warn you not to follow google maps, we didn’t listen and got to cross the river without a bridge. Again, they warned us and it was our fault, it worked out because we had a SUV. My advice is to put in your map Monteverde Reserve Cloud Forest, and then when you get near there, then put in Rancho de Lelo. That way you’ll avoid an insanely steep mountainside road that requires crossing a river. It’s a good story for us and added to our enjoyment of our time here.
• Karla (4/5): - The accomendations were great once we arrived, it is located too far outside of the town. the distance and poor road condions.
• Jeffery (10/5): - My partner and I recently had the most incredible experience at Rancho de Lelo , nestled in the heart of the Costa Rican rainforest. From the moment we arrived, we were enveloped in the serene beauty of the lush surroundings and the warm hospitality of the staff. The lodge itself is a true gem, seamlessly blending with its natural environment. Our secluded cabin was beautifully appointed, offering breathtaking views of the mountain range and the soothing sounds of wildlife all around us. We felt a world away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, yet we were still treated to great amenities and exceptional service. Every meal at the lodge was a culinary delight, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a delightful fusion of Costa Rican flavors. One of the highlights of our stay was driving up to Monte Verde. From hikes through the jungle to some really cool local shops and restaurants there. What truly sets them apart is the genuine care and attention to detail provided by the staff. From the moment we made our reservation to the day we departed, they went above and beyond to ensure that our stay was great!
• Saeed (10/5): - This property was very nice with clean and high quality cabins and a great breakfast and environment. There were beautiful ponds with fish surrounded with coconut trees and a variety of other plants. However, ensure you drive to this property from Sta. Elena road and go north, this is a smoother and shorter route. DO NOT go south from 606, the road there is very rough and rocky.
• Michael (2/5): Awful Experience - The owners closed the kitchen to guests and we discovered that when we arrived at dusk. They expected us to drive 45-60 minutes to the nearest restaurant in the dark and torrential downpours. The ranch is located at the bottom of an extremely steep 4x4 road (20 minutes from Monteverde). It’s very difficult to access and very inconveniently located. This was the worst experience of our trips throughout Costa Rica.
• Romy (8/5): - The staff was so friendly and helpful, the property was beautiful and the breakfast was lovely. The road to drive into the property, however, was very bumpy, steep and treacherous at times. Be sure to have an SUV or 4WD vehicle. Beautiful place overall.
• Rita (10/5): Quiet spot - Cute little cabins with a small deck and sliding glass door. Beds were comfortable. There is no air conditioning, but they did supply a fan which helped. It was about 15 minute drive on a rough dirt road to Monteverde cloud forest biological reserve, which meant it was quiet and peaceful. Included breakfast was delicious with options such as typical Tico breakfast, eggs and toast, or pancakes. The pool is tiny. Staff were super responsive. They run their own tilapia farm here. We ate at the onsite restaurant for dinner. A bit pricey but we watched them bring our fish fresh from the farm. Can't beat the freshness!
• Peter (10/5): - Wonderfully friendly family-run lodge and the best breakfasts we had in Costa Rica!
• Lily (10/5): - This was one of our favorite places in Costa Rica. An amazing property in the valley surrounded by the beauty of the mountains. The family that runs the place is so friendly, yet professional. We had to leave on a tour before breakfast, they made a sandwich and cut fruit to take with us. We also went on a night tour with Joseph, who also lives on the farm. It was by far the most informative tour, and we saw so many animals from toucans to vipers to sloths, and of course we’re blessed by the quetzal. The kids adored Bronco, the german Sheppard that slept outside our cabin window and greeted us daily. He is one of the smartest and nicest dogs we ever met. So connected with nature, your soul just opens up! A definite must when in Monte Verde.
• Hanna (8/5): - A bit tricky to get here if the car is not full powered but the place is very nice. All wha needed is here
• Eduardo (10/5): - Very friendly family, we did like our stay very much Thank you Lelo and family Eduardo Escobar
• Shanalyn (10/5): - What a lovely place to stay. This family business is too notch. Be prepared for an exceptionally long drive out of the way from Monteverde but it’s worth it :)
• Sarah (10/5): - This place was absolutely amazing and if my husband and I could have extended our trip and stayed there longer, we would have. The cabins were private and the grounds were relaxing and beautiful. Our hostess was very responsive and kind. Breakfast was also delicious. Would highly recommend!
• Gursharan (10/5): - This place was such a gem, the owners the cabins, relaxing , beautiful, serene and felt like home
• Shannon (10/5): - Beautiful property, family and food! We had such a wonderful time exploring the area the hosts were very friendly and welcoming. We also had dinner at their restaurant twice and got to catch our own tilapia which was a fun ending to the day. It is a bit from town (which was great in many ways). If you are looking for a farm to table echo resort, in a very safe and tucked away location, this is a fantastic option.
• Holger (10/5): - Quiet place outside of Monteverde. Beautiful cabins and well maintained property. Staff was super friendly and we truly enjoyed the local food. Would come back anytime.
• dana (10/5): - The beds we’re comfortable, the atmosphere was great and the food excellent as well as moderately priced! Our 9 and 12 year old boys had a blast running around and playing with the two very friendly dogs on the property! Highly recommend especially to families!
• Melissa (10/5): - Such a unique and beautiful location run by a kind and resourceful family.
• Jennifer (10/5): - This property is so unique and lovely. We saw 8 toucans out our bedroom window. One thing to consider is the property requires 4-wheel drive (or it did at the time of our visit) in order to access it and it is 10-20 mins off of the main road depending on the driving conditions.
• Darya (10/5): - We are a family with 2 kids (5 & 10) and stayed at the farm for 2 nights. The facility was very nice for the price. The room is rather small though and the bathroom is tiny. The pros are definitely the staff, everyone was extremely nice and accommodating. They contacted us ahead of time and were waiting at the gate by the time we arrived. The food at the restaurant was delicious and inexpensive. The main con was the road, it’s bad. When I was reading the reviews everyone mentioned that the road was bumpy, it’s also a serpentine so if you have a weak stomach I suggest to think twice about staying there. It’s about 30-40 mins drive from all the main attractions which wouldn’t be a problem if the roads weren’t that bad.
• John (10/5): Great value - Loved our stay. Family Mata looked after us. Upgrade for our anniversary. Dinner and accommodation great value. Loved the remote, rural location.
• Rino (10/5): Hidden gem. - Well established family run business. Felt like home. Highly recommend this.
• CHeryl (6/5): Just okay... not sure if i would rebook. - We booked 2 nights there and i'm not sure i would do it again. First the pluses. The cabins were comfortable and clean, and just as advertised, and the breakfast was really good with fresh fruit. I just feel they could do a few small things to make things better. Put comfortable chairs or a hammock on the decks for people to enjoy vs hard stools..The Pool is NOT A POOL it's basically a water feature, and was filthy when we arrived . They did drain and fill with clean water for the next day and we layed on the hard concrete for a bit to make the most of it but not what i was expecting. Put a lounge chair or two and keep it clean would have made all the difference. The dinner was just okay. Oh and this is VERY far out of town which is fine if the decks and pool area, and dinner were where you could hang out as expected but because they aren't you find yourself going into town. instead.
• Maya (10/5): - We enjoyed out 3 day-stay at Rancho de Lelo, located away from the town of Monteverde/Santa Elena. Away from the crowd, and very peaceful quiet place. Family owned, and in the middle of farms and fields. It was very hard to find the place, and hard to get there (bad roads) but it is a great place to stay, to experience the region and culture. Natalia was very accommodating, and cooked us a great food!
• Benjamin (10/5): - I cannot say enough good things about Rancho de Lelo. Beatriz and family were so friendly and accommodating; we immediately felt right at home. The cabins are adorable and we loved sitting out on the balcony, listening to the birds and the wind sweeping through the valley. We had homecooked meals at their restaurant, and while I couldn't partake of the tilapia raised on site (I have a serious fish allergy), it was super impressive watching them select live fish and prepare and serve it to others – it really doesn't get any more fresh than that. The grounds are beautiful; so many fruit trees, flowers, coffee plants. Amazing scenery and a great quiet location just outside of St. Elena and spitting distance from the Cloud Forest. My one regret is that we only had time to stay one night, but I hope very much to return some day. A final note: if you're driving, make sure to follow their directions. Google Maps will take you down a "short cut" which is a very steep/windy dirt road that leads to a "River Without a Bridge" (literally, that's how it's marked in Google) where a four-wheel drive vehicle is a must!
• sophie (8/5): Un eco-lodge très sympa - Hôtel convenable, bonne literie, hôte très accueillants ,très bon petit déjeuner. Seul bémol la localisation sur maps.me et Google le place en décalé.
• Kimberly (10/5): - Our family loved our stay at Rancho de Lelo! The cabins were beautiful as was the surrounding area. It’s about a 30mins drive from Monteverde on a gravel road so you definitely need a vehicle. The on-site restaurant is amazing with locally sourced ingredients. We definitely recommend a stay here! Gracias por todo!
• Johan (8/5): Rancho de Lelo - Nice place, very secluded. The food was very good. The roads were poor but not wors than other parts of Costa Rica. Just go slow and take your time. We had no problems finding our way. The staff spoke good english, this is not always the case i Poerto Rico, espesially when you get off the beaten track.
• Xiao (10/5): - It was a fantastic experience living in this quiet and secluded farm. Visitors will have the chance to see many tropical plants and animals and the hosts are very nice.
• Dale (10/5): - We loved that it is a 3 generational farm that is self sustaining and environmentaly concious. We enjoyed meeting the family and the little farm tour. The tilapia they raise on the farm was delicious. And it was the best pork ive ever had. Thank you and best wishes for the future.
• Maria (10/5): Best time! - We had the best time with this lovely family at Rancho de lelo. A real family atmosphere with the cutest kids and doggos running around! Our room was lovely and clean, the only thing we had trouble with was the shower! The food was AMAZING. some of the best food we’ve had. They made us so welcome and we loved staying with them.
• Sian (8/5): - This is a very low-key, out of the way place. I liked the fact that rooms were totally disconnected- no wi-fi, no TVs. Both are available in the dining room though. Bear in mind it is 45-60 minutes away from Santa Elena by car on a road that is extremely steep, potholed and winding. There is pretty much nothing nearby in the way of stores, restaurants or activities. We had no car and relied on taxis- fine during the day, but a bit trickier to find at night. Even if we had a car, I wouldn't have been comfortable driving the roads. Transportation could be an added expense to factor in if you plan on doing any activities in the area. The staff are extremely helpful and the food is excellent- breakfast and dinner were both amazing. I highly recommend this place for those not looking to be in the centre of things and preferring more natural surroundings.
• Anna (8/5): - Pros: friendly staff, nice home-made dinner at a restaurant, located on premises, eco-friendly, park-like setting Cons: no paved road to get to the place, no wi-fi, no swimming pool
• Lisa (10/5): - If you haven't experienced driving in CR, be prepared for some very rocky roads en route to Rancho de Lelo! But, I can tell you this: it is worth the drive. Beatriz is delightful, speaks English beautifully, and seems always available to help with anything. The property is a sustainable farm, so the food they offer at breakfast, lunch and dinner doesn't get any fresher. Dinner is abundant and well worth the price. They farm talapia, which is on the menu, and so delicious that we ordered it every night we were there! The cabins are cozy and all in close proximity to the restaurant. We are so impressed with the little heaven that Lelo created. I would go back again.
• Hui (10/5): - Very nice experience! Wonderful environment, friendly people, delicious food, and great price, everything is perfect!
• Andre (10/5): - Roads to the property are a bit bumpy but once there it is a very nice place. I had my best Costa Rican meal for dinner (smoked pork) and our hosts were very nice. Highly recommend it.
• Ann (10/5): Recommend - Amazing place. Very beautiful, friendly, clean and wonderful food. Highly recommend for a solo, romantic, or family trip. The hosts are very helpful with arranging activities and transportation. They also provide very knowledgeable guided tours of cloud Forest and night hikes. We loved staying here!
• Lisl (10/5): - This lodge is wonderful! It is very well maintained with very clean and nice cabins. The family who runs it is very hospitable making you feel at home. I highly recommend staying there. The road to get there is quite bumpy but well worth the drive.
• Dave (10/5): - We loved Rancho de Lelo. From the moment we arrived , the family took amazing care of us . They were kind, friendly and helpful in planning our local Monteverde excursions. The food was extraordinary, made with a attention and care. They live their sustainability practices. Would highly recommend.
• samir (10/5): - Excellent choice if you are looking for a unique experience. Small facility surrounded by coffee plantation and a farm. The owner runs the place and surrounded houses are part of her family. She gave us the tour of the farm and got to try fresh coconut right from the tree. Restaurant food is amazing, may be due to fresh produces. The place is in the secluded area and be prepare to drive on the dirt road for 15-30 mins and avoid night driving if possible. Would definitely recommend the place and the hospitality.
• Verified traveler (10/5): - We felt like family from the time we were checking in. This is such a unique experience with beautiful terrain all around, great food, and an incredible service attitude. The owners did everything to make our stay as wonderful as possible. Must go!
• Rachael (10/5): - We had a wonderful stay. The property is beautiful and food is delicious! The family was so kind and excellent hosts. They helped us come up with a great itinerary to see the most of Monteverde. We were able to go on excellent guided nature hikes. Staying there we not only had a relaxing place to stay but we’re able to learn a lot about the environment and area. It was overall a great travel experience!
• Jonathan (10/5): - Great little off the grid family owned and run property. Nice little secluded cabins and home cooked meals. 15 mins from monteverde center and a totally different experience. Highly recommended.
• Yifan (2/5): - Terrible experience ever during all the trips but I was lucky that Expedia staff allowed me to cancel my hotel at late night. I will talk about my experience beside all the terrible facilities at the hotel. I did not meet any host family, there was just one young lady at the reception who did not dress really properly when we arrived. She did not check us in at the first but introduced us a bunch of activities around the hotel and ask us if we want to buy any thing. She brought us to a hut after we said no and quikly left. We notice immidiately that the door lock was brocken. We let her know and get to change a room, one that was still kind of brocken but functionable. Yet 5 mins later she led another customer to the same hut with the brocken door lock. The hotel was deep inside the mountain with a 30 min drive from the nearest town and the road was pretty bumpy, but we still decided to go out for dinner bc the hotel's restaurant was much more expensive. When we come back from dinner there was no light either on the way to the hotel or in the hotel. Even the reception was closed, so we have to use a flash light. When we arive our hut we noticed that they've fixed our door clock without letting us know, and we had trouble pulling the key out of the keyhole. It was a horrific experience bc you have no idea what might be around in the dark. I would not want to experience that again in the middle of nowhere. We finally decided to checkout that night and find another hotel.
• Victoria (10/5): Formidable - Nous avons passé un excellent séjour au Rancho de Lelo lors de notre passage à Monteverde. Accueil adorable de l’ensemble de la famille qui est aux petits soins pour ses hôtes. Le lodge est confortable et très au calme. Nous reviendrons avec plaisir et recommanderons cet hôtel à notre entourage. Encore merci !
• Allie (10/5): - Beautifully landscaped farm in the gorgeous San Luis valley area. Natalia was very sweet and accommodating even though we arrived quite late due to getting lost. (Definitely follow the detailed directions they give you, NOT Google Maps.) She gave us a map and detailed recommendations about what to do in the area and how to get places. We only stayed for one night, but slept well and enjoyed the delicious breakfast the next morning. The only drawback within the casita was ants, but these are quite common in Costa Rica and weren't a problem until we accidentally left some open packages of food out. We loved looking at the plants and fish on the farm, and look forward to visiting again in the future.
• Kilina (10/5): - My daughter and I loved or stay here! The property is beautiful -it is covered with lush vegetation and flowers. There are beautiful private paths to each cabin. The cabins are separated from each other and each has its own walkout balcony to overlook the trees and plants. The ecolodge is owned and ran by a lovely family; they were so kind, welcoming, and attentive to our needs. The restaurant had delicious farm-to-table food! Make plans to eat dinner here, you will not regret it! This property is perfect for those who want to visit Monte Verde but don’t want to be in the busy town, it is worth the 20-30 minute drive!
• Danielle (10/5): - They go above and beyond with their service! They are a sweet family, with a lovely lodge. Pay attention to the driving directions that they send you and do not follow any gps system. Fortunately for us, Lelo and his family helped us overcome this mistake. We would happily stay there again! They’re breakfast is phenomenal!
• naveen kumar (10/5): - Wonderful experience staying in nice cabins right in the woods.Food was delicious. It is a family owned and they are very welcoming.
• Ruchi (8/5): - The property is definitely one of a kind, very different from typical hotels in a touristy place. Located about 25-40 mins drive away from Santa Elena/Monteverde area through a road which is an adventure in itself (4x4 is a must), steep gravel road, and some really rocky stretch near the property. It is a family run ranch with the focus on eco sustainability, have cosy 4 independent cabins. The food was very tasty and authentic w/ locally harvested meat and fruits, and is made to order. If you love nature, calm settings, you are going to love it. There is not much to do in the surrounding areas, and like I said most of the attractions are bit of a drive from here. We enjoyed our stay with some driving adventure we would remember for long times. The family who runs the place, were really nice and helpful.
• Priya (6/5): - People are very friendly and nice . They suggest and help you plan your activities around the town . They serve excellent complimentary breakfast . Cabins look clean and nice . You can buy lunch and dinner at the property. Downtown is 25 mins away . If you have 4 by 4 car then it’s no problem to drive here . Roads are bad , fully rocky roads no Tar . Beautiful, calm and nice place . Only issue was bathroom water was not draining well but we didn’t inform them on day 1 for them to fix it else they may have fixed it . Overall nice calm place to stay away from the busy towns

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