Experience the magic of the Costa Rican cloud forest right on your doorstep with a stay at Senda Monteverde. This high mountain retreat nestles amongst the verdant jungle foliage of one of the world’s rarest eco-systems, home to a dazzling array of rare and elusive animals, birds and plants. Built in the style of a modern mountain lodge, with plenty of exposed timber, local artwork and whirring ceiling fans, Senda is the perfect base from which to explore the wonders of the cloud forest whilst enjoying the comfort and elegance of a luxury hotel.
With just 24 rooms and suites spread across the lush grounds of the hotel, there is an overriding feeling of privacy and tranquillity. All rooms have private terraces that overlook the cloud forest or the Gulf of Nicoya in the distance, with stylish interiors showcasing local wood and handcrafted textiles, with a distinctly contemporary feel. Each room and suite has a large, private bathroom with a solar-heated rainfall shower and organic toiletries and all come equipped with ceiling fans, WIFI and a minibars stocked with local snacks, wines and beers.
Set at the heart of Senda Monteverde’s is their restaurant, El Sapo, which celebrates and embraces modern Costa Rican cuisine using the freshest of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Bread is baked in house and served alongside homemade nut butters and chutneys, and the famous cheese from the nearby Quaker settlement of Monteverde is woven throughout the menu to enhance the ‘farm to table’ experience.
Senda’s unique location makes it the perfect base from which to explore both the cloud forest and the town of Monteverde with its artisan coffee, craft beer houses and Quaker heritage. Tucked away in the mountains, this lively little settlement is the gateway to the miles of mountainous jungle that stretches out across Costa Rica’s continental divide. This rare ecosystem is home to a myriad of flora and fauna, including over 500 bird species and 100 mammals, from jaguars and tapirs to sloths and howler monkeys. Explore the neighbouring Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the less-visited Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve in search of these elusive creatures, hiking along the canopy walkways and suspension bridges through the jungle. For thrill seekers, this area of Costa Rica is known as the birth place of ziplining, and flying through the tropical jungle at speed is a truly exhilarating way to experience the magic of the cloud forest.
