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Reviews of Rancho de Lelo Ecolodge

2.5 out of 5
Rancho de Lelo Ecolodge
San Luis, Rancho de Lelo, 1km NE of Escuela Bajos de San Luis, Monteverde, Puntarenas

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 195 out of 253 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 42 out of 253 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 8 out of 253 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 4 out of 253 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 253 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

9.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Himat

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
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.

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michele

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful property and very welcoming staff.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ester

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

jyoti

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Mark

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy

Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Judith

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carly

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!).
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

ANGELA, Tacoma

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Vibhu

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We enjoyed the family like hospitality from the entire staff ! Will visit again !
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Belinda

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lars

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jodi

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely Lodge Accommodation
Lovely lodge accommodation with fantastic views across Monteverde. Excellent home cooked / bred dinner available.
View from lodge
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mike

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

4/10 Poor

Karla, rapid city

Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service
The accomendations were great once we arrived, it is located too far outside of the town. the distance and poor road condions.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carmina

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dawn

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jens

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeffery

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Saeed

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.

2/10 Terrible

Michael

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Romy

Travelled with family
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.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rita

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Peter

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderfully friendly family-run lodge and the best breakfasts we had in Costa Rica!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lily

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Hanna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
A bit tricky to get here if the car is not full powered but the place is very nice. All wha needed is here
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Eduardo

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly family, we did like our stay very much Thank you Lelo and family Eduardo Escobar
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shanalyn

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
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 :)
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gursharan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This place was such a gem, the owners the cabins, relaxing , beautiful, serene and felt like home
Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shannon

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Holger

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

dana

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jared

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melissa

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Such a unique and beautiful location run by a kind and resourceful family.

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cydne

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great value
Loved our stay. Family Mata looked after us. Upgrade for our anniversary. Dinner and accommodation great value. Loved the remote, rural location.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Darya

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rino

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Hidden gem.
Well established family run business. Felt like home. Highly recommend this.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alexi

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

John

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

6/10 Okay

CHeryl

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Maya

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jean Francois

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023