Burbi Lake Lodge Monteverde

Breakfast was a real highlight: fresh, delicious omelettes, pancakes, and waffles made to order. Our spacious room was clean and well cared for, and with just eight units in two buildings, Burbi Lake Lodge felt quiet and intimate. We spent three nights there in April and loved the peaceful pond, ducks, misty mornings and evenings, and all the greenery around the lodge in the Monteverde cloud forest. Getting to Santa Elena takes about 15 minutes, so restaurants and shops aren't within walking distance. The local roads are rough and unpaved, and driving at around 15 km/h can feel slow and bumpy. We did have trouble with the hot water. It was unreliable, and the showers were cold on our first night. One of our kids got sick afterward. I'd suggest checking with management as soon as you arrive to make sure the system is working. Even with that issue, the calm setting, lovely property, and excellent breakfast made this a place we'd recommend for a quiet, nature-focused stay away from town.

The setting is lovely, but we left very disappointed by how our concerns were handled. We had booked two nights at Burbi Lodge through Expedia, but with a 3-year-old and a 9 month old, the room didn't meet our needs. It was cold in Monteverde, and although there was a heater, we asked reception for a second one. When we returned, the original had been taken away and replaced, so we still had only one. There was also an empty garbage bag on the bed. We found crumbs under the sheets on one bed and went to reception, where they changed them without a problem. The bigger issue was the lack of hot water in the bathroom. Reception said there was no hot water at the sink but that the shower had some. We didn't test that, since there had been none at the bathroom sink. We told them we needed to check out because the limited heat and hot water weren't workable with two small children. Reception couldn't help, but gave us the manager's name. Since then I've sent five emails, four WhatsApp messages, and called twice, with no response at all. We also tried reaching the manager through Expedia and heard nothing. That lack of customer service is concerning for a hospitality business, and after getting no care or response, I felt I had to leave a negative review.

The staff were friendly, the room was comfortable, and we enjoyed the breakfast. We had a wonderful stay and would come back.

The lake view was gorgeous and calming, and I spent some quiet time meditating by the water with the cute ducks nearby. I stayed for two nights to get a break from crowded San José and absolutely loved it. The rooms feel private and cozy. A great pick if you're after peace, quiet, and nature.