El-Sabanero Eco Lodge

The strongest part of my stay was definitely the yoga. Classes at 7:30am and 5pm were fantastic, the instructors were amazing, and practicing outside with that view was beautiful. The shuttle to the beach twice a day came with the yoga package and was good value. Harold was a great, accommodating driver who knew the area well, and the airport transfers were smooth and easy to find. The private rooms and main building were nice, the pool was clean and cared for daily, and I felt safe in my bungalow. Marshmallow, Rocky and Chocolate, the resort dogs, were adorable and friendly. I’d return to the area and take classes with the instructors I liked, but stay somewhere else. There were some real downsides. The mats are left outdoors in dust and dirt, so bring your own yoga towel. The bed felt like hostel quality, the pillows were only about two inches thick, and I needed extra ones to sleep. The shower only had cold water, as did the other guests’ showers. Room service happened only if requested, and it was hard to find staff to ask. There also wasn’t a staff member on site around the clock. The general manager was away much of the day, staff disappeared after dinner at about 7:30pm, and there was no bell or emergency phone. I worried about what I’d do if I got locked out at 10pm. The food was disappointing apart from breakfast, which was consistent and the same each day. Lunch and dinner seemed focused on keeping costs down, with low-quality meals like rice and vegetables. They improved after another guest complained, and we got two better dinners, ceviche once and chicken with beets another time. It was a shame not to get more of Costa Rica’s local ingredients and good food. As a Canadian, I was also upset by the WeTravel checkout. It explicitly listed the trip as $1746 CAD and I agreed to pay in Canadian dollars, but the charge was in USD and converted to CAD by my card. I suggest making the checkout USD-only and clearly stating that all costs are in USD. That left a sour taste from the start. I still went ahead because the price was comparable to other yoga retreats nearby. For me, the great yoga, facilities, and beach distance didn’t make up for the problems with the stay. I’d come back to this part of Costa Rica, but stay elsewhere and see if I could take classes with the instructors I liked.

We came to Costa Rica on a last-minute trip and were really glad we stayed here. The rooms feel private and have lovely views, while the common area is roomy and welcoming. We skipped the pool, though it’s clearly well maintained. The yoga and retreat space is beautiful and calming too. I’d happily come back.

There’s no denying the spot is beautiful, but families with toddlers need more information and pictures before booking. You can’t tell from the photos that there are ledges 50-100 feet deep just outside the rooms, and the paths aren’t safe for toddlers. My son nearly fell at the pool’s drop ledge too. We had a week booked but couldn’t stay because it felt too dangerous for him. We arrived at 5pm and had to remain for 12 hours until another place was available, then left at 8am. It seems suited to adults or couples, but it isn’t a family-friendly place for very young children.

The lodge has lovely nature all around its rustic buildings, and the dogs were friendly companions who greeted me morning and night. I had a beautiful and safe first solo trip abroad from Canada, even though the stay was far from perfect. Harold, Kurt’s brother, personally took me to several gorgeous beaches and did his best to make me comfortable. Hector is a wonderful yoga teacher with a lot of knowledge and wisdom, and teaches from the heart. Brandon works hard and does a lot for the lodge, though he mostly speaks Spanish, so communication in English is limited. Susanna is available on WhatsApp if you have questions or concerns, so don’t hesitate to ask her. The Lodge used to thrive when Kurt was alive and running it. Now it’s missing a welcoming person who speaks both English and Spanish, understands and respects yoga and wellness, and looks after guests’ needs and the small details. You can feel that loss of heart and soul throughout the place. Staff do what they can, but a major piece is still missing. There’s a lot of room to improve, and I hope the lodge gets the attention and care it needs to flourish again. 🙏