El Silencio Lodge & Spa

El Silencio Lodge & Spa is a small, upscale lodge in Bajos del Toro, a cloud-forest valley on the far side of the Poás volcano from San José. It sits in a private reserve of about 500 acres, with rivers, trails and waterfalls, and it's been a member of Relais & Châteaux since 2015. Yoga here is part of the stay, not the whole point: there's a free class every morning, plus a wellness center and a spa.

The yoga

The lodge's wellness page lists a complimentary yoga class every day at 7:30 am, built on variations of Hatha yoga, in the Samana Wellness Center. That building has two floors with views over the forest and river, a room for yoga, meditation and sound sessions, and a small gym. There's also an open-air yoga deck and an enclosed round room for meditation. Classes are gentle enough for beginners.

The lodge also hosts group wellness retreats, with packages that combine yoga, spa treatments, meals and rooms. If you want a structured retreat week with several classes a day, our guide to choosing a yoga retreat in Costa Rica covers the dedicated centers.

Rooms

The original lodge was a cluster of individual suites on a hillside, designed by Costa Rican architect Ronald Zürcher. Today the official site lists deluxe suites, 2-bedroom suites, 2-bedroom villas, a 2-bedroom riverside villa with heated plunge pools, and a 3-bedroom villa. Suites have private decks with forest or river views, and many have outdoor hot tubs.

Food, spa and the forest

The restaurant, Las Ventanas, cooks with produce from the lodge's own gardens and greenhouse. Esencia Spa offers massages and body treatments. Outside, guided hikes, forest bathing and walks to nearby waterfalls are the main activities; the Bajos del Toro valley has several of them, including the tall Catarata del Toro just up the road.

Getting there

The lodge says it's about 90 minutes from Juan Santamaría airport (SJO), roughly 65 km away, over the mountains past Poás. The road is paved but winding, and fog is common in the afternoon, so plan to arrive in daylight. Nights are cool at this altitude, so pack a warm layer. For other mountain and forest options, see our guide to where to do yoga in Costa Rica.

Check their website for current rates, packages and retreat dates.

Frequently asked questions

Does El Silencio Lodge offer yoga classes?

Yes. Their site lists a free yoga class every morning at 7:30 am in the wellness center, based on Hatha yoga, and private sessions and group retreats can be arranged.

How far is El Silencio Lodge from San José airport?

About 90 minutes by road, according to the lodge, over a paved mountain road past Poás.

What's the weather like in Bajos del Toro?

Cooler and wetter than the coasts. It's a cloud forest, so expect mist, rain showers at any time of year and cool evenings.

Is El Silencio a good choice for a yoga retreat?

It suits a relaxed stay with one class a day, spa time and forest walks. For a full retreat schedule, look at a dedicated retreat center or a group retreat hosted at the lodge.

[Updated on: 4 November 2026]