El Sabanero Eco Lodge

I booked this via Book Retreat with a friend and it was NOT a retreat in any sense at all. They do provide yoga and the yoga teacher was wonderful but apart from the yoga and the fact the accommodation is actually really comfortable there is nothing 'retreat' about it. and it is misleading to sell it on Book Retreats. The food was awful, cut up fruit in Tupperware, cold coffee and reheated food for dinner. The staff are not trained and not very welcoming even though they did try. There's a dejected, sad feel to this place. The pool area is great but the furniture is old and tired and needs a freshen up. It is off a main road and you can hear the traffic at night and during the day. The owner did try and resolve our issues but it isn't what we paid for and travelled out to Costa Rica for. Book Retreats really need to be held accountable for selling this as a retreat. Very disappointed.

I booked to go to El Sabanero through Book Retreats for a 6 night yoga retreat. It was the worst experience of a y Retreat that I have ever had . There was no welcome. The food on site was dreadful and the actual place was just sad. The owner did try and make things better and the yoga classes were wonderful but it was not a retreat. The place is going through changes and we definitely got a raw deal.

This was my second time at El Sabanero; I visited last year in March as well. Even last year the place seemed to be in transition after passing away of its owner and founder. Things have not changed much since. It appears the number of guests is dwindling (maybe due to lower numbers of tourists in Costa Rica overall). My last couple of days there was only one other person there. Positives: the location, friendly staff, low key/pleasant atmosphere, beautiful scenery, free shuttle to and from the Liberia airport and free daily shuttle to Tamarindo, morning and evening yoga. What could be improved: structure/itinerary for yoga retreats (currently not in place), food (more variety with more fresh fruit and vegetables), rooms (eg they lack reading lamps and are a bit dated). Overall, it is a quiet and pleasant spot to spend a few days in, relax and do some yoga. It is not really a proper retreat at this point as people come and go, and there is no real structure in place. Hector - who was a yoga teacher there for many years is no longer there; new yoga instructors are good but the place is lacking a person who could glue it back together. The place is also used and advertised as B&B with the majority of guests who I met there not really interested in doing yoga. In summary, I had a nice and quiet few days. If you are looking to chill somewhere quiet and low key for a few days and do some yoga - this place is for you. If you are looking for a proper yoga retreat - you should probably explore other places with more organized itineraries.

Everything!!! We were the only people staying there at the time and got to have the whole place to ourselves. It was a great birthday treat for myself and my partner. 10/10 would go back especially for the dogs: Canela, Chocolate, and Rocky

The stay at El Sabanero Eco- Lodge was incredible. I stayed there with one of my close friends in a single bed suite. The room was clean and the air conditioning worked well. It was amazing the ways that the lodge works to be eco-friendly while still offering a comfortable experience. There was a water station for hot and cold water to fill your water. The wifi does not connect in the cabins however it was incredible to disconnect and the wifi in the main lobby worked well. The road where the lodge is sometimes has mild traffic but nothing too crazy. The staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating, including the friendly dogs that roamed the property. The scenery was breathtaking and the lodge was always clean. Every morning you would be asked if you wanted breakfast and how you would like your eggs. It was plated beautifully and the food was delicious. The pool was beautiful and with the cabins being so far apart it was quiet which was incredible. There were never too many people around which made the stay enjoyable. I have no complaints about this lodge and I will recommend this lodge to everyone I know! Thank you to the lodge for offering such an incredible experience and first visit to Costa Rica!

Amazing staff, very quiet place I was looking for, nice pool, good breakfast. It is a low key place but nice is you looking for a rest.

The staff at this hotel are amazing and go above and beyond! The cabins are so cozy and the grounds and pool are beautiful. We loved hanging out w the resident dogs. We will be back.

The staff were great ! The location is conveniently 15-20 mins to Tamarindo, which can save you a lot on the cost of staying in tamarindo. You can also arrange shuttle with them from the airport which is only about an hour away. The host is SUPER responsive through WhatsApp. You can also, pay through their payment system there and they will give you cash which is a great way to avoid looking for an ATM.