El Sabanero Eco-Lodge

Definitely book this if you are looking for something wonderful, relaxing and amazing! I wanted to get away for a week all by myself. I wanted a week to renew and relax. I was a bit hesitant and worried about booking a retreat that I was too old for(I'm 55) or that was too structured or that didn't have good food or that was too "posh" or that wasn't nice enough..... I think you get the picture. Well, I found EVERYTHING I needed and wanted at El Sabanero. First, it is beautiful-naturally. This isn't a posh resort-and I wasn't looking for that. It is relaxed and inviting and homey.... and clean!! The individual cabins with the hammocks are wonderful. Yes, rustic, but clean and nice. And, you actually get your cabin cleaned every day!! Something the chain places don't do anymore. Second, will you fit in? YES!! I guarantee it!! I hadn't done Yoga in a few years-back injury, laziness, serious family stress issue(so many excuses I had)-I showed up and felt totally comfortable-at all times. The Yoga is wonderful. The people are amazing. It's really the people-the owner, the staff, the instructors and the other people at the lodge. It just all melded perfectly. Age: irrelevant. Skill level: pretty much irrelevant but at least learn a few yoga poses before you go-don't have to but it may be easier. If you are highly skilled-they will challenge you. Third, the food. OMG-the food!! THANK YOU DONALD!!! Wow. absolutely amazing. I am NOT a vegetarian! And, I love fish(so worried I wouldn't get fish). Well, I must say that the food was some of the best food I've ever had!! Not sure if I mentioned-I'm a foodie btw. Yes, it is essentially vegetarian-but we did get fish 1 night. It is amazing. I was always more than satisfied. In fact, arguably, I ate more on this trip that I usually do when I travel-I just couldn't help myself. How in the heck does he make vegetarian food that good??? I will never understand. Donald did inspire me to come home and cook a few vegetarian dishes-thank you Donald. Finally, you are not a prisoner!! Seriously, some of the "retreats" I looked at sounded like-well-prisons. They were super structured-wanted you to stay only at the resort the whole time, only eat at the resort etc. This is not El Sabanero. There is a shuttle every single day to the beach. If you don't eat meals there-they don't care. Just let Donald know if you are going to miss a meal so he doesn't cook so much food. There are excursions you can sign up for-and they are thrilled when you do(or don't! up to you!). Also, there is a cute little restaurant at the end of the the lodge's drive-pizza, burgers and btw-fish(which was great) and yes-beer and wine-ice cream and sorbet too. So, if you just want to go sit somewhere different and have a glass of wine-that is fine too. In other words-it's your time-you choose how to spend it and no one is mad or upset or offended or expecting anything of you except to enjoy your time(sounds amazing, right??) Di

One of the most incredible experiences of my life. So much kindness, love, joy, aliveness. Beauty is everywhere. A space for healing, individually and collectively. Where people naturally share their hearts. And nature inspires awe. THANK YOU. I came back home full of gratitude and wonderful memories. I am already looking forward to coming back. I see very clearly now why so many of the guests I met there had already visited before. This is a place to return to. A place that is very special. Pura vida.

My wife and I stayed at El Sabanero from August 5th to 12th of this year 2023. We had a delightful time. Owners Kurt & Harold are very accommodating and make you feel very welcome. Morning yoga with Hector was wonderful, and I appreciated how he made an effort to accommodate the different skill sets of the guests, so as a beginner I did not feel threatened, and Hector encouraged me to pursue yoga practice further. The other yoga gals for evening yoga were awesome too, every one of them. Ana the massage therapist is a keeper too, and highly recommended. Being able to sign up for excursions/tours, and a complimentary shuttle daily to the beach was really nice too. Donald the cook needs special recognition for still pulling it off with a broken arm – salute. While the place needs a little fixing up here and there, and has aged a wee bit, it still gives it a more rustic feel and more than makes up for that with it’s charm, views, people, features, community, and caring & safe environment to truly enjoy a reset in beautiful Costa Rica. Pura Vida El Sabanero!

El Sabanero was far more great than I could’ve ever expected. As a first time solo female traveler I was very scared and skeptical of where I’d end up. I’m so happy I picked this place. From the moment you arrive to the lodge, your welcomed by Kurt (one of the lodge owners) as if you were family or a long time friend. Then you’re greeted and given a tour of the lodge by Emma, she is one of the amazing yoga instructors that you’re lucky to spend your stay with. Throughout my tour I was greeted by the dogs the hotel has adopted. They are all so sweet and pure and great for emotional support. They are just so loving. Make sure you find Luna, but I’m sure she’ll find you before you even get the chance to look for her. The dogs helped me feel safe during my stay as they stood guard throughout the night on the decks of all the rooms. I will say when booking this lodge keep in mind that you are staying in a location where there will be bugs, insect and animals of all sorts. I am terrified of bugs but I went in knowing what I was getting myself into and felt that this was all a part of the experience. The lodge isn’t the most updated but quite honestly it’s what gives it character and makes it feel so “homey”, welcoming and so connected to nature. The rooms come with great AC, secured lockbox and are cleaned everyday by the housekeeping staff. Morning yoga is hosted by Hector, which has a true gift for teaching yoga. The afternoon yoga instructors rotate and they are all so great. This place was very inclusive and a lot of the practices were incorporated based on how the yogi group was feeling that morning/afternoon. If existing injuries were present on a guest, the instructors always made sure to offer pose modifications.The Shala is so beautiful and peaceful. Meditation sessions are also offered on select days of the week. The lodge also offers to take you to Tamarindo beach for the day. You are taken to town by Harold (one of the lodge owners) who always makes sure to accommodate pick up and drop off times with you. He is very accommodating and will offer stops at the grocery store/ATM or whatever you need. Make sure you ask him about the really good empanadas in Tamarindo. As far as meals go, Donald, the chef for El Sabanero, has a true gift for cooking. The meals are primarily vegetarian based and selected by the chef himself on what will be served for that particular day. You never now what your meal will be ahead of time but I can guarantee you that you won’t be disappointed. He makes everything from scratch and makes the most simple vegetables taste amazing. Meals are served buffet style and are more of a communal style in which everyone sits at the table and you get to meet other El Sabanero guests. I was lucky enough to meet some amazing women during my stay here and have built friendships that have felt like I’ve known these individuals for years. Airport pick up and drop off was arranged by Kurt and Harold which was such a convenience and r

This was such a wonderful experience! The yoga was geared to my abilities, which I appreciated greatly. The yoga instructors were extremely knowledgeable, kind and thoughtful with their yoga instruction. The facilities were rustic, but clean and comfortable, in a beautiful setting. Howler monkeys, snakes, turtles, all the wildlife you can imagine! Love the lodge dogs and cats, a real comfort to me. The only downfall was the food. The chef had broken his arm, which couldn’t be helped so the maid stepped in and cooked our meals for us. Although they were good, they were simple beans and rice, not the cuisine I was hoping for. Would go on this retreat again, and again! Loved every minute.

I had a very uncomfortable experience with the manager Harold. Once I reserved my spot, I got an email saying I have to text the manager on whatsapp so they have my number. After I did that, the manager Harold asked me if I can bring him "credit cards" that his brother would "mail" to me in Canada (where I am from) to Costa Rica. He asked for my personal address and it was very weird, I have never been in a scenario where a stranger asks you to smuggle something internationally for them. He got very persistent and constantly messaged me on whatsapp about it. I asked him questions about the resort and he never answered those completely, he would just say he is "driving" and can't answer. I ended up giving him the address to a post office close by because I felt very pressured and the dynamic was just so weird. I went to the post office and asked if the mail came and they said they needed a tracking number for any packages they receive so I asked harold for the tracking number and he got angry and said he doesn't have it etc. It was just a very weird, uncomfortable experience for me. I felt very pressured to do something that is not my responsibility at all and it was NOT a good experience. I have not been to the resort, so I can't say anything about that but my communication with the manager, Harold was UNCOMFORTABLE.

El Sabanero is wonderful on so many levels. They offer shuttle bus to and from the airport and daily shuttle to local gorgeous beaches--both included in the cost of staying there! Food is beyond amazing--Donald is a culinary God...truly! And...being able to take morning Yoga with Hector and afternoon with Gujot and Jody meant that you could experience very different kinds of classes and you could choose one or both each day, depending on your preference. Hector who specializes in Vinyasa likes to put on Bob Marley and Fela Kuti and other high energy music to his morning classes which I enjoyed although if you prefer quiet in your yoga classes this may not work for you--I say be flexible and go with the flow....literally! Gujot taught Kundalini classes with a lot of breath work and Jody led a restorative class at one of the 5PM sessions so there was almost guaranteed to be a class that would work for most people, a hard thing to accomplish given our different levels of yoga experiences and backgrounds. And...Harold and Kurt are super responsive if any issues come up. And, because the property is elevated above the road, there is always a breeze and plenty of shade. It is true that the trucks and motor bikes on the road below can get a bit loud at times, especially in the early morning hours and the rooms are spare and simple and a bit stuffy (they do have ceiling fans and a/c) but, given how little time I spent in the room as opposed to near the beautiful outdoor pool and the comfy common space, I found these both minor issues. If you are someone who needs absolute quiet either in the yoga classes or in your rooms, this might not be the best place for you....but for everyone else, this place is heaven...and very reasonably priced for what you get! And...the people who chose to come the week were absolutely delightful.

Came for a yoga retreat to relax but the lodge is close to the main road so you hear lots of traffic noise, plus plenty of dogs barking, and various other animals chiming in, especially as dawn breaks. Facility is a bit used, but the homemade vegetarian food is amazing!

I never write reviews but this place has earned every accolade and more. The resort is built like it came from a fairy tale story but it's the people that made my stay remarkable. Harold (manager) was always available and choreographed all of my transportation and excursion perfectly. He knew exactly who was picking me up and when I'll arrive. Erin and Hector (yoga instructors) guided me through a well earned savasana every morning and night. Donald and Hazel (chefs) whipped up the most sumptuous meals every day and night. The other guests that stayed should get it's own 10 starred review. I'd write their names but I don't want to abash them (hi guys!). It's no wonder why so many people return. I'm a solo male traveler and had concerns upon arriving. My agitation quickly dissipated when I was greeted by warm smiles from the people and the pets. I felt comfortable, safe and secure by their hands and hearts. No, you don't need to know Spanish or bring a 60L luggage. Just show up with your body and El Sabanero will take care of the rest. Cliche, but Pura Vida!