Feature Friday: El Sol Cabins in Monteverde
My choice of accommodations are often varied. But they always have a purpose. Always. There is nothing I like more than figuring out the best place to stay that will give me the experience I’m after on a trip. Some would argue with me and say that it really doesn’t matter where you stay because you should be out exploring, and still others would argue that as long as it’s not broke why fix it— If there is a Four Seasons in the area there isn’t much to think about.
None of those approaches are wrong. I personally always care where I lay my head at night, where I have my coffee in the morning, and sometimes where I will spend the majority of my vacation days. But if you don’t, that’s totally ok. And I love the Four Seasons, but it won’t always be the best choice for me. Sometimes I need something different, and I will know what it is when I find it.
Such was the case during the first part of my trip to Costa Rica. I searched for days to find this spot— basically researching every possible place to stay in the entire area. I knew what I was after and I hoped like heck I would find it. This little place doesn’t have much of an online presence, but when I read the reviews of people who had previously stayed there I knew I was on to something by what they raved about. And after my first correspondence with the owner, I was sold.
My cabin at El Sol
El Sol Cabins is not for everyone. But it is most certainly the absolute perfect place for the right people. It’s solitude, serenity, and authenticity in a way that can be so hard to come by. It is nature at it’s finest. (Unfortunately bugs are part of nature, and since I have yet to find a way around that, I do my best to accept that the good outweighs the part of me that jumps out of my skin when I see ants the size of a quarter and other unidentifiable creatures.)
Infinity Pool and Sauna at El Sol Cabins. I never saw anyone else using them, so they were basically like my private amenities!
There are only 3 cabins on the property. (Well, 2 cabins and 1 villa that can hold a larger group.) Although there were people occupying the other cabins, I never saw them. Every cabin has it’s own space and own views that don’t overlap with anything else on the property. There is no centralized area where people dine or gather. Your meals are brought to your cabin, cooked at a neighboring farm and delivered at whatever time you say you’d like to eat.
My personal Cabin in Monteverde. Picture of the outside walking up, the interior, and the porch with 180 degree views.
All meals are served in your cabin and I ate my meals outside overlooking the cloud forest.
Which brings me to another awesome point… For every dollar I spent while I was there, I met the person it was going to. From the owner of the cabins, to the person who cooked my meals, to the owner of the farm who has created special opportunities for guests of El Sol to take private horseback rides to the hot springs (or waterfall).
Private horseback ride to the hot springs. Incredible experience.
The time spent here was good for my soul. There is no T.V. or distractions of any kind, but you are surrounded by views that pictures will never do justice, and I promise you that is a better way to spend your hours staring. The cloud forest is at your doorstep, so yes there are tons of things you can get out and do. But if you don’t, you will be more than fine. You will leave refreshed, and renewed, and happy you found this place where they say heaven touches earth.
Feel free to contact me about creating your own ideal trip to Costa Rica. I will do my best to search out whatever your idea of paradise is and help make that come to life!
Bonus: If you'd like to see a quick video of my cabin, check this out!