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El Sabanero Eco Lodge

3.0 star property
Hotel in Tamarindo with free breakfast and spa services

Photo gallery for El Sabanero Eco Lodge

Sundeck
Property grounds
Interior detail
Property grounds
Property grounds

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Spa
  • Bar
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Pet-friendly
  • Pool

Explore the area

Map
between Santa Cruz and Tamarindo, Tamarindo, Guanacaste, 50309
  • Casino Diria
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Tamarindo Beach
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Hacienda Pinilla Golf Course
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Liberia (LIR-Daniel Oduber Intl.)
    ‪73 min drive‬

Room options

About the area

Tamarindo

At El Sabanero Eco Lodge, you'll be 11.6 km (7.2 mi) from Tamarindo Beach and 25.2 km (15.6 mi) from Flamingo Beach. Highlights at this hotel include a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool and free continental breakfast. .The restaurant, El Sabanero, serves local cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hotel's own lounge bar is a nice place to enjoy a drink. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi in public areas, a children's swimming pool and a snack bar/deli. Each morning free breakfast is served. There's also free self parking, along with the convenience of an airport shuttle. .Attractions in proximity to this 3-property class Tamarindo hotel include Conchal Beach and Playa Potrero.

What's nearby

  • Casino Diria - 4 min drive - 3.8 km
  • Canopy Vista Tamarindo - 7 min drive - 5.8 km
  • Tamarindo Beach - 16 min drive - 11.6 km
  • Hacienda Pinilla Golf Course - 20 min drive - 11.7 km
  • Playa Langosta - 20 min drive - 11.8 km

Getting around

  • Liberia (LIR-Daniel Oduber Intl.) - 73 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪El Moro - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Soda y Chicharronera El Guanacaste - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Bar La Y Griega - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Sabanero Steak House - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪Dragonfly Bar & Grill - ‬18 min drive

About this property

El Sabanero Eco Lodge

Hotel in Tamarindo with free breakfast and spa services
El Sabanero Eco Lodge offers its guests an outdoor pool and a children's pool. Along with a restaurant, there's a snack bar/deli on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Free breakfast is served daily. Public spaces have free WiFi.

Spa services, a terrace, and multilingual staff are also featured at the business-friendly El Sabanero Eco Lodge. An area shuttle within 25 km and an airport shuttle (available on request) are available for a fee. Self parking is free.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this 3-star Tamarindo hotel.

  • 1 floor
  • 10 guestrooms or units
  • 11 buildings
  • Built in 2005
  • Continental breakfast (free)
  • Deli
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Staff members are multilingual
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front desk safe
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Wedding services available
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Smoking in designated areas
  • Bar or lounge
  • Dining venue
El Sabanero Eco Lodge offers 10 accommodations with a safe and free toiletries. Rooms open to balconies. Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Bathrooms include a shower. Housekeeping is offered on a daily basis and in-room massages can be requested. Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge) are also available.
Guests can pamper themselves by indulging in the on-site spa services. Services include massages.

Languages

English, German, Spanish

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  • Breakfast included
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The price is AU$247
includes taxes & fees
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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Return airport shuttle (surcharge) on request
  • Area shuttle (surcharge) up to 25 km
  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily 7 AM to 10 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Restaurants on site

  • El Sabanero

Things to do

  • 18-hole adjacent golf course
  • Children's pool
  • Outdoor pool
  • Yoga classes

Family friendly

  • Children's pool
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • In the mountains
  • Terrace

Spa

  • In-room massages

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Limited room service
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Ceiling fan
  • Desk
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 1 PM; check-in end time: 8 PM
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 48 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The front desk is open daily from 7 AM - 10 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 10 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • Pets are welcome and stay free

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Children stay free when using existing bedding. Children may not be eligible for complimentary breakfast.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for CRC 15.0 per day.

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Airport shuttle fee: CRC 35000 per vehicle (return)
  • Rollaway bed fee: CRC 15.0 per day

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB International and Eurocard. Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed.

We should mention

  • Reservations are needed for golf tee times. For reservations, contact the hotel before arrival using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
  • Children may not be eligible for complimentary breakfast.

Property is also known as

El Sabanero Eco-Lodge
El Sabanero Eco-Lodge Canafistula
Sabanero EcoLodge Canafistula
El Sabanero Eco-Lodge Hotel Canafistula
El Sabanero Eco-Lodge Hotel Tamarindo
Tamarindo El Sabanero Eco-Lodge Hotel
El Sabanero Eco-Lodge Hotel
El Sabanero Eco-Lodge Tamarindo
Hotel El Sabanero Eco-Lodge Tamarindo
Hotel El Sabanero Eco-Lodge
El Sabanero Eco Lodge
El Sabanero Eco Tamarindo
El Sabanero Eco Lodge Hotel
El Sabanero Eco Lodge Tamarindo
El Sabanero Eco Lodge Hotel Tamarindo

Frequently asked questions

Is parking available at El Sabanero Eco Lodge?

Yep, El Sabanero Eco Lodge has a free self car park.

Are there any beaches close to El Sabanero Eco Lodge?

The closest beach to El Sabanero Eco Lodge is Tamarindo Beach (9.2 km).

Is there a spa on site at El Sabanero Eco Lodge?

There's no onsite spa, but this property does offer services like massages.

Does El Sabanero Eco Lodge have a pool?

El Sabanero Eco Lodge has an outdoor pool and a kids' pool.

What makes El Sabanero Eco Lodge a romantic place to stay?

A lounge bar, plus private balconies in the guestrooms, help set the scene for a romantic weekend at El Sabanero Eco Lodge.

Does El Sabanero Eco Lodge serve breakfast?

Yeah, complimentary continental brekkie is served daily from 7 AM to 10 AM.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at El Sabanero Eco Lodge?

No, but there's an airport shuttle on request for a fee.

Is there a bar or restaurant at El Sabanero Eco Lodge?

Yep, they've got a lounge bar and an onsite restaurant that serves local cuisine. Pre dinner cocktails anyone?

What time are check-in & check-out at El Sabanero Eco Lodge?

Check-in begins at 1 PM. Check-out time is 11 AM.

Is there a golf course on site at El Sabanero Eco Lodge?

There is a golf course next to El Sabanero Eco Lodge.

El Sabanero Eco Lodge Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 43 out of 87 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 27 out of 87 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 14 out of 87 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 87 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 87 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

6.0/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
We stayed here in 2013 and it had a completely different vibe. This time we weren't greeted upon arrival, we weren't explained about the food and dining, the state of the property had suffered over 5 years and the road that went by the property had changed from a dirt road with little traffic to a paved road with traffic and traffic noise up considerably. That said, the people who stayed there for the yoga appeared to enjoy their stay although they may not have previously stayed there.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Ashley, S

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great lodge set outside of Tamarindo.

Great little cabins. A quiet getaway from busy Tamarindo. Close enough to taxi to the beaches and the action, but quaint and lovely to enjoy Costa Rica at its finest. The owners are lovely and the food and property are amazing too. We had a wonderful time there and even made some good friends too. Highly recommend if you want something a little bit different.

10/10 Excellent

Ray

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Awesome place and owners

Wonderful! So relaxing!

10/10 Excellent

Dawn n David, Laguna Beach, California USA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Shhh.... Secret place

The staff was extremely accommodating and friendly, and couldn't be better. Whether there as a family, on a surf trip/ and/or for an adventurer or romance, the lodge is remote but at the fingertips of it all, .... And the chef is the best (best price also) with his special dishes for you! Don't pass it up.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

dislike their hidden charge of extra $25 / night !

Pros: Cozy 10 cabin lodge, loved waking up to the sound of bird song. Friendly fellow travelers with whom to share breakfast conversations in the common area. It was hot, so the pool is welcome. Cons: The lodge is isolated, it's 15 driving minutes from the nearest town and beach. I almost didn't book it because it has a hidden charge. Just as you're near the end of booking a room at the stated price, it says that El Sabanero will charge your credit card with an additional amount which added on about $25 extra dollars per night to the price of our room. I really dislike this trick and wouldn't have booked it except they're almost everything else was already booked.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Excellent staff, nice location

Awesome stay at this lodge/hotel. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Kids loved the pool and lodge area for hanging out. The food was awesome, above anything we have ever experienced. Very relaxed atmosphere.

10/10 Excellent

Marcello, New York, NY

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Beautifully Rustic and Tranquil Oasis

We really enjoyed our stay at El Sabanero. The rooms are actually beautiful and private little cabins set in the foothills of Canafistula. It is just a 10 minute drive to Tamarindo! The manager Harold and all of the staff were wonderful and It felt like home. We look forward to returning to this very special and unique Oasis in beautiful Guanacaste, Costa Rica!

10/10 Excellent

Michael, New York

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Thumbs up

Really nice staff and owners! Beautiful place

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Was a bit over priced.

Great owner, cool place, clean, everything you need. A bit hard to find and overpriced.

10/10 Excellent

JP, Ashland, Oregon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

A Hidden Gem

We stayed here for four nights at the end of a three week trip with our four and seven year old boys. The cabinas are rustic, tasteful and spacious and the grounds are beautiful. The infinity pool offers sweeping views of the valley and has a generous shallow end, which our boys enjoyed. Harold, the proprietor, was welcoming and helpful. We heard Howler Monkeys at night. This place is a gem.

8/10 Good

Marie, New York

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

This place is a PARADISE!

El Sabanero is a gorgeous place surrounded by nature. Harold is fantastic and very accommodating and the staffs too. The place is so peaceful and relaxing and that's what we needed. I would recommend 100% to stay on this place. There are no enough words can describe El Sabanero and to Harold. We will be definitely be back.

8/10 Good

THOMAS, NEW YORK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Will Visit Again!

RESORT: Excellent! Based on previous Trip Advisor reviews we were not disappointed. The manager, Harold, went above and beyond to meet our expectations. His staff was equally as courteous and friendly. The grounds are immaculate and the rooms are well maintained. We felt safe and secure. This location is laid back, perfect for romantic couples and mature adults. If you are looking for a relaxing tranquil environment this location offers that type of ambiance. Families with young children may also find this location suitable because it’s subdued. The pool is just enough to wear them out and give parents plenty of quiet time at the end of the night. The rooms do not have micro waves. If you find yourself craving to heat up a left over snack or meal, the resort will allow you to utilize the micro wave in the main kitchen. However, you will have to do so before the resort kitchen closes which is usually around 8pm. FOOD: The food was excellent and prepared fresh each day. Typically, we ate breakfast at the resort with no complaints. Definitely plan on simplifying a few meal decisions and enjoy a few meals at the resort. It’s economical and tastes better than some of the places we ate at outside of the resort.

10/10 Excellent

Arkoman

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

A different experience..

This hotel/eco lodge is about 10 minutes. from Tamarindo. Tamarindo is a beautiful beach town but kind of loud and touristy. If you want to visit the beach but not experience the artificial surroundings, the El-Sabanero Eco-lodge is a GREAT choice. This lodge is completely in the country side. Each unit is a separately detached cabin with porch. In the evenings you can sit outside of your cabin and be serenaded by the sounds of dozens of different animals (including howler monkeys). What an experience!!! The whole complex (cabins, main buildings, pool) seem to all be build to a very high standard (a lot of stone used in construction). The surrounding land is also extremely well landscaped. My 4 day stay here was the highlight of my 2 week Costican adventure!!!

8/10 Good

Keeley, New Jersey

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities

Santa Cruz

We had a great time! The lodge is located very close to Santa Cruz and Playa Tamarindo.

10/10 Excellent

Megan, Dublin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Secluded hotel with beach close drive/bus journey

We stayed here at the end of August for 4 nights and had a great time. Harold looked after us. He booked us excursions and suggested day trips when we were unsure of what to do. We were so delighted with our stay! We ate at the hotel restaurant one night and we were both so happy with our meals. The continental breakfast that is included with your room was also amazing.

10/10 Excellent

christine, new york

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Beautiful hotel, peaceful

Unique experience in the mountains. Private cabin. Bus stop right down the hill, close to tamarindo. About 40 minutes from liberia airport. Supermarket 10 minutes away

8/10 Good

Dil & Wil, London

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Not too close - not too far from the beach

We enjoyed our stay here. The staff was great. Unfortunately I became a tad ill and we had to end our stay here a bit early, but we loved the location that was just outside of busy Tamarindo, yet close enough to the beach whenever you wanted it :)

8/10 Good

Tired of the Bustle

Liked: Staff & service

Where to get away from it all

A perfect place to chill, a hilltop tropical setting with sparse guest population, pleasant staff and home cooked Costa Rican dishes. Lovely

6/10 Okay

Jaime, New Jersey

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
This is not a Beach Hotel but a well located inland option, very convenient if you want to visit any or all of the many options around the area covered from Playa Grande and Tamarindo, down to Playa Negra and Junquillal. This off course, without having to pay for more expensive, less comfortable places at any of the beaches. Best is the deck with the pool. Worst is clearly, they have not placed much money in maintaining or renewing the facilities. Overall is good for the price, run on a clearly tight budget and owners need to think on investing.

10/10 Excellent

Renia, Pitt Meadows, BC, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Cabins with Ambiance

We loved the cabins that had rocking chairs on the porches. The rooms had large bathrooms with lots of shelf space and large showerheads. The beds were firm but not uncomfortable. The rooms came with desks, but no wifi. The wifi was located only in the lobby area. The breakfast was unsubstantial, as it was only fruit and toast. You had to pay extra for an omelette, which cost $5. There was a freezer filled with drinks, which you could take on the honour system and sign it on a sheet at the lobby. There was also a fridge in each room. We liked the pool as it was relaxing and clean. The location was far out of town, and we had to pay $20 each way both into and out of the town of Tamarindo in order to get something to eat. There was no food on the premises aside from the breakfast I have just mentioned. The jungle sounds were great around our cabin and really livened things up, especially when we had something thump onto our roof in the middle of the night. The birds were really loud and sounded like car alarms or something like it. There were horses down below our cabin also because a ranch was there. The dirt road leading to the hotel was really dusty and unpleasant. Apparently this is a government road which is slowly being paved, but may be years in the making. Overall, we enjoyed this hotel for the ambiance.

8/10 Good

Trina L, New Zealand

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Nice alternative to Tamarindo

We had a really lovely stay. The hotel was really relaxing, nice pool and bar area and being small we got to meet other hotel guests. The rooms were a really good size. Although the locations is not close to much we found it a nice alternative to staying in Tamarindo, much quieter, much cheaper and still an easy drive to get the beach. The hotel will also cook dinner for you, you just tell them what you want and they will organise.

10/10 Excellent

TY, Florida

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Loved it!

Beautiful lodge. Very friendly and helpful staff. Quiet and relaxing. Conveniently located. Would definitely stay again.

6/10 Okay

Nathan, Vancouver, wa

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Room comfort

Meh. Good but not Great...

It started out well but after hanging out there the first night we left the day after. It was very very humid in the room. The blankets were damp and my papers got wet by just laying on the bed. The lights also randomly went out at 2am when coincidentally I had to go to the bathroom. It was pitch black and the lights came back on all of a sudden. Other than that, breakfast was good and the place is actually kinda cool. Hear the monkeys during the day and night. A bit aways from anything and was a bit hard to find.

8/10 Good

Mitch, San Francisco

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Really nice and friendly hotel

Loved it... beautiful place. A wee bit far out and VERY hard to find. The owners are very sweet and accommodating people. The view and and surrounding area are fabulous. The rooms are simple and comfortable!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great getaway

My friend and I had stayed in the JW Marriott just a few days before for a work event and were very happy for the change to the Sabanero. With our own cabin, we loved having the view of the rolling green hills and the local cows right outside our door on the porch as well as feeling a bit secluded from the other guests. The common area was large with 2 pools and plenty of lawn chairs to relax on. While about 10 minutes out of Tamarindo, it was very easy to go to town or to other locations around the area and was a perfect spot to come 'home' to and enjoy some peace and quiet.