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Located in Costa Rica's lush cloud forest, nestled in the mountaintops of the Monteverde Reserve, the venerable, world-renowned Hotel Belmar offers its guests truly unique experiences full of natural wonder, elegance, and warm friendly service - all within an unprecedented sensitivity to the preservation of the environment. With the coveted award for 5 levels of sustainability, Hotel Belmar's commitment to the environment as well as the local community has been unyielding for over 30 years. With recent upgrades aimed at presenting an even better Hotel Belmar, guests can expect a variety of exciting room styles, features, and amenities designed for exclusive, unforgettable comfort, quality, and experiences.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, French, Spanish
Location
300 Meters East from the Gas Station Costa Rica
Hotel Belmar
4.5 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Hotel Belmar garners accolades from guests for its range of amenities, including an on-site brewery and sustainable practices, as well as the comfortable rooms boasting balconies with forest vistas. While most find the rooms clean and the atmosphere welcoming, a home away from home, some mention occasional noise and temperature control issues.
The staff's commendable service frequently receives praise, enhancing the natural serenity of its mountainous locale. Opinions on value do vary, with some guests considering the pricing to be on the higher side.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Inviting
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
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we were very happy with this hotel choice. the service at the hotel was excellent. there seemed to always be 2 or 3 people at the front desk to assist with anything you needed from hotel questions, in town dinner reservations or activities. we got one of the least expensive rooms and loved it. plenty big, all wood paneled, full height wrap around windows and free standing tub. the more expensive rooms are higher up and frankly i wouldn’t have wanted to stay there because you have to walk up flights of fairly steep steps to get there. we were a few steps away from the main lobby. restaurant also excellent. enjoy a drink on the deck at sunset.
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel Belmar, Owner at Hotel Belmar
Responded Jan 27, 2025
Thank you Ryan for your thoughtful and detailed review! We’re delighted to hear that your stay at Hotel Belmar exceeded your expectations and that you appreciated the warm and attentive service from our front desk team. We take pride in being readily available to assist with anything our guests need—from activity planning to dinner reservations—ensuring a seamless and memorable experience. Your description of your room truly captures its charm! The cozy wood paneling, wraparound windows, and freestanding tub provide a relaxing retreat, all while connecting you to the beauty of the cloud forest. We’re glad you found your location convenient and comfortable—it’s all about finding the perfect balance for each guest’s preferences. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed our new dining menu at our restaurant and sipping drinks on the deck at sunset. Those golden-hour views of Monteverde and the Gulf of Nicoya in the distance are truly magical, and we’re so happy you could experience them. We hope to welcome you back soon for another unforgettable stay in the heart of the cloud forest!
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Hotel Belmar is beautiful and the views are stunning. There is no swimming pool but the guests have access to a hot tub located in the gardens where you can watch hummingbirds on the surrounding bushes. Our room (Superior Peninsula) was stunning with top quality linens, robes etc and a shower with a window into the bedroom so you could see straight across the balcony to the Nicoya Peninsula. The first round of mini bar was included in the price of the room which was a nice touch. Service on Reception was great and excursions organised very efficiently. We did the early morning guided bird watching tour which was fantastic. We visited several reserves including the hotels own private reserve where we were served breakfast on a platform half way up a tree in the cloud forest canopy. However, the hotel disappointed when it came to the restaurants. We arrived mid afternoon hungry and were directed to the snacks menu in the micro-brewery. There were only a handful of other customers, but it took 35 minutes to deliver our drinks and 50 minutes after ordering to get our food (despite chasing) and when it arrived we were presented with food so dry it was almost inedible. We also ate in the Celajes restaurant one evening, sadly we felt although the food was perfectly fine, it did not live up to the reviews we had read. In addition, although the restaurant staff were charming, the service was again incredibly slow. On the positive Happy Hour on the balcony for sunset worthwhile for the stunning views and free tapas.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel Belmar, Owner at Hotel Belmar
Responded Jan 9, 2024
We genuinely appreciate your detailed insights about your experience at Hotel Belmar. Thank you for highlighting the special moments that made your stay extraordinary. We have taken note of your feedback regarding the timeliness of service in our restaurants and the issues with your menu selections. Please know that we highly value your candid comments, as they are the best guide for us to address any shortcomings. We will discuss these points with our Food & Beverage team. Once again, we express our gratitude for celebrating the special experiences and details that added beauty and charm to your visit. We look forward to welcoming you back!
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We spent three nights in Hotel Belmar in a peninsula room, we had travelled from a much larger hotel in Arenal and upon arrival we immediately felt a sense of calm in this beautiful hotel. Check in was swift and our room delightful, we even had a couple of complimentary beers in our mini bar, which is always very welcome after a few hours travelling.
We had lunch in the on-site brewery who served up an excellent burger and delicious drinks.... this was our favorite spot in the hotel, there was inside and outside dining with a lovely view over the lake. The guys working there were great, really friendly and great at what they do - thank you.
Breakfast and dinner were served in the main restaurant although the brewery was open some evenings for dinner which offered an alternative. We enjoyed all the food, especially the breakfasts and Hazel was lovely, looking after us most mornings.
We walked into Santa Elena a couple of times and there was a nice viewpoint on the way and quite a cool vibe in the bars. We ate out one evening at Thomas and Thiago which made a nice change and was the closest restaurant to the hotel which avoided a steep hill back up from the center of Santa Elana. The food was good and they mixed a mean negroni!
We visited Santa Elana Cloud Forest Reserve which was interesting and different to the rain forest that we had visited in Arenal. There is a great observation tower that gives 360 degree panoramic views..... we regret not visiting Curi-Cancha where we would have had a better opportunity at seeing the quetzal..
The highlight of our stay at Monteverde was the Nightfall experience with Daniel which we booked through the Belmar - it was brilliant. Even though I suffer with vertigo, I felt incredibly safe crossing the hanging bridge and even managed to climb to the first platform (there are higher!) and repel down in the dark - we learnt so much as the forest went to sleep - do it if you can..
Lastly, I mustn't forget the lovely jacuzzi which was very welcome after all the walking we did, it was super relaxing and we had it all to ourselves.
We felt our holiday had really got going when we stayed here and were so relaxed, thank you Hotel Belmar for a wonderful stay.
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel Belmar, Owner at Hotel Belmar
Responded Jan 23, 2025
Warmest regards Lorna! Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful and detailed review of your stay—it was a true pleasure to read about your experience. We're so glad that you found a sense of calm upon arrival and that your Peninsula Room and its little touches, like the complimentary beers, helped set the tone for your visit. It’s wonderful to hear that CervecerĂa Belmar became a favorite spot during your stay. Our team will be thrilled to know their friendly service and craft creations left such a lasting impression. We’re also delighted that you enjoyed our farm-to-table offerings at both CervecerĂa Belmar and Restaurante Celajes, and that Hazel made your mornings extra special. Exploring Santa Elena and indulging in its vibrant local scene is something we strongly encourage. As members of the Monteverde and Santa Elena communities, we love when travelers discover all aspects of its unique magic. The Nightfall experience with Daniel at our SAVIA tropical forest immersion reserve is truly one-of-a-kind, and we’re thrilled you took the leap (literally!) to cross the bridge and rappel down. Your bravery and curiosity paid off, and we’re so happy it became a highlight of your Monteverde memories. Brava! Lastly, we love knowing the jacuzzi provided the perfect space to unwind and relax. Thank you for choosing Hotel Belmar as part of your journey. We look forward to your return!
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Charming and comfortable hotel that has a spa like cottage feel - very suited to the Monteverde natural environment. Their gardens and beer garden are pleasant to stroll to and a great place to spot some birds. The staff were very accommodating -upgrading us to a better room on the 2nd night and helping us celebrate our anniversary with a half bottle of wine. They also gave us information about local areas. The balcony had a stunning view. The sheets are crisp and comfortable....and our upgraded room had a bath, which is something we always enjoy and appreciated. It was also appreciated that the room came with complimentary drinks The restaurant's breakfast was very good, as was our dinner, but I found it surprising that the menu was not more extensive.
The excursion that we took through the hotel was a breathtaking experience--and it was nice to be just 2 couples vs in a big group.
We did have 3 complaints: 1) we think that a discrete sign with the hotel's name near the gas station would be helpful. Despite using GPS we drove right by the street without realizing we were meant to turn. 2) the hotel is expensive and not all "bundles" include breakfast, which we think at these prices, it should be. 3) we were sorry to go and would have enjoyed another day! Thanks Belmar! You have a very special place!
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Date of stay: February 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel Belmar, Owner at Hotel Belmar
Responded 3 weeks ago
Greetings, Toby! Thank you for your thoughtful review and for choosing Hotel Belmar to celebrate your anniversary! We’re delighted that you enjoyed the charming, spa-like atmosphere, stunning views, and the little touches—from the upgraded room and complimentary drinks to the warm hospitality of our team. It’s wonderful to hear that you took time to explore our gardens and beer garden, embracing the natural beauty of Monteverde and its incredible birdlife. We also appreciate your feedback. We will take your suggestion about signage into consideration to help future guests find us more easily. Regarding breakfast, we do offer various rate options, but we understand your perspective and will certainly keep it in mind. And as for your last "complaint"—we agree, one more day is always a good idea! We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable stay. Pura vida!
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Things we loved: the aesthetic of the property, the free yoga class, the views from our room were stunning. They had local dancers in the evening which was fun. The staff were amazing. They brought me a different handmade soap due to an allergy I had and were very quickly responsive to any issues. The balcony was lovely. You could view the water from the shower! Free parking at the hotel. No elevator so they will help you with your bags up the stairs. The location is great- easy to get to town. We had a car but you could walk to some stuff, keep in mind it’s a bit hilly.
Things that were ok: the room did not have AC. Luckily the altitude provides a nice breeze particularly at night and there is a screen door and windows so the room gets pretty cool and we were fine. If you want AC, this is not the place for you.
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Date of stay: February 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel Belmar, Owner at Hotel Belmar
Responded 3 weeks ago
Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re delighted that you embraced the charm and natural beauty of Hotel Belmar, from the stunning views and serene yoga class to the warm hospitality of our team. We are especially thrilled that you enjoyed the local folk dance performance, and we’re especially touched that our team could accommodate your needs with a special artisan soap. Monteverde’s high-altitude location and cool mountain air provide naturally temperate weather, and we’re glad you found the fresh breeze refreshing. While we don’t offer AC, the crisp air, along with screened doors and windows, ensures a comfortable and restful stay. We appreciate your detailed feedback and hope to welcome you back for another breezy Monteverde escape in the near future!
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Everything about this hotel is a dream. Nested in the cloud forest, this eco friendly alpine lodge has amazing rooms with terrific views of the valley going all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The rooms are spacious, very well decorated and have everything you need. The restaurant is to die for ! The food is harvested from the garden and served in an amazing setting but waiting staff who are helpful, friendly and extremely knowledgeable about the region, the ingredients, the philosophy of the place as well as the dishes themselves. We also took the horseback riding tour offered by the hotel. The way there was a little rough on the Monteverde roads but the tour was exceptional. The guides were friendly, very knowledgeable and gave us an amazing experience all around. We also tried the fresh beer brewed in the property, which was amazing and the coffee from the hotel farm, which we wish we would have been to carry more back home.. So in a nutshell, this place is a paradise and there is nowhere better to stay in while visiting Monteverde.
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel Belmar, Owner at Hotel Belmar
Responded Apr 19, 2024
Thank you so much for your amazing review of Hotel Belmar. We are truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed the unique experiences that make our hotel a standout destination in Monteverde. Your appreciation for the ethereal beauty of the cloud forest and the distinctive offerings at our property fills us with great pride. At Hotel Belmar, we strive to foster an intense connection to the land, offering experiences that not only showcase its natural splendor but also fill a primal void, reconnecting our guests with nature in profound and meaningful ways. We are particularly proud of our farm-to-table dining experience, which brings the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients straight from our farm and gardens to your plate. We are thankful for your feedback and thrilled that your stay highlighted the aspects that make Hotel Belmar truly special. We look forward to welcoming you back soon for another unforgettable experience in the heart of Costa Rica's cloud forest wonderlands.
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We had great views in an excellent hotel overlooking the cloud forest and out to the sea!
The welcome desk staff were very helpful and courteous and we enjoyed the food we had for breakfast each day.
The smoothie bar and free activities were also great and the staff contacted us to check on our safety and provide advice during a storm.
One negative was the inconsistency in the housekeeping from timings they came, to the standards of jobs they completed (eg some days we got new towels and others we didn’t), and small things like not doing requested jobs such as unlocking our safe as the instructions were incorrect, even after we asked twice and apparently they were sent!
A small detail I also noticed was that the balcony furniture has cushions on. Great in terms of comfort, but these are not waterproof, nor were they cleaned, checked or provided space for us to move during the rainstorms so we were unable to keep them dry and then they remained sopping wet for the rest of our stay so we didn’t want to sit outside on them. A small change here would make a big difference to people’s experiences!
Overall a great place though and we thoroughly enjoyed our bath on the balcony even during the rain! The studios are beautiful and well kept so it was a great honeymoon vacation!
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: Don’t arrive at breakfast at 0945! Although they say they serve until 10am, people arriving at...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel Belmar, Owner at Hotel Belmar
Responded Oct 1, 2024
Greetings! Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful review. We're delighted that you enjoyed the stunning views, atmosphere, and warm ambiance and hospitality at Hotel Belmar. It's wonderful to hear that our breakfast, smoothie bar, and complimentary activities added to your experience. Thanks for celebrating our staff's dedication and caring attitude. We sincerely apologize for the housekeeping inconsistencies and the issues with your balcony furniture. Your feedback is invaluable, and we'll address these details to ensure future guests have a seamless experience. It was a pleasure hosting you for your honeymoon, and we're so happy you enjoyed the bath on the balcony—even in the rain! We look forward to welcoming you back for another special stay or life celebration! Felicidades!
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The Hotel Belmar is truly one of the best hotels we’ve ever stayed at, and we’ve stayed at some amazing properties over the years. Every part of our experience was outstanding. Our room was perfect in every way. The service was incredible - Diego at the front desk and Christopher, Fiorella, and Edwin in the restaurant all made our stay very special. There were so many thoughtful touches and amazing attention to detail. The concierge (whose name I unfortunately didn’t get) went out of her way to find a yoga mat for me to use in our room. The restaurant was outstanding. We ended up eating there two nights and three mornings out of our 5-night stay! The avocado toast is legit, with the egg on top perfectly done every time. We also had a meal at the CervecerĂa, which has a great setting and great beers, burgers, and bar food. Highly recommended and we will be back!
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We spent 3 nights at the Hotel Belmar during our recent 2 week tour of Costa Rica and were very impressed with all aspects of the hotel. We loved the "swiss chalet" architecture, which seemed so appropriate to this mountain region with cooler temperatures. Our "Peninsula" room (29) was in the main house and was very traditional with wood panelling on the walls and ceiling, a small furnished balcony with the same, sublime, view as the main terrace downstairs and a roll-top bath in the room also with that view. Personally, I would thoroughly recommend being in the main house. The views from the restaurant/bar terrace out across the trees to the Nicoya Peninsula in the distance are stunning; we loved to sit there at "happy hour" enjoying the views, the sunset and the reasonably priced cocktails and wine before nipping upstairs to change for diner. We found the food in the restaurant to be excellent and ate there every evening rather than walk down to the village in the dark in search of an alternative. Service was courteous, prompt (unlike the experience of other recent guests it would seem) and friendly. The on-site brewery, just down the hill from the main building was lovely, looking out over the pond which was a haven for wildlife. The snack/light dish menu was perfect for lunch. On our second evening we booked on the twilight tour of the hotel's private Savia Reserve: this was an unmissable experience very much tailored to the individual guest with only 6 people in a group and only one group in the hotel's private reserve at any one time. After a 5 minute drive from the hotel we started with a walk through the forest late afternoon with our guide Richard who was absolutely charming and knowledgeable. We then met with two young men who are expert in vertical rope climbing who kitted us out in safety harnesses and helmets for an ascent up one of the largest trees in the forest to a series of platforms to view the sunset. The vertical rope climb to the lowest platform is a challenge, physically, but my husband (a fit 68 year old) did it whilst I took the easy option of the walk across the hanging bridge. You are then invited to ascend, by ladder, to the highest platform. Refreshments, beautifully set out and lit with fairy lights, are laid out for you to enjoy. After this, we continued with our walk through the now dark forest, quite an experience ending with more refreshments. It was a very special experience that we will both remember for a long time and, for my husband at least, a physical challenge with the rope climb that I think we was pleased to have completed, not being a fan of heights. The hotel is a short 10 minute taxi/drive away from the Monteverde Cloud Forest and, in the opposite direction, all the attractions around Santa Elena. I would thoroughly recommend the hotel and whilst there is a lot to see and do in the area and most people only spend a couple of days in Monteverde, make sure you schedule time just to soak up the natural beauty of the place.
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Stay in the main building, so much more convenient and traditional.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We wanted to connect with Costa Rica’s natural surroundings by experiencing Hotel Belmar’s Farm tour. It was amazing and was the highlight of our entire vacation to see how their farm to table restaurant was supplied. We loved our cloud forest tour as well! We were lucky enough to see a quetzal! The room itself was perched above their incredibly beautiful network of trails and was impeccable and serene in every way. The staff genuinely cared for us and made Monteverde so special for us. We loved the restaurant and appreciated having wonderful meals on site as we didn’t feel comfortable driving at night. Thank you Stephen, Gabriel, Walter, Karla and Natalia!!! This team of rock stars is what made it possible for us to connect to the heart of Costa Rica and Pura Vida.
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Date of stay: August 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip: There’s no pool and just one main jacuzzi but the tub in the room is amazing.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel Belmar, Owner at Hotel Belmar
Responded Aug 12, 2024
GreetingsSilv! Thank you so much for your heartfelt review. We are truly honored that you chose to connect with Costa Rica’s natural surroundings through your stay at Hotel Belmar. It's wonderful to hear that our farm tour was the highlight of your vacation and that you enjoyed our immersive cloud forest experiences, especially spotting the magnificent quetzal! We’re also excited to share that Hotel Belmar has recently earned a top spot in Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards, a nod to the dedication of our amazing team. Stephen, Gabriel, Walter, Karla, and Natalia will be overjoyed to know they helped make your Monteverde experience unforgettable. Thank you for allowing us to share the heart of Costa Rica with you, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to continue your Pura Vida journey!
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Los Angeles, California78 contributions15 helpful votes
We asked for an extra bed and it was a very uncomfortable rolling bed style. We had a hard time sleeping in it. I would book a room with the number of beds you need so everyone sleeps well. They might have adjoining rooms?
We stayed in the penthouse and there’s no ac. There is a ceiling fan, and you can open the windows, front door and balcony to get a good cross breeze that cooled off the room just fine. I also travel with a small usb fan everywhere I go - highly recommend if you’re worried about being too warm.
Good afternoon dear John!
Thank you for contacting us and I apologize for the delay in answering.
All our rooms have their own private bathroom. So the Forest room has its own private toilet and bathroom.
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Kind regards,
Jose QR
There are more places to choose from in the Monteverde area.
PRICE RANGE
$355 - $531 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
belmar hotel monteverde
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of PuntarenasMonteverde
NUMBER OF ROOMS
25
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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