Peace Lodge

Recent Reviews: 1728

• User:Katriona F

  Trip type: Family

  Family Vacation in Costa Rica

  02 Jun 2026

  We had one of the best travel experiences of our lives during our stay at this lodge. While the property itself and its surroundings are absolutely magnificent, what truly made our visit unforgettable was the dedication of the staff, who went above and beyond to ensure every guest had the experience of a lifetime. We will most definitely be returning.During our trip, we visited many incredible locations throughout Costa Rica, from the beaches of Manuel Antonio to the cloud forests of Monteverde. Yet the setting within the La Paz Reserve was truly awe-inspiring. Nestled high in the cloud forest, with breathtaking views toward the volcano and easy access to the waterfalls, it was the most spectacular location we experienced during our travels.The property’s wildlife sanctuary creates an immersive nature experience unlike any other. We woke each morning to the sounds of exotic birds and watched wild toucans perched in the trees just outside our balcony. The rooms are worth every penny, offering a level of luxury and comfort that far exceeds what you typically find in even high-end hotels. With only around 20 rooms, the lodge feels like a peaceful oasis, allowing guests to enjoy tranquility while remaining separate from the day visitors to the park.The dining was excellent throughout our stay. For those planning a longer visit, there are also wonderful local “sodas” nearby that provide additional dining options. That said, it would take several days to work through the lodge’s outstanding menu.There are numerous activities and amenities on-site, including a beautiful butterfly garden and a fascinating frog house. Both adults and children will appreciate the opportunities to connect with nature through the thoughtfully designed experiences offered by the lodge.What truly sets this lodge apart, however, is its exceptional staff. Without them, it would simply be a beautiful place to visit. Their professionalism, warmth, and genuine commitment to guest satisfaction elevate the entire experience. Daniel, Alejandro, Byron, Edrien, Giovani, and many others consistently went above and beyond.In fact, we were so impressed that we booked a second stay for our final night in Costa Rica and brought our daughter, who had been studying abroad in Monteverde. We had requested a few special touches to surprise her, and the staff exceeded every expectation, making her last evening in Costa Rica absolutely magical.We will definitely be returning and have already recommended this extraordinary lodge to friends back home. For anyone seeking natural beauty, luxury, peace, and genuinely outstanding hospitality, this is a destination not to be missed.

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• User:BrandyZ127

  Trip type: Couples

  Phenomenal People in a Magical Location

  12 May 2026

  The Peace Lodge at La Paz Waterfall Gardens was our first time experiencing Costa Rica and we are forever spoiled. It was perfection from the second we booked this trip online to dropping us off at the airport. Prior to arriving at The Peace Lodge, we were able to email them directly to book our private airport transportation, restaurant reservations, private guided tour, etc. The incredible staff was always responsive and professional. After a long day of travel, they tracked our flight and our driver, John, was waiting for us with a friendly smile. The one+ hour drive is beautiful. Upon arriving at The Peace Lodge, we were greeted with the most breathtaking views and warm welcome. Freddy immediately served us a delicious welcome drink (rum optional). The check-in process with David was seamless. He explained in detail, to include drawing and pinpointing on the map) all the amenities and activities this wonderful place has to offer. Afterwards, he walked us to the fine dining restaurant Vista Poas and pointed out property attractions along the way to our majestic room. The staff delivered our luggage shortly after. Our room was awe-inspiring. From the garden bathroom with a running waterfall and decorated in mosaic tiles, to the canopy king size bed, enormous rock fireplace, and our most favorite part, the large balcony where we sat and viewed the lush property and vast rainforest was spectacular.After getting settled, we had dinner at Vista Poas where we met Byron and Daniel. Their service was impeccable. They were both kind and welcoming, it felt like we already knew them and we weren’t strangers. We enjoyed conversation and spent our time with them at breakfast every morning at Tortillas restaurant and dinner every night. We started the next day early on our own. We felt like we had the entire property to ourselves. We ventured into the Bird Aviary where we saw peacocks, falcons, parrots, ducks, owls, sloths, and our favorite Toucans. We continued to the Jungle Cat sanctuary where we encountered Ocelots, Pumas, a grey fox and a Jaguar. From there we met Adrian (our private tour guide). We highly recommend you request him for this particular activity. This guided tour was approximately 3 hours and hit every activity on the property (Bird Aviary, Butterfly Habitat, Humming Bird Garden, Jungle Cats, Monkeys, Orchid Garden, Frogs, Snakes, Jersey Cows, Oxen) We ended the tour hiking the main waterfall trail where we stopped at several extraordinary viewing platforms. We also observed the afternoon feeding of the Jungle Cats with a different Adrian. This was truly amazing to see. We highly recommend this activity and request Adrian. He was very thorough and told us exactly what to expect and when to capture the best pictures/videos.On the last day we ventured out and hiked The Fern and Rio La Paz Trails and on our own. The flora and landscape were totally different. At one point you walk the trail along The Peace River (The Lodge’s namesake). It is truly hard to describe in words the sounds, smells, views, feelings in that moment although magical comes to mind.In between hiking and venturing around the property, we would stop by Big Trout Bar for a drink and appetizer where Giovanny took great care of us. In 2.5 days, we took advantage of everything this enchanted place has to offer. Thank you to the lovely staff for making us feel so at home and making this trip one we will never forget. We will definitely be back and given the opportunity we will greatly recommend The Peace Lodge at La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

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• User:Lynn C

  Trip type: Friends getaway

  Peace Lodge | Cinchona Waterfalls Trails

  19 Apr 2026

  We hiked the Cinchona Waterfalls Trails right down the road from the Peace Lodge. Allan greeted us and prepared us for the beautiful hike down to the amazing waterfalls. It was a fantastic experience.

• User:Christina K

  Trip type: Family

  Warning! Stay at Peace Lodge at your own risk.

  01 Apr 2026

  Don't let the hotel's price tag fool you, as it fooled me. There is not enough security at this high end hotel. We stayed at less expensive hotels in Costa Rica that had far better security, such as a guard at the entrance or a gated entry. Not only does Peace Lodge lack real security, it is located near a prime tourist site which, according to the police who responded to our theft, is a big target for crime. The US Embassy in Costa Rica warns: "Crime is increasing in Costa Rica and U.S. citizens are frequent victims. While petty theft is the main problem, armed robberies have been known to occur even in broad daylight."  Here's what happened to my family. I stayed at the Peace Lodge for 3 nights with my children before my husband could arrive and join us. I specifically chose the Peace Lodge because I was traveling as a single mom with my kids and wanted an easy and safe hotel. I could not have been more wrong about staying at Peace Lodge.  First, they give you a wooden Peace Lodge bracelet as "proof" you are a guest of the Lodge. It is very easy to walk between La Paz Waterfall and the hotel. It is all completely open. No additional security exists between the two areas and no one even checks for this bracelet. I noticed this immediately. Second, what happened when my husband joined us on our trip could happen to anyone. He rented a car from the airport and parked right outside the hotel to help us with our bags. There was no guard, no security for hotel guests. He left his bags in the car, locked the car and went inside to meet out. Unfortunately, he was immediately targeted for theft. Thieves patrolling the area used a key fob jammer to access the locked rental car. Withing minutes of my husband leaving the car, thieves opened the rental car door, grabbed his computer and ipad, and sped away. It took 30 seconds or less. If we had stayed at a hotel with REAL SECURITY and A GUARD OUTSIDE, this would not have happened. We stayed during peak winter travel time and paid $6K for a 3 night stay. Our entire vacation was RUINED.I tried to get in touch with the owner of Peace Lodge to share my experience but to no avail. This is not the problem of the front lobby staff, but the responsibility of the owner, Lee Banks, who designed this hotel with poor security. The hotel's front lobby is on the main road, a known spot where burglars target tourists visiting La Paz Waterfalls. Mr. Banks profits from an extremely high price tag and does not adequately protect his guests. Please do better. FREDDY HERNANDEZ, Otros at Peace Lodge, responded to this review Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, and we are truly sorry to hear that your stay was impacted by this incident. We understand how distressing it must have been, especially while traveling with your children, and we want to address your concerns directly.We want to clarify an important detail regarding the theft. The vehicle was parked on the public road outside the property, not within our designated parking areas. Our official parking lots are monitored by 24-hour camera surveillance, and we have three security guards on duty across our property. Had the vehicle been parked in our lots, it would have been within that protected perimeter. We recognize this distinction may not have been clear upon arrival, and that is something we take seriously and will work to communicate more proactively to arriving guests.That said, we did not take this situation lightly. Our team assisted your family in reporting the theft to the police and remained available to support you throughout the process. We are deeply sorry this happened during your stay, and we genuinely wish the outcome had been different. The safety and comfort of our guests is something we hold to the highest standard, and we remain committed to continuously improving the experience for every family who visits us.Pura vida.

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• User:Ashley Z

  Trip type: Family

  Excellent overall!

  29 Mar 2026

  BEAUTIFUL!!! The rooms are amazing, the waterfall hike stunning and our boys thoroughly enjoyed fishing in the trout pond and watching it being prepared and cooked on the spot for lunch! Very cool to see all the animals too. FREDDY HERNANDEZ, Otros at Peace Lodge, responded to this review Dear guest.Thank you for a wonderfull review.We are so happy to know that you had a great time in the Peace Lodge.The comments of our loyal guest's are very important to us. We look forward to welcoming you again.Pura Vida!

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