Hotel Fonda Vela sits on the road to the Monteverde reserve, in a rural mountain setting about a three-minute walk from the Friends Meeting House and the Friends School, and close to the reserve itself. The booking page shows it as a 4.5-star property with a guest rating of 8.6 from more than 400 reviews, with praise for the staff, the grounds, the pool and breakfast. The grounds are large, with gardens, an outdoor pool, a spa with massage services, a restaurant, a bar and a coffee shop. The rooms are spacious, with sitting areas, safes and minibars, and cooked-to-order breakfast and parking are free.
Location and getting around
The road to the reserve is the main route for visitors, so Fonda Vela is well placed for early starts at the Monteverde reserve and for the Hummingbird Gallery, with taxis and shuttles available for Santa Elena town, the canopy parks and night walks. A rental car is useful but not essential. The setting is quiet and green, with mountain views and cool evenings; the Friends community and its dairy heritage are part of the story of the area.
Rooms and who it suits
Superior rooms of about 460 square feet and Junior Suites of about 480 square feet are both large for the area, each with a mountain view and sleeping up to four with a king and a queen bed, which makes the hotel a practical choice for families.
Couples will enjoy the grounds and the spa, and walkers can head out directly. The restaurant and cafe mean you can eat without going out, although the bar balcony can fill up in the evening.Good to know: rates are mid-to-upper, from a few hundred dollars a night in high season, so book ahead for December to April.
The pet information on the booking page is inconsistent, so contact the hotel if you plan to travel with an animal. Check-in is mid-afternoon and check-out is late morning, with free cancellation on selected rates. Fonda Vela is a good compromise between the polish of the splurge hotels and the simplicity of the budget options, and a strong choice for a reserve-focused stay.
Why stay here
- ✓Cooked-to-order breakfast included
- ✓Outdoor pool
- ✓Spa with massage
- ✓Restaurant, bar and cafe
- ✓Large gardens
- ✓Free self parking
- ✓Free WiFi in public areas
- ✓Concierge and tour help
Good questions
Is Fonda Vela close to the reserve?+
It is on the road to the Monteverde reserve in a rural setting, so the reserve is nearby. Taxis and shuttles run to Santa Elena town.
Are the rooms large enough for families?+
Superior rooms and Junior Suites are roughly 460 to 480 square feet and sleep up to four. That makes them practical for families.
Is breakfast included?+
The booking page shows free cooked-to-order breakfast and free parking. Confirm the details at booking.
