
Rancho Margot
El Castillo, Costa Rica
- Forest
- Mountains
- Waterside
- Rural
- Wellness
Off-grid haven which puts the beauty of Costa Rica’s wilderness centre
Rancho Margot is an eco lodge in the heart of Costa Rica’s mountain rainforest. This off-grid retreat is spread over more than 400 acres, and surrounded by the Arenal Volcano National Park and the shores of Lake Arenal. Racho Margot operates as a self-sustaining organic farm, producing a bounty of fruits, vegetables, and herbs used in its farm-to-table restaurant. The lodge has 19 bungalows and 20 bunkhouse quarters, all featuring handcrafted furniture made from wood harvested on the grounds. Bungalows come with stunning views as standard.
The bunkhouse quarters are cosy and communal, with shared bathrooms, lockers and balconies. All rooms include daily breakfast, lunch and dinner made with produce from the organic gardens, as well as a guided ranch tour and twice daily yoga classes. Participate in farm tours and workshops, gaining insights into organic farming practices and sustainable living, relax in one of the spring-fed pools, opt for a massage or a sauna at the spa, or join a meditation or wellness workshop. There’s also the sprawling ranch to explore on foot, bike or by horse as well as tours to Arenal volcano and the nearby waterfalls.
Sustainability
Climate & conservation
- 100% off-grid, powered by hydroelectricity, solar and bio-digesters
- Reforested around 100 hectares of former deforested cattle farmland
- Zero-waste, closed-loop system reuses, recycles or composts everything
- Recognised in 2012 as Costa Rica's first carbon-negative company
Community & culture
- Employs 40 to 55 people, with priority given to the local community
- Hosts workshops on permaculture, sustainability and climate adaptation
- Spanish immersion and hands-on service-learning programmes for guests
Commercial
- Ecosystem preservation
- Sustainable build
- Education
- Quality education (SDG 4)
- Decent work and economic growth (SDG 8)
In brief
- Price bracket
- ££
- Type of property
- Lodge
- No. of rooms
- 18 bungalows, 20 guest rooms, and 10 tent platforms
- Max guests per room
- Deluxe bungalows sleep up to 4; bunkhouse rooms are single dorm beds
- Facilities
- Restaurant, Pool, Yoga shala, Tours desk, Bicycle hire, Garden, Sauna
- Activities
- Hiking, Cycling, Horseriding, Yoga, Meditation, Birdwatching, Farm tours
- Setting
- Rainforest · Mountains · Lake
Kids
Family friendly, with children under 5 free and ages 6-11 discounted per night; a children's play area and obstacle course is on site
Accessibility
The restaurant is wheelchair accessible; the wider ranch spans 400 acres of natural terrain, so guests with mobility needs should contact the ranch ahead
El Castillo, Costa Rica
Guide price · £ <£100 · ££ £100–300 · £££ £300–800 · ££££ £800+ pp / night