Costa Rica Revitalization & Eco-Lodge
Grow Your Own Chocolate
Have you ever made chocolate from scratch? As in chocolate from the cacao fruit to beans, to powdered cacao, to a baked chocolate cake…!?
Well, you may be able to in the foreseeable future and it’s thanks to the revitalizing place called Finca Luna Nueva in Costa Rica.
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Why Here?
There is a Costa Rican expatriation going on. Allegedly, people of color in the States have been moving on down to Costa Rica. Finding warmth as well as hospitality, the indelible welcome from the locals there, they’re staying. Though this is something that’s been spurred into occurrence via Covid, it’s Costa Rica that has long been a place of reprieve for all travelers and explorers.
It’s a particularly sought-out jungle remedy and high quality of life in the middle of Central America.
A rare hummingbird moment, Image by Leslie Cross
Image by Robin Canfield
Eco-Lodge Lodge
Finca Luna Nueva is the epitome of what draws people to Costa Rica. It’s a magical reprieve and an oasis. It’s an Eco-lodge resort within the heart of the rainforest. It hosts a plethora of medicinal plants as well as delicious organic food, beautiful villa dwellings, and a main lodge hotel sort of situation. It has a vibrant staff that will guide you to pick your own exotic fruits to ferment and turn into chocolate, as well as teach you to use a machete and spot long-clawed sloths snoozing in treetops.
Image by anirt73
The lodge is located in the central area of Costa Rica right near, or within visibility, to the mischievous Arenal Volcano. It’s easy to get to and yet feels secluded once you’re there. From the yoga deck, you can see the volcano. From the hiking trails shrouding plants in mist, you’ll see snakes, toucans, and large iguanas.
Image by Mike Carozza
Activities
The lodge offers yoga, cooking courses in local Costa Rican cuisine and techniques, and nature hikes with guides to point out the native flora and fauna. You’ll be able to familiarize yourself with the biodiversity that grows in conservation there and get intel as to the uniqueness of the indigenous plant species.
The meals are informal and laidback, with ultra-fresh vegetables and meats from the farm. It feels largely wholesome and is reminiscent of a yoga retreat but with more emphasis on celebrating the nature of the rainforest environment.
The pool and hot tub on site overlook the expanse of greeneries and there are spa options as well.
There are hikes further to do such as a rigorous and rewarding waterfall hike, as well as hilly walks beyond the main dwelling confines. There’s swimming, there’s cooking, there’s coffee, and perfume fruit to spot and sample, there’s visiting baby piglets and players of the area’s farmland.
Ultimately, this is a place to replenish your body from city life. The air itself is a purification process, a whole physiological and spiritual steam mask if you will.
Ripened cacao fruit
Cobb oven, Image by Jas Joslin
Retreat vs. Vacation
Did you know this is what your coffee looks like beforehand? Coffee fruit (red skin) over the flesh-covered beans
Finca Luna Nueva is not a beach vacation or your average vacation. It’s a both retreat and an adventure into wonderful plants, foods, and jungle curiosities.
The management of the land itself is based on whole system regenerative thinking. This is about it being a living ecosystem with every part a facet of what contributes to a healthy natural environment.
There is further a Sacred Seeds Sanctuary and Children’s Eternal Rainforest, aptly named protected areas. These guard the nucleus production of plant seeds, and that are keys to its rainforest conservation. They also serve as educational centers and knowledge bases for those to learn about why protecting biodiversity is so important.
How to Get There?
San Jose is the point to fly into. It then takes less than 3-hours to get to Finca Luna Nueva from there.
Nearby, La Fortuna is the closest town to the lodge and the town closest to Arenal Volcano. It’s less than 30 minutes from Finca Luna Nueva and has cute thatched-roof shopping, eateries, and adventure activities like ziplining, rafting, and horseback riding. There are delightful natural wonders in this area as well. Hot springs and a cloud forest are activities worth venturing to for a day excursion.
Arenal Volcano, Image by P Read
Beyond the Retreat
There is also an even smaller town nearby to Finca Luna Nueva and in walking proximity of the lodge. It’s a good trek if you feel the need to get crackers or snacks beyond what food is served for meals. While, if you have a desire to see the ocean while on-site, I recommend venturing to Hermosa Beach. Playa Hermosa Beach is about 3 and a half hours away from San Jose.
*Safety tip
Close-toed shoes are definite musts for walking around the grounds. It is in the rainforest and there are creatures to be watchful of. Mosquito repellant is also a must.
Another angle of Arenal, Image by Fabio Fistarol
Bottom line
Finca Luna Nueva is a total wealth of a location. It’s off the beaten path, but not off the beaten path enough to be difficult to reach. There’s as much to learn about the rainforest there as there is time to bask in the vivacious calm of the environment. The food is sublimely fresh and empowering to learn about being grown on-site while the fruit is to die for.
Finca Luna Nueva can be promoted as a health and wellness retreat as well as an eco-lodge and adventure. It’s comprised of a warm community that cares about the environment, cares about Tican culture, and sends you off much more revived than when you arrived.
