Behind the Wheel of Monteverde's Most Reliable Transfers | A Chat with Ocotea Tours & Transfers' José Villalobos

With over 16 years of operation, our sister company Ocotea Tours & Transfers is the longest-running tour and transfer operator in Monteverde and has become a reliable and trusted choice for both independent travelers and travel agents around the world. 

In this article, we sat down with José Villalobos, a longtime driver for Ocotea Tours & Transfers who has been with the organization since almost the very beginning, and discussed his time driving with the Ocotea Group, what it’s like to be a part of the Ocotea family, and other questions about life in Monteverde. 

A Chat with Ocotea Tours & Transfers Driver José Villalobos

This interview was conducted in Spanish and has been translated for your reading experience. 

On Being Here From The Beginning

Ocotea Team: Good afternoon, and thank you for taking the time to speak with us about your experience!

José Villalobos: Thank you for having me, it’s a pleasure to be able to help answer any questions.

OT: How long have you been working with the Fallas family and the Ocotea Tours team?

JV: I’ve been working with Karen and the Fallas family, which eventually became Ocotea Tours & Transfers, for a little over 15 years. Before that, I’d worked in tourism, but no company I’ve worked with has felt like home the way Ocotea does. I’m very grateful that in my life, I haven’t had to work what I’d call a ‘normal’ job!

OT: What were things like back then? 

JV: Well there were fewer people back then! I was one of the first three drivers we had, and for a long while, that was it. Now, there’s a whole flotilla of us, and the numbers only grow when the seasonal guys come in to help out with high season. 

OT: What has it been like helping this team grow? 

JV: It’s a source of incredible pride for me to be a part of this team, especially considering the culture we’ve built. People are happy to be a part of this team, and we feel a close connection with our other team members. 

But not only that, I see in all the new drivers we’ve added to our team, there’s a passion to succeed and improve. Everyone wants to be better, to improve the standards, and to help share Monteverde with our guests in the best way possible.

On the Culture and Community at the Ocotea Team

OT: From the outside, the Ocotea team seems very close, almost like family. Can you tell me about that sense of community and togetherness in the Ocotea family?

JV: I can see you’ve spent a lot of time around here! Yes, there is a sense of community with us that goes beyond just work. We spend time recognizing each other’s hard work, but we also support each other in our normal lives. When something happens, we band together to support each other. 

We do also have more traditional work events, like there is a big meeting every year for the whole team to come together and there are continuing pieces of training throughout the year. But usually, it feels more like family. 

OT: What is your favorite part of the job?

 JV: I’d say my favorite part is that it doesn’t really feel like working. Every day brings a new adventure that we get to share with wonderful, interesting people. Getting to chat with people from around the world and host them here has given me an incredible perspective on life, and I have a deep appreciation for that. 

On How José and Monteverde Have Changed 

OT: Are you from Monteverde? Or did you move here to work?

JV: I have actually been living in Monteverde for 32 years

OT: And how has your own life changed in that time, especially since you first started with the Ocotea team?

JV: Well, I can tell you that in the 15-16 years I’ve been working with the Ocotea Group, I certainly feel like I’ve grown up, even though I was an adult before I started here. Being a part of this journey, I don’t feel like I’ve just been working for a provider. I feel like I’ve been a part of this family, and I’m very grateful for that opportunity. 

OT: And how has Monteverde itself changed since you first joined the team?

JV: That’s a much bigger question. Since I’ve been living there, they paved the roads. They’ve fixed big problems with the water, electricity, and other infrastructure. There are a lot more homes, new hotels, and quite a few rental properties (which we have a complicated relationship with in particular). 

I also notice the effects of climate change here. The summers are a bit warmer, the green season is a bit less chilly with a bit more rain. I remember walking through the forest around my house, and you could feel the water through the moss. Now it’s a bit drier to the touch. When you spend your life surrounded by nature, these things are a bit more apparent.

I think to myself that in life, things change, even something as steady as the community and forests of Monteverde. That’s not a bad thing or a good thing by itself, but I’m glad that I get to work with a team that is trying to make good changes and protect the beauty of Monteverde. 

Our Thanks to José!

As this article comes to a close, we want to thank José for taking the time to share his story with us and with the entire Ocotea community. As stewards of Monteverde’s community and forests, it’s always important to understand how this region has changed from the past so that we can make smart decisions about our future. 

We invite you to read more about Monteverde’s history, present, and future on our blog, and we hope that you’ll join us in the cloud forest one day to see why we believe this region is worth protecting.