Do you ever wish we could go back in time to when life moved a little slower, communities were a little closer, and people appreciated the detail, time, and effort that went into something more than the brand name on its label?

It happens every day in the sunny season. People in Monteverde gather in different places to see the sunset. There are a couple of spots with benches where visitors and locals get together and see the magnificence of the multicolored sky reflecting in the stillness of the distant Pacific Ocean.

A few days ago, talking to a friend, he was saying how indispensable his smartwatch was becoming in his life. From my side, with a different lifestyle and living in Monteverde, I told him I didn't have a watch since a long time ago, nor a clock anywhere in my house. I guess the phone clock is enough for me.

As we look ahead to 2023, we’re happy to share international recognition for Costa Rica once again, this time from renowned international publication Forbes Centroamerica. 

While it is not my habit to write these posts from a personal place, this post is a little bit special. I recently had a bit of an epiphany, and it happened while seated in a big comfortable chair, early in the morning, in Ocotea’s back garden.

“Mom, I am going to take you to the best Italian restaurant in town,” my daughter said, starting the car when I first arrived.  She had lived and worked in Monteverde when the pandemic started and when she visited later on she treated me to the best dinner in Monteverde.

December 24th marked the first anniversary of the Ocotea Boutique Hotel, and passing that milestone naturally makes us think back on the events of the past year and reflect. We are happy to say, our first year has been spectacular, and we couldn’t be more proud of the wonderful team of people who have made that possible.

When we arrive in Monteverde for the first time, we may not realize how many reserves there truly are to appreciate the breathtaking nature of our region. 

A little while ago, we wrote a blog post about some of the delicious culinary options that can be found in and around Monteverde. One of the restaurants that we discussed was Bon Appetit!which is located not far from our very own Ocotea Boutique Hotel.