In Monteverde, our stories don’t just belong to the past. They live on in the roots of the forest, in a traditional meal, in the way we greet you with genuine warmth. And sometimes, if you’re lucky, they live in the places you stay and the people you meet.
We spoke to Jeff and Randy, part of the Ocotea marketing team, to learn the story behind Ocotea Tours & Transfer and Ocotea Boutique Hotel – a tale of family, of vision, and of stewardship – a story of a lifelong connection to Monteverde.
It All Started at Home
Seventeen years ago, Karen Fallas founded Ocotea Tours & Transfers with the quiet conviction that hospitality should come from the heart. Back then, she ran the company out of her own home. Her father, who held a local taxi license, was her first collaborator – the “transfer” in Ocotea Tours & Transfers.
Together, they provided transportation and coordinated nature tours for a handful of trusted local partners. Boutique in size and scale, Karen’s business was born of a deep love for Monteverde and a desire to share it with others.
Karen’s daughter, Valeria, was there from the very beginning, even as a child – tagging along on agency visits, joining tours, and absorbing everything. Today, she stands proudly at Karen’s side as Chief Operating Officer for Ocotea Boutique Hotel, having grown up with the values that shaped the business: care, authenticity, and a fierce commitment to the land we call home.
Guided by Community and Nature
Karen’s connection to the natural world began in childhood. Her mother worked with the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, and Karen received environmental education classes long before sustainability became a buzzword. Environmental stewardship is deeply rooted here in Monteverde, and it’s part of Karen’s very being – a personal value and moral compass.
That compass has guided every decision. Ocotea has always partnered with small Monteverde businesses, creating a web of local support. Over the years, we’ve directly and indirectly benefited more than 50 Monteverde families. When Ocotea grows, our whole community grows with it.
Our philosophy is grounded in lifelong relationships – with our collaborators and our clients. Whether it’s finding medical help for a sick guest at 2 a.m. or comforting a family who visited to honor a late loved one with a memorial tree, Karen and our entire team are known for our empathy and for going above and beyond. Here at Ocotea, we believe in building relationships – and that marks the difference.
From Tours to Boutique Hospitality
For years, agency partners encouraged Karen to take the next step: open a high-end, Monteverde boutique hotel that matched the warmth and quality of her tour services. The opportunity came when she purchased a family villa with a dream of turning it into something more.
The journey took four years. What began as a planned renovation evolved into building from the ground up. The result? A 21-room boutique hotel intentionally designed to blend with its surroundings and reflect Monteverde’s unique character.
Even our name, Ocotea, was suggested by Karen’s brother Berni, a forest engineer, in honor of a native and endemic (found only here) tree species emblematic of Monteverde – Ocotea monteverdensis, a type of wild avocado that feeds toucans, guans, quetzals, mountain robins, and many other animals.
Our Monteverde boutique hotel was built during the pandemic – a time of unequaled unemployment, when Karen’s faith in her business propelled her to keep going, all while providing much-needed employment, safety, and security to her local community.
Ocotea Boutique Hotel officially opened on December 24, 2021 – just in time for the holidays. A time to celebrate, indeed!
Evolving With Intention
Growth at Ocotea has never been rushed – we’ve always proceeded slowly and with care.
What began with simple breakfasts for hotel guests soon blossomed into something more: a culinary experience that celebrates Costa Rican tradition with creativity and depth. With encouragement from guests and the community, Karen and Valeria expanded their vision, welcoming a professional chef and investing in staff training to offer gourmet brunch, refined dinners, and a wine list that highlights thoughtful pairings.
Upstairs, our Rooftop Café and Bar has grown from a quiet perch to a destination in its own right. Karen found a talented local mixologist to create a specialized mixology menu for the hotel, with every selection rooted in Monteverde and Costa Rica. Here, guests can sip craft cocktails infused with local flavors while watching the clouds drift by.
Beyond the table, the same thoughtful evolution is everywhere. A small boutique offers meaningful mementos – locally grown coffee, artisan-made bath products, hand-selected keepsakes that reflect the spirit of Monteverde. We also added a dedicated massage room, inviting guests to unwind in a space designed for calm and care.
Through it all, our essence remains: Ocotea is still personal. Still rooted in Monteverde. Karen continues to lead with vision; Valeria, now deeply involved as Operations Manager, brings energy and insight. Every decision is still made with the same question in mind: Does this reflect who we are?
Invested in Monteverde
Today, the entire Ocotea team – Ocotea Boutique Hotel and Ocotea Tours & Transfers – continues to be active participants in Monteverde’s cultural and sustainability scene. We support local theater productions, folkloric dance groups, and youth initiatives. As members of the local chamber and Monteverde Accesible, we also advocate for responsible tourism and quality of life for residents.
We participate in trash clean-up days and donate food waste through an organic recycling program. From community sponsorships to cultural celebrations, we are more than a business – we’re good neighbors and stewards of this incredible place we call home.
Sustainability in Every Step
Long before building the hotel, sustainability was the foundation of every tour Ocotea offered. Karen has always prioritized tours with real impact – like those that fund forest protection or highlight lower-traffic reserves such as the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, where fewer visitors mean a lower ecological footprint.
Throughout our design and construction, we ensured that every aspect of Ocotea Boutique Hotel would honor local craftsmanship and environmental care. Our design preserved every existing tree on the property – nothing was cut to make space. Wastewater is treated on-site to protect groundwater. Large windows throughout the hotel reduce the need for artificial light, while solar panels heat the water. All cabling and wiring run underground to avoid disrupting wildlife and preserve the natural view.
After construction, we entrusted our landscaping to a local professional, who used native species that harmonize with the existing flora. Inside, nearly every aspect of our décor tells a story: locally made furniture crafted by Monteverde artisans, lamps and finishes produced by Costa Rican manufacturers, and hand-painted murals by a national artist. The rustic woodwork is sustainably sourced and certified.
And as we move into our more current events, we are proud to now be one of the first Monteverde hotels with an EV charging station. Because past, present, and future – every corner of Ocotea is designed to minimize harm and maximize harmony. Not because it’s what everyone’s doing, but because we’ve always done it. To us, it’s personal and it comes from the heart.
Looking Ahead
The Ocotea story is still being written. Karen and Valeria, as well as their entire family – you’ll likely also meet Randy and Jeff during your stay – are planning more themed events at Nectandra and the rooftop space: wine tastings, live music, cooking classes, and perhaps even yoga and meditation sessions for guests seeking rest and reconnection.
We’re also working to open the restaurant to the wider public, continuing to share Monteverde’s flavors and warmth with locals and travelers alike.
Stay With Us, Walk With Us
When you stay at Ocotea Boutique Hotel or join an Ocotea tour, you’re not just booking a service – you’re stepping into a story rooted in place, people, and purpose.
If you happen to meet any of us during your visit, don’t hesitate to say hello and chat about how it all began and how it’s going. We’ll be happy to share the journey.
