At Ocotea Boutique Hotel, our story has always been deeply tied to Monteverde. We are honored to welcome travelers who come for the cloud forest, the wildlife, and the sense of wonder – but we also believe travel should leave something meaningful behind.
That’s why we’re proud to highlight the work of the Monteverde Community Fund (MCF), a nonprofit catalyst for sustainability and collaboration in our region.
What is the Monteverde Community Fund?
Monteverde is a place that captures imaginations with its lush cloud forests, misty mountains, and vibrant biodiversity. Yet, what truly defines our region is community – a spirit of collaboration, creativity, and care that thrives alongside nature.
It’s something we’ve long embodied at Ocotea Boutique Hotel and our partner company, Ocotea Tours & Transfers, which we founded in 2008. Since 2012, the Monteverde Community Fund (MCF) has also stood as a cornerstone of this spirit, channeling resources, knowledge, and support to grassroots projects that strengthen the social, cultural, and environmental fabric of Monteverde.
From the bottom of our hearts, we admire this vision and do our best to live it daily.
From championing local artisans and family-run enterprises, to contributing to the circular economy, and to safeguarding Monteverde’s wildlife and natural environment, our work and values mirror the values of the MCF. Every guest experience, every community initiative we back, every environmental effort we make, reflects our belief that thriving people, a resilient ecosystem, and a vibrant culture are inseparable – and that together, we can sustain the heart of Monteverde for generations to come.
A Community-Driven Initiative
The idea for the Fund emerged from local residents and the Monteverde Institute, who recognized that Monteverde’s rapid growth – from a small dairy-producing community to a destination welcoming over 200,000 annual visitors – had created both opportunities and challenges.
In 2011, a conference on travelers’ philanthropy explored how tourism dollars could be redirected to benefit the local community. The following year, these discussions became reality: the Monteverde Community Fund was officially chartered to unify resources, foster sustainable initiatives, and empower local organizations. Its guiding principle is simple yet powerful: Together, we do more good.
We couldn’t agree more.
How the Fund Works
The Monteverde Community Fund operates as a community foundation – a grantmaking public charity dedicated to improving the lives of people within a defined area.
Through the MCF, individuals, families, businesses, and visitors can contribute to initiatives that meet locally identified needs. The Fund captures and then reinvests financial resources, provides fiscal agency for grassroots organizations, and strengthens community capacity through training and support.
Since 2012, the MCF has supported over 60 projects – 2,000+ direct recipients and 10,000+ indirectly benefited – leveraged more than $230,000 in small grants, and channeled $1,300,000+ for Monteverde organizations via funding sources and technical expertise. These projects span five critical areas: environment, economy, youth, culture, and climate action. Success is measured not only in dollars but in the perseverance and ingenuity of the organizations it empowers.
Ocotea Boutique Hotel’s Role
As a locally rooted, family-run business, Ocotea Boutique Hotel has long recognized that a thriving Monteverde community strengthens the experience of every resident and visitor.
Our team shares many of the same values. We celebrate and align with the Fund’s mission by supporting local artisans, family businesses, and sustainable practices that benefit both residents and visitors. We believe in, support, and contribute to a circular economy, supporting Monteverde from within. In addition, our director personally maintains an active membership with the MCF.
We also encourage our guests to learn about the Fund, support its projects, and consider offsetting their carbon footprint during their stay in Monteverde.
Community Projects that Transform Monteverde
From educational initiatives to environmental protection, we can all do our part to reach into the remarkable. Here are just a few examples of the impact achieved by the Monteverde Community Fund, thanks to donors, visitors, and local champions across the region:
- Monteverde’s first public Spanish-language library: Solar panels and climate improvements have created a sustainable space for learning and community engagement.
- Women’s artisanal soap cooperative: This small enterprise provides income and skill-building opportunities for local women, promoting entrepreneurship rooted in sustainability.
- Community fitness and youth action programs: Activities like movement classes, Zumba, and youth workshops foster wellness, creativity, and civic engagement.
- Municipal-wide wastewater and solid waste projects: Collaborations with local authorities and organizations enhance environmental health, demonstrating Monteverde’s leadership in sustainable practices.
- Internationally recognized climate action commission: Grassroots initiatives connected to this commission help Monteverde maintain its position as a global example of local climate resilience.
Each project reflects the region’s values: respect for nature, investment in human potential, and the belief that local ingenuity can drive meaningful change.
Why Grassroots Solutions Matter
Monteverde’s resilience lies in these community-led initiatives.
Local organizations, supported by the Fund, demonstrate creativity and perseverance, solving problems with solutions that outsiders might never envision. This model ensures that supported projects are relevant, culturally sensitive, and sustainable over the long term. It also strengthens Monteverde’s identity as a destination where tourism and local well-being coexist harmoniously.
Even in times of crisis, such as natural events or temporary disruptions to tourism, our shared efforts via the Monteverde Community Fund’s network enable our community to respond quickly, maintaining essential services and supporting vulnerable populations. The Fund’s flexibility and local insight ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively, preserving both community strength and environmental integrity.
How You Can Support
Supporting the Monteverde Community Fund is simple, whether through a direct donation, offsetting your carbon footprint, or engaging with local businesses and initiatives that share the Fund’s vision of community-centered sustainability.
Guests can also help by sharing the stories of local initiatives and engaging with projects during their visit. Each contribution, no matter the size, strengthens the community’s capacity to thrive and maintains Monteverde as a model for sustainable, community-centered development.
A Community That Welcomes You
The Monteverde Community Fund is more than a charitable organization – it is a living testament to what happens when residents, businesses, and visitors work together for the common good. From its early days in 2012 to the present, together we have nurtured education, climate action, cultural vitality, and local entrepreneurship.
Every moment you spend at Ocotea Boutique Hotel – from sunrise on your terrace to a quiet evening on our terrace – helps celebrate and sustain Monteverde’s vibrant spirit. By choosing mindful travel, you join a community that nurtures local culture, protects nature, and supports the people who make this region extraordinary.
