Finca Luna Nueva Lodge is in the middle of a rainforest in San Ramon, near La Fortuna, and with views of Costa Rica's famous Arenal Volcano. This is no straight-up luxury resort hotel in Costa Rica: It's a working organic farm, using biodynamic growing and harvesting methods to produce native ginger, turmeric, and around 85% of the ingredients used in the meals served to guests. It's a remarkably grounding experience to lend a hand in harvesting some vegetables, and a couple of hours later finding them on the daily lunch or dinner menu. The staff also assists guest in Costa Rica volunteer vacation activities.
Finca Luna Nueva Lodge Basics
This is a small ecolodge with only 13 rooms (some sleep 6 comfortably) spread out across the grounds. It's easy to get the sense that you're alone in the rainforest or on the farm; the staff is quiet and busy with maintenance details, other guests tend to be softspoken as well, and the loudest sounds are typically those of nearby tropical birds. It's luxurious by ecolodge standards, with fresh, soft bed linens that rival those of many 4-star hotels, and gourmet meals created, as noted, primarily from ingredients harvested right on the property.
Finca Luna Nueva Lodge Rainforest Spa
The on-site Rainforest Spa is an earthy, homey set of rooms near the jacuzzi. The Rainforest Spa therapists and masseuses focus on spiritual healing and holistic services; there is a surprisingly large and varied array of treatments offered in the small spa area. From a standard Swedish massage and reflexology to the Arenal Volcano Stone massage and Luna Nueva bamboo massage, the spa treatments range from ones that are popular across the world to ones that can only be had at Finca Luna Nueva. The aromatherapy and body wraps implement oils and extracts from locally sourced botanicals.
Finca Luna Nueva Lodge Ecological Awareness
This being in a Costa Rica rainforest, insects and other crawling critters are to be expected. Finca Luna Nueva has an organic insect repellent, which works better on some people than others. Other important ecological aspects of Finca Luna Nueva that travelers may want to know about before booking a reservation include that there are a lovely pool and jacuzzi, but neither are chlorinated. They are kept clean for guests by reverse osmosis, and warmed with solar panels. Sure, they're not as tepid as bathwater, but the pool makes for a refreshing dip.
Finca Luna Nueva is a wonderful ecolodge and organic farm that embodies the Costa Rican spirit of "Pura Vida." The wildlife living on the property – including not-so-elusive toucans and other terrific tropical rainforest animals – are testament to the respect that the management has for Costa Rica in its natural state. For a comfortable, relaxing, and relatively luxurious ecolodge in the middle of the rainforest, Finca Luna Nueva is highly recommended.
Jennifer W. Miner - Jennifer has years of travel writing experience, spoken at several national conferences, and more. See Jendeavor.com for more details.
