I‘ll use the comparison to Avalon in folklore as to how I felt about my visit to Luna Nueva; it was like I passed through a veil of mist into Paradise…what a magical landscape!
The grounds and luscious gardens were meticulously landscaped with waterfalls, fountains and stonework walkways. All the furniture was crafted from local woods. The accommodations were beautiful and luxurious in simplicity: firm beds, hot showers, fresh linens and towels were provided. Ceiling fans and screened windows helped keep the climate comfortable.
Meals were delicious, fresh and healthy - all that I would ever want and really need to sustain my culinary happiness. Black beans and rice, choices of fish and chicken, fried yucca seasoned with tumeric and ginger (organic and bio-dynamically homegrown, I might add), homemade tortillas, papayas, mangoes, white pineapple, homemade yogurt and cheese. Hmmm….the morning coffee…
The rainforest hikes were rigorous given the inclines, heat and humidity; yet glorious in all their detail, after which the pools offered a cool down.
At sunset we relaxed with friends on the commons (open air patio), some of us in hammocks, and watched monkeys and toucans settle among the trees. A 360 degree view of the horizon allowed such visual pleasures as the full moon rising and illuminating the clouds strewn over the distant volcanic mountains.
After dinner we sipped wine and observed a menagerie of moths, toads and lizards joining us on the patio, all to the music of tree frogs.

I went to a meeting at Finca Luna Nueva and stayed there for five nights. It was like paradise! I saw a sloth in a tree right behind the dining area and a blue morpho flying through it, a pair of laughing falcons doing a full duet along the nearby road, and a couple of toucans (I was told these are common; they hang full hands of bananas outside, which are supposedly for the guests' use, but birds come down early in the morning to steal fruit). The lodge and bungalows provide comfortable couches outside under roofs, where generous coffee and tea supplies are provided every morning, and though it rains early most days, the weather is so pleasant that you will almost always be happy to be outside. (Bring a light jacket; it's not as hot as you may expect.) The view is all of plants and the occasional bird or goat; it's incredibly peaceful and calming. You could spend hours just sitting there, although a tour of the medicinal plant forest garden is also a good use of time. The very knowledgeable and dedicated staff are working to preserve a local fragment of rainforest, which you can hike through and learn about local conservation issues.

All the amenities are provided. (The eco-showers are hard to get hot water out of, but it can be done; turn it up high and let the water run for a minute before turning it very slowly down to a low flow.) There are some harmless bugs (primarily millipedes) but nothing I found even slightly bothersome. [I refer to the inhabited area. In the forest there are biting ants, so keep an eye out.] When I arrived there the pool was quite green, but they then drained and refilled it. Even the pool area is surrounded with plants and has a very tranquil feeling. There is a sheltered, clean-looking hot tub nearby.

The food is sublime and very healthful. Every meal includes yellow rice and black beans, with several other dishes made with local produce, meat, etc.; there's always a vegetarian option. At breakfast, there were two or three tropical fruits daily plus juice (re: the comment above, I think one of those fruits just plain tastes soapy, so maybe not the cooks' fault), scrambled eggs and/or delicious local cheeses. Lunches and dinners typically include one or more very nice salads. I counted 10 to 14 plant species per meal, not including spices. It's very difficult to come back from that to eating an American diet! The listed cost for all this is no more than you would pay for just a room at a typical American hotel. I certainly hope to visit again and recommend the place to environmentally interested travelers in the highest terms.

The farm (Finca) Luna Nueva Lodge is a place tucked away in the tropical rain forest, with all of the comforts of home. My husband and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary at the farm, and we will always remember the kind hospitality, great food and lovely accommodations, and of course the many sights and sounds of nature. You can wake up early and see many birds, monkeys and other signs of the tropical rain forest natives. Have a cup of Costa Rican coffee or Yerba Matte tea and enjoy the fresh local delicious fruits and foods. I have never tasted fruit so fresh! Then there’s the fresh squeezed Ginger and Turmeric, wow that is great. There’s a sense of tranquility and yet there are many activities available to you. Living an organic lifestyle my husband and I were also impressed with the fact that because the farm is an organic, bio-dynamic- self-sustaining one, there was soap and shampoo/conditioner free of chemicals to use in the room. All of the farm’s lovely chairs, tables and other furniture pieces are all made of local re-claimed timber (no trees were cut). You will also get the best sleep EVER! (Think about it…if 70% of the world’s O2 comes from the rainforest…then you get the picture-you are in it!)
If you want to enjoy a slice of heaven here on earth, I recommend visiting La Finca Nueva Lodge.
Sincerely,
Steven and Silvia,
Oakland, NJ
USA

What an amazing experience! Being into healthy food for almost 30 years, this place is an oasis in the world of travel. Not only are the foods organic and mostly grown on the property, but the entire resort is managed with sustainable practices including biodynamic farming. They even had organic soaps, shampoo and conditioners in the bathroom.

From our moment of arrival we felt like family. The excellent and extremely accommodating staff were full of answers to my husband's many questions.

Our room was in the Casa Sombra which had access to a kitchen and huge living area below, which provided a cool place in the heat of the day for reading, playing games, or working on the computer.

The hammock was one of my favorite spots and it faced one of the many mountain views. At the rear of the building you could see Arenal Volcano. They also have a observation tower that allows you to see forever on a clear day.

We really enjoyed the farm animals (goats, piglets, cows) and the farm tour, nibbling on plants as we walked. There were loads of birds and also howler monkeys for the wildlife side of the animal world.

The food was so delicious and varied that it was a definite pampered culinary experience.

They were finishing their paved forest trail (handicap accessible) which we took to view the farm in the mornings. We also enjoyed the rainforest trail which had access to the river.

The contrast of "resort" with fountains, pool, hot tub, and tropical landscaping at the main house where we dined ... and the rugged rainforest trail was a delightful approach to lodging that provides everything for every body.

View my online photo album for more photos:
http://www.theherbsplace.com/gallery/fincalunanueva