My friends and I were lucky enough to simply stumble into Finca Exotica while visiting Carate. The tent accommodations were very comfortable and clean and made you feel as though you were really sleeping out in the jungle. The staff is extremely friendly and was always willing to recommend places to hike and the first to ask how it was when we got back. Fresh fruit was constantly available by the front desk and the first night the staff invited everyone out to a drum circle around a bonfire.
Besides the great accommodations, the area is incredible and I am sure anyone else staying at Finca Exotica would enjoy falling asleep to the waves as much as me!

I totally agree with the positive thoughts posted by those other travellers lucky enough to have discovered Finca Exotica for themsleves. The postcard picture perfect location on the verges of Costa Rica´s Corcovado National Park. The wonderful cabinas, using many natural materials and designed to be in harmony with nature. The organic and delicious food, much of which was actually grown at Finca Exotica!! The animals - honestly, we saw so many more animals (monkeys, frogs, bats, macaws, tucans, coati´s etc...) on the property than in the national park itself! And the multitude of things to do - never a dull day!

But what I wanted to really share in this review is that, for me, what binds all these good things together and makes the overall experience something even greater, is that Markus and his lovely team are intent on enveloping you in this world of serenity, sustainability, new experiences and FUN. I really felt that they wanted to create a space where people can get back in touch with ourselves and the beautiful world around us.

It was just the break I needed from stressful urban life and I know I will take home loads more that just the memories of my two weeks. I am a professional life coach and for me this trip was highly nutritious food for the soul. I can´t wait to return (if you go don´t miss trying the Miracle Fruit in their garden, very cool). Best holiday experience I have had in many, many years.

Finca Exotica is a magical place that you will not want to leave, and once you have been there you will never forget. It is a slice of tropical heaven which exists between the cool dense Corcovado Rainforest and the warm black sand beaches of the Pacific. Finca Exotica is an amazing place where you can experience living a modern, hip reinterpretation of a primitive tiki lifestyle surrounded by the unspoiled natural beauty of the Osa Peninsula.

Finca Exotica works because Marcus and Gabriella are passionate about what they are doing and they express this by presenting to their guests a fully realized vision for a pure and primal lifestyle updated for the 21st Century explorers who venture there. Updated enough so that you can live comfortably at the edge of civilization. The cabina/tiki hut we stayed in was impeccably constructed, stylish and elegant and yet at the same time rustic, primitive and made of indigenous materials and building techniques, and open to the jungle around us.

Marcus and Gabrielle pay particular attention to the food served, which was always delicious whether it was a simple, yet delectable Costa Rican breakfast or one of their wonderful gourmet dinners (really one of the best meals I've had anywhere in the world). They always use local ingredients, some gown right on the property both wild and in their greenhouse. Marcus worked as a chef in the past and it is evident from the tasty treats they serve up.

Finca Exotica is not easy to get to (but this is an advantage as well) and you may not have all the conveniences of home--but you will certainly have everything that you need, and you will be very thankful that you made the journey.

Finca Exotica is very aptly named – in every possible way, this place truly is an “exotic farm”!

The overall experience begins with getting to Finca Exotica. We took the Colectivo (truck with bench seats and tarpaulin canopy) from Puerto Jimenez. The dirt road is extremely bumpy and you bounce around quite a lot, there are many river crossings, most of the trip is through dense rainforest and it takes a little over 2 hours to travel the 45 km. Don’t be put off by any of this though – its loads of fun and the beginning of what will be a fabulous experience.

The farm offers a variety of different styles of accommodation (open style cabinas and tiki tents). We stayed in Casa Raiz which is perched a 5-10 minute walk (depending on your level of fitness) on a hill, towards the top of the property. The views are amazing and as you lie in the hammock on your balcony gazing out at 180 degrees of rainforest jungle, with ocean views and the sound of waves crashing, you realise you have found “paradise”. There is a plethora of wildlife on the farm (in fact you see as much, if not more, than you do in Corcovado National Park) – endless numbers of toucan, scarlet macaw, white-faced capuchin monkey etc, etc. I’m not a lover of cold water showers but I mastered them – hot water is a small sacrifice for such magnificent natural beauty. During our stay, dinner was served at the Rancho (a truly spectacular building with amazing views) and is a further 1 minute walk up the hill from Casa Raiz. Breakfast and lunch are served at the Beach House which is just off the main road at the entrance of the property. There is a strong emphasis placed on food at Finca Exotica and all creations will leave you thinking one of the worlds award winning chefs has created the dish. Rosa cooks fabulous breakfasts and lunches and Markus cooks dinners which will tantalise your tastebuds, fill you mouth with an explosion of flavours and are a true gastronomic delight. Many of the ingredients are picked fresh from the farm immediately prior to the dish being prepared. You won’t find food any fresher than this! Guess you can tell I love good quality food!

This farm is clearly a “labour of love” for the owners (Markus and Gabriela). Markus is an Architect and his skill is evident in the wonderful design of the cabinas – particularly the Rancho. What an amazing structure to call “home”! Sustainability is also a key factor and the farm produces its own energy from a very sophisticated plant.

There are an abundance of activities to keep you occupied – there are so many different walks you could walk until there were no soles left on your shoes! The surf is also very inviting but be careful of the rip! Finca Exotica has a wonderful web page (created by Shane, one of the wonderful staff members) so make sure you take a look. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention Markus and Gabriela’s wonderful children – Pavas and Povo (beautiful black Labrador’s).

We stayed for 7 nights and were very sad to leave. After leaving, we spent a night in Puerto Jimenez which made us feel like we were in New York (Puerto Jimenez is a small town but returning to civilisation felt very strange – we were surrounded by people instead of birds and animals)!

Heather and Craig
Melbourne, Australia