Amazing!! Visit here!! It's a must. I volunteered here last summer and was blown away. The entire experience was unreal. Absolutely stunning place, amazing people, unbelievable treehouses! It can be a little difficult to get here, but if a young woman traveling alone in Costa Rica for the first time can do it, anyone can. Make sure you check out the waterfalls (bathing in them is the best), as well as the canopy tour, the gardens, La Punta hike, and the night hike with Chico. I had the opportunity to check out Mis Ojos and Casa Mariposa during my stay (when I wasn't in the volunteer bunkhouse) and they were both incredible. Highly recommend checking out FBV.

i was blissfully unaware that finca bellavista existed just a short year-and-a-half ago. i'd never heard of this 'sustainable treehouse community in the costa rican rainforest.' but then it happened...

i was sitting at work, minding my own business, when a co-worker messaged me a link and suggested i check it out. to quote, 'you like star wars. this place looks like the ewok village from return of the jedi.' i clicked the link. and the rest, as they say, is history.

i immediately knew this was a place i needed to visit. and soon. i contacted erica and matt, who helped me better understand finca bellavista. three months later, i stepped off a plane in costa rica. alone. scared. excited. but knowing i was heading home.

and that i did. my time at finca bellavista saved my life. the serene settings, healthy living, larger-than-life characters, and mind-blowing treehouses were exactly what i needed in my life at that time. i was able to put the pieces of my life back together, off the grid, away from the world, and in the most unbelievable place i have ever been on this planet.

finca bellavista is more than a treehouse community. it is paradise. let its magic happen for you. i can't stress this enough. just go. be there. do it. you will never be the same.

There are snakes, monkeys, birds, bugs... There are relaxing hammocks, secure bridges, filtered water, organic meals, ziplines, and enjoyable moments to last a lifetime.

When you visit Finca Bellavista, you best follow their preparation guidelines and because you do, you are set for one of the most phenomenal experiences imaginable. Far surpassing any childhood fantasy of living in a treehouse, each unique structure is chalk full of amenities and your trip comes to life as you hear the sounds only a Costa Rican jungle can offer. Chirps and rushing water from the nearby river or falls are the 24/7 backdrop to one of the most majestic settings in the world.

Group meals that are healthful and fun. Drifting off to hike in solitude. Opportunities to meet other wonderful visitors from around the globe. The chance to truly escape... These are a few of the benefits to making Finca Bellavista your place to visit more than just once. Pura Vida.

For starters, everything you need to know is on the Finca BellaVista website and in the travel packet. It is very important that you thoroughly read all of the information they provide so you have a clear understanding of what you can expect. A few things to keep in mind...

1. You are staying in the jungle
2. You are living in a tree house
3. You hike to ALL of your destinations

This being said, if you are not an outdoorsy person then you should probably stick with your 'spa style' stay-cation.

Now for the good stuff!!

This is hands down one of the most incredible destinations we have experienced to date and we travel a lot! I must admit it was a bold choice bringing our 6 year old along for the adventure, but it was a trip that he will remember forever! The hike from Base Camp to Mis Ojos was pretty intense but our son managed to tackle it six times each day for B/L/D. If a 6 year old can do this, so can you. There really is a lot to do and 3 days was not enough time to do it all. The tree house we stayed in was cozy and had a toilet, shower, hammock, huge deck and one of the most beautiful views that overlooked an incredible waterfall.

The staff was amazing! They helped answer any questions we had. They engaged my son in all sorts of fun activities. We were able to connect with all of the Volunteers on a personal level. Our son even bonded with a few of the Volunteers and some of the staff. We went on the Foodie Tour where we were able to pick fresh veggies to take back to Base Camp for our lunch. We also went on the night hike and got a glimpse of all sorts of little critters lurking about!

In a nutshell, it was an incredible trip and we look forward to planning another trip to Finca BellaVista soon!

If you are interested in seeing what it is like for kids to explore Finca BellaVista, click or copy and paste the link below:

http://youtu.be/Pyw7wVQdk28