Finca Bellavista: These Rainforest Treetop Homes are Heaven on Earth

At Finca Bellavista, there are 13 tree houses available for rent, ranging in size from a simple studio to a multiple-level two bedroom house. There are tree houses with suspension bridges, wrap around patios, electricity, nearby hiking trails, and hot showers. The community is pedestrian and wildlife traffic only, Wi-Fi is available at the base camp and 3G is sometimes accessible in random parts of the forest. There are a series of zip lines and hiking trails for exploring this magical place.

While there are some resort-like amenities offered at Finca Bellavista, this community is geared toward those looking to simplify their lives (short-term or long-term), connect with nature, spend time reflecting, and minimise their environmental impact. There are food and drink options offered at the base camp, spa treatments, occasional yoga classes, and a variety of tours to sign up for on and off site.

While Finca Bellavista seems remote, it lies in a perfect location for those interested in hiking, zip lining, visiting the Corcovado National Park, Piedras Blancas National Park, and Boruca Indigenous Reserve, surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, whale watching, birdwatching, and mountain biking. The tree houses of Finca Bellavista provide guests with a unique opportunity to reconnect with Mother Earth.

Originally, this 62 acre site was for sale as timber. When Erica Andrews and Mateo Hogan first visited they both felt an overwhelming pull to protect and preserve this place and to prevent deforestation of yet another area of rainforest. Their vision and hard work, alongside immense support from friends and other like-minded individuals, grew this tree house community from the roots up.

Finca Bellavista is situated in the middle of the AMISTOSA wildlife migration corridor that links the Talamanca mountains to the Osa Peninsula. This region of Costa Rica is one of the most bio diverse regions in the world. The Talamanca mountain range is home to the endangered tapir, jaguar, and puma, along with vast numbers of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. All houses that are built in this community must be elevated to avoid interrupting their migratory paths.

Finca Bellavista demonstrates that it is possible to co-exist with nature, to help to protect it, whilst thriving within it. Tree houses that have electricity are solar powered, the majority of the food is sourced locally or from the on-site garden, and the drinking water is filtered so that no plastic bottles are necessary. Finca Bellavista is a perfect example that little changes in the way that we live and consume can make significant difference to the environment and quality of life for all living beings.