There may be thousands of fancy hotels and all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica, but nothing is more unforgettable than camping in the Costa Rican jungle. Being deeply immersed in the dense jungle and accompanied by howler monkeys was an unforgettable experience. We immersed ourselves in the forest, returning to our natural home.
Let's start with the Jungle retreat in Montezuma, Costa Rica. Belen's tent.
The day we arrived happened to be fortunate, as our tent was the only one booked in the entire campsite. Although calling it a campsite might not be entirely accurate, as it lacked the typical makeshift tents and forest surroundings. Instead, there was a row of long communal shower rooms, facing a line of toilets and sinks. It felt more like a garden, with naturally grown trees and artificially landscaped flora covering the spacious grounds. Each tent occupied a sizable area, and the terraces extended into a vast expanse of deep jungle. Both white-faced and howler monkeys loved to visit.
Venturing into the forest, the canopy was filled with the echoes of howler monkeys, while dense foliage lay ahead. Adjacent to the tents was a trail leading directly to Montezuma's stream and waterfall. Following this path downhill, the stream flowed through the forest, and as the gentle sunlight softened around sunset, we found ourselves standing beside a massive waterfall, feeling as though we were alone in the world. At that moment, the birds and howler monkeys fell silent, and the world became still.
Host is Belen, and she is in her exceptional 40s, radiating elegance and grace. Her bed and breakfast business flourished, and she had just begun hosting yoga retreats while also constructing new accommodations. This marked Belen's fifteenth year in Montezuma.
Originally from Argentina, she shared a common language and similar culture with the locals. I forgot to ask her why she left her homeland to move to this Central American country before departing.
However, as I encountered more immigrants, I gradually realized that perhaps this question need not be asked, for everyone seemed to have their own answer. Over a decade ago, during a trip to Peru, she and her boyfriend lived in a tent, planting a seed of a dream.
After many twists and turns, she finally realized her dream and settled in Montezuma. At around 7 a.m., Belen, wearing her striped dress and carrying a canvas bag containing four eggs, potatoes steamed the previous night, and a bag of bread, would stroll in from the morning light. So, the breakfast time at just past 7 a.m. was particularly beautiful: fried eggs, toast, butter, jam, and then you only needed to enjoy the breakfast time in the warm but not glaring sunlight and lush greenery of the jungle.
