Off the Grid Travel in Costa Rica

I like the kind of trips where you remember there is a whole world outside the small space your everyday life is contained in. I like to experience the people, the land, the culture and the food. I prefer not to stay in a resort, but if I do, I want to be able to leave to experience the locals’ real life. That is part of why Rancho Margot appealed to me… that and the fact that I love anything that has to do with sustainable living.. and commune type living.

We landed in Liberia and rented a car for our 2 hour journey into the jungle. We were told the roads were unpaved and dark so we REALLY wanted to get there before dark. It was a race against the sun.

This is a “road”.

Rancho Margot is an amazing 400 acre self sustainable ranch that was started by Juan, a former fast food CEO. All the furniture is made on site, the food is grown and raised there, waste is composted and used as fertilizer as well as turned into soap, the electricity comes from hydroelectric generators, and the roofs are all living. If you fly from above you can’t even see the structures!

There are many activities that can be done while on site. Hikes to El Mirador, forest trails between rainforest and cloud forest, milking cows, horseback riding, yoga, lake Arenal kayak tours, night hike tour, and massages.

There is an option to wake up before breakfast to milk the cows for the coffee.

The tour of the property is amazing and inspirational. The tour demonstrates all the work that is done to keep the ranch sustainable and off the grid. Guided ranch tours are 2 hours long and are included with your stay. If you are staying off site you can experience the grounds on this tour. Dive into an experiential exploration of all aspects behind the sustainable and self-sufficient practices of Rancho Margot, from organic agriculture and food processing to energy production and carbon neutrality.

There are opportunities to live on the ranch to learn Spanish while working. Rancho Margot offers 3 immersion programs: Sustainable Living Immersion, Spanish Speaking Immersion, and Eco-Literacy Student Immersion. The volunteer programs have a one month minimum. Volunteers are an important part of the community, assisting with the gardens, farm, animal care, kitchen, and more. Yoga instructor volunteers guide daily yoga classes for the guests. The Volunteer Work Exchange program at Rancho Margot hosts responsible individuals working six days each week, six hours each day in exchange for full room and board and one day off per week.

This was Chase’s first time riding. He even cantered! He fell off and landed on his feet… then got right back on. Awesome.

To be honest, Chase and Dylan did not like the food here. It is all organic and all comes from the farm. They were not used to some of the ways it was prepared. I thought is was amazing. The smoothies passed their taste test.

The bungalows are surrounded by the rainforest. Bungalows include a wrap around terrace, hammock, private bathroom with hot shower and homemade soap, ceiling fan, mosquito netting, and screens on windows and doors. Bungalows sleep up to 4 people. Your stay includes 3 meals, yoga, a guided farm tour, trail use, natural pools and cow milking.

Although the bungalows are private, their is a family feel to this special place. Most of the people who live there, work there and are eager to speak with you at all the meals they help in preparing. After the local school lets out, some locals bring their kids for a soccer game which you have the option to join.

Rancho Margot is an amazing place. The vision and the dedication are inspiring. If you are near La Fortuna, stay at Rancho Margot…. or at least stop by for a tour of the place.

Check out this blog post for more ideas, including a stay on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica: How to Survive Costa Rica With Kids; 10 Day Itinerary