Oh, the places we went! We just returned from our excursion to Rancho Margot, an EcoLodge tucked in the hills that overlook Volcano and Lake Arenal. Rancho Margot is a sustainable ranch, that generates their own food and energy production. On our first day, we took a tour of the ranch, where we learned about all the different tropical plants and vegetables they grow. As we walked through the tropical forest that is Rancho Margot, we were shocked to learn that the Ranch was only started in 2004, when the founder began planting trees, fruits, and vegetables on an open pasture. During the tour, we visited the henhouse, the dairy, and the pig pens. We loved seeing the way that all the food that we found ourselves eating for each of our meals came directly from the ranch– “farm-to-table” at its finest! We had fun picking bananas off the trees for a snack and during meal times. We finished off day one with a night swim in the ranch’s natural pools.

The next morning, we started off the day with horseback riding and kayaking through Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal, and we spent the afternoon ziplining through the jungle. On the way back to Rancho Margot, our bus driver, Randy, pulled over  several tops to point out sloths, monkeys, and toucans. We were amazed at his eye! He could see animals off in the trees, even while driving.

We brought our time at Rancho Margot to a close with a dance party, where we practiced our salsa and cumbia moves and jammed to our new favorite reggaeton songs.

We are now spending our first night in our new homes: Silencio and the Villa. We’re so excited to see all the adventures that this week holds.

Pura vida!