Monte Azul, San Gerardo de Dota

Location

San Gerardo de Rivas (San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica)

Description

A luxury mountain resort at the base of Chirripó, Costa Rica's highest mountain. Intially designed as an artist's retreat the property combines combines a 125 acre private nature reserve with a designer hotel and contemporary art project. The aptly named Azul restaurant is excellent.

Activities

For those up to the challenge, it is possible to climb Chirripó, stopping overnight at the base camp. For the less hardcore, there are plenty of short trails around the property itself. There is an art gallery where various workshops can be held upon request; monotype press, painting, cookery and soap-making. They also have a coffee plantation, small farm with goats, chickens and a large greenhouse, many of the ingredients used in the restaurant are produced on-site.

Accommodation

There are just four casitas, each is very private and almost identical in layout (bedroom, bathroom and small but fully equipped kitchen). Where they do differ is the loud, individual (mainly local) art work found adorning each of the walls. Each room can be set up as double or twin.