Meet Hotel Belmar’s Finca Madre Tierra, the First Carbon-Neutral Farm in Costa Rica

Agricultural tourism continues to be a growing trend for travelers searching for authentic experiences, and a visit to a farm provides a perfect opportunity to see, smell, taste, touch and learn where food comes from while participating in preserving a way of life.

Costa Rica is famed for its extensive sustainability efforts, but the country still holds secrets for purpose-led travelers including Hotel Belmar’s Finca Madre Tierra, the country’s first carbon-neutral farm located in the cloud forest mountains of Monteverde. The family-owned farm, established by matriarch Vera Zeledon, founder of Hotel Belmar, offers a real Costa Rican farm experience where guests can learn about sustainable agriculture, see how artisanal products are handmade, and enjoy hands-on experiences all while surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.

• What is Finca Madre Tierra? The first carbon-neutral farm in Costa Rica, Finca Madre Tierra is a 12-acre organic farm established by Vera Zeledon, founder of Hotel Belmar, an award-winning climate positive boutique hotel leader in responsible tourism since 1985. Finca Madre Tierra is the result of the Belmar family’s long-standing dedication to sustainability and the preservation of the environment which inspired them to offer guests a real Costa Rican farm experience. From farm visits to learn about sustainable agriculture, hands-on experiences such as picking coffee beans, milking cows, and grinding sugar cane to fresh-made traditional snacks and horseback rides through the lush countryside and small streams led by bilingual guides, a visit to the farm is a guest-favorite.
• Location: Finca Madre Tierra is located 20 minutes away from Hotel Belmar in the lush mountains of Monteverde, Costa Rica, about three hours from San Jose. A destination on its own, the Monteverde cloud forest surrounding the farm is internationally known as one of the most spectacular in North America, home to a diverse range of plants, mammals, birds and more.

• Farm Experiences: Guests can choose from 3 different experiences in Finca Madre Tierra: Farm Visit + Horseback Ride, Countryside Horseback Ride, and Sustainable Agriculture. During each experience guests will enjoy a guided visit through the farm, learn about sustainable and eco-farming, see how a carbon-neutral farm operates and participate in activities such as picking coffee beans, milking cows, grinding sugar cane, and tasting freshly picked traditional snacks. Starting price is $50/guest.

• Farm to Table / Table to Farm: In addition to offering guests a real Costa Rican farm experience, Finca Madre Tierra is a crucial part of Hotel Belmar’s robust regenerative dining program providing products for its restaurant, brewery and food store including herbs, organic fruits and vegetables, shade-grown coffee, fresh artisanal cheese, free-range eggs, and seasonal favorites. The fresh farm ingredients are used in dishes, cocktails and even in their natural spring water brewed craft beers. The farm has even allowed Hotel Belmar to close the loop on food waste as all residuals are collected and turned into nutrient rich compost or animal feed returned to the land and livestock.