Hacienda Montezuma is a 1,000-hectare working ranch and private reserve in northern Costa Rica that offers a taste of traditional Costa Rican country living.
At the helm is Floriana Acosta, who has reimagined her family estate as a sanctuary for both wildlife and guests. Accommodation is in two private houses – La Casona, a gracious five-bedroom home, and La Casita, a three-bedroom cottage tucked between gardens and lake. Framed by the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes, the ranch is alive with the sounds of sabanero life.
Time on the ranch is about getting back to nature: ride alongside sabaneros, paddleboard across volcanic lakes, and dine on fresh, organic produce picked from the estate’s orchards and gardens. Here, conservation is a way of life, and luxury lies in space, privacy and a sense of place.
What we love about Hacienda Montezuma
- Floriana Acosta, Montezuma’s inimitable host, who brings warmth, wit and flair to the estate, welcoming guests like old friends.
- The exquisite interiors, layered with treasures from Floriana’s travels: carved wooden chests, handwoven textiles, and bold artworks.
- The setting, with open terraces spilling onto hammocks, fire pits, and panoramic views over volcanic lakes, rolling pasture, and dense jungle.
- Montezuma’s knowledgeable, good-humoured team of guides and sabaneros, who lead activities from herding cattle to horseback rides and conservation walks.
- Organic produce from the estate’s permaculture garden fuels simple yet nourishing meals prepared by a dedicated chef.
- The estate is a model of eco-friendly stewardship: it runs entirely on renewable energy, draws fresh water from its own springs, and prides itself on regenerative farming.
Enjoy a dip in the freshwater lake or go cattle rustling on horseback. There is a cacao farm down the road which produces some of the best chocolate in the region.
Rafting and fishing along the Tenorio River, and hikes to secret waterfalls and natural pools are easily arranged. There are spoiling picnics by day and barbecues by night. Hammocks adorn the wooden veranda for afternoon siestas. Don’t miss an early morning birdwatching tour or a night safari with Donald, whose private reserve is hope to a mesmerising array of fauna and flora.
There are many conservation programmes that guests can join, whether liberating ocelot, puma or jaguarundi onto the hacienda, a reserve for rescued animals, or setting up trap cameras to track the movement of local species.
Hacienda Montezuma is located in Guanacaste, in northern Costa Rica. The hacienda is just an hour’s drive from Liberia international airport.
When to Travel
Open December through August, the hacienda only receives one party at a time to ensure the experience is as tailored as possible.
This is an experience for families or groups of friends to enjoy over the course of five to seven nights.
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