Author: Maverick Digital Group

This month we’ve welcomed travelers from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and the United Kingdom. We enjoyed getting to share our culture, and celebrate Independence day with our community. 

Costa Rican Independence day

In September we celebrate Independence day on the 15th along with El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. On the 14th of September we celebrate with a lantern parade symbolizing the 19th-century journey delivering the message of Central American independence to Costa Rica. While this tradition has origins in Guatemala it has become an especially important tradition in Costa Rica after the war in 1948. Children make lanterns or faroles in schools and there is a sense of friendly competition with prizes awarded to the most beautifully crafted lanterns. 

Swimming Pool Coming Soon!

This month we have seen great progress on our swimming pool project and are still on track to complete it mid-October in time for some of our upcoming retreats and the holiday season. This has been a project we have envisioned for a long time so it is very exciting to finally see it come to fruition. Whether you’re planning a return visit or discovering Finca 360 for the first time, this is the perfect reason to book your next escape!

Thank you for being part of the Finca 360 family. We can’t wait to welcome you soon!

A Warm Thank You to August 2025 Guests

This month we’ve welcomed travelers from the United States, Costa Rica, Spain, Israel, and Argentina. This month we also had another wonderful group from Here and Now Travel who visited some of our favorite tours in the area. 

Love is in the Air at Finca 360 

This past month we have had the honor of hosting wonderful couples celebrating their love. We recently had a proposal on our observation bridge, and we will be hopefully hosting their wedding in the near future. We also had a wonderful couple celebrate their honeymoon with us, and a couple who is visiting to start planning their wedding here in 2026. It’s a privilege to be part of these meaningful milestones, and we’re always happy to assist in planning these unforgettable celebrations.

Swimming Pool Coming Soon!

This month we also broke ground on an exciting new project that has been requested by our clients for some time now, a swimming pool! We are hoping to finish the pool by mid-October and are so excited to have this new offering for our guests. Complete with an integrated jacuzzi and a shallow area for children and guests with mobility needs. Whether you’re planning a return visit or discovering Finca 360 for the first time, this is the perfect reason to book your next escape!

Don’t Miss Our Special Offer!
For a limited time, stay with us and enjoy a third night free when you book two nights. This promotion runs until the end of September, so now’s the perfect time to plan your getaway. Contact us—we’d love to help you make the most of it!

Thank you for being part of the Finca 360 family. We can’t wait to welcome you soon!

The Colibrí Trails at Finca 360 are a living testament to our history and mission. This network of paths is more than just a walk in the woods, it’s the story of our land’s remarkable transformation.

When the Woodward family first purchased the land in 2008, it was primarily open pasture and their initial intentions were to simply reforest the land. The vibrant hotel you see today was still a dream, and the lush forest was only just beginning to reclaim its space. After years of allowing nature to take the lead, the time came in 2016 to create a trail to admire the forest. Thus, the Colibrí Trails were born, thanks in large part to the invaluable efforts of Alex Salas, who without his contributions Finca 360 wouldn’t be here today.

Today, the 3-kilometer trails offer a front-row seat to a thriving secondary premontane wet tropical forest. This specific ecosystem is one of the most threatened in Costa Rica, with only 1.75% of its original cover remaining due to agriculture. Our commitment to regenerating this forest is a core part of Finca 360’s mission.

The trails border the magnificent Juan Castro Blanco National Park, nicknamed “El Parque del Agua” (The Water Park) for its role in protecting five major rivers including Río Platanar, Río Toro, Río Aguas Zarcas, Río Tres Amigos and Río La Vieja. This pristine location is also near the famous waterfalls of Toro Amarillo, a destination we recommend to all our guests.

As you wander the Colibrí Trails, keep your eyes peeled for a dazzling array of birds, native trees, and, if you’re lucky, capuchin monkeys. To deepen your connection to the forest , we have offered guided forest bathing sessions with expert Manuela Siegfried. This sensory practice, originating in Japan, invites you to immerse yourself in the calming presence of the forest and embrace its healing powers.

We invite you to walk the Colibrí Trails and experience the beautiful, resilient power of nature for yourself.

This is our take on a classic flan. We’ve tweaked the traditional flan recipe by swapping some of the whole eggs for yolks and gently cooking it in a bain-marie (water bath) for a luscious texture. We hope you enjoy it!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups sugar
• ¼ cup water
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• ½ cup milk (substitute with heavy cream or coconut milk for an even creamier texture)
• 4 large eggs
• 4 large egg yolks
• ½ cup grated coconut

Instructions:

Preheat the oven

• Set the oven to 350°F (175°C).

1. Prepare the caramel:

• In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of sugar and ¼ cup of water. Cook over medium heat without stirring, swirling the pan occasionally to help dissolve the sugar.
• Once the mixture turns a dark amber color, immediately pour it into a 22cm x 17cm glass Pyrex dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
• Set aside to cool and harden for about 15 minutes.

2. Heat water for the bain-marie:

• While the caramel cools, bring a kettle of water to a boil.

3. Blend the flan mixture:

• In a blender, combine the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, milk, eggs, egg yolks, grated coconut, and the remaining ½ cup of sugar.
• Blend for about 3 minutes or until smooth and fully combined.

4. Assemble and bake:

• Place the Pyrex dish with the hardened caramel into a deep-sided sheet pan.
• Pour the blended mixture over the caramel in the Pyrex dish.
• Carefully place the sheet pan with the Pyrex into the oven.
• Pour the boiling water into the sheet pan to create the bain-marie, filling it halfway up the sides of the Pyrex dish. Doing this while the pan is already in the oven helps prevent spills.
• Bake for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until the flan is mostly set but still slightly jiggly in the center.

5. Cool and chill:

• Remove the Pyrex dish from the oven first to avoid spills, then carefully take out the sheet pan with the hot water.
• Let the flan cool to room temperature.
• Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 5 hours or, for best results, overnight.

6. Serve:

• Slice the flan and gently flip each piece to reveal the glossy caramel topping.
• Drizzle extra caramel over each slice before serving.

If you’ve stayed with us at Finca 360, chances are we’ve recommended Finca Eco-Orgánica de Sarapiquí, one of our absolute favorite tours to share with guests. Their mission aligns perfectly with ours: sharing Costa Rica’s rich culture while making every visitor feel like part of the family. From the moment you arrive, Irene, Gabriel, and their sons welcome you with genuine warmth, and their passion for sustainable farming and community shines through every moment. It’s more than a tour; it’s an invitation into their world.

They take their time to explain each of the things they grow there, the history it has here in Costa Rica, where the plant originally comes from, the process of growing it, anything and everything you can imagine. And if you have any questions they will happily answer it. Alongside all of the amazing fruits and vegetables they have on site, they also have some animals and they take their time to explain their reasoning behind having animals and the key role they play in providing rich nutrients to the plants.

From here is my favorite part of the tour where they take you to the edge of the forest to explain why the land here in Costa Rica is so special and the relationship we as people have with it. They demonstrate so clearly why it’s so important to not only protect the forest, but how to work with it and how to cultivate a strong relationship with it.

Next up is what many consider the tour’s highlight, the fruit tasting! You’ll sample an array of fresh, organic fruits grown right on the farm, such as pineapple, dragon fruit, sugar cane, hearts of palm, and other seasonal delights.

After indulging, you’ll witness a demonstration of traditional Costa Rican coffee brewing, complete with a hands-on opportunity for those interested to grind cocoa nibs for homemade hot chocolate.

For those eager to dive deeper into local traditions, the experience continues with sugar cane pressing where you can try your hand at extracting fresh juice, the key ingredient for tapa dulce.

We also highly recommend having lunch with them on site. The food is super fresh and mostly grown on the property so it really makes it a well-rounded experience. Everything is done so intentionally here and they are so proud to show the way it is all done. You can tell they truly live and breathe this and how grateful they are to share it. It’s more than just a meal or a tour; it’s an unforgettable immersion into Costa Rican culture, hospitality, and following the rhythms of the land. We can’t recommend it enough!

In addition to the tours we recommend to our clients we are always looking for new tours to suggest to our clients. One of the best things about the San Carlos region is how many hidden gems are tucked away just an hour from Finca 360. From hikes and waterfalls to cozy restaurants and welcoming locals, this area is full of treasures and Paraiso Manantiales in Toro Amarillo is one of them. 

Paraiso Manantiales is a campsite, restaurant, and hiking trail all on one property. They have been operating since 2015 and showing the beautiful waterfalls here ever since. It is easy to navigate to, as there is clear signage along the road showing where their entrance is and it is accurately pinned on google maps. When we arrived, at first it seemed like they may be closed. However, the family who owns the property quickly came out after our arrival, so be patient and they will be sure to take care of you. As of June 2025 the entrance fee was 5000 colones per person which we paid in cash (which I recommend for places like this one). Once we paid one of the owners showed us the map of the property and explained how to best enjoy the trail and property.

From the entrance we had to drive another 400 meters or so down to the parking area and where the trail started. The trail was definitely more rustic than some places I’ve been to, but by no means is it impossible to traverse.
The first waterfall is under 5 minutes from the entrance to the trail and very easy to get to. (photo of first waterfall) From there the waterfalls begin to be a little harder to get to. After seeing the first waterfall you walk back and take a new route to the spiral staircase. If you easily get dizzy or have vertigo I would not recommend this hike as the spiral staircase is required to see all of the amazing waterfalls.

Once you descend the spiral staircase you continue down another staircase to the next waterfall.

From there you continue to an amazing viewpoint that overlooks Rio del toro which is hard to capture how incredible it is. You walk over a little bridge that is basically over a waterfall/river. From there you can go to the end of a small walkway which has a view of the Rio del toro and is a great spot to take a cute photo. 

After your photo op you walk through a bit of water to continue your descent to the river for the best waterfalls. The owners recommend you start to your left of the river entrance to see the first waterfall along Rio del toro.

Since you are right along the river it is harder to get a photo of all of its glory, but it is stunning to look at. To the right of the entrance you walk towards the best of all the waterfalls, or rather section of waterfalls. This area is still along the river however there is a small land mass keeping you away from the strong current so you can enjoy a swim. The first bit of waterfall you walk up to has a perfect little swimming hole that would be amazing for a photoshoot.

Then to the left there is the tallest of waterfalls which is truly breathtaking. You may be able to swim at the base of this waterfall, however the wind currents coming off of this one are a little rough, so it wouldn’t be very relaxing.  I really wish I had brought a little picnic to enjoy here to relax for a while. I am also disappointed I didn’t bring a swimsuit, but dipping your toes in is also a very pleasant experience.

The trail back is basically the same however instead of returning to the viewpoint they recommend crossing a bridge to see yet another waterfall. They showed this on the map before beginning the hike, but somehow we didn’t even realize we were taking this different trail until we were at the waterfall which was a pleasant surprise. I managed to snap a photo in the middle of the bridge here, however it was a bit scary to do so, so keep this in mind. From there the trail was all the same. We took about 2 hours total to visit the whole place, with some extra time at the epic waterfall by the river. Once we came back to the top the owners let us visit another viewpoint that had some glass walkway points to look down at the forest, which were very cool.  

I believe visiting this point comes at a small extra cost, which I would say is worth it if you’re okay with the glass walkway. I would highly recommend this trail if you like something off the beaten path, quiet, undisturbed, and breathtaking waterfalls. We visited on a Friday during the rainy season and were the only people there. So definitely check it out and recommend it to all your adventurous friends and family!

This is the most important recipe we serve at Finca 360. My mother baked these cookies all the time in my childhood and now we happily share them with all our guests. Whether it’s when you’re sitting down with some coffee or tea, in a packed lunch, or as we are saying our goodbyes we hope these cookies remind you of your time at Finca 360.

Pecan, and Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies:

• 2 cups of flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 3 ½ sticks of butter
• 2 ¼ cups of white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla
• 5 cups of rolled oats
• ½ cup pecans
• ½ cup of cranberries

Instructions:

Prep & Preheat:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
• Chop pecans and cranberries into small pieces; set aside.
• Mix Dry Ingredients
• Mix the 2 cups of flour, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. Set aside

Cream Butter & Sugar:

• Gently melt the 3 ½ sticks of butter in the microwave or stovetop. Set aside to cool slightly.
• In a separate bowl, mix melted butter and sugar until combined.
• Using a hand or stand mixer, beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.

Combine Everything:

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated.
• Fold in oats, pecans, and cranberries by hand until evenly distributed, don’t over mix and ensure there are no dry patches.

Shape & Bake:

• Scoop dough with a medium cookie scoop (or a heaping tablespoon) and lightly flatten each portion.
• Space cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheets—they’ll spread as they bake!
• Bake for 12–15 minutes, rotating trays halfway, until golden brown.

Cool & Enjoy:

• Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
• Pro tip: Run baking sheets under cold water between batches to prevent over-browning

We’re thrilled to introduce our new blog, where we’ll share the latest happenings at the hotel, local tours, and even some of our favorite recipes we love to share with our guests.

A Warm Thank You to July 2025 Guests
This month, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming travelers from all over the world, including the United States, Denmark, Costa Rica, Israel, and Argentina. A special thanks to our friends at Here and Now Travel, we’re so grateful for your continued partnership and the wonderful groups you bring to Finca 360. We’d also like to extend our appreciation to We Travel Denmark for trusting us with your clients, it was a joy hosting them!

Discovering New Local Gems
We’re always on the lookout for unique experiences to share with our guests, and this month, we explored Paraíso Manantiales, a breathtaking attraction. After visiting, we can’t wait to recommend it to our guests, it’s truly a hidden paradise!

Don’t Miss Our Special Offer!
For a limited time, stay with us and enjoy a third night free when you book two nights. This promotion runs until the end of September, so now’s the perfect time to plan your getaway. Contact us—we’d love to help you make the most of it!

As we look ahead, we’re excited for the rest of the year and all the new stories we’ll create together. Thank you for being part of the Finca 360 family. We can’t wait to welcome you soon!