In setting out to save a chunk of the rainforest, Matt Hogan and Erica Elise Andrews formed Finca Bellavista -- a tree house community in Costa Rica.
In setting out to save a chunk of the rainforest, Matt Hogan and Erica Elise Andrews formed Finca Bellavista -- a tree house community in Costa Rica.
Courtesy James Lozeau/Finca Bellavista
"People are drawn to the simplicity and the purity of living in such a pristine and beautiful area," Matt Hogan tells CNN.
"People are drawn to the simplicity and the purity of living in such a pristine and beautiful area," Matt Hogan tells CNN.
Courtesy Matt Berglund/Finca Bellavista
"I used to commute two hours each way in and out of the city in Baltimore and wear a suit everyday and that was very telling as to why I now live in the middle of the rainforest because it drove me crazy," says Hogan. Pictured here, Erica and Matt take a break from ziplining in the rainforest.<br />
"I used to commute two hours each way in and out of the city in Baltimore and wear a suit everyday and that was very telling as to why I now live in the middle of the rainforest because it drove me crazy," says Hogan. Pictured here, Erica and Matt take a break from ziplining in the rainforest.
Courtesy James Lozeau/Finca Bellavista
Now, Matt compares life in the rainforest to "living in one of those spa CDs of rainforest sounds". "It's like this sensory overload experience," he says.
Now, Matt compares life in the rainforest to "living in one of those spa CDs of rainforest sounds". "It's like this sensory overload experience," he says.
Courtesy Matt Berglund/Finca Bellavista
"You're completely immersed in nature -- you go to bed listening to the bugs and the frogs and you wake up with bird song."
"You're completely immersed in nature -- you go to bed listening to the bugs and the frogs and you wake up with bird song."
Courtesy Matt Berglund/Finca Bellavista
In just over ten years, the community has planted several tens of thousands of trees to regenerate the rainforest.
In just over ten years, the community has planted several tens of thousands of trees to regenerate the rainforest.
Courtesy Matt Berglund/Finca Bellavista
Finca Bellavista is a pedestrian community connected by hiking trails, ziplines and suspension bridges.
Finca Bellavista is a pedestrian community connected by hiking trails, ziplines and suspension bridges.
Courtesy Matt Berglund/Finca Bellavista
The community grows up to 80% of its food on site, and is completely off the grid in terms of power production, opting instead for solar power.
The community grows up to 80% of its food on site, and is completely off the grid in terms of power production, opting instead for solar power.
Courtesy Matt Berglund/Finca Bellavista
Treetop homes are constructed using bamboo and locally-grown teak, and for every tree that is cut down, many more are planted.
Treetop homes are constructed using bamboo and locally-grown teak, and for every tree that is cut down, many more are planted.
Courtesy James Lozeau/Finca Bellavista