Veg Hot Spot: Lands in Love Resort in Costa Rica

“I love serving healthy, delicious food to our guests, especially when they are meat eaters and they eat something here they like so much, they say they want to come back,” says Naama Ariel, head chef of Lands in Love. But the resort, nestled in a lush tropical valley in Costa Rica, is so much more than a place to enjoy plant-based meals with flair—favorites include the vegetarian Cheese Steak (pictured) and the Lafa Wrap, a grilled tortilla filled with tahini, Israeli salad, eggplant, and seasoned soy. It’s also a sanctuary for nearly 350 rescued animals.

Founded a decade ago by a group of vegan friends from Israel, Lands in Love has evolved into a 280-acre retreat. When guests aren’t zip lining high above the cloud forest, or hiking nature trails past lakes and waterfalls, they’re invited to help tend to the animals sheltered on the property, taking them for walks or visiting with them at the “dog house” where most of them live.

Most of the profits from the resort go toward property upkeep and animal care, including plans to open an on-site animal hospital.

Hungry for more? Visit Lands in Love in San Lorenzo, Costa Rica.