About Us
Arenal Ridge is the work of Belong Costa Rica — a team with more than 20 years building and operating boutique hospitality across the country. This is the story behind the vision, the land, and the people bringing it to life.
Welcome to Arenal Ridge
Arenal Ridge began with an observation, not a plan. After two decades building and scaling luxury travel businesses across Costa Rica, Belong Costa Rica founder Richard Bexon kept seeing the same gap: what travelers actually wanted rarely matched what developers were building — and the industry wasn't closing it.
Rainforest and volcano views aren't scarce in Arenal; nearly every developer in the region can claim them. What's scarce is turning that setting into a true boutique villa resort — professionally designed, professionally operated, and backed by real hospitality expertise, rather than another parcel of land marketed as an opportunity. That gap is what Richard secured at the foot of the Arenal Volcano, in one of Costa Rica's fastest-growing destinations.
Arenal Ridge applies that same resort discipline at scale — the same construction techniques, project management processes, and hospitality platform behind Belong Costa Rica's celebrated Manuel Antonio Treehouse Villas, now extended to a new stage at the foot of one of Costa Rica's most iconic volcanoes.
A Clear Vision, Beautiful Buildings
From day one, the vision for Arenal Ridge has been a boutique collection of Tree House Villas, Volcano Villas, Estate Villas and Volcano Apartments — fully immersed in the rainforest canopy, with world-class architecture, a minimal environmental footprint, and uninterrupted views of the Arenal Volcano.
Under the direction of Belong Costa Rica's Project & Engineering team, construction of the first Tree House Villas is planned to begin at the end of 2026, with completion targeted for mid-2027.
More Than a Development: A Living Masterpiece in Progress
For Richard and the Belong Costa Rica team, Arenal Ridge is more than a real estate project — it's what that original insight looks like, built. A tribute to everything Costa Rica represents: joy, sustainability, freedom, and adventure.
What Makes Us Different?
Elevated Villas
Elevated architecture, total privacy, great views.
True Sustainability
Every decision made with sustainability in mind.
Prime Location
So close to Arenal Volcano, it feels like home.
Genuine Hospitality
We welcome each guest as part of our community.
Managing Director
Richard Bexon
As Co-Owner of Namu Travel Group and Costa Rican Vacations, he built Central America's largest luxury travel company, helping generate over $1 billion in luxury travel, real estate, and hospitality sales before successfully exiting the business. Today, Richard leads Belong Costa Rica, where he develops and operates luxury hospitality and real estate projects, combining deep expertise in tourism, development, operations, and investment to create distinctive, high-performing assets that deliver exceptional guest experiences and long-term value for investors.
Project & Engineering Director
Erick Corrales
Erick has over 30 years of experience in Engineering and Construction and is currently the Director of Belong Costa Rica's Project Management arm. Erick has been in charge of developing and constructing a multitude of projects, ranging from luxury villas, homes, infrastructure and commercial projects throughout Costa Rica.
General Manager
Maria José Peréz
MJ has more than 15 years of experience in the luxury travel and hospitality industry, having held leadership roles with some of Costa Rica's most recognized brands, including Costa Rican Vacations and Villa Buena Onda. She is the General Manager of Karabi Villas, the hospitality management company responsible for operating all of Belong Costa Rica's developments, overseeing guest experience, operations, revenue management, and service excellence across the portfolio.
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Founder & Principal Architect, Studio Anónimo
Juan Diego Cárdenas
With over a decade of experience in architecture, Juan Diego founded Studio Anónimo, a firm recognized for its bold, innovative design and commitment to sustainability. As principal architect, he leads a team of talented professionals who fuse striking aesthetics with environmental responsibility, using cutting-edge technologies and materials to create spaces that are both visually impressive and sustainable.
Founder & Principal Designer, Sarahy Interior Design
Sarahy Flores
Sarahy began her career in Interior Design after studying in San José, going on to spend several years at the prestigious New York firm Fawn Galli Interiors. She later returned to Costa Rica to open her own studio in Tamarindo Beach, where she designs functional, comfortable spaces with a natural, pure aesthetic inspired by their surroundings.
Our Team
Where Passion Meets Expertise
Meet the driving force behind the villas – a team of passionate visionaries dedicated to turning dreams into reality.