Old recipe, new twist

Black bean soup is as old as the hills – but this version at El Sano Banano made the recipe seem new again. Thick, savory, and delicious, the soup is like a liquid version of refried beans. Add a butterfly drawn with sour cream and the warm glow of candlelight, and even paradise gets a little more perfect.

Located on a main street (there are really only two) in downtown Montezuma, El Sano Banano Village Hotel & Restaurant is famous for its comfy rooms, rainforest aesthetic, and scrumptious menu. The restaurant is the kind place where you can dress in a polo shirt and cargo pants and still dine like a yacht club member. The restaurant also hosts various cultural events, including movie screenings.

Montezuma caters to itinerant surfers and backpackers, and the town is packed with guest houses, hostels, and cabinas. But for folks who prefer middle-class lodging and first-rate meals, El Sano Banano is worth the higher price. And if you’re feeling feisty, you can almost always step outside at night and see a crowd of hula-hoopers or fire-throwers. It’s just that kind of town.