You’ve heard the saying, “It’s a jungle out there,” well when it comes to life as plantation farmer in Costa Rica, there are no truer words. I made a new friend in El Paredon Guatemala, and he suggested I visit his aunt in Costa Rica. We chatted on Facebook, and soon I arrived at Sonia and Rafael Gonzalez’ home near Zent Costa Rica as a stranger, but I left as a friend. I enjoyed learning about their lives as plantation farmers in Costa Rica.
Sonia was born in Angola and Rafael is a native of Costa Rica. Together they live a simple life filled with plenty of hard work, but it’s obvious they enjoy it. Their home is full of love, laughter and delicious food made from fresh ingredients from their land. I had a wonderful time visitng Finca Mandira (finca means farm and Mandira is the name of their farm), and they were the most gracious hosts!
Hard Work
Sonia and Rafael are no strangers to hard physical labor. They and their workers toil long and hard to keep their crops healthy. They have acres and acres of bananas, cacao, caimito, papaya, limes, guanabana, coconuts, bamboo, and more. Their land is a tropical paradise that requires constant tending. Their dogs Luna and Rufu help keep the wild critters at bay, and there are plenty of those in Costa Rica. Sloths and several species of monkey’s call the jungles of Costa Rica home.
Amazing Food
Sonia, Rafael, and my travel companion
Sonia is an incredible cook that knows how to utilize the bounty from their fields. Crisp fried plantains, homemade yogurt and cheese, pickled peppers, and decadent desserts made from cacao and fresh fruits adorn their table and please the pallet. I, and my travel companion, Kathy ate like queens.
I was fascinated by the process to make cacao. Cacao plants begin producing within the first couple of years of planting. They eagerly walk through the plants looking for the bright orange flesh that indicates its ready for harvest. Their “nibs” (large seeds inside) are harvested, fermented, dried, and roasted before being made into delicious desserts. From hot liquid cacao to truffles or pudding, cacao is everywhere in Costa Rica.
Cacao, not quite ready to harvest
Bananas are also a source of income for Sonia and Rafael and extremely important to the locals. I learned that banana trees only produce one bunch of bananas in their short lifespan of only about 10 months. Then, baby shoots grow up around the original trunk, and they cut down the parent tree and let the baby shoot take its place. Not all bananas are ideal for eating. Some varieties are filled with hard black seeds and are quite bland.
Big Dreams
One of their dogs waits for us in the plantation
Sonia and Rafael have big dreams for their plantation. They want to create little cabinas (cabins) among the trees in their plantation where guests can stay and experience the Costa Rican organic farming lifestyle. They also want to host small projects that will involve the community and help provide a source of income to others (especially women). Nestled near the clear running streams, where tropical birds sing, and the shade from exotic fruit trees protects you from the harsh rays of the sun, it will be the perfect tranquil paradise for anyone looking to connect with the land and relax in the arms of nature.
We were only with the Torres’ for a couple of days, but the blessed memories will stick with me forever. Sonia and Rafael left me feeling grateful, physically and emotionally full, and tremendously happy for them and anyone that is fortunate enough to experience the simple life of plantation farmers in Costa Rica.