Real People, Real Experiences: Spontaneous Connections in Costa Rica

In 30 years of business, Costa Rica Sun Tours (CRST) have developed and cherished the most wonderful relationships with individuals and families throughout the country. What we’ve learned is there is no better way to remove boundaries than to be invited into a local family’s home to share a delicious and typical homemade meal – sometimes even being invited to participate in the cooking! These meals allow guests to freely experience the essence of country life in the most unspoiled natural landscapes, with warm hosts and plenty of tico flavor! To celebrate their 30th anniversary this year, we’re profiling a few of these wonderful personalities with stories of how they met and how your guests can meet them too.

Doña Tula

It all began 25 years ago – when CRST operated bicycle tours in the area of Turrialba. In those days, travel to Costa Rica was focused on actively exploring nature. Being proud ticos themselves, CRST set out to add a little unique flavor to their guests’ experience – something unique, something local. Flavor, as it turns out, would be the key to bridging cultures for CRST. CRST guide Alex Arias met a lovely lady named Doña Viria who hosted guests in her home and prepared them delicious lunches – quickly becoming a highlight on guest evaluations! Although the family was compensated for welcoming guests, after seven years Doña Viria received a job offer she couldn’t refuse and had to relocate for it. But, before she did, she passed the joy of hosting guests to her mother, Doña Mary – who happily hosted guests for another eight years! Today, it is Doña Tula, granddaughter of Mary and daughter of Viria, who continues to welcome CRST guests to the table to enjoy meaningful exchanges over homemade lunch. This is not a family business but rather, something they want to do, a table they want to share, and a meal they cook with love.

Don Salvador

Don Salvador is a Costa Rican farmer, native to the little village of Jaz de Ujarras located in the province of Cartago. He is a local producer of chayote or water squash, a famous export for American and European markets. Alex Arias from CRST met him more than 20 years ago when he spontaneously stopped by his farm with guests and grabbed some lemons through the fence to try … but there he was, (Don Salvador) with his machete in hand! But he spread a wide smile and invited us to visit his farm and explain what he did and most impressive…he shared how he lived.

Ever since that day, Alex and other CRST guides try to visit Don Salvador with guests to share real tico culture with them – not something that can easily be done traveling alone. When possible CRST guides also visit Don Salvador at the farmer’s market in the City of Cartago, where he has a stand and guests can see his chayotes and other products from his farm. Each visit is unique and natural. Alex recalls once visiting him in December as he and his family were preparing Christmas tamales. Alex says: “As always he invited us into his house, he taught us to make some of the tamales, a real treat!… I remember that a guest asked me “Alex do you think we are leaving here before those tamales are ready to eat?” Rest assured…. they stayed an enjoyed them like any friends would.

Doña Miriam Adanis

Another generous family is that of Doña Miriam Adanis who invites guests into her home in Tarcoles, a small town on the Pacific. After a great morning of activity on the water, or exploring the lowland coastal forest on foot, being welcomed to her lovely abode is a really special treat. Doña Miriam lives with her husband Urbano and daughter Yahaira. One wonderfully fateful day 14 years ago, a beloved guide of Costa Rica Sun Tours, Marco “Tex” Fallas, was following feeding scarlet macaws when they led him to a beautiful canopy of tropical almond trees in front of her house. Marco couldn’t resist the smell of her cooking, noticed her home was spotless, and promptly asked her if she would be interested in cooking meals for guests.

With the support of her family (many of whom work in tourism including her son Fernando, who is head chef at Villa Caletas!) she said yes! The rest of the story is one for the recipe books! The feedback has been so positive from both sides, she’s welcomed sharing meals with CRST’s guests and guides for 14 years! Of course, you’re wondering just what savory meals you might enjoy? Doña Miriam’s most famous recipe is a toss-up between her seafood plate and fresh sea bass wrapped and cooked in banana leaves. In addition, other favorites include “pinto con tortillas” and rice with shrimp. She also has a traditional clay oven to make pizzas as back-up for those pickier eaters not as enthusiastic to try local foods.

The icing on the cake? Her “dulce de coco” or “cajeta de coco,” of course! This sweet treat is made with condensed milk, vanilla, cloves, cinnamon, lemon peel, and sugar – and best washed down with a flavorful cup of Costa Rican coffee!