More than just coffee

“Allegory of coffee and bananas” Famous painting by Aleardo Villa, on the Costa Rican 5 colones bill

Coffee

Coffee keeps us alert, helps us burn fat, and improves our physical performance, among many other health benefits. It is even said that coffee consumption is the reason why Costa Ricans have a high life expectancy and that is why CHANEL® uses Costa Rican green coffee as one of the main assets for one of its skin treatments, along with ingredients from blue zones in other countries where people live the longest and healthiest lives.

Coffee is also an ideal drink to share with friends or family, the socialization that takes place around coffee makes it the most consumed drink in Costa Rican culture. In Costa Rica we produce one of the best coffees in the world, however, for us Ticos, coffee is more than just a drink.

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More than coffee, history

For Costa Rica, coffee is so much more than just a basic traditional drink that is found in every home.

Coffee is impregnated as part of Costa Rican history; it was a fundamental part of the economic, social and political development of Costa Rica. During the mid-nineteenth century, being Costa Rica already an independent country from Spain and thanks to the escalation of coffee exports to England, coffee became the state´s formation product since the whole country was organized according to the export of this product. This was lead and organized by the coffee oligarchy which established the foundation of the state system.

Although the power was in the hands of the oligarchy, there was no slavery in coffee production in Costa Rica as in other countries. This allowed for a more inclusive activity where all social groups could participate and benefit from the development of the activity.

Y aunque el poder estuvo a cargo de la oligarquía, no hubo en Costa Rica esclavitud en la producción de café como en otros países. Esto permitió una actividad más inclusiva donde todos los grupos sociales podían participar y beneficiarse del desarrollo de la actividad.  

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One of the best coffees in the world

100% of the coffee grown in the country belongs to the Arabica species, of the Caturra and Catuaí varieties, it is produced between 800 and 1600 meters above sea level in fertile and volcanic soils. The grains are manually extracted from each plant ensuring its quality.

Costa Rica is not a major coffee producer compared to other countries in the world, however, our coffee has been listed as one of the best in the world due to the high quality of the product. Costa Rica, as it has done in other activities, in terms of coffee, focused on a philosophy of quality and not quantity.

“At Capitán Suizo we wish to invite you to enjoy
an exquisite coffee, in front of the Pacific Ocean!”

Compiled by Helen Soto

Assistant Manager – Hotel Capitán Suizo

Source: Instituto del Café de Costa Rica, Icafe.

Tamarindo lifestyle

Tamarindo town is a very colorful and laid-back place, enriched with the cultures of people from all over the world, whilst preserving the essence of the Costarican lifestyle.

A typical day in Tamarindo could look like this:
According to the tides, which change every day, you can plan a surf session. Afterwards you could walk on the beach and have a snack or lunch in one of the many restaurants/cafes while enjoying the sea view and watching people walking by.
Tamarindo offers many little shops and boutiques, where you can find beautiful hand-made bikinis, t-shirts, hammocks, souvenirs and many other things. So strolling through town and doing some shopping could be a good option.
There are many activities that can be planned in town or nearby, like yoga, going horseback riding, biking or visiting one of the many beaches around Tamarindo; Playa Avellanas or Playa Conchal are very popular amongst tourists and locals.
Due to the fact that Tamarindo Bay has some of the most tranquil currents on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, it is considered one of the safest beaches in Costa Rica. It’s ideal for swimming, kayaking, surfing, boogie-boarding and snorkeling. You could also go on a sailboat or catamaran trip, which offer the opportunity to enjoy a day out at sea.
Of course, sunbathing is one of the most favorited activities here, especially while reading a good book or listening to music.
There are also many Spas in Tamarindo, including our Aromas del Mar Spa, where you can relax and enjoy a massage, a facial or another treatment.
In the afternoon it’s a must to watch the sunset, which is a magical show each day. And why not? Maybe enjoy a cocktail! At the hotel we offer happy hour from 4pm to 6pm.
On Thursdays, from 6pm to 9pm, there is a Night Market, where you can find local and international food and drink stalls. This Market, as well as the Tamarindo Farmer's and Crafts Market on Saturdays, offers a good opportunity to find very special products (local, organic, handmade, among many other added values).
Life here is very laid-back, so come to Tamarindo and have a great time. 

Life is better at the beach!

Surfing Costa Rica

Rachael Kershaw surfing in front of Capitán Suizo / Photo: Ana Rodríguez Oropeza

Tamarindo Surf Experience

Three years ago, I moved to Costa Rica to work as a Food & Beverage Manager at the Hotel Capitan Suizo. Being a very sporty person and after testing out surfing during a holiday in Australia and another time in the Dominican Republic, I thought that I had to make the most of the opportunity seeing that there is the perfect surf spot for beginners in front of the Hotel Capitan Suizo.

I first began with a couple of classes with our very own Luis Seitur, the hotel’s dedicated surf instructor. As for everyone, my beginning was challenging facing balance issues, timing issues and so forth…let’s just say I was mostly under the board than on top. Being persistent, I continued my quest of learning how to surf and with time and practice, I saw myself improve and achieve step by step new objectives – catching white water wave on my own (yes I began as everyone, being pushed into the waves), actually standing on the board for more than 2 seconds, riding the wave and not just going straight down,… and then came the day that I caught my first “Unbroken Wave”. I was surfing the wave and it was magical.

Moments like these make it all worth it and give you the strength and dedication to keep learning and improving. There are days that you feel that you have made progress and days that you feel that you are simply getting worse, but it all goes in phases and there are skills to learn at every step that allows you to improve.

I was lucky enough to get my own longboard and be able to practice without Luis. After a while I decided to also get a shorter board, to try different surf spots and also started surfing with local friends who always gave me tips and insight on how to improve. Every day was a different challenge, different conditions, a different wave and with time, I started to read the waves better, understand how they break and adapt my surfing to the conditions. 

I have a course a lot to learn and I am fortunate to live somewhere that gives me access to waves all year round. There are a plethora of beaches in the area of Tamarindo and waves for every level as well as type of surf that one is looking for - waves, that are perfect for longboards, other that should only be tamed with a shortboard. At the end of the day, what I can say is that surfing has been one of the most satisfying sports that I have undertaken (at the end of the day, the pleasure of riding a wave, depends solely on you!) and with patience, persistence and practice many challenges can be overcome.

Look forward to seeing you in the water!

Pura Vida!

9 Helpful Tips for Traveling to Costa Rica

1. Why not visit during rainy season?

Visiting Costa Rica during rainy season has also a lot of benefits. The rainy season months are from May – October, during these months everything is lush, as well as lightly cooler due to the moisture. The forest becomes beautiful green and the flowers bloom. During the green months there aren’t as many visitors, so the towns and roads don’t feel as congested. Another advantage is that traveling to Costa Rica as well as within the country is less expensive than it is to travel during the high dry season months.

Some people are afraid to travel to Costa Rica during the rainy season because they think it will always rain, however, in our region and in Playa Tamarindo particularly, it rains very little and it is possible that it will rain only a few days and for a short time. Surely, there will be enough sunny weather to enjoy the beach and the outdoors every day.

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2. If you are one of those who prefers or need to be connected (on line)

You can use your smartphone in Costa Rica by getting a prepaid SIM card or you can purchase an international data plan with your cell phone carrier at home. Keep in mind that in order to use a prepaid SIM card your cell phone must be unlocked. You will be able to purchase a SIM card when exiting the airport at the Kolbi stand. Kolbi is the oldest and biggest cell phone company in Costa Rica, therefore it works the best thought out the country. You can recharge your phone, or add more minutes at any large supermarket or ‘pulperias’ the smaller supermarkets.

If you do not need a plan to be constantly online, you can connect on occasion using the free WiFi service offered by several restaurants, hotels and even some means of transport for tourism. In order to use this service, you should only have to ask for the WIFI password.

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3. WAZE is the best GPS while traveling in CR

Waze is an application for cell phones that offers maps and addresses or free online routes. What makes Waze very useful is not only the accuracy of the maps, but the fact that it is an application based on community and it takes into account the user’s comments. Other users will report traffic problems, car accidents and driving times, which will save everyone time and improve the driving experience in general, mainly if the routes are not known. It is important to know that it is necessary to have internet for the application to work properly.

The application is currently the most used in Costa Rica so the route information is quite updated and useful when driving.

https://www.axnmls.com/using-waze-costa-rica/

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4. When booking tours it is better to book locally – support local tours

“Capitan Suizo promotes activities with local guides in order to offer tourists a comprehensive experience that complements natural and cultural attractions. Our goal is that rural communities of the country can benefit to diversify their sources of income and improve the quality of life for the inhabitants of the regions of the country in smaller communities.”

Rosa Villarreal, concierge at Hotel Capitan Suizo

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5. Eating at ‘sodas’ – delicious food and at a better price!

Do not confuse "Soda" with a carbonated beverage. "Sodas" are small family restaurants that are found throughout Costa Rica. In Sodas you can find a variety of dishes from Costa Rica. Eating in Sodas is a good way to try local cuisine without spending a lot of money, but it is important to know that Sodas are usually more informal than a conventional restaurant and it is possible that there are differences in service, such as that it may not possible to pay with a credit card. If you are a patient person and want to experiment it is a good option. In our area, the closest "Soda" is "Soda Las Palmas" in Villarreal, in the town just before entering Tamarindo.

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6. Don’t change all of your currency in the airport – USD accepted

In Costa Rica, the US dollar is well accepted in almost all businesses. It is advisable to change only a part of your money to the local currency in case you need it, but in most businesses they will accept credit cards without problem or dollars at a good exchange rate.

If you prefer to change some money to have local currency it is better to change it at a bank and not at the airport as in the airport the exchange rate is very bad - resort to a currency exchange desk only as a last resort.

Credit cards are widely accepted

In almost all business credit and debit cards are accepted which makes it more comfortable and safe to not have to carry cash.

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7. Tap water is safe to drink

In Costa Rica, water quality control is very good. We have the best quality standards at the Central American level according to the World Health Organization (WHO). All the water in the supply network is potable and suitable for human consumption. However, the taste and minerals may vary depending on the region, so it is better to take the filtered water (better taste) or the bottled water. There is no risk of consuming and refilling the reusable bottle with tap water.

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8. Make sure you have enough time to see more than 1 location (ex. Beaches, volcanos, rainforests, waterfalls)

Costa Rica is a very small country, but very diverse. With only 51,100 km2 it has more than 28 different National Parks to visit, 25% of its land area is protected. Costa Rica has Atlantic and Pacific coast, the size of its territory increases to 625,825 km2 if we take into account its territorial and patrimonial sea on both coasts. Its land extension makes it possible to move from coast to coast in the same day, with more than 200 different warm-water beaches to visit.

It also has around 200 volcanic outbreaks with at least seven active volcanoes open to the public, a large number of rivers, some with thermal waters, hundreds of different ecosystems and forest types with incredible biodiversity.

Costa Rica is a country that from North to South has destinations that can provide a unique and unforgettable experience to your vacation. In addition, our people are known for being honest, kind, friendly and very open with tourist. We recommend you to venture and discover more than just one destination during your visit.

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9. Buy local souvenirs

Buying crafts and products made locally contributes to the local economy. Costa Rica is full of many creative locals who make beautiful items or very special products. In Tamarindo you can visit the market of artisans and producers organized by the community on Saturday mornings, where you can find a wide variety of articles and products. If you are interested in visiting, Rosa Villarreal at the information center can provide more information about this activity.