Costa Rica

One hit wonder…..

Cabanas Canas Castillos is the only place we visited in Costa Rica and we were perfectly satisfied with this decision. I feel slightly bad because Kevin has never been to the country before and I myself had previously visited the jungle, zip lined with monkeys, and hiked some volcanoes thus I know of it’s rich beauty and all it has to offer. Our week was magical and full of hard work mixed with learning and lots of laughter.

We waved goodbye to our friends and walked through the entrance. We finally made it to Cabanas Canas Castillos we were only three days late from the original date we had planned to arrive. We found the reception and were greeted with a smile, meet Agi. Agi asked our names and as soon as Kevin said Kevin she recognized the name and we apologized for his aunt saying we would arrive on the 25th we had a tough time leaving our favorite surf spot. She said it wasn’t any trouble and wondered if we would show up or not and proceeded to apologize for only having budget rooms available. We laughed because for us it was an upgrade. A simple room with a window, fan and medium size bed was luxury in comparison to our tent. We dropped our bags and she offered to make us a snack since dinner was not till 19:00 and we agreed and enjoyed our first sandwiches since I can remember. As soon as the fresh bread hit our lips our hearts smiled.

My belly couldn’t wait for dinner at 19:00 because all the reviews and books talked about the amazing service and food and let’s be honest, we could use a break from all the central American food. When the clock struck 18:15 you could find Kevin and I at the table waiting quietly for dinner.

Agi and Guido knew Kevin and I too well. On the first nights dinner they came to our table to offer a second helping of the meal and we couldn’t say no. We were like hungry wolves fighting for survival and survive we did. We thrived in this environment and all thanks goes to Kevin’s Aunt who literally pushed us off the cliff to land at the finca with her generosity.

After overstaying our three days in the budget room and enjoying every dinner to the fullest we couldn’t say goodbye yet myself being the budget police couldn’t allow us to stay and where there is a will there is a way this we created our own way: we loved Agi, Guido and all they had created at Cabanas Castillo and we asked them if we could move to the camp grounds and work in exchange for dinner. They obliged and told us to enjoy breakfast and dinner and not to worry. They are the type of people who believe it all works out in the end and make the best of all that comes their way.

They told us to meet them at 6:00 the next morning and we could learn the ropes with the animals from the local who typically takes care of all the feeding, cleaning and milking of the animals during the first hours of sunrise. We got up and got to work because we could not wait to get fed another meal deliciously cooked by Agi. We fed the ducks who tried to attack us, fed the fish who jumped to the surface when we threw the food into the lake, we cleaned the chicken coop and gave them fresh water and feed, we cleaned the pigs and hiked to find the goats. After finding one dead we herded them into the feeding Stahl and learned how to milk them and then drank the milk directly and it was the warmest and tastiest milk I’ve ever tasted. After we finished we were welcomed by fresh squeezed orange juice, homemade bread just out of the oven, and fresh jelly with the option of having some eggs and yogurt if we wished all topped off with coffee and moringa tea.

A day on the finca:

• 5:00 wake up and have coffee whilst listening to the monkeys
• 6:00 feed the animals
• 7:00-9:00 serve breakfast
• 9:00 clean up
• 10:00 drink tea, make cheese, jam and chocolate and other chored
• 12:00-14:00 pick moringa, take care of the horses etc.
• 14:00-17:30 read, drink moringa tea, workout and shower
• 18:00-21:00 prepare dinner, serve dinner, clean up dinner, drink tea and chat
• 22:00 pass out and rest to do it all over again

Working on a farm is no joke especially when you are only a few people and offer high quality service…you are on your feet nonstop and when a guest wants a special request you smile and grant it and do the best you can to make their dream come true. You are on your feet non stop and your cheeks hurt from smiling yet you can’t help it because you are always doing something different and fun, creating and making people happy through food and memories in a place off the beaten path where you wake up to nature, work hard all day and go to bed with your stomach full of love and exhausted from a 15 hour work day but can’t wait to get up and do it all again.

We loved the vision of this place and I can’t find the words to completly describe it but we found a family among the owners and guest alike. People extended their stay with us and Agi and Guido treated us as their own family as did the locals whom work alongside them. We loved it so much and wanted to learn more about how the business fully works, spend more times working with the animals and experimenting in the kitchen that Agi and Guido invited us back in September to take over for a month while they enjoy a much needed vacation together, their first in years! At first we contemplated, for maybe an hour, then we decided to take the leap because this is what traveling is all about…. we said yes and if you want to come experience the magic we welcome all the visitors in September 2020. Warning: it will be rainy season and although that means it is wetter than usual you also get less tourist and a more personal touch with nature and we promise to do our best to give the highest quality service with a touch of CJ and Kevin sprinkled on top.