A couple of weeks ago, the Athletics & Activities team brought a new piece of Costa Rican tradition to La Estancia: a traditional wood-fired stove, commonly known as a fogón.
The fogón was purchased to become part of Entre Palmas y Aromas, one of the experiences now included in the weekly activities calendar curated for Las Catalinas Doorway guests. Through this calendar, guests staying at Santarena Hotel or in one of the homes in Town have access to a variety of activities designed to enrich their stay, help them enjoy Las Catalinas more fully, and connect them with different aspects of Costa Rican culture.
During Entre Palmas y Aromas, guests gather around the fogón to make tortillas by hand, one of the simplest and most beloved traditions in Costa Rican homes. They also prepare café chorreado, Costa Rica’s drip coffee, using the traditional cloth filter method that has been part of daily life in Costa Rica for generations. Long before electric coffee makers became common, this was the way many families brewed coffee at home, slowly pouring hot water over freshly ground coffee and letting it drip into a pot or cup below. Even today, café chorreado remains one of those small rituals that carries memory, warmth, and a very recognizable sense of home.
Together, the smell of toasted corn, the aroma of fresh coffee, and the setting of La Estancia create a relaxed and meaningful experience. It is a chance for guests to slow down, participate with their hands, and enjoy a closer look at the everyday traditions that continue to shape Costa Rican culture.
For now, Entre Palmas y Aromas offers guests a simple and memorable way to spend time at La Estancia, with warm tortillas, fresh coffee, and the kind of hands-on experience that often stays with people long after the afternoon ends.
Soon, these activities will also be available to the general public at a special rate, opening the experience beyond Doorway guests and inviting more people to take part. We will be happy to share more once that moment arrives.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or would like more information, you can contact guest.relations@lascatalinascr.com, activities.impact@lascatalinascr.com, or activities.athletics@lascatalinascr.com.