Over several editions of The Daily, we followed the arrival of the tapir-shaped benches in Town, a nod to the names of our two beaches, Playa Danta and Playa Dantita. Since then, they have settled into everyday life here: a place to sit after a swim, to wait for a friend, or to let the kids climb on while the grown-ups finish their coffee.
Now there is a way to bring one home. At Pintacafé, the paint-your-own-pottery café that opened in Town earlier this year, guests can choose a ceramic tapir bench, sit down with brushes and paint, and make it entirely their own.
The benches designed by our Development and Construction team for Town served as the inspiration for this art piece, now in a smaller format, made to live on a bookshelf, a bedside table, or any corner of the house that deserves a bit of Las Catalinas. As souvenirs go, it carries more than most. It holds the memory of a visit or of a home in Town, the story behind the names of our beaches, and a connection to one of the most remarkable animals in Costa Rica.
Danta is the name Costa Ricans use for the Baird’s tapir, the largest native land mammal in Central America. Tapirs are often called the gardeners of the forest, because they feed on a wide variety of plants and spread seeds as they move, helping forests regenerate. You can learn more about them in Playa Danta: A Deeper Look Beyond Its Name.
Painting a little tapir at a café table turns out to be a lovely way to carry that story home. Next time you are in Town, stop by Pintacafé, order something to sip, and take your time with the colors. You will leave with a piece that is yours alone, and a little of Playa Danta along with it.