Our Finca Linda Vista is located at about 700 m altitude in the heart of the blue zone on the Nicoya Peninsula. It is located on the edge of a small village called Altos del Socorro. The name cannot be translated literally, but according to the intention of its founding families, it means "mountain rescue" or "help at high altitude". About 250 to 300 people live here, and there are now several foreign families as immigrants, mainly from Germany and Switzerland.For most immigrants, the motivation is to lead a natural, healthy, and quiet life here.Both a Catholic and a Protestant church community are located directly on the site. There is a primary school, a small pulperia (shop), and sports fields.
Finca Linda Vista encompasses about 8 hectares with several buildings, a greenhouse, a workshop, and its own water supply.
The basic idea is to build an eco-farm here based on permaculture and thereby achieve the most comprehensive self-sufficiency possible.
Even after more than 5 years, we are still experimenting and learning, but we are already happy about everything that is already blooming and growing, and we are continuously developing the finca further.
We are currently harvesting several varieties of bananas, as well as various types of potato substitutes such as yucca and sweet potatoes. In addition, we grow bell peppers, squash, chayote, tomatoes, various herbs such as oregano, chili, moringa, turmeric, ginger, lemon balm, parsley, peppermint, and various fruits such as papaya, mango, pineapple, mulberries, and figs. Fruit trees such as citrus trees and jackfruit, etc., are slowly beginning to bear fruit. In a few years, we also hope to harvest avocados, coffee, nispero, mamon, water apple, rose apple, guabana, caimito, and sapote. We strive to plant old and forgotten varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, including amaranth. We replace plants that are difficult to grow here with other, similar plants, such as garlic with garlic wine or potatoes with yucca. In addition, we also want to plant old vegetable varieties that provide permanent yields as low-maintenance perennial crops or through self-propagation/self-seeding, such as air potatoes, etc.
Right now, we have chickens, goats, sheep, and fish.
In 2020, our entire family moved from Bavaria/Allgäu
to Costa Rica to lead a peaceful, nature-oriented life on a self-sufficient finca.
Due to various health issues we faced in Germany, it became important for us to lead a more mindful life and regain our health. We have therefore, just as we did in Germany, explored a wide range of health-related topics.
Our main areas of focus include the role of nutrition, avoiding food additives and highly processed foods, supplements, the importance of inner and outer peace, the role of our mindset, exercise, trauma and negative conditioning, and the spiritual grounding of our lives, etc.
Our goal is to combine the positive qualities of our German culture with the relaxed, social, and family-oriented lifestyle of the Ticos (as Costa Ricans are called)—that is, to enjoy life, nurture relationships, and not let ourselves be ruled by pressure, stress, perfectionism, etc.
The following factors could improve your health as a guest:
Fresh air
Peace
Looking into the distance is relaxing and soothing
positive effects of the sea climate
Movement, sports, walking, meditation, etc.
Clean water from our own source
Taking time for oneself
Gradually moving from doing to being
Work on the farm (upon request)
Organic food, if available, can be obtained from the farm upon request
Avoidance of harmful and burdensome foods
The entire lifestyle of us on the finca and the people in the surroundings, who radiate peace and relaxation
We'd be happy to inform you about our finca and give you a tour if you'd like!
We offer people who want to see and learn something new and share their lives with us for a certain period of time the opportunity to work with us as volunteers (more information under "Working as a Volunteer").
We are happy to help interested parties with all the questions mentioned, as we have the relevant information due to our experience and contacts:
a) general information about life in Costa Rica for tourist stays, including longer ones (travel preparations, entry, itinerary, attractions, expectations, accommodations and rental cars, cultural influences, seasons, flights, packing, etc.)
b) general information about life in Costa Rica for immigrants (general questions, residence permit or border run, required documents for immigration, where to find what, what not to bring, what is worth bringing and what not, moving from Germany, bank account, vehicles, health, contacts and relationships, cultural differences and no-go areas, investments, employment, etc.)
c) Living in Costa Rica (renting or buying, choosing a place to live, city or country, beach or highlands, choosing a plot of land, what type of house, house planning, choosing an architect and construction company, what to consider when building, installations, typical defects and errors in construction, water and electricity supply, roads and streets, water drainage, etc.)
There are no grocery stores in Altos del Socorro, only a small pulperia (shop) selling drinks and other small items. The last shopping opportunity coming from Nicoya is in Hojancha (approx. 30 min. drive from the accommodation): there are several small supermarkets, butchers, and bakeries, a pizzeria, several restaurants, a bar, a bank, a post office, hairdressers, a stationery store, a cobbler, hardware stores, a park with a playground, and, if needed, a small hospital, a pharmacy, and a dentist.
It is possible to enjoy a typical Costa Rican breakfast in a cozy atmosphere in the immediate vicinity. However, advance booking is required at least the evening before. On request, a short guided tour of the orchard with a viewpoint is also offered (Mr. Braulio, tel. +506 8861-5960).
The following excursion destinations and sightseeing opportunities are available in the area:
A coffee tour about 2 kilometers outside of Hojancha (Cafe Diria).
The highest waterfall in Central America, Calvo de Salto, is about 7 km from the accommodation.
The Reserva Natural Monte Alto is about 9 kilometers from the accommodation.
The nearest, natural, and beautiful beach of Carillo can be reached in about 75 minutes. After another 15 minutes, you can reach the famous beach of Samara. Other beaches, some of which are very quiet and less frequented, are located in the immediate vicinity.
We are always looking for volunteers to help with the work on the farm.
The daily working hours are on average 3 hours from Monday to Friday. Work hours can also be bundled or distributed differently by arrangement. We offer free housing for this. Meals are not included. However, since we can already harvest some, you can have some of it.
You are welcome to join us on our shopping trips to Hojancha (about 30 minutes away) and other outings.
There is no age limit for this position; the minimum age is 18 years.
Physical fitness, endurance, and flexibility are required to cope well with changing circumstances. It's just so different here than in Germany, which is hard to describe!
We would like to point out that this is a somewhat remote rural area. Those seeking relaxation and nature will feel at home with us. Our offer may also be suitable for people who want to find inner peace, learn something new, or seek a new direction in life.
If you or they can imagine living with us and working with us for at least 1 week, you are/you are cordially welcome!
Contact for all questions about our finca and volunteering:
506 8968 4331 (WhatsApp and Telegram) or
mantabmod@gmail.com