The first time I came to Costa Rica, I was amazed by how lush and green everything was. It was like one huge incredible garden and it was everywhere!

The mountains and rolling hills were all covered with different shades, tones and highlights of green. The valleys, the side of the road, the little towns along the way, everywhere I looked I saw vegetation, vines, moss, trees, plants, flowers… and GREEN!

While discovering what I came here to learn about the community of Altos de Antigua… I quickly realized someone very special lived here… someone who I wanted and needed to know… it was quite obvious who … it was an amazing Gardener!

I have since come to know this amazing gardener… and can tell you…. she is TRULY amazing!

Coming from a gardening background myself, I spent many years working with the Calgary Horticultural Society and was able to see many wonderful, beautiful gardens during my time there and to meet and get to know many inspiring gardeners.

I could see that the landscape, the flowers, trees and structures that I encountered were placed quite carefully by someone that really had an eye for esthetics and colour. This place was BEAUTIFUL!

Costa Rica is so naturally beautiful to begin with, but this amazing gardener has been able to amplify this beautiful place to include more colour, more variety and special little places to relax and enjoy all over the property and, she’s not done yet!

Her name is Mariel Castaneda. She is married to Brian McLane and gardens on eight acres at their home in Altos de Antigua. I was lucky to be able to spend some time with this busy, amazing gardener during my first trip a little over a year ago now.

She took me on a little walk about through some of her garden, as there are several different areas, sections and niches on the property. I could see and hear immediately how much she loved and enjoyed plants, trees, flowers, birds and that this was her passion.

Creating gardens and working with plants is to her what using paint brushes and paint is to an artist.

Her canvas is this community and here she grows a vast array of different kinds of trees, fruits and of course flowers!

Currently there are 38 different types of fruit being grown here in her garden and in the gardens of the owners at Altos de Antigua, including popular favourites like: Pineapples, Mangoes, Papayas, Bananas, Lemons, Limes, Grapefruits, Tangerines, Avocadoes and Coconuts.

There are also some interesting native varieties that we in Canada most likely have not ever tasted or heard of .. including; Guanabana, Caimito, Sapote, Cashew Fruit and Bread Fruit to name a few.

Mariel is always planning and dreaming of how to enhance the gardens and surrounding area, she even created a tropical spice garden that includes: cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, vanilla bean orchids, bay leaves, ginger, black pepper and is currently looking for a clove tree to complete her collection.

Enjoying the peace and quiet, comfort and security that this community offers, being surrounded by the beautiful plants, trees and flowers it’s been adorned with and sharing special times with friendly neighbours and happy owners are some of the most special moments I’ve experienced here in Costa Rica.

I invite you to come and experience it for yourselves, either by renting one of the beautiful homes available to rent from a few days to a few weeks, or by becoming an owner and purchasing one of the last few remaining lots here at Altos de Antigua.

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Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.