Clock running out on your 2022 Costa Rican Mother’s Day gift? Burned out on flowers, chocolate, and cards? Consider recognizing the day with a gift for moms who like to pay it forward and support hard-working microentrepreneurs in Costa Rica.
As recently as a few years ago, it was hard to buy from many small businesses from afar, or get a gift certificate from rural hotels. However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed all that for many entrepreneurs. Today, whether you’re reading this in Cañas or Chicago, there are lots of options.
This month, we’re launching our national rural tourism platform, Directory 506, which allows entrepreneurs around the country to create free profiles on our national map and obtain a free trial of our trainings and communications services. Here are a few of the offerings that Directory Members are serving up this month for mothers near and far.
Open the door to an upcoming trip (just don’t make her plan it)
Plenty of rural businesses feature Mother’s Day raffles and specials, so whether you are in a position to travel now or wait for later, check out your favorite entrepreneurs’ social media feeds to get in on the action. One of our new Directory members who is offering a special raffle is Reserva Privada El Quetzal. We loved speaking with Jacqueline Esquivel about the history of the reserve, located just 1.5 hours from downtown San José, and her family’s journey through rural tourism. To participate in the raffle, visit the Esquivel Jiménez family’s Facebook or Instagram page.
Fill her cup with outstanding coffee (and then let her drink it quietly)
One of the founding members of our Directory and a frequent entrepreneur-contributor to El Colectivo 506 is Tierra Amiga Tarrazú. Mother-entrepreneur Lucidia Hernández, who founded Tierra Amiga with her husband, Minor Montero, offers a slice of traditional Costa Rican farmer life to visitors—and, to those who can’t visit in person, some of the country’s very best organic coffee.
For more information on visits, gift certificates or ordering coffee in-country, contact Lucidia via FB or WhatsApp, both available here.
Connect her with rural producers (and then fight the patriarchy)
If travel isn’t in the cards, there are plenty of ways to support entrepreneurs who sell products. Chipko.cr, another Directory member, offers natural skincare and other products, as well as workshops such as floral therapy. Another Directory and Emprendedores 506 member we just featured who sells online is Tejidos Elsa, whose handmade figures and other crocheted pieces can be purchased online.
If you’re not in Costa Rica and your favorite producer doesn’t offer international shipping, or you just want a more streamlined shopping experience, a platform that we’ve featured that connects you directly to small Costa Rican artisans and producers is Local Keeps. The site not only allows entrepreneurs to set up international sales, but also provides training and communications support to help them grow.
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