Uruguay RPCVs Robin Nunes and Tim O'Hara, own and operate Rancho Mastatal in Costa Rica



Tim O'Hara and his wife and partner, Robin Nunes, own Rancho Mastatal, 550 acres of Costa Rican paradise replete with crystalline rivers and sparkling waterfalls, scarlet macaws and capuchin monkeys. For guests, this isn't a Hilton Hotel gone tropical. It's an environmental learning and sustainable living center, retreat and lodge located in the last virgin rainforest of Puriscal County, Tim and Robin's Web site explains. It borders La Cangreja National Park, a protected habitat for many species of endangered flora and fauna. Counted among the denizens are two-toed slogs, boa constrictors, poison-dart frogs and blue morpho butterflies. For Tim and Robin, whose cupboards have never seen a box of Hamburger Helper, living close to the earth and taking care of guest means keeping their shoulders to the grindstone. The two met as Peace Corps volunteers in Uruguay, Tim toying with the idea of being a physician like his dad and Robin thinking about a career in environmental law. They settled together in Seattle, but soon found their hearts in a different place entirely.

Uruguay RPCVs Robin Nunes and Tim O'Hara, own and operate Rancho Mastatal in Costa Rica

Eco-tourism resort offers simpler life

Vestal native, wife own site in Costa Rica

You've heard of those ecotourism places in the tropics, where pioneering spirits try a whole different lifestyle for the span of days or weeks.

Accommodations come under thatched roofs within bamboo walls or some similar structure, and the nearest Internet or telephone connection is many rugged miles distant. Entertainment is self-made, not delivered, in the form of soccer games, theme parties and lip-synch contests.

The big draw is the rainforest, an ecosystem witnessed by wandering under the forest canopy.

Believe it or not, you may know the co-owner of one such tropical retreat -- or at the very least, you've probably heard of his dad, a legendary local figure credited with conceiving and shaping the emergency medical response system here and across the state.

The late Dr. Patrick O'Hara of Vestal instilled much of his generous, caring soul into his five offspring, and it may be that he imparted his most adventurous genes to his youngest son.

Tim O'Hara and his wife and partner, Robin Nunes, own Rancho Mastatal, 550 acres of Costa Rican paradise replete with crystalline rivers and sparkling waterfalls, scarlet macaws and capuchin monkeys.

For guests, this isn't a Hilton Hotel gone tropical. It's an environmental learning and sustainable living center, retreat and lodge located in the last virgin rainforest of Puriscal County, Tim and Robin's Web site explains.

It borders La Cangreja National Park, a protected habitat for many species of endangered flora and fauna. Counted among the denizens are two-toed slogs, boa constrictors, poison-dart frogs and blue morpho butterflies.

The only creature to worry about, Tim says, is the venomous fer-de-lance -- "velvet" -- snake. They've never had a guest bitten, but snake bites sometimes drive local field workers to seek help at the ranch.

"By default, we're the local health clinic," Tim says, "whether they need a Band-Aid or a machete wound taken care of."

Other medical services -- and any other vestiges of quasi-urban civilization -- are miles away over rough roads.

Food served at the ranch comes from solely local sources, if not from the compound itself, with fresh bread, homemade yogurt and cheeses gracing the communal dining table.

"We make some amazing, amazing food," says Robin, who's in charge of the earthen oven.

Black Bean Brownies are a Rancho Mastatal creation.

Tim and Robin initially planned to raise or grow all their food themselves, but soon realized the effect they could have by procuring some items from the community. By selling her eggs to the ranch, one local woman was able to send her children to high school.

The ranch is now the largest employer in the region.

Each of its outbuildings represents a construction project, a learning experience shared by students, volunteers, guests, and/or local citizens, using -- of course -- all native materials.

The ranch is a private wildlife refuge, afforded all the rights of a park but in private hands, Robin explains. The country's government is a stable one.

For Tim and Robin, whose cupboards have never seen a box of Hamburger Helper, living close to the earth and taking care of guest means keeping their shoulders to the grindstone.

The two met as Peace Corps volunteers in Uruguay, Tim toying with the idea of being a physician like his dad and Robin thinking about a career in environmental law.

They settled together in Seattle, but soon found their hearts in a different place entirely.

Soon their life will be fuller still. Their first child is growing under Robin's heart right now.

European, American and Canadian midwives serve the ex-patriot community in Costa Rica, so Robin and Tim, who come home to the United States for a couple of autumn months every year, are in the process of deciding on one.

Grandma Bonnie O'Hara intends to be a frequent Rancho Mastatal guest with this new, compelling reason to envelope herself in the lush tropical home of her youngest son and his family.

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: October, 2007; Peace Corps Uruguay; Directory of Uruguay RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Uruguay RPCVs; Peace Corps Costa Rica; Directory of Costa Rica RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Costa Rica RPCVs; Tourism, Ecotourism and Travel

When this story was posted in November 2007, this was on the front page of PCOL:




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