Los Higuerones
Saturday Vibes at Puerto Jiménez’s Higuerones Market is a great place to meet locals and pick up some fresh produce or a chicken along with a Costa Rican bracelet.
Los Higuerones incorporates different projects, including the Saturday Market called Mercado Verde. In English, it is the Green Market. Other projects that fall under Los Higuerones’ umbrella are La Antigua Escuela in English, the Old School and Manos Cambiadas. English, joining hands. A new pop-up restaurant, the Holi Cena. Every Wednesday, these talented ladies serve a three-course vegan dinner starting at 7 pm
Every Saturday from 1100 am till 3.00 pm, the Puerto Jiménez Higuerones Market is the place to go. Some locals call it the Hippie Market. 50 years ago, I had long hair, love beads, and had a VW camper van. To me, it is like a blast from the past. As you walk in, the first thing that captures your senses is the smell. It is a combination of food being cooked at the small restaurant, the vendors with tables full of local spices, and the fresh salt air coming from the Golfo Dulce.
A melting pot of people.
Yes, there is a group of bohemians, then there are local artists, local farmers, tourists from all over the world, plus the local foreigners. It is cultures coming together in a community that helps everyone they can, whether it is food or a farmer needing help bringing in his crop. It is volunteers helping where there is a need, bringing the community closer as a family.
Higuerones Market is so much more than a market
In the slow season or rainy season, the Osa Peninsula slows down. Fewer tourists, more rain. Some local families struggle due to a lack of work, and the rain makes the next meal a problem. The market has programs for families who need food during the rainy season. You can donate food boxes. They also have a donation program where you can donate what you can afford, one time or monthly. For $222.00, your donation will work for the whole season, providing food for the people who need it the most. Also, you can donate time as a volunteer
https://www.higueronescoop.org
Hinguerones Projects
Hinguerones projects. La Antigua Escuela, or old school. Teaches children English. The Old School Learning Network that aims to educate, uplift, and inspire local communities and beyond. This growing worldwide network of in-person, hands-on learning centers promotes the transfer of local knowledge and wisdom as well as creative and practical life skills.
Manos Cambiadas, joining hands. A local tradition that connects community members and visitors with local farmers to help them with their farm work.
Mercado Verde. Strengthening the local food system and traditional, regenerative farming practices. Every Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm.
The Vendors
Isabel, or her nickname, Polito, is a female chicken. Polito is a local of Puerto Jimenez. She cleans the college, and every Saturday she is at the market selling her spices, chiles, coconut oil, and jewelry. We have known each other for over 16 yrs. Polito is a person who would share her last meal with you.
The Laughter
Next thing you will notice is that everyone is happy, smiling, and laughing; yes, it is contagious. Your mood changes as you look around at everyone and see everyone enjoying themselves.
Puerto Jiménez’s Higuerones Market
Vendors are all local people. Some have farms where they grow vegetables and spices; others raise chickens; and then you have the artist. There is something for everyone. Pick up some fresh vegetables, some real Costarican art work, and have lunch. The most important part is getting to know the people.
Mercado Verde
Mercado Verde was started 6 years ago by a group of farmers, consumers, and volunteers to grow the local economy and community..
Tricia and Jim, her husband
Youtube. Puerto Jiménez’s Higuerones Market
Puerto Jiménez Huguerones Market started 6 years ago to help local people sell their products. It was created by local people, and the most important person who helped the dream become a reality is Tricia;
During the rainy season, or slow season, a lot of locals lose work due to the weather and less tourism. You can donate boxes of food or money for some of the less fortunate people on the Osa Peninsula to help the people we love.
This is the time of year, the rainy season, when our local community needs help. Please visit their website.
https://www.higueronescoop.org
Volunteers
There are groups of people who volunteer for different projects around Puerto Jimenez. They see something that would improve the town, and they go about the project and ask for nothing in return, staying behind the spotlight. If you would like to spend the day doing a project around Puerto Jimenez, then the market is where you can connect.
Volunteers living on site
There are Volunteers living on site at the market. All of them do different projects to improve our community
Puerto Jiménez’s Higuerones Market
Puerto Jiménez Higuerones market is a great thing to do on a Saturday afternoon. Just one more thing you can do that you will not find in tour companies.
In conclusion: go mingle with the people at Puerto Jiménez’s Higuerones Market every Saturday between 1100 am till 3: 00 p.m. Have a true, authentic Costa Rican lunch. Enjoy the happy feeling with people who will share life with you for an afternoon.
Getting there.
When you get to the BM grocery store, there will be an intersection. Across the street, you will see the gas station. Keep going past the gas station another 150 meters, and you can not miss it. It will be on the right-hand side. There will be lots of cars parked there.
Please remember to only take photos and leave only footprints.
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