Community - Navarro

“The topography of the land is quite rugged and it is partially covered in disturbed primary and secondary forests. In this protected area the chestnut-headed oropendolas (Psarocolius wagleri), the emerald toucanets (Aulacorhynchus prasinus)and various species of hummingbirds are very common. A few dirt roads leave Puente Negro near Orosí and permit visitors to go a little way into this protection zone.”

This is about all you will find officially published about Navarro; however, to try and describe Navarro in conventional terms (size, population, attractions, etc) would be to miss and not see the real value and beauty that is Navarro. It is in the face of the children: happy, bright, clean, and smart (most of the younger children already know how to count in English); it is in the face of the older residents: content, quiet, peaceful, with the ever present smile that accompanies their “buenos dias”.  It’s sitting at the local Soda (café) on a warm afternoon after climbing up and down Finca de Cynthia and enjoying a Coke Light (diet coke).

At the core of this small and very poor village is “extended family” – we attended a recent birthday party for the daughter of one of the worker’s who was celebrating her 1st birthday and it was attended by 20 – 30 men, woman, and children.  It was a very special evening for Ryan, Tara, Sean and me to experience.

The residents of Navarro primarily work the fincas and coffee fields that are the main stay of the Orosi Valley area. The workers on Finca de Cynthia live in Navarro. As a matter of fact, Finca de Cynthia is directly across from and above the section of Navarro that is on the south side of the river.

The village has a small school, a beautiful small Catholic Church (the priest only comes on Sundays and holy days), and a small soccer field (they love their soccer in Costa Rica).

The most striking thing that any newcomer will notice about Navarro is that the village is separated in two sections by the Rio Aqua Caliente  which is a “gray-water” river flowing out of Cartago into Lake Cachi. Apparently, the vehicle bridge that once linked both sections of Navarro was destroyed years ago in a flood through the area. Now, the only connection is a small suspension bridge for foot traffic only which literally swings as you walk across it. 

It is my speculation that the village is named for Teresa Garcia Navarro who was a poor farming woman from Turrialba who, through the personal tragedy of a divorce with eight children, fought for and won the right of all woman to own property in Costa Rica.

(link to the following pictures of Navarro)
1.view looking down on Navarro

2.the Navarro school - #2 102-0290 IMG.jpg 2003-07-25
3.the Navarro Catholic Church - #5 102-0289 IMG.jpg 2003-07-25
4.the Navarro suspension foot bridge over the Rio Agua Caliente (w/Tara) - #58 102-0296 IMG.jpg 2003-07-25