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Pejibaye - It's not just a river in Costa Rica that we love to play on. It's also a town - and a fruit? Find out more!

Pejibaye - It's more than a River!

Most people know about the Pejibaye river.

The Pejibaye (said peh-hee-bye-eh) is one of the best rivers to learn to hard shell kayak on.  It is also a super fun river to spend a day playing with duckies (inflatable kayaks) or SUP’s.

It was used for the whitewater kayak slalom international competition.  Depending on water levels you can often paddlers through the gates of the slalom course. 

It is a gorgeous river run that we typically use for the first day on the river to gauge the ability level of each paddler and also allow more experienced paddlers to get in multiple eddy turns and practice before we step up the difficulty level on following days.  When we have beginner kayakers we will use this section of river to work one on one with them to learn and practice their rolls, become more comfortable with eddy turns, and experience “pushy” water. There are multiple spots along this run that allow for surfing in a kayak as well.

This is one of our favorite spots as you’ll get to experience just the right amount of rapids, rocks and swift water while paddling below the jungle canopy.  There are spots where the trees completely cover the river with vines and branches, making you feel like you are in a movie set.

It is also a Town.

Near the river there is a cute little community that feels like a place you would want to raise your family and enjoy the pace of earlier eras.

It has a slow pace and is a quiet locale with about 3000 residents.  You can see children playing and enjoy a small market that will melt your heart.  It is only 25 km south of Turrialba, which is its closest neighbor and is a welcoming place for travelers who come to enjoy their river.

Originally created as one large farm, Pejibaye district is now a series of multiple neighborhoods and a blooming tourist industry with a few bed and breakfasts catering to local tourists.  Surrounded by seven waterfalls, hikes, wildlife refuge, and a National Park it is a beautiful and delightful area that our team loves to enjoy!

And – it’s a fruit!

 

Yes! That’s right fruit. In English it is called the Peach Palm fruit. Pejibaye are highly nutritious and a loved snack in Costa Rica. It grows in clusters on the palm tree.  It can range in color from bright red to yellow. It has the shape of a heart shaped peach and has a large pit. This is also the same type of palm that produces the well known hearts of palm that is used in salads and on charcuterie boards. 

This fruit has been used for centuries and was used as a replacement for corn in the indigenous diet. The texture has been compared to a sweet potato and the flavor has been compared to hominy, dry squash or roasted chestnut. The fruit must be cooked for 30 minutes in a pressure cooker or up to 5 hours in boiling water. 

The Pejibaye fruit can be ground into flour and also pressed for its oil. The roots of the tree have been used for medicine, the stem or trunk for timber and building material for tools. In pre-columbian time the spines were used for needles and the leaves for thatch and basketry.

Pejibaye is used in hearty soups and as a snack with a dollop of mayonnaise or sour cream. It can also be eaten with a drizzle of honey or sweet maple syrup. Or maybe even try with maple syrup, pecans and a little cinnamon just like a sweet potato. Be adventurous and try Pejibaye when next in Costa Rica.

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