PermaGuanacaste Costa Rica

02/01/2026

In Costa Rica, water lilies (Nymphaea) are a familiar and natural part of freshwater landscapes. The country is home to six native species of this genus, they are plants that occur here naturally and provide shelter for fish, insects, and amphibians that depend on calm wetlands.

Alongside these native water lilies, non-native species have also taken root, like Nymphaea caerulea and Nymphaea lotus. These introduced varieties can spread fast and alter wetland dynamics over time. Their presence in protected regions of Costa Rica is a reminder of the delicate balance between natural ecosystems and introduced beauty.

This matters even at the backyard scale:
What we choose to plant in private ponds can move beyond fences and filters, especially in a country connected by rivers, wetlands, and seasonal flooding. Be careful what you put in your pond, sometimes opting for native species helps keep beauty local and ecosystems intact.

🌸 Native plants carry history, balance, and resilience
💧 Protecting wetlands starts with knowing what grows there

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04/12/2025

Cumbungí (Typha) isn’t just a beautiful aquatic plant; it’s edible, incredibly versatile, and one of the most powerful natural filters you can add to a pond. Across many cultures, cumbungí has been used for food, weaving, insulation, crafting, and even traditional medicine. But in our work, its ecological value is what truly stands out.

In fact, studies on aquaculture wastewater (some of the most nutrient-dense waters you’ll find) show that cumbungí can remove more than 95% of excess phosphorus within just a month, even under high nutrient loads (https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20608). That translates to cleaner water, less algae, and a healthier, more balanced ecosystem.

Here’s why we love using cumbungí in our natural pond designs:

1. Elite nutrient removal
Cumbungí thrives in water high in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Instead of letting those nutrients feed algae blooms, Typha absorbs them through a dense root system, acting like a living water filter.

2. Proven performance under heavy loads
In controlled wetland systems, Typha handled nutrient loadings more than ten times higher than what a natural pond typically sees, and still cleaned the water to near-pristine levels.

3. Stabilizes shorelines and prevents erosion
Its thick rhizomes lock soil into place, protecting pond edges and creating refuge for beneficial insects, frogs, and birds.

4. Supports long-term water clarity
By blocking nitrate spikes and pulling phosphorus from the water column, cumbungí helps prevent eutrophication (when excess nutrients cause algae overgrowth and reduce oxygen) keeping your pond clearer and more stable over time.

5. Low-maintenance and self-regulating
Once established, Typha requires no fertilizers or special care. It simply does what nature designed it to do: filter, stabilize, and regenerate water systems.

❗️❗️A quick note: Cumbungí is a strong grower. In our pond designs, we always plant it within a defined biofilter zone so it stays contained and easy to manage. With proper placement and occasional thinning, it remains balanced and highly effective.

For all these reasons, we love incorporating cumbungí into our regeneration zones and shallow edges. It’s one of the most powerful natural tools we have for maintaining crystal-clear, balanced water, without harsh chemicals or complicated equipment.

28/11/2025

Our Talamanca project is nearly complete! Standing here now, we think of all the intention that has gone into every layer of this space.

Every stone you see here was hand placed by our small team, piece by piece.

One shovel of dirt at a time.
One stone after another.
Shaping the foundation of a living, breathing ecosystem-

but the land has its own pace.

The frogs and dragonflies have already begun to move in, but after removing the earth to create the pond, it will take time for the grasses to return and soil to breathe again.

To naturally filter the water, we planted cattails (Cumbungí) that will anchor the biofilter zone. We've added a gentle stream powered by a small pump to keep the water flowing. A variety of aquatic plants as well, subtle touches for now, but in the coming months they will root themselves and begin to transform the edges with color and texture.

Some days, the rains have been nonstop, but they've reminded us that these lands move at their own rhythm.

This project has invited us to slow down and build in harmony with what is already here.

These three weeks in the jungle have been a beautiful lesson in adaptability and partnership with the natural world. We are grateful to be creating spaces like this. Places where water, stone, and plant life meet to bring people closer to the land.

14/11/2025

We're currently in the Talamanca hills living in community and building a beautiful natural swimming pool. Swipe to see our progress of installing the liner in reverse. 🌱💧

We have so many pictures of the process, so we're gonna keep you updated. Also, make sure you follow .kambo for some awesome live updates of the pond construction.

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Ahorita andamos por las montañas de Talamanca, viviendo en comunidad y armando una piscina natural que está quedando demasiado tuanis. Deslizá pa’ ver cómo vamos con la instalación del liner… ¡al revés y todo!

Tenemos un montón de fotos del proceso, así que les vamos a estar subiendo updates. Y fijo sigan a .kambo pa’ ver las historias y updates en vivo de cómo va quedando el estanque. 🌱💧

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01/10/2025

18/09/2025

🌱 El Poponjoche (Pachira aquatica, aka. Jelinjoche or the Money Tree) is a native plant of Costa Rica. It’s a versatile tropical tree that grows along rivers, in swampy and humid areas, and even in well-drained soils. It's commonly found on the Caribbean slope, in mountain ranges, on the Osa Peninsula, and around the Central Valley.

We love this plant because it's strongly scented flowers bloom at night, attracting pollinators such as bats and butterflies. The large brown seeds are also an important food source for wildlife, including monkeys.

This fast-growing species can thrive in a variety of conditions, including different soil types and moisture levels. It is suitable for restoring mangrove boundaries, riversides, and other areas where natural habitats need support. Its rapid growth and resilience make it valuable for both wildlife and ornamental planting.

👉 If you have Poponjoche growing on your land, protect and care for it. As a native tree, it provides food and shelter for wildlife, supports pollinators, and helps maintain healthy, balanced ecosystems.

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🌱 El Poponjoche (Pachira aquatica, tambien llamado Jelinjoche) es una planta nativa que crece en ambientes húmedos de Costa Rica. Es un árbol tropical muy versátil que se desarrolla a la orilla de ríos, en zonas pantanosas y húmedas, y también en suelos bien drenados. Se encuentra comúnmente en la vertiente del Caribe, en las cordilleras, en la Península de Osa y alrededor del Valle Central.

Nos encanta esta planta porque sus flores, de fuerte aroma, se abren de noche y atraen polinizadores como murciélagos y mariposas. Los grandes frutos con semillas marrones también son una fuente importante de alimento para la fauna, incluyendo monos.

Este árbol de rápido crecimiento se adapta a diferentes condiciones de suelo y niveles de humedad. Es adecuado para la restauración de márgenes de ríos, zonas ribereñas y otras áreas donde se busca fortalecer los hábitats naturales. Su crecimiento rápido y resistencia lo hacen valioso tanto para la fauna como para uso ornamental.

👉 Si tenés Poponjoche en tu terreno, cuidalo y protegelo. Como especie nativa, brinda alimento y refugio a la fauna, apoya a los polinizadores y ayuda a mantener ecosistemas saludables y equilibrados.

15/09/2025

🌿✨ Water Hyacinth: Nature’s Biofilter? Or the World’s Worst W**d?

While visiting Lake Cocibolca in Nicaragua, we came across these aquatic plants washed up on the shore. With their lavender flowers and bulb-like stalks that keep them afloat, water hyacinths look like the perfect natural filter for a pond or swimming pool. The spongy structure of their stalks is full of intricate air pockets and channels that act like nature’s own biofilter. 🌱💧

In the right conditions, their dense mats can provide shelter for small fish, frogs, and invertebrates, while larger animals like manatees, and even some livestock in moderation, use them as a food source. They also absorb excess nutrients and even heavy metals from the water, which is why they’ve been studied and used in wastewater treatment projects.

But here’s the catch: water hyacinths can double their population in just days. Sometimes called the “World’s Worst Water W**d,” they spread rapidly, forming dense mats that block sunlight, deplete oxygen, and suffocate aquatic life. Entire waterways can become clogged, making fishing, boating, and swimming a challenge. 🚫🐟

⚠️ If you already have them in your pond:

Keep them strictly contained and never release them into natural waterways.

Thin them out often and compost carefully.

Consider safer alternatives for natural filtration.

Water hyacinths are fascinating and undeniably beautiful, but they’re also a reminder that not every plant belongs everywhere. 💚🌍

28/06/2025

🌿 We’re a permaculture and landscape design company rooted in the wild heart of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, where every project is a living collaboration with the land. From regenerative food forests and biofiltered ponds to soulful gardens and sustainable architecture, we help craft slow-built symphonies that thrive.

Our on-site assessments include habitat mapping, species identification, soil nutrient assessments and water flow management—key steps to understanding your land’s unique ecosystem. We offer services in masterplan design, guiding the whole project implementation from earthworks and planting to natural pond construction and stonework.

We also offer seasonal maintenance and gardening services to nurture your landscape year-round, ensuring long-term resilience.

Ready to transform your land into a thriving ecosystem? Contact us today to start your permaculture journey!

📞 WhatsApp: +506 8302 1304
✉️ Email: [email protected]

27/06/2025

Having fun at work

13/06/2025

I’m very excited to share with you a glimpse of this beautiful project I’m working on. 🌿✨ It’s a home surrounded by nature, where I’m building a natural pool that will blend perfectly into the environment — completely free of chemicals. 💦

Here are some photos of the process… and I hope to share the final result with you soon! 🙌

28/03/2025

We transformed our home with this natural pool, a space where water stays clean naturally, without chemicals or chlorine. 🌍💚 Thanks to a natural filtration system with plants and microorganisms, we achieve perfect balance, creating a healthy and vibrant environment.

We specialize in designing and building natural pools adapted to each space, creating unique places where water and nature work in harmony. ✨