Casa Zen History

Casa Zen Guest House was born on a trip to Santa Teresa in the year 2000. However, the root of it all started in 1989, with my first trip to Costa Rica. My father Don (or “Papi”) has lived in Costa Rica for about 25 years, and during that first trip here I fell for it. However; I first had to finish school and do what I “should” do… In the meantime, there were numerous visits to Costa Rica, with different friends over the years, and then there was a trip with some friends who were surfers in January of 2000. Having been told by everyone at various other beaches, “you must go to Mal País!” we finally made it, set up our tent in Playa Carmen (along with everyone else), and checked out the area.  You could feel that it was on the verge of exploding, with only a handful of small hotels and one grocery store….and I started to draw plans in the sand.

Before going home to my own “reality” of cubicle world (I had just finished a Master’s degree and my student days were unfortunately over) I casually mentioned to Papi my idea for a guest house and restaurant. Of course, not having a dime to my name, and having just finished school, I fully expected a resounding NO. So, I returned home ready to face – although not at all looking forward to – my job prospects, which were none at that moment (smile). However, one month later, a phone call came from Papi: “We’ve been checking out property over there…” I couldn’t believe it! Lesson? IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK. (smile)So Papi built the house and bodega (now the laundry room) in 2003, and I arrived with my cat in tow in December of that same year, ready to help build, and thinking that I knew how to speak Spanish…ha!

We broke ground in January 2004, and with the help of Marvin Ulate and Adita, and all the guys who helped us build our dream. I learned all the construction words in Spanish first (smile)… And after about five months, I was able to converse in Spanish, at least to the point of being understood. Our doors opened on December 11, 2004, with the entrance of Uli from Germany who helped us hang the first hooks for the “hangmats,” and who later brought us about 8 more Germans. José (el Colombiano) stayed on after the construction to help with the garden and general maintenance, Idania was ready to start the housekeeping, and some time before Christmas an angel called Marilou showed up to help me set up the restaurant. Casa Zen was thus a reality. With fits and starts, we started serving fruit batidos, then fruit plates, then sandwiches, then Thai food…and voila! The restaurant was born! The rancho was finished by May 2004, and we were well under way, already with our first successful high season behind us.

Thank you!

From the beginning, the Casa Zen staff has been like family to us, and each and every one has been very integral, and truly at the heart, of shaping it into what it is today. So I would like to give a heartfelt "GRACIAS" to all of them, and recognize them here (more or less in chronological order):José el Colombino, Idania, Marilou, Kimmy, Smita, Brittney, Ellen, Rosi, Alejandra, Lucia, Chris lil’ Chrissy, Mauricio el PEGA, Mainor, Maria, Francesco, Andrea, Thiago, Ingrith, Tommy, Diana, Gaston, Cesar, Santos, Martina, Emily la Loca, Aida, Celi, Yomara, Alba Luz, Yeni, Lili, Catalina, Oscar, Aracely, Yamila, Nikki, Nikki B., Virginia, Martha Elena, Marta, Marcelo, Juliana, Nené, Stephane, Nahuel, Nohelia, Tiffany, K-Lo, Laura, Andrea, Fabienne, Lori, Janette, little Katie, Russ the Bus, Christina, Silvia, Natalia, Natalie, Shannon, Daniel, Jen, Gemma, MeiMei….and everyone else to come! (and anyone that I forgot!! sorry!!)

Finally, a very special thanks to my family, whom without their support I would not have had the opportunity for such a wonderful experience: Mom, Becky and Papi, Don, Kim, my rock throughout my life, and her beautiful children Paige and Griffin, Olga, Andres and Sami, my lovely costarican family and my late grandmother Anita Griffin, whose strength in her own life will forever be a source of inspiration in mine.

-Kelly

Update

While our beloved Kelly is still involved energetically, the Concepcion-McLennan family has been blessed to be moving forward with the original dream of Casa Zen Guesthouse and Yoga Center since September 2013. We are a Costarican-Canadian blended team with 2 bigs (Julio and Jen) and 3 littles (Caio, Toby and Elena). Our family has grown both spiritually and physically (3 kids later!!) since coming to Casa Zen and we are honored to call it home. We are committed to growing with this special space, maintaining its unique spirit of tranquility and comfort.