Regenerative Costa Rica Coffee Culture

In this episode, we sit down with Gally Mayer, founder of Buena Vida Specialty Coffee. She shares her journey from NYC banking to creating a mission-driven coffee business in Costa Rica. After moving to Costa Rica in 2005 with her family seeking a connection to nature, Gally discovered the troubling reality behind coffee production. The unfair compensation for farmers and harmful agricultural practices drove her to action. Her response? To create Buena Vida Specialty Coffee, a company committed to regenerative agriculture, transparent value chains, and farmer prosperity.

Listen as Gally explains how regenerative coffee farming can heal the soil, restore biodiversity, and transform the lives of Costa Rican farmers while producing exceptional coffee. This episode offers valuable insights for coffee lovers, expats considering Costa Rica, and anyone interested in sustainable business practices.

Gally Mayer's Buena Vida Specialty Coffee is revolutionizing coffee production in Costa Rica through regenerative agriculture, fair farmer compensation, and a commitment to environmental sustainability. Originally searching for quality coffee for her family's restaurants in the US, Gally instead found a broken system where 80% of coffee farmers worldwide live on or below the poverty line.

She also discovered that Costa Rica uses more pesticides per capita than any other country. Through partnerships with local farmers, educational institutions, and international certification bodies, Buena Vida is creating a new model for coffee production that prioritizes soil health, biodiversity, and farmer dignity.

CRV: "Today, our guest is Gally Mayer, founder of Buena Vida Speciality Coffee. Gally moved down to Costa Rica back in 2010 with her family from New York, so her kids could grow up being truly connected to the outdoors and nature that Costa Rica's incredible geography offers. In 2019, she founded Buena Vida Speciality Coffee to provide delicious coffee for her restaurants on the East Coast.

The business is committed to the responsible and sustainable production of coffee whilst generating conservation awareness, community fellowship, farmer prosperity, and the promotion of soil regeneration. So if you like Costa Rica coffee and want to learn more, then stay tuned for this insightful look into Costa Rica coffee production and how Buena Vida is looking to change the cycle of coffee farming for good. Welcome, Gally Mayer, how are you doing?"

Gally: "Great, so happy to be here, thank you for having me."

CRV: "It's our pleasure. For those tuning in to learn about Costa Rican coffee and sustainable practices, let's start with your story. Gally, could you tell us about your journey to Costa Rica and how long you've been here?"

Gally: "I've been here since 2005. My journey began in Manhattan, where I met my husband and we had four boys. My background was in banking, venture capital, internet businesses, and non-profit work.

When my oldest son was around seven and my youngest was about 2½, my husband and I decided we wanted to raise our children somewhere more connected to the real world, outside the Manhattan bubble. We looked at a map and decided we wanted somewhere with beautiful weather and plenty of outdoor activities, as we both love hiking, biking, and nature.

Our first choice was Barcelona, but we realized that Catalan, not Spanish, was the predominant language there. Since we wanted our kids to continue speaking Spanish, we looked to Latin America, with Costa Rica being the safest, most accessible option.

We'd never visited before, so we planned a six-month trial. Just two months in, we looked at each other and said, 'I think this is home.' Our daughter was born here, and now, five kids later, all raised in Costa Rica, we're very happy. Three are already in college outside the country, with two still studying here. This will always be home for us."

CRV: "That's a wonderful story. One recommendation we often hear from guests when asked about moving to Costa Rica is to have a test period first. So you really had never visited Costa Rica before planning this six-month trial?"

Gally: "My husband David had participated in La Ruta de los Conquistadores, a brutal mountain biking race here, but that hardly counts as experiencing Costa Rica—he'd seen some trails, not the country. I had never visited before we decided to move.

The Costa Rica I moved to is quite different from Costa Rica today, not all changes for the better. However, rather than just complaining about these challenges, I've found that coffee cultivation has become my avenue to address some of these issues in a positive, constructive way."

CRV: "Before we dive into coffee, what was it about Costa Rica that convinced you so quickly this could be home? You had planned a six-month test period but decided after just two months."

Gally: "Costa Rica is an incredible outdoor paradise. The hiking, biking, and travel opportunities are exceptional, and the roads are safe enough to drive everywhere. Life here can be beautifully simple if you choose to make it so.

There's a saying in Spanish: 'small village, big hell,' but there's another perspective too—a small community can be wonderfully familiar and uncomplicated. Whenever I find myself complaining about traffic in San José, a quick trip to Manhattan, Bogotá, or Mexico City reminds me we really don't have traffic here at all!

Everything is relative. There's no perfect paradise anywhere—you create your paradise wherever you live and make it home. Every place has challenges; what matters is making the best of them. We've done that here.

Costa Rica has been a wonderful home for us. My children thank me regularly for raising them here, and they still consider it their favorite place to grow up."

CRV: "It's wonderful to have that perspective. You mentioned that Costa Rica has changed since you arrived nearly 15 years ago. What key differences or challenges do you see now that weren't present when you first moved here?"

Gally: "Education is the primary concern. Costa Rica has historically prided itself on eliminating its army and investing in education, but that investment has unfortunately decreased over time. Today, we're five to six years behind educationally, with a 52-54% high school dropout rate. The public education system is struggling with inconsistent classroom approaches and minimal technology integration.

Healthcare faces similar challenges. While we have an impressive public healthcare system, the wait times can be problematic—you might get immediate attention for cancer but wait six to eight months for a mammogram.

Many people compare Costa Rica favorably to other Central American countries, but we shouldn't lower our standards based on regional comparisons.

We're also experiencing environmental regression. Costa Rica has the highest pesticide use per capita globally, with only 24% of our water being treated. Security has become a major concern, which is particularly challenging without a military force.

The tourism industry is addressing some of these issues out of concern for visitors, but there's significant greenwashing in ecotourism. Costa Rica was once a leader in ecotourism, but that position is eroding quickly. While some operators like yourself genuinely invest in sustainable practices, many simply extract value without contributing to the local ecosystem."

CRV: "It's important to understand this balance. This is the reality we face."

Gally: "Absolutely. The encouraging part is that people like you, Glenn Jampol from Finca Rosa Blanca, Barry Roberts, Juliana Chen, and Jesus Parrita are doing incredible work with limited resources. We need more people focused on purpose, not just profit—those willing to address challenges directly rather than cutting corners for false sustainability."

CRV: "That's an excellent point. Many of these dedicated people are locals with deep pride in their country. And those of us who are expats are equally invested—this is our home too. Both groups have significant skin in the game because we're building not just for now but for future generations."

Gally: "Exactly. I'll never forget how we met through our foundation, Futbol Por Mi País. I didn't know you were in ecotourism then—I simply saw you providing tacos [soccer cleats/football boots] from Tacos4Ticos to the 700 children in our foundation, donating sports shirts, and supporting the Costa Rican amputee soccer team. That's true investment—it extends beyond tourism into the communities themselves."

CRV: "It's about the people and giving back to the community. With so many challenges to address, you've chosen to focus specifically on coffee. What led you into this industry?"

Gally: "My path to coffee actually began with restaurants. About 18 years ago, my husband and his friend Gianpaolo were biking in the Hamptons, New York, and couldn't find a suitable place to eat—everything was either too expensive or uninspiring. As a joke, they suggested bringing Gianpaolo's mother, Nonna Carolina, to the Hamptons to open a simple pasta place, like a 'Soup Nazi' for Italian food.

That joke evolved into a successful reality. We've been in the restaurant business for 18 years now, with five establishments. About four years ago, just before the pandemic, Gianpaolo called me saying, 'You live in Costa Rica where there's amazing coffee. I hate the coffee we're currently using in our restaurants.' He wouldn't name the brand they were using.

I thought it would be simple: 'Of course, I'll find great coffee for the restaurants.' But my search revealed disturbing facts: Costa Rica has the highest pesticide use per capita globally, with only 1.5% of coffee production being organic—and that percentage was declining.

I hadn't heard of regenerative agriculture at that point. I did find some incredible organic coffee, but then discovered that 80% of coffee farmers worldwide live at or below the poverty line.

I called my partner and said, 'Good news and bad news. I've found excellent organic, high-quality specialty coffee, but sourcing it properly will require significant time and investment. We can't be like other companies that simply buy and sell coffee while leaving farmers in poverty.'

That's how Buena Vida was born, and I'm pleased to say we're making real progress."

CRV: "That's excellent. You've launched with a powerful mission to improve returns for farmers while regenerating the soil. Before we discuss regenerative agriculture, could you explain what makes Costa Rican coffee unique and sought-after in specialty markets?"

Gally: "The specialty market for Costa Rican coffee isn't as extensive as many believe, and most is exported. Ironically, within Costa Rica, we typically drink other Central American coffees of lesser quality. Part of our mission at Buena Vida is changing this by bringing high-quality local coffee to the domestic market through transparent value chains that benefit farmers without greenwashing.

What makes Costa Rican coffee special starts with our farmers, who are highly educated and knowledgeable. Historically, agriculture was a community endeavor where farmers collaborated rather than competing. At Buena Vida, we're reviving this ecosystem of cooperation.

The altitude, biodiversity, and rich soils in Costa Rica create exceptional coffee. However, we've fallen behind somewhat as countries like El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Panama now produce similar or better quality at half the price. Costa Rica must work harder to justify our premium pricing.

While labor costs are higher here, that's not adequately reflected in farmer compensation. There's not enough transparency in how the value chain works, which is something we're addressing."

CRV: "The term 'regenerative agriculture' has gained popularity recently. Could you explain what this means for coffee farming in Costa Rica and the benefits for both the environment and farmers?"

Gally: "Before diving into regenerative coffee, it's important to note that many companies advertise 'healthy coffee' for 'healthy humans' and a 'healthy planet,' but much of this is simply greenwashing.

Regenerative agriculture is fundamentally about letting nature do what it does best. It allows soil to regenerate itself, which in turn regenerates ecosystems and biodiversity, bringing back lost species and activating earthworms, microorganisms, and fungi. As 'Kiss the Ground' states, 'The solution is right under our feet,' and as 'Common Ground' puts it, 'This is as old as dirt.'

This knowledge has existed for millennia—indigenous peoples of the Americas and Africa understood it. Africa was once the agricultural richest continent before these practices were abandoned in favor of supposedly 'smarter' human interventions.

Regenerative agriculture means returning to basics, allowing nature to heal itself. The approach is straightforward and cost-effective. In the U.S., farmers are drowning in debt, and agriculture has the highest suicide rate of any sector globally. Why perpetuate a broken system?

Our current agricultural model is making us sick and failing to properly feed the world. When it does feed people, it's often with corn starch and corn meal from engineered crops laden with agrochemicals and glyphosates that have finally been proven to cause cancer.

Our current farming methods are catastrophic not just for humans but for the planet and biodiversity. We're seeing rising ocean temperatures and melting glaciers. The solution is to stop exploiting the planet and restore health to nature through regenerative practices."

CRV: "Have you already implemented some of these regenerative processes with coffee farmers in Costa Rica through Buena Vida?"

Gally: "We didn't reinvent the wheel—some farms were already practicing regenerative agriculture before we arrived. Others were organic, which is a step behind regenerative. Organic certification guarantees freedom from chemicals but doesn't ensure you're regenerating soil, restoring biodiversity, or preventing deforestation.

As Gabe Brown says, regenerative agriculture is about 'meeting farmers where they're at.' You can't just set expectations without helping farmers reach them. At Buena Vida, we partnered with Gabe Brown's verification agency, Regenified, to certify ten leading coffee farms in Costa Rica as regenerative.

This certification establishes benchmarks through soil testing, agrochemical testing, and biodiversity measurement. But beyond certification for its own sake, we're creating an ecosystem where farmers collaborate rather than compete, sharing information with full transparency at every step.

The verification demonstrates our commitment—when we say 'nature-based solutions,' we mean it. When we claim we pay farmers fairly, we can prove it. We carefully select our clients based on shared values, focusing on purpose as well as profit, following the Patagonia model of doing things right from day one rather than retrofitting purpose later."

CRV: "What are the biggest challenges facing coffee farmers in Costa Rica today, and how do you address these issues at Buena Vida?"

Gally: "Financing is the primary challenge worldwide. About 90% of coffee farms are smallholder operations of 1-10 acres, most under five acres. When these farmers approach banks for loans, they're often ignored. If considered at all, they must mortgage their farm, home, and practically everything they own—and they're usually denied anyway.

We've partnered with BAC San José to create easier credit access for farmers practicing regenerative agriculture. Through Buena Vida, they gain simplified access to financial resources with a system where we collaborate on credit assessment and approval.

The second major challenge is knowledge access. Agronomists promoting chemical solutions are everywhere—you can find them at top universities where funding often comes from agrochemical companies, as shown in documentaries like 'Kiss the Ground' and 'Common Ground.'

But experts in nature-based solutions are exceedingly rare. To address this, we're working with ICAFE, Earth University, UC, and other educational establishments around the country, and both agronomists and farmers to create a practical regenerative agriculture manual. This will translate academic science into straightforward, farm-level guidance—essentially 'Regenerative Agriculture for Dummies,' backed by solid science.

We're also partnering with Earth University and UC to certify field agronomists who can directly support farmers. We receive tremendous assistance from organizations like Understanding Ag and Kiss the Ground when farmers call asking where to start. This collaborative ecosystem focused on farmers' interests is truly encouraging."

CRV: "How can consumers participate in better practices for coffee production? What should they look for when buying Costa Rican coffee?"

Gally: "First, for tourists visiting Costa Rica—about three million annually now—I recommend being selective about coffee tours. Many visitors seek these experiences but end up at large commercial operations that function like Disney attractions.

Instead, I suggest visiting places like Finca Rosa Blanca. It's authentic—you visit their actual farm with local employees, organic and regenerative practices, and the hotel and restaurant maintain local character rather than a commercialized experience. Many small family-run tours exist that deserve tourism industry promotion.

Second, become label-literate and resist greenwashing. When seeking healthy coffee, question certifications critically. How is Fair Trade truly fair when farmers remain below cost? Why do 80% of farmers still live at or below the poverty line? Examine Rainforest Alliance certification—what does it actually guarantee? Often it permits agrochemical use and doesn't ensure biodiversity or prevent deforestation.

We're creating a verified directory with industry partners to help consumers identify truly sustainable coffee companies. Companies like Caravela Coffee, Azahar Coffee, and Mayorga Coffee are doing meaningful work.

A simple initial guideline: if coffee costs $9.99, the farmer likely isn't making a living wage. However, this doesn't mean companies should arbitrarily price at $20 without actually paying farmers more. Finding this balance requires transparent information.

When tourists arrive in Costa Rica, they're immediately bombarded with coffee marketing showcasing farmers, but identifying genuine sustainability is challenging. Our directory will help guide conscious consumer choices."

CRV: "Those are excellent points about conscious consumption, not just for coffee but across the agricultural industry, whether it's meat, rice, or other products. Could you share some specific examples of how Buena Vida Specialty Coffee supports sustainability and farmers? Where does a consumer's dollar go when they purchase your coffee?"

Gally: "We don't just buy from farmers—we represent them. We work closely on the ground, facilitating working capital, providing guidance, helping with product commercialization, and offering full transparency about what we pay for their coffee and what we sell it for. We want farmers to own the process.

Currently, we represent over 500 farmers and could represent 10,000 if we had the infrastructure, but we're a team of just five.

We build partnerships, not transactional relationships. Farmers call us with personal issues, and we're available to help. It's challenging work because they've been so mistreated that many can't believe we're genuinely helping them. Even after four years, when we solve problems, they ask, 'What do you want from us?' and are surprised when we say 'nothing.'

Last month, we had a meeting with 30 of our farmers at Ixlofpe. Despite being certified regenerative (which we paid for), they still asked how they could repay us. We explained that if clients pay them more, we hope to recover our costs, but if not, that's acceptable. They kept asking, 'Where's the catch?'

There is no catch. We represent them, work as an extension of their operation, and prominently feature their names. If they choose to sell directly to buyers, that's fine—it's a true partnership. We select our buyers carefully and could grow faster but prefer to build steadily, focusing on doing things right. We aspire to be the Patagonia of coffee, proving ourselves over time rather than seeking overnight growth at others' expense."

CRV: "I appreciate your insights on this topic. For my final question: where do you see the future of coffee farming in Costa Rica, especially with the emphasis on regenerative practices?"

Gally: "Our farmers tell us we give them hope, and we're filled with optimism. We receive calls from across Latin America and even some African countries wanting to adopt this model. With documentaries like 'Kiss the Ground' and 'Common Ground' leading the way and millions learning about restoring planetary and human health, we know we've chosen the right path.

Every day brings new partners, consumers, and people wanting to participate. We're confident this approach will succeed for farmers beyond Costa Rica. We're here to serve them genuinely.

In November-December, we're opening a roastery in Costa Rica that will function as a home for farmers—a place where they can meet 20-30 buyers without the pressure of hosting farm visits. We'll help them negotiate and provide the tools they need to succeed.

Our mission is to restore dignity to farming. We want future generations to pursue education but return to agriculture because it offers dignity and fulfills an essential need. We don't want to eat 'moon food' or plastic—we want nutritious food, unlike today's offerings which contain 50% less nutrition than in the past. With 70% of U.S. food being processed or ultra-processed, contributing to disease, cancer, mental health issues, ALS, MS, and dementia, we need to eliminate harmful food systems and restore coffee cultivation with hope and dignity, giving farmers the recognition they deserve."

CRV: "I couldn't agree more. It's a fantastic mission with a powerful vision. Costa Rica is an ideal place to launch this initiative, and you've already accomplished so much in recent years. I'm excited to see how it develops."

Gally: "Thank you."

CRV: "We’d love to have you back perhaps sometime next year to see how this has expanded. If we can send some guests to your new roastery in San Jose when it opens, that would be a fantastic experience for them."

Gally: "Absolutely. There will be amazing art and music. It will be a genuine tourist attraction where people can meet and talk with farmers—no Disney World experience here."

CRV: "Perfect. Gally, thank you so much for sharing your insights with us today."

Gally: "Thank you for having me. I enjoyed our conversation tremendously."