Costales Nature Farms Laguna: Total Wellness Experience

Costales Nature Farms located in the foothills of Mt. Banahaw in Majayjay Laguna is the first premiere agri tourism destination that is accredited by Department of Tourism(DOT) in the Philippines. Established in 2005 by Ronald Costales with his wife Josie Costales which produce high quality organic vegetables, herbs, fresh water fish, free range poultry and livestock.

I’m really excited about this travel for its  unusual for me to stay in a farm for a weekend staycation and experience living in a farm for few days. Since I have a healthy food business I’m interested on how these fresh produce are being planted so that we will have healthy food in our table. So for this weekend I was invited to experience Costales Nature Farms in Laguna.

Day 1. We arrived at the farm around 12nn, we are greeted by their friendly staff and assisted in the nipa hut to have our lunch. We had organic Filipino dishes such as Lumpiang Gulay, Chicken Tinola, Pork Caldereta, Fried Tilapia, Ripe Banana and Japanese Cucumber Juice which is by the way, so refreshing so we requested for another glass. The dishes are pretty simple but tasty and healthy for they are made with fresh organic ingredients freshly caught and picked in the farm.

After that sumptuous lunch, we are assisted in our lodging which is a nipa hut. The place is comfortable and simple with clean toilet and bed with mosquito net. We rested for a while before heading to the farm tour activity.

They even served us Pancit Habhab and Lemon Glass Juice for our snack. I like this noodles for its tasty and complemented with vinegar. It’s perfect! 🙂

Around 3pm we started the guided farm tour headed by our friendly officer. She is well knowledgeable about the farm areas namely: Vermiculture Area, Livestock Area, Rabbitry, and Seedling Nursery.

I even got the chance to pick Barbados Cherry that is uncommon for we buy cherries either in bottles or frozen.

After that we go to a villa facing the fish pond for the Salad and Tea Making using only the freshest ingredients picked in the farm. For salad, I love their special asian vinaigrette made with balsamic and apple cider vinegar, olive oil, pepper, salt, rosemary, tarragon, honey and garlic powder it complement the fresh greens, fruits and vegetables in the salad.

For the tea making, we had fresh Spearmint and  Tarragon leaves soak in hot water and add honey. So relaxing to sip and soothing to the feeling. I don’t like tea, I prefer coffee, but for this one, it’s an exception.

In the evening, we had Spicy Thai Chicken, Sweet & Sour Tilapia, Nilagang Baboy, Ensaladang Spinach and the Garden Salad. It’s a feast again before we call it a day.

Day 2. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day so we started by indulging our taste buds and filling our tummies with their  Breakfast Oveload(Daing na Tilapia, Garlic Longganisa, Sunny Side-Up Egg, Garlic Rice, Buttered Mix Vegetables, Garden Salad) and Fresh Papaya with brewed coffee . A great way to start the day indeed.

Around 9am, we harvest organic lettuce and spinach in one of the greenhouses followed by feeding the chickens, gathering eggs, seed sowing and transferring. I had so much fun! Appreciating these task done by the farmers to get fresh produce in the farm so that we can have healthy food in our table. It’s not an easy task, it looks fun but its tiring as you do it under the scorching heat of the sun. I salute the farmers for that.

 

After that tiring yet fun activity, we went to the villa to do the Tuping Making and eat our sumptuous healthy lunch before preparing to go out of the farm and explore nearby attractions.

Here’s the finish product. ehe I thought its just easy but kinda challenging to wrap the mixture into the banana leaf.

Our lunch for the 2nd day. Pan Grilled Pork, Garlic Fried Tilapia, Sinampalokan Manok, Ensaladang Pako and Fresh Papaya.

In the afternoon, we had the leisure time to explore the nearby tourist attractions in the area such as Majayjay Falls, Lucban Quezon’s Kamay ni Jesus and the town proper of Lucban before heading back to the farm for the dinner and take some rest.

Day 3. For our last day, we had our breakfast and travelled to Barangay Bukal to explore Bukal Falls. The emerald green and crystal clear water is the reward for 1 hour back and fort trekking to see this hidden falls which is less crowded and definitely a must visit whenever in Majajay Laguna. After that, we went back to Costales Farm and packed our stuff going back home.

I had an amazing experience at Costales Nature Farm, it’s unusual and fun yet I learned so many things especially in farming. I appreciate more the food that I eat now for I know the farmers work hard just to produce these food in our tables. They should be given honor and recognition for without them there will be no delectable food in the restaurants and our home. Kudos to all the farmers! 🙂

Additional information about Costales Nature Farms:

This farm is the major single producer of organic vegetables and herbs for the Bistro Group, Moment Group, Solaire Resort & Casino, Cibo, Dizon Organics, Dalcielo and Shangri-La Hotel. Produce organic chicken, eggs and pork for Healthy Options, Shopwise and Rustan’s.

It is accredited private extension service provider for the Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Tourism (DOT). They provide workshops for those who wish to learn about sustainable organic farming and farm tourism.

 

Costales Nature Farms

Address: Brgy. Gagalot, Majayjay, Laguna, Philippines

Telephone Numbers: +632 640 6864 / +6349 576 3824

Mobile Numbers: +632 917 538 2360 / +632 939 0808

Website: www.costalesnaturefarms.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CostalesNatureFarms/

Instagram: @costalesntrfarm