The Power of Pipa Fria

If you love to rehydrate with a couple of big gulps of cold coconut water, then you’re really going to enjoy your time in Costa Rica.

By now, the coconut water craze has taken over many parts of the planet. Rather than reaching for sugary sports drinks and soda, more people are enjoying the natural benefits of a simple substance that contains few calories and lots of potassium.

Cold coconut water, or “pipa fria,” is available all over Costa Rica. It can found from roadside vendors to people pushing carts through the sand on the beach.

The coconuts are generally shaven down with a sharp machete, exposing a hay-like outer layer. They do this so the coconut takes up less space in the cooler and is easier to drink. When you purchase pipa fria, the seller will hack off the top, exposing just enough of an opening to push a straw through.

A single pipa fria in Costa Rica will cost about $1,

and it will probably contain about 10 ounces of coconut water depending on the size. For comparison, a 16-ounce can of coconut water costs about $4 in a general store in California. And if you happen to be traveling in an airport and get the urge for some coconut water, you can expect to pay upwards of $10 for a medium-sized can. (I’ve seen a 6-ounce can of coconut water at LAX for $8!)

There is a lot of hearsay out there regarding the benefits of coconut water, everything from it’s ability to cure cancer to it being the best possible hangover cure.

While the scientific community continues to debate these claims, there are several proven advantages of drinking coconut water. First off, coconut water is an excellent source of hydration, particularly for high-motor athletes.

Coconut water also:

• aids in weight loss
• is excellent for replenishing skin
• facilitates digestion
• reduces blood pressure
• is rich in essential electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and sodium.

An 8-ounce serving of coconut water contains approximately 50 calories, which is minimal if you’re living an active lifestyle. It’s a pretty safe bet that if you go for a stroll along the seashore and purchase a pipa fria or two, you’ll burn off the calories before you return to your Dominical vacation villa.

If you happen to pluck a few coconuts off a tree to consume at a later time. Look for the green shells as opposed to the brown shells. Green-shelled coconuts are ripe and generally contain the most amount of coconut water, whereas the brown-shelled ones are more mature and could be depleted of water.

And here’s yet another cool fact about this magical, nature juice…

It’s claimed it can be injected intravenously into the bloodstream, during dire emergency situations, to help rehydrate the body. In a nutshell, pipa fria even has the power to save lives!

So there you have it… you’ll definitely discover the power of pipa fria when you visit Costa Rica. We will leave you with one last tip on sipping pipa fria…. it’s best enjoyed poolside at one of our jaw-dropping vacation villas, like so…

Enjoy a cold coconut or cocktail in this stunning infinity pool at Gorda Vista Costa Rica!