Every piece is born from wood the forest had already let go
Nothing is cut. Everything is honoured. Arbórea is a workshop in Grecia, Costa Rica, where art pieces are hand-carved and hand-painted from reclaimed wood: tropical wildlife, masks and one-of-a-kind sculptures that become the most authentic souvenir from Costa Rica.
Where the wood already had a story
Arbórea was born from a simple conviction: beauty does not need to come from loss. We walk Costa Rica’s forests and the country’s sawmills looking for what others consider waste: fallen branches, forgotten trunks, offcuts headed for the fire.
In every reclaimed piece we see more than raw material. We see decades of rain, of roots spreading, of plant and animal life living in it. Our job is not to impose ourselves on the wood, but to listen to it.
That listening shapes everything we do. We have never cut down a tree to make a piece. We never will.
We do not transform the wood. We reveal it. What we carve was already inside, waiting to be heard.
Three non-negotiable principles
Reclaimed wood. We work only with wood that has fallen in the forest or been discarded by sawmills. Zero logging. Zero deforestation.
Costa Rican hands. Every piece is carved and polished in our workshop by local artisans. The technique travels from generation to generation.
Native inspiration. Our forms come from Costa Rican wildlife and from the symbols of the original peoples who live on this land.
From found piece to finished work
- Gathering. We choose pieces with history, grain and character: from the forest or from pruned coffee farms.
- Rest. The wood rests until it reaches its ideal moisture. No hurry: quality cannot be rushed.
- Carving. Each artisan reads the piece and lets the form emerge. The wood decides where it goes.
- Finish. Polished and sealed by hand; in the Viva line, painted stroke by stroke. Ready for its second life.
A people’s memory in every carving
Costa Rica is more than its biodiversity: it is the memory of the Bribri, Cabécar, Boruca, Maleku, Térraba and many other peoples who lived, and still live, on this land long before any map.
Their symbols, their way of seeing animals as family, their respect for the forest: all of that lives in our pieces. We do not copy their designs; we let ourselves be taught by their worldview.
We are artisans, not manufacturers
At Arbórea there is no mass production. There are hands that know wood, eyes that recognise a good grain, a craft that is passed on. Every piece carries the time and attention of someone who thought it through completely.
An Arbórea piece is not an object. It is a conversation with the forest, and a piece of Costa Rica you can take home.
Frequently asked questions
Is an Arbórea piece a good souvenir from Costa Rica?
Yes, and a very authentic one: every piece is hand-carved in Grecia, Alajuela, from reclaimed Costa Rican wood, and the Viva pieces are hand-painted stroke by stroke. Most are small and travel well in a suitcase; we pack them for the trip.
How do I order if there is no online payment?
Add pieces to your order, choose how you want to receive it and send it. WhatsApp opens with the order already written; there we confirm availability, delivery cost and payment method.
Can you deliver to my hotel before I leave?
Yes. Choose “Delivery to your hotel or Airbnb”, tell us where you are staying and your departure date, and we arrange the delivery over WhatsApp.
What is reclaimed wood?
Wood that had a previous life: fallen trees, old structures or unused pieces, sawmill offcuts or coffee-farm prunings. At Arbórea we work each piece respecting its natural shape and giving it a new life. We never cut down a tree.
Are the pieces unique or repeated?
No work is exactly like another: the grain, shape and texture of reclaimed wood cannot be repeated. The Únicas line goes further: it is carved from whole trunks and only one of each exists.
How long does my order take?
Available pieces are dispatched within 2 business days; if they go by Correos de Costa Rica, its delivery time applies after that. Custom work can take up to 8 business days plus delivery.
Do you ship outside Costa Rica?
Yes. We arrange international shipping depending on the size and type of piece. Choose “International shipping” in your order and we will quote the cost and timing.
Can I commission a custom piece?
Yes. Many of our works start from custom ideas: sculptures, decor or special pieces for your space. Message us on WhatsApp with your idea.
How do I care for a wood sculpture?
Keep it indoors, away from extreme humidity and long direct sun. Clean it with a dry or barely damp cloth and, now and then, apply a natural oil to keep the finish.