For ten months the mango is a big shady tree. For two it becomes the centre of life. Fruit thuds onto roofs at night, children sell bags of it at the junction, and every animal with any sense is in the branches.
Where you’ll see it
Everywhere. Gardens, roadsides, town squares, pasture. Old trees are enormous and cast the best shade in Guanacaste.
What to know
The season is the end of the dry season into the first rains, March to June, and the volume is absurd. Guanacaste grows several varieties and the small local ones eaten green with salt and lime are as much part of it as the big sweet ones. The one caution is that mango is related to poison ivy and the sap and peel can cause a rash in the sensitive; wash, peel, and you will be fine. Then share, because you cannot possibly eat them all.
