La Colmena

About

La Colmena was established in 1936 by a group of 81 people from the Land of the Rising Sun searching for greener pastures. These ambitious farmers dedicated themselves to transforming the 11,000 hectares of fertile soil into a thriving agricultural settlement. Along with fruits and vegetables, the community has been working with the Japanese government to grow five varieties of grape, which they transform into 100% natural juice. The town’s cuisine reflects the cultural fusion, with Japanese staples like tofu and miso being blended with native produce like cassava. To fully appreciate the success of the colony, it’s worth visiting the Doctor Hideho Tanaka Museum to learn about the struggles of the early pioneers before you taste the fruits of their labor.