There’s a certain warmth that settles into your chest and belly after a sip of Cacique. Maybe it’s the way the sugarcane lingers, or maybe it’s something deeper – a quiet echo of tradition, memory, and shared moments. For travelers curious about Costa Rica’s culture and cuisine – and for Ocotea Boutique Hotel guests who enjoy sampling local products – Cacique offers a delicious chance to learn about the history and stories behind what you eat and drink.
Of course, in Costa Rica, we don’t just drink guaro. We pass it around at family gatherings. We toast with it on misty mountain nights. We raise it to celebrate every goal our national Sele soccer team scores. And we warmly share it with visitors who want to understand what it means to feel truly welcome.
At Ocotea Boutique Hotel, our Monteverde boutique hotel, this national spirit is more than a pour – it’s part of our story, our culture, and our rooftop cocktail experience. Whether you’re here to taste something new or reconnect with a memory, Cacique invites you to slow down and savor the spirit of Costa Rica.
What Is Cacique?
If you’ve spent any time in Costa Rica, chances are you’ve heard of guaro. This clear spirit, distilled from sugarcane, is Costa Rica’s unofficial welcome drink – and Cacique is the most iconic brand of all.
Produced by the state-owned Fábrica Nacional de Licores (the National Liquor Factory, or FANAL), Cacique is smooth, approachable, and proudly Tico. It’s the kind of drink you’ll find at family gatherings, roadside bars, elegant restaurants – and now, at both Nectandra and our Monteverde Rooftop Bar & Café.
But the name Cacique carries a deeper meaning. A cacique – originally a Taíno word transliterated into Spanish – was the tribal leader or chieftain of many Indigenous Caribbean and Mesoamerican cultures. Over time, during the colonial era, the term was used more broadly by Spanish colonizers to refer to the political or spiritual leaders of many Indigenous communities throughout Latin America.
When FANAL chose the name Cacique in the late 20th century, it was a nod to Costa Rica’s ancestral past. The decision followed an important archaeological discovery near the FANAL distillery in Grecia, where one of the largest pre-Columbian Indigenous settlements was uncovered. Naming the country’s most famous guaro after the cacique honored the memory of those early communities and symbolized a spirit both rooted in tradition and elevated in cultural pride.
Today, that symbolism lives on in every bottle – making Cacique not just a national spirit, but a small tribute to Costa Rica’s layered history.
How Cacique is Made – and Why That Matters
Unlike rum, which is made from molasses, Cacique starts with fermented sugarcane juice. This lighter base gives guaro its signature clarity and subtle sweetness. The spirit is distilled and purified under strict government regulations to ensure safety and consistency – one of the reasons Cacique is such a trusted staple in homes, bars, and our Monteverde boutique hotel.
What Does Cacique Taste Like?
Think light and clean, with a soft sweetness and warmth that lingers on the tongue but doesn’t overwhelm. At around 30% ABV, it’s a bit lower in alcohol than vodka or gin, making it an easy, refreshing choice on a warm afternoon.
You can sip it straight (usually with lime and salt) or mix it into cocktails – from the beloved Guaro Sour to a range of tropical drinks that make the most of Costa Rica’s fresh fruit.
Classic Costa Rican Cocktails with Cacique
If you’re not sipping it straight, here are a few fun ways to try Cacique at Nectandra or on our rooftop – and later, at home. Just be sure to buy a bottle at Duty Free on your way back!
- Guaro Sour (Costa Rica’s national go-to)
Simple, citrusy, and endlessly refreshing!
Recipe:- 2 oz Cacique guaro
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- Ice and a lime wedge
Shake all ingredients and serve over ice. Sip slowly – and feel free to repeat.
- Chiliguaro (a spicy crowd-pleaser)
If you could distill a Bloody Mary down into a single, spicy, very Costa Rican shot, it’d be this beloved drink.
Recipe:- 1-2 oz Cacique guaro
- 1/2 cup tomato juice
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- A glug (to taste) of your favorite hot sauce
- Pinch of salt
- Ice
Shake it up with ice and serve it cold for Costa Rican party fuel at its finest – zesty, unexpected, and with just the right amount of heat.
Where to Try It: Cacique at Ocotea Boutique Hotel
At Ocotea Boutique Hotel, we love to celebrate Costa Rican traditions, and Cacique is no exception.
Both at Nectandra and our rooftop bar & café, we feature cocktails that highlight local ingredients. Here, you’ll often find guaro behind the flavor of something unexpected – whether it’s a citrus-forward aperitif or a dessert with a twist. Feeling adventurous? Ask our bartender to craft something unique, tailored to your tastes and mood.
Want to dive deeper? Keep an eye out for upcoming mixology nights on the rooftop, where our talented bartender shares the stories behind each ingredient, including hands-on cocktail classes using Cacique and other Costa Rican spirits.
A Spirit with Soul
Cacique isn’t just Costa Rica’s most popular liquor – it’s a living part of the country’s cultural DNA. From humble beginnings in rural kitchens to rooftop bars under the stars, this spirit has always belonged to the people.
And now, it belongs to you too – at least for a little while.
Want to Try It for Yourself?
Ask our bartender for a Guaro Sour or go flaming hot with a Chiliguaro – or mix it up with a splash of Costa Rican flavor and ask for something special. Whether you’re enjoying the ambiance, unwinding after a hike, or celebrating with friends, you’re guaranteed a taste of something unmistakably Tico in every sip.
Your Costa Rican story starts with a toast – and there’s no better place to raise your glass than here at Ocotea Boutique Hotel.
