¡Hola hola Carambola!

Starfruit is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia (Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia) and is now cultivated in warm regions of Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Oceania. A true traveler, as some might say.

In Spanish, “carambola” comes from the Portuguese carambola, which in turn comes from the Marathi karambal or karambola in India.

The fruit still on the tree

The first thing that catches your attention about starfruit is its unmistakable shape. When sliced crosswise, it reveals a perfect star, making it the star of salads, juices, desserts, and even exotic cocktails. But starfruit is much more than just a pretty fruit; it can be eaten raw, in juices, jams, salads, and even used as decoration in cocktails and gourmet dishes. In some Asian cultures, the leaves and fruits of the starfruit are used to treat fever, cough, and digestive problems.

When we were thinking of a name for a website, we were in the Caribbean of Costa Rica. Just three kilometers from where we lived, we found a lush tree full of starfruits. We would go every week to fill our bags with them. Some fruits were sour, others sweet as they ripened. We used them in salads, juices, and rice dishes.

The first time I heard the word “carambola” outside of the fruit context was as an expression of surprise, watching Mexican TV series from the nineties: “Carambola! So good to find you here,” similar to “Wow!” or “Geez!”

“Hola carambola” is a playful way to greet friends and loved ones that over time became the name of this project. Like the starfruit, it’s inevitable to wonder what lies in other places, in other cultures, and to explore new corners with the wind and greet the novelty with surprise. That’s how, little by little, the starfruit gained meaning for us.

In this blog, we’ll talk about tips, experiences, stories, and travelers’ journeys. Memories we don’t want to forget find a voice here, and like the starfruit, we keep the essence of discovering the exotic and unexpected in every trip. We want to share a map that guides others to explore both the beautiful and the not-so-beautiful sides of every journey. Because in the starfruit and in life, the exotic and the familiar intertwine, and in that blend is born the magic of discovery.

Welcome to this journey. Welcome to Hola Carambola!

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