Born to a Brazilian mother and a Peruvian father, Maria Jose grew up in Lima.  In 1999 she moved to Playa Negra to enjoy the lifestyle here.  She has also lived in Martha's Vineyard in the United States.  She and her husband, Sebastien, and their son, Gaspard, live in Negra and are currently developing a farm in La Florida.  They love animals and include 7 dogs aswell as goats, sheep, horses, chickens, guinea hens, and pigs as part oftheir extended family.  Maria has worked in retail as a partner in Playa Negra Boutique and also in tourism at Hacienda Pinilla.