In the community of Bribri there are The Chocolate Women. They are a group of women who work together to keep the tradition of cocoa. The visitors are welcome by Mrs. Faustina and Mrs. Edith, leaders of the group. Mrs. Faustina explained how cocoa was of great importance to her ancestors. The group was created with the purpose of rescuing their values and customs and at the same time having an income for their families.
The name of the group is Tsirushka (The women of chocolate in Bribri). The workshop is in Shiroles de Talamanca. In front of the school we can find its artisan factory and a few steps its Cacao plantations. In 2003 they created their own company Tsirushka® (chocolate in bribri) on the initiative of their members and thus generate income and jobs that benefit the associated families. The company, through its activities, intends to rescue the values of the Bribri culture.
The Chocolate women receive visitors who wishes to live the experience in their organic cocoa plantations. As well as the process from the tree, to take the seed, to dry it, to toast it and to process it until turning it into pure Cocoa. The Chocolate they produce is organic and sustainable with the environment.
This experience can be realized from Cahuita and Puerto Viejo in the South Caribbean. It lasts approximately 6 hours. From Cahuita or Puerto Viejo the journey takes approximately 40 minutes to the village of Shiroles. The crossing for the different villages is very pleasant and interesting. You always be accompanied by the lush greenery emerald green and jade of the Caribbean South Costa Rican. The Tour begins with a review of the activity of chocolate, from knowing the plant, cutting the seed, taking it out, roasting it, and finally converting it into cocoa, chocolate and white chocolate and its different products. After enjoying the cocoa experience, we share a delicious typical lunch.
Chira Island is in the province of Puntarenas. It is a heavenly place that keeps a culture that grows in harmony with the environment. Part of the development of the island was promoted by a group of fisher women, who in 2000 built the Posada Rural La Amistad, a rural lodge to provide lodging for all those visitors who want a different experience. The project was created with the purpose of generating alternative sources of income for the community, while contributing to the conservation and sustainable development of natural resources.
The Tour consists of 2 days and 1 night. You take the boat in the town of Costa de Pájaros to get to the Island of Chira. Arriving at Puerto Bocana on Isla Chira, we will start a funny tour on the town bus that will leave you at the main entrance of the Hostel. At night and during dinner, we will be accompanied by one of the hostesses and part of the Chira women's group as they are known, who will share part of the experiences lived in the construction and development of the shelter project.
The next day, after breakfast, departure to enjoy the Mangrove Tour, accompanied by the local guide. During the tour we will observe the impressive mangrove forest that houses five of the seven species found in Costa Rica. We will pass through the Marine Responsible Fisheries Area where we can see the fishermen with their ropes doing their daily work. With a little luck we can see crocodiles and exotic bird species. Return to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon departure back to Costa de Pájaros. Important: It does not included the boat rate.
In 1985, the women of Yorkín organized and founded the Stibrawpa Indigenous Association with the purpose of diversifying the means of production, improving the economy, conserving and strengthening the Bribri culture. Their goal was to develop new activities to create alternative sources of income that would allow them to maintain their culture and continue conserving the forest. They started by making handicrafts. Currently, they grow rice, cassava, yam and beans for their own consumption, as well as organic bananas and cocoa. Tourism represents an important additional income for their economy. Each family owns a parcel of rainforest that they enjoy sharing with visitors. About the Tour, learn how to weave Suita (the traditional way of building houses), learn how to make traditional handcrafted chocolate from cacao, walk in the farm and see the plantations. Important: the overnight tour is available under request.
Boruca is an indigenous community of the South Pacific of Costa Rica, located between the mountains of Talamanca and very close to Panama. The inhabitants of Boruca are very proud to have survived the struggles that existed between the native tribes and the Spanish conquerors in the fifteenth century. The pride of the Boruca people is their elaborate carved wooden masks. Boruca masks are found in many varieties and styles, the skill of elaboration has been transmitted for many centuries from generation to generation. This cultural immersion experience begins with a tour of the community while telling some stories of its past and legends of its culture. Then in one of the houses of the community we will have the demonstration of the elaboration of a boruca mask. In addition, we will see the process of their tissues, which have a long tradition of hand dyeing colored threads that come from natural sources such as the leaves of the blood tree, the bark of the coal tree, clay, indigo plants and, occasionally, the ink of a mollusk. After a typical lunch made with locally harvested ingredients, we will visit the community museum where we can appreciate some of its products, having the opportunity to buy authentic Boruca handicrafts. This cultural and educational experience is perfect for a family or small group of friends who like to meet and enjoy different activities but who also want to give a special value to their trip, understanding that their visit is an economic contribution to the community.
Finca Sura is in Chilamate de Sarapiquí. It is a family project of rural and sustainable tourism. This is a unique and unconventional experience sharing with the family that owns the farm. It is managed by the Gomez family and each member is responsible for an activity or activities on the farm. Visitors can fish a tilapia for lunch, and it will be cooked to suit the client. The tour will be guide by Don Rodolfo or his daughter Margarita who are the official guides. The tour starts with cutting cane to grind it and enjoy a glass of juice. Then we will enjoy the season fruits with the absolute certainty that they are totally organic, free of chemicals. In addition, you can observe plants, trees native to the area, lots of birds, butterflies and frogs in their natural habitat. Continue with the visit to the pineapple plantation where you will taste this delicious all-natural fruit. If you wish, you can plant a pineapple plant and listen to a small talk about pineapple planting, or plant a tree in a strategic place with your own name and the date of planting, then they will send you an email with photos of the tree every year and so I can see its growth.
Dairy Tour
During the visit you will have the opportunity to make the whole process, from milking to making your own cheese and custard. Also, you will have the opportunity of feeding the animals.
Highland Fruits Tour
The tour begins in the town of Copey de Dota at an altitude of 2200 meters above sea level, visiting the fruit farm and walking through the plantations of tropical and traditional crops. The beautiful views of the valley of Copey serve as a backdrop to this tour where we will see how fruit and vegetables blend into nature and permit us to discover some of the unique sights in the country. The diversity in tropical and traditional crops such as apples, plums, peaches, passion fruit, tomatillo, blackberries and the incomparable Hass avocado. We will have the chance to see how a semi-organic farm operates, and how it produces fruit every 5 days by using diverse processes. We will finish the tour with a typical lunch, using only local food, and give you the opportunity to fish for trout in a restaurant-farm in the area. At the end of the tour, we can visit the town of Copey and admire its beautiful landscape.
Craft coffee tour
The Calderón Agüero family has great knowledge in the artisanal coffee process. They will share the process how the grandparents made their coffee in the backyard of their houses and how they inherited it from their family. We will meet the excellent hosts of the tour, Ana and Enrique, they will make you spend the most pleasant moments between life stories and the cozy sound of the guitar while you taste one of the best coffees in the world.
Armonia Ambiental Farm Sustainable Tour
Armonia Ambiental is a project focused on the conservation of the environment and the protection of natural resources. It is directed to students and those who practice ecotourism, and to any nature lover. In the visit to the farm we will see processes related to organic farming and waste management, in addition to the self-sustainable management of the farm. All these practices are done through traditional and artisanal methods. Also, they will explain and show their recycling methods with which they produce handicrafts, fertilizers and much more.
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