Cultural Tours
Cacao Trails
Tel:(506) 2756-8186 or (506) 8875-3924
CACAO TRAILS TOURS
Description: Take your pick of a canoe tour, a walking chocolate tour, or a combination of the two!
CANOE TOUR
Description: Canoe from Rio Carbon to Cahuita with a guide.
Duration: 2 hours
Rate: $25 per person
WALKING CHOCOLATE TOUR
Description: Take a tour through the 25 acre property to see the process of how the cacao plant is made into chocolate. Visit the Historical and Chocolate Museums and taste the chocolate made here.
Duration: 2 hours
Rate: $25 per person
COMBINATION CANOE AND CHOCOLATE TOUR
Description: Canoe from Rio Carbon to Cahuita with a guide, then take the Chocolate Tour. Bring your swimsuit and lounge in the pool on the property. Lunch is included in this tour.
Duration: All day
Rate: $47 per person
Chocorart
Tel:(506) 2750-0075
CHOCORART CHOCOLATE TOURS
Description: Take a tour and see the entire process of an organic chocolate plantation from cultivation to processing. Tours are by appointment only and can be given in Spanish, English, German, French, and Italian.
Minimum: 4 people
Rate: $15 per person
ATEC (Talamancan Association of Ecotourism and
Conservation) - Fair Trade Ecotourism
DANCE CLASS
Description: Learn about Calypso, Soca, Salsa, Meringue, and African. Proceeds go to benefit the local youth dance group “Olaba.” Educated in San Jose with a degree in dance, our instructor has worked for more than 20 years to motivate Caribbean youth to take pride in their culture and heritage and taught them the importance of nature through choreographed dance. You can get a taste of 3 or 4 different types of dance: Salsa, Merengue, Soca, African, Hip-Hop, Dance Hall, Calypso and music traditional to this coast. If you’re lucky a couple of local kids will stop in and kick up their heels with you. Proceeds from this mini-course go to help the youth dance group Olaba.
Duration: 2 hours
Rate: $25 per person
CARIBBEAN COOKING CLASS
Description: Learn to cook in the traditional Caribbean way with one of Puerto Viejo’s matriarchs. Patacones, rice and beans, fresh fruit batidos, fish or chicken in Caribbean Sauce and more. A 2 hour class includes instruction and of course you get to eat the food you prepare! Using fruits and veggies typical to Coastal Talamanca, you’ll learn to cook in the traditional Caribbean way—things like patacones, rice and beans, batidos, and fish or chicken in Caribbean Sauce for example. This is also an opportunity to spend some time with one of the mothers from our community.
Duration: 2 hour class
Rate: $25 per person ($30 if you want fish)
KEKOLDI INDIGINOUS RESERVE:
Description: Get to know this BriBri Indigenous Reserve located just 15 minutes from Puerto Viejo. Although there is no “central” village you’ll pass by typical homes, a bird-viewing station where the annual bird count takes place, the iguana project, the cultural center and the scientific center, or spend a bit more time and hike to the impressive waterfall or through a private reserve and traditional farm the buffers the Indigenous reserve.
This 5,000+ hectare reserve is part of the Talamanca-Caribbean Biological Corridor, more than 36,000 hectares of land under protection. Kèköldi is a mosaic of primary and secondary forests, abandoned cacao plantations and private farms. Learn about Bribrí culture, history and use of the forest. Wear yourself out with a hike to the impressive waterfall. Check out the iguana project and the “Basket House” where Indigenous crafts are sold.
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ARE OFFERED WITHIN THE RESERVE:
TOUR THE IGUANA FARM
Description: Tour the Iguana Farm, learn a bit of folklore and nature, and hike a short trail around the Reserve. Upon arrival, you be will welcomed by one of our local guides who will tell you about the Bribri Indigenous Territory, Kèköldi, and about the research project for the reproduction of the iguana verde (Iguana iguana), an initiative of the community since 1990. Then, you will be taken through the Striut trail (Cacao Bribri) in the tropical forest and learn about the importance of different species of flora and fauna for his ancestors and those still used today by the locals. Your guide will tell you interesting mythological stories from the Bribri culture and the special connection of the people with the nature that surrounds them. At the end of the trail we will take time to look at the beautiful handicrafts made in the community.
Duration: About 3 hours
Rate: $20 per person
OVERVIEW OF THE RESERVE
Description: The iguana project, bird viewing station, community center, scientific center, and interpretive hike. At the beginning of the trail, our local guide will tell you about the Bribri Indigenous Territory and about the research project for the reproduction of the iguana verde (Iguana iguana), providing you information about the species reproduction process. Next, you will walk through secondary tropical forest, where you have the chance to observe different flora species, mainly palm trees, cocoa and fast growing trees as the Jabillo and Jobo. On a slow climb into the mountain, you will be introduced to many species of trees such as the Pilon, Almendro de Montana, Níspero and Ceibo present in the primary tropical forest. You may observe Congo and White Faced Monkeys, Iguanas, Leaf Cutter Ants and several unique bird and plant species. The guide will then take you to the highest point, approximately 220 m. above sea level, where a tower was built especially to observe the raptor migration which takes place just twice a year: from September to November and from February to May. During the peak of the season, it is possible to count thousands of birds of prey in one single day. From this observation point we will also discover the outstanding scenery of the Talamanca Mountains, Panama and the coastal zone with a beautiful view of Puerto Viejo, Puerto Limon and Uvita Island. After enjoying a typical lunch, we will then walk down towards the reserve’s main entrance where you will be invited to shop for local handicrafts made by members of the local community.
Duration: 5 hours
Rate: $27 per person
HIKE TO WATERFALL
Description: Pass the bird viewing station, the community center, the scientific center, on a strenuous interpretive hike to an amazing waterfall. Enjoy the same information included in the “Overview of Kèköldi” Tour, with your final destination a beautiful waterfall in the Kèköldi Indigenous Reserve. Be prepared for a muddy, intense hike and fun in the water!
Duration: About 8 hours
Rate: $35 per person
CHIMURI RESERVE AND KEKOLDI
Description: Tour a typical Talamancan farm, tasting the in-season fruit and bird watching. Hike this private forest reserve (a buffer zone to the Kèköldi Reserve,) wander into Kèköldi and check out the bird watching tower, and if you have time stop and support the iguana reintroduction project and pick up a souvenir at the “Basket House.” The starting point for this hike is the private reserve called “Chimuri.” Chimuri private reserve serves as an important buffer zone to the Kèköldi Indigenous Reserve—adding to this critical biological corridor.
On this (approximately) 7 hour walk you’ll have the opportunity to taste in-season tropical fruits that you may never have even heard of before—mammon chino; a beautiful spiky red fruit, the Creole lime, the mangostan, the Columbian zapote, the custard-like biribá, and homegrown star fruit grapefruit, pineapple or banana—ask your guide about the banana industry and you’ll never eat a commercially grown banana again. You’ll trek through traditional Indigenous farms where the cacao (chocolate) trees growing beneath the canopy of the towering rainforest trees and pejiballe palms. You’ll pass through primary and secondary rainforests and little patches where organic bananas, yucca, and yam grow. Throughout the walk, you’ll encounter and learn about medicinal plants used traditionally by indigenous folks and fruits, plants and wild edible fruits that have been part of the indigenous diet since ancient times. Your guide shares his wide array of knowledge of his ancestors, their traditions, daily life and the mythology of the BriBri People. See the traditional materials used in construction of the traditional houses (ranchitos), the leaves used for roofing, the specific palms used for the walls and flooring, the woods and the vines used to bring the building together. It is possible to run across at any moment a coati, an armadillo, a sloth, or a monkey, the tracks of any of these animals or a big cat. An abundance of birds are always around; toucans, magpies, aricaris, tanagers, humming birds, parrots or with luck a jungle turkey. Poison dart frogs, exotic insects and other reptiles hide in the under story as well. This tour takes you to the 200 meter tall bird observation tower in the heart of the Kèköldi reserve where we can see the marvelous view across the Talamancan Mountain Range, to Panama and to the Caribbean Sea. This very part of Costa Rica is the world’s second most important migratory path for the migratory raptors. During the raptor migration months we can observe 1000’s of migratory hawks, vultures, falcons, etc.
This guide is one of ATEC’s founding members, an active participant in protection and conservation of Talamanca’s culture and nature, a fabulous story-teller and a treasure to our community.
Duration: About 7 hours
Rate: $32 per person
LUNCH AT THE SCIENTIFIC CENTER
Description: Add a typical Indigenous lunch to any of the above tours. Lunch usually consists of typical root vegetables, in season fruit, real “home made” hot chocolate, ripe plantain, and traditionally prepared smoked chicken served on a banana leaf with juice from in-season fruit.
Rate: $6 per person
SCIENTIFIC CENTER
Description: Spend the night in the heart of the reserve. Stick around for a while and stay at Kèkoldi’s newly constructed lodge in the heart of the reserve.
Includes: 3 meals and lodging
Rate: $25 per person per night
FIELD STUDY PROGRAMS AND COURSES
Description: At the Kèköldi Scientific Center we are honored to offer courses in bird conservation, bird banding techniques, raptor migration as well as many other customizable options. Complete packages with in-country transportation, local instructors, and food and lodging services are available. Our packages may include visits to other nearby community initiatives. We would like to help make your group experience truly unforgettable. Because these services are offered directly from the Kèköldi Wak ka Köneke Association, all proceeds stay at the local level! (If you are interested in these courses please see the Tour Director for additional information)
Rates: available from $380 per person for a 2 week course
FARM TOURS:
Description: Agriculture is the second most important industry in the GDP of Costa Rica, number one is tourism—combine the two and visit a typical Talamancan Farm. Only 10% of all fruits are economically recognizable in the global market, try a fruit you may never have heard of; a water apple, a Biribá, mammon chino, or whatever exotic fruit is in season.
CHIMURI FAMILY FARM
Hike the jungle areas of a family farm in Chimuri traditional Indigenous Farm and private forest reserve; try fruits you’ve never heard of, learn about natural history & local folklore. Here the Salazar family has planted a variety of tropical fruit trees, hardwoods necessary for the wildlife here, tubers, breadfruit, pejiballe, local banana, the plantain which has lent its name to our Reserve, the “Chimuri” plantain. (Chimuri is the BriBri word for the sweet ripe banana or plantain.) Get to know this farm nestled in the jungle and hike through the other two-thirds of the property which is strictly protected primary and secondary forest. Follow a ravine and a river that criss-crosses the land and offers a view of several small waterfalls. See a traditional BriBri dwelling (ranchito) and learn about techniques of its construction and the BriBri daily life today and throughout history. You your self can pick the different seasonal fruits right from the tree. See the tree that produces a fruit that we could not live without—Chocolate! Depending on the season, you’ll have the opportunity to taste other tropical fruits that you may never have even heard of before—mammon chino; a beautiful spiky red fruit, the Creole lime, the mangostan, the Columbian zapote, the custard-like biribá, and homegrown star fruit grapefruit, pineapple or banana—ask your guide about the banana industry and you’ll never eat a commercially grown banana again. Throughout the walk, you’ll encounter and learn about medicinal plants used traditionally by indigenous folks and fruits, plants and wild edible fruits that have been part of the indigenous diet since ancient times. This visit also allows you the chance to get to know some of Talamanca’s favorite birds: Toucans, parrots, hawks, mannequins, tanagers, hummingbirds, magpies, woodpeckers, as well as birds endemic to Talamanca and so much more. On the Chimuri Reserve, over 400 different species of birds have been recorded and your guide knows the songs and habits of them all! This tour can have a focus on the traditional Talamancan Farm, on bird watching, on Indigenous medicinal plants, on local development—sustainable and otherwise–BriBri folklore and history. This guide is one of ATEC’s founding members, an active participant in protection and conservation of Talamanca’s culture and nature, a fabulous story-teller and a treasure to our community.
Rate: $20 per person for a 4 hour tour
$35 per person to tour the traditional Indigenous farm and explore Kèköldi Indigenous Reserve
YUE-ECO-AGRO PROJECT:
Description: Spend the day with this women’s cooperative group who got together to invite in visitors to learn about organic bananas, check out their greenhouse, and see how their pigs generate gas to cook their food (—yes, it’s totally sanitary) while improving their standard of living and continuing to live in the eco-friendly way that they always have—it’s Eco-tourism at its best. This women’s group initiative comprised of banana and vegetables growers has developed alternative activities to allow them to improve their standard of living while being eco-friendly. Visiting this project benefits local families and local development while promoting nature conservation efforts, such as reforestation, environmental education, and environmental crime watch. Available from a 3 hour visit to a 2 day package.
FARM DAY VISIT
Description: Meet the women’s association, hike through the tropical forest, observe endangered tree species and our organic bananas—you’ll never eat a corporate banana again—check out the Carbon River, & learn about our eco-friendly practices: the biodigestor to produce natural gas for cooking, the Medicinal Garden, & our organic green house.
Duration: About 3 hours
Rate: $20 per person
TWO DAY PACKAGE
Description: This two day package includes the above and ties in working in the greenhouse to learn about tropical ecology plus a trek to a Waterfall.
Includes: Activities, lodging, 3 meals per day
Sample Itinerary: for 2 day package:
- Arrival at the Agro-eco Farm, Welcome
- Chat on the group of families constituting El Yüe. Snack
- 2:00 Lunch at El Yüe
- In the afternoon, tour through the Agroeco farm (medicine plants, organic bananas, greenhouse, biodigestor). Optional: work in the greenhouse
- 6:30 p.m. We will be cooking dinner.
Day 2
- 6:30 a.m. Tico breakfast (Gallo pinto, tortillas, natilla, eggs)
- 7:30 a.m. Trekking to the Carbón 1 Waterfall. Bathe in the delicious natural pool.
- 12:30 Lunch at El Yüe
- 2:30 p.m. Departure
Rate: $60 per person
LODGING AND 3 MEALS AT EL YUE
Description: If you want to spend a bit more time away from it all, hide out with us in our comfortable lodge. Or you can volunteer in the greenhouse or on the farm.
Rate: $25 per person per night
EL YUE CABINS
Description: El Yüe has 4 comfortable bungalow rooms with an ample balcony that looks into the forest. Two rooms have 3 single beds and two rooms have a full bed and single bed. Each room has fine details that remind the afro Caribbean flair. Besides this, El Yüe has an indigenous conic ranch, where you can rest and read a book, surrounded by the forest. El Yüe has a beautiful garden with orchids and medicinal plants, as well as a nature trail-Samia trail- along the forest that leads you to Carbón River. We also offer tours to Carbón Waterfall, and other interesting places, such as the Kèköldi Indigenous Reserve. At El Yüe, we offer delicious meals, combining the afro-costar Rican and indigenous tradition.
Rate: $25 per person per night
CASA CALATEAS
Description: A two day package in the campesino community of Carbon 1. Casa Calateas is and Agro-Eco-Lodge that was created by a group of campesinos in order find alternative means of dealing with the exploitation of nature and of the community of Carbon 1. The lodge is surrounded by an exuberant tropical humid forest with an amazing number of wild birds. Casa Calateas is a great central location for visiting Kèköldi Indigenous Reserve, Cahuita National Park, and this rural community. We invite you to enjoy the natural beauty of Casa Calateas and help us make our dream come true. Immerse yourself in the peaceful campesino community of Carbon 1. Learn about cacao and livestock farming—also available: waterfall visits, hikes, bird watching, swimming, and snorkeling. Special Hints: Bring a little extra cash—some families offer traditional handmade, naturally colored crafts.
Duration: Day trip or multi-day
Difficulty: Farm visit, easy—more strenuous activities available
Location: Puerto Vargas, 13 km from Puerto Viejo, 20-25 minutes in bus
Rate: From $85 per person (two day packages)
GANDOCA:
Description: Explore the Gandoca Lagoon, walk through the primary Cativo forest reserve, help with a reforestation project, and go for a peaceful horse ride. Get to know this beach community that’s still got that real local flavor. Come enjoy the beaches in the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, check out the swamp, trek through the primary Cativo forest, watch a great diversity of wild birds, participate in the turtle watch (February-July) in this small community and really get to know a community. Stay in rustic cabins or in local family homes. By visiting Gandoca you will contribute to the local community sustainable development and the Leatherback (Baula) Turtle protection program.
Tours in Gandoca are ALL package trips which include: Lodging, 3 meals, and a local guide
BOAT TOUR TO THE LAGUNA
Description: Boat trip to the Laguna where you can see three cane of monkey and birds, colorful crabs and if you are lucky a caiman or a crocodile
Duration: 2 days, 1 night
Includes: Boat tour through the Gandoca Laguna, lodging, snack, breakfast, lunch, dinner and local guide.
Rate: $45 per person
HORSEBACK TOUR
Description: We will go on a horse from Gandoca beach; we will go through a path to the mountain where we will find many species of mammals, plants and birds. We will have a break on the beach and then we will come back home.
Duration: 2 days, 1 night
Includes: Horse tour, lodging, snack, breakfast, lunch, dinner and local guide.
Rate: $50 per person
CATIVO FOREST TOUR
Description: A local guide will take us through the primary forest, which is the biggest Cativo tree reserve in Talamanca. The Cativo is a very important species for the local environment as it supplies food for several mammals. During our walk we may see poisonous frogs, monkeys and several wild bird-species. Then we will have a delicious lunch in the community.
Includes: Cativo forest tour, lodging, snack, breakfast, lunch, dinner and local guide.
Duration: 2 days, 1 night
Rate: $45 per person
VOLUNTEER PROJECTS
Description: The community offers the opportunity to collaborate as voluntary doing conservation and reforestation work, cooperate in the aqueduct construction, voluntary in local school, English lessons, etc… Come to visit us and experience the satisfaction of contributing to the protection of the Baula turtle, the biggest sea turtle which is in danger of extinction. You will be hosted by local families and go for night walks to meet the Baula. You will get to see the egg-laying process and protect the eggs while being nested. It is definitively an exceptional experience that will introduce you to the importance of the species and its natural history.
Minimum: 7 days
Rate: Inscription: $35 per person; Lodging & meals: $18 per person per day
LA FINCA EDUCATIVA
Description: Support this community ecotourism endeavor founded to provide an educational center for Indigenous folks in upper Talamanca. If you want to get to know Alta-Talamanca, this is a great base camp. From the Finca you can participate in many of ATEC’s other activity options; go up to Yorkin, visit ACOMUITA’s chocolate factory, go on a hike to the waterfall in Watsi. We can arrange packages. An example package is listed below:
EXPLORING HIGH TALAMANCA (4 days, 3 nights)
Itinerary:
Day 1
Arrive at Finca Educativa at about 1:00 p.m.
Snack
Chat on the indigenous territory and Finca Educativa
In the afternoon, visit Shiroles and Suretka communities, where we will be introduced to the locals and their way of living.
Dinner at Finca Educativa
Overnight at Finca Educativa
Day 2
Breakfast
Around 6:30 a.m., departure to Yorkin indigenous community. We will take a dug-out canoe along Yorkin River (natural border between Costa Rica and Panama). Afterwards, we will visit Estibrawpa Association, where our local guide will tell us the history and purpose of the organization. Then, the guide will lead us through the nature trail telling us about the local trees, medicinal plants and important crops of the Yorkin community. We will enjoy a typical lunch. Afterwards, we will learn about the secrets of the chocolate process and how the BriBris build their houses.
Return to the Finca Educativa, dinner and overnight at the lodge
Day 3
Breakfast
Cultural exchange with the Cachabri indigenous community: Departure at 7:00 am and arrival at Suretka community 20 minutes later. We will cross the Telire river by boat and a bus will take us to Cachabri. There, we will visit Casa Cónica (BriBri’s home), and will learn about the mythological creation stories, natural medicine, local recipes, bribri language, Surbón traditional dance and the seed grinding daily activity. This cultural experience will be held by the Awapa (Indigenous doctor), who is highly respected by the community. We will then relax and enjoy the river. Afterwards, we’ll get back to Finca Educativa at about 4:00 pm.
Free time
Dinner and overnight at Finca Educativa Lodge.
Day 4
Breakfast
Visit to the Watsi community, where you can purchase beautiful souvenirs, listen a chat about the community and cultural activities.
Rate: $190 per person (without transportation)
CHOCOLATE TOUR
Description: Learn how a cacao—chocolate— farm functions. A day trip up in Alta Talamanca. Located in the heart of the Talamanca Reserve, the Shiroles indigenous community is one of Costa Rica’s largest. With the Association of Indigenous Bribrí Women of Talamanca, ACOMUITA, you’ll see the reality of their lifestyle from a woman’s perspective. Through this eco-tourism project the Association leads social, economic, and cultural projects. Your visit contributes to the finance of these activities that benefit low income families. Start your visit with a nice cup of home made hot chocolate. Get involved with the process of producing chocolate from the tree on the farm, to the drying in the sun, the work in the kitchen, and the sampling of the final product.
Duration: All day
Rate: $35 per person
WOMEN’S ARTISAN GROUP OF UPPER TALAMANCA INDIGENOUS RESERVE
Description: One of our favorite tours, travel up river in a motorized canoe and learn about traditions and customs as presented by this BriBri women’s group. A river trip in a traditional dugout canoe begins this unique opportunity to share and learn from a culture struggling to maintain its identity. Participate in daily life, take interpretive hikes; practice your basket weaving, chocolate production, roof thatching, & cooking skills; learn some of the BriBri language, history and folklore, from ancient times, to Colombian times, to the current struggle.
DAY TRIP
Description: In this tour we will visit a Bribri Indigenous territory, located in the heart of the humid tropical forest in the Talamanca Mountains. This special experience will allow us to discover part the Bribri culture. The tour begins in Bambú, the reserve’s closest commercial town. There we will ride along the Yorkín River in an indigenous canoe, watching the exuberant vegetation of the Costa Rican and the Panamanian side of the river. One hour later, we will be arriving to Yorkín’s indigenous territory, from where we will walk 25 minutes to get to the Stibrawpa women’s house lodge. A local guide will tell us about this organization and its purposes, then take us for a walk along the natural trail, where we will learn about the local trees, medicinal plants and community’s crops. For lunch, we will enjoy a typical meal. We will also participate in the process of making chocolate and will learn how they weave leaves to make their homes. After this unforgettable natural and cultural experience, we will return.
Includes: Round trip transportation by boat from Bambú, presentations, hike, lunch.
Duration: About five hours
Rate: $65 per person
OVERNIGHT VISIT
Itinerary: This itinerary is intended to give you an idea of your visit. Times are not exact and activities may vary depending on group and weather.
Day 1
6:15 AM Depart for the community of BriBrí
Departing from the main bus stop in Puerto Viejo (or Cahuita), or private transportation.
6:45 AM Arrive to BriBrí, plenty of time to take your morning tea, or travel direct to Bambú
7:30 or 8:00 Bus to small town of Bambú (if not using private transportation)
8:30-9:00 Arrive to Bambú and meet with your guide from the Yorkín community
Boat (or about a 3-4 hour hike) from Bambú to Yorkín
10:30 Arrival to the community in front of the community’s school.
20-30 minute muddy hike to women’s group (Estibrawpa) Casa de Mujeres
NOON Lunch including typical foods.
1:00 PM Hike around the community or the forest, a waterfall or tiny hot spring
A demonstration traditional art, agriculture, construction, cooking
A discussion of history, folklore, tradition, and current issues.
3:00 If you do the DAY TRIP Only, you’d depart for your return to the town of Bambú around this time
5:00 Rest and clean up in the new shower facilities built by volunteers
6:00 Dinner and visiting
8:00 PM It’s dark, time for bed, simple lodging (with mosquito net) either in the community center
Day 2
7:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 Hike around the community or the forest, waterfall or tiny hot spring
A demonstration traditional art, agriculture, construction, cooking
A discussion of history, folklore, tradition, and current issues
11:00 Lunch
NOON Boat out in dugout canoe
1:00 Return to Bambú to head on to your next adventure.
What to bring: Rubber boots, Rain Jacket, Water Bottle (filled for hike in), Sun Block, Flash Light, Insect repellent. A little extra money if you’d like to purchase souvenirs like handicrafts and chocolate. Additional Snacks if you tend to need extra calories.
Includes: Round trip transportation by boat from Bambú, presentations, hikes, lodging, 3 meals
Duration: 2 days
Rate: $80 per person
ADDITIONAL DAYS
Rate: $35 per person per day
Volunteers needed
This remote community is looking for volunteers (minimum 1 month) to help with various projects, from teaching English, tutoring kids in the school, to trail maintenance, to construction.
(If you are interested in volunteering for this organization please see Tour Director for additional information)
COMMUNITY OF SAN MIGUEL:
Description: Take an afternoon and tour a family farm or spend a few days living and working alongside Costa Ricans. Observe wildlife with this association founded by a group of farmers intending to preserve and manage this swampy area in the offshore mountains. You could visit for just a few hours, but try spending a couple of days living as these campesinos live. Wake up in this rural campesino community listening to sounds of nature. A group of campesinos work together to preserve more than 100 hectors of forest. Get to know the Talamanca campesino way of living and share their everyday activities. Enjoy a theater play by the young people of the community, walk along natural pathways and discover the great biodiversity of the forest. We also organize volunteer works programs in the community.
Duration: A complete day or two day packages
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Toward Gandoca, 35 km de Puerto Viejo, about 2 hours
DAY TOUR: THE TALAMANCA CAMPESINO WAY OF LIVING
Description: Farm tour, guided treks in the forest; 3 meals; discussion on the experiences of the conservation association and its efforts to protect nature and develop sustainable activities. During this tour in Talamanca, we will experience the Talamanca campesino way of living, from their history in the banana fields to their efforts to protect nature and develop sustainable activities production. After visiting José Luis Zúñiga’s farm we will walk through the forest to Casacode Lodge, where a local guide will share with us the experiences and purposes of their conservation association. We will enjoy a local meal for lunch, after which we will have free time to enjoy our surroundings until our return, always through the wonderful forest of Casacode.
Duration: 7 hours approximately
Rate: $35 per person
TWO DAY PACKAGE
Itinerary: All of the above plus a theater performance and more time on the farm.
Day 1
Arrival at Finca Campesina. Welcome. Visit of the farm.
Trekking to Casacode Lodge with our local guide. Lunch.
Tour through Cascode’s forest.
Dinner. Theater performance by the young people of the community for groups larger than 5.
Overnight.
Day 2
Breakfast.
Speech about the experience of this group of campesinos.
Departure
Rate: $45 per person
MULTI-DAY PACKAGES FOR GROUPS
Casacode is a rustic mountain lodge surrounded by tropical primary and secondary. It has 6 rooms with shared bathroom for a maximum capacity of 21 people. Here, you will wake up listening to sounds of nature. Casacode is part of ASACODES, a group of campesinos from San Miguel de Gandoca community, who preserve more than 100 ha of forest. While visiting them, you will get to know the Talamanca campesino way of living and will share their everyday activities. You will have the opportunity to enjoy a theater play by the young people of the community, walk along natural pathways and discover the great biodiversity of the forest through our local guide. Also we can organize volunteer works programs in the community.
Rate: Starting at $42 per person per night
SAN MIGUEL VOLUNTEER PACKAGE
