5-Day Culture & Nature Experience
The often-overlooked southern Caribbean coast offers relaxation, rest and a whole lot of peace and quiet. Clocks run a bit slower and the Afro‐Caribbean rhythm and the spicy food make this region the perfect slice of beach life. Stay in the middle of tropical forest in Talamanca where you will learn more about the legends and myths of Cahuita, wake up to the howls of the howler monkeys and the songs of countless birds and with a bit of luck you may be able to observe sloths, armadillos, capuchin monkeys and anteaters. Visit the Bribri village Yorkín in Alta Talamanca, which can be reached by dugout canoe along the spectacular Yorkín River. Explore waterfalls, organic plantations and jungle rivers and after a few days of excitement, relax at the tranquil Caribbean beach of Playa Chiquita.
Day 1: Arrival at Cahuita and transfer to the small community of Carbón Dos. Explore the surroundings of Talamanca’s tropical forest. Dinner and accommodation at Posada Casa Calateas. (D)
Day 2: Go on a bird watching tour in the early morning and then enjoy breakfast. Visit the beautiful National Park Cahuita where it is easy to see monkeys, sloths, iguanas and tropical birds on the well-maintained path that runs through the forest next to the sea. Relax at the beach or go snorkelling (optional, not included). The afternoon is at your disposal. Dinner and accommodation at Posada Casa Calateas. (B/D)
Day 3: Today offers an incomparable opportunity to experience the Bribri culture. Drive to the village of Bambú and board a dugout canoe that will take you down the Yorkín River while enjoying the exuberant vegetation and organic banana and cacao plantations. Have a quick snack before visiting the Skui River and the suspension bridge where we will can swim in the natural pools. Afterwards, enjoy a Bribri style lunch, followed by a talk on how the organisation started. For desert, learn about how chocolate is locally produced! In the evening, have dinner and a cultural exchange during which you will listen to ancient stories about the Bribri culture, an oral tradition which has been passed on from generation to generation. Accommodation at Posada Rural Stibrawpa. (B/L/D)
Day 4: In the morning, stock up on breakfast for a hike of approximately 3 hours, during which you will visit the group Arakupa Kakonu ('Women Looking after the Forest'). Upon arrival, have a snack and enjoy a presentation about artisan coffee production or the preparation of banana cream. Afterwards, take a walk in the forest while the women tell you some of their stories about Talamanca. Upon your return at Yorkín, have lunch have a look at the elaborate handicrafts made by the Bribri with resources from the forest. You will then be ready to depart by canoe to return to Bambú and on to Playa Chiquita. In the evening, take a Caribbean cooking lesson (optional, not included) and prepare your own delicious dinner. Accommodation at La Kukula Lodge or similar. (B/L)
Day 5: Breakfast. Departure or extension. (B)
Your Local Impact
Stibrawpa is an organisation of women that aims to improve the lives of their families, protect natural resources and strengthen indigenous culture. Through years of hard work the women have developed an economy based on cultural ecotourism in the Yorkin River watershed, Costa Rica.
Stibrawpa means “women who make handicrafts” in the native BriBri language. Currently, there are about 40 members in Stibrawpa, both men and women. The positions on the board of directors are and will continually be held by women, and the men are quite happy with that. They hold great respect for the women, for their vision and for their accomplishments, and are happy to be part of the team. Stibrawpa has effectively saved the community’s men from working in the chemical-laden banana plantations through its economic initiatives, including producing organic cocoa and other products and has been developing a thriving tourist lodge called the Casa de las Mujeres.
Holidays That Can Include This Experience
8 Days: From £995 per person
Turtle Watching - Caribbean Coast - Indigenous Community Visit - Birding - White Water Rafting