Caribbean and culture
5 Days / 4 Nights

The southern region of the Caribbean of Costa Rica offers rest, relaxation, peace and tranquility. Clocks run a little slower here, together with afro Caribbean rhythm and the spicy food it makes for a perfect place to visit. We will have you stay on the border of a tropical forest in Talamanca. You will learn local legends and myths well known in the town of Cahuita. You will awake to the calls of the howler monkeys and the songs of the numerous birds endemic to the tropics. With luck you will see sloths, armadillos, monkeys, and ant eaters. Visit the Indian community of Yorkin in the upper part of Talamanca, navigate the spectacular river Yorkin in canoe and let the Bribri Indian culture inspire you. Discover natural pools to swim, organic plantations, and rivers that descend from the mountains. After some days of adventure you will have time to relax on the beautiful and tranquil beach of the Caribbean, Playa Chiquita.

Lodging: 2 nights in Casa Calateas, 1 night in Aventuras Naturales Yorkín, 1 night in La Kukula Lodge.

Activities: trails and observation of flora and fauna in Parque Nacional Cahuita, White sand beach, canoe trip on the Yorkin River, Bribri Indian cullture, organic plantain and plantations of plantain, presentation on the production of chocolate and a hike to observe the flora and fauna in the Parque Nacional Cahuita , beach with white sand, a canoe trip along the River Yorkin, Bribri Indian culture, organic plantations of bananas and plantains, presentation of chocolate and leafy palms, hikes to the Panama Indian community.

Complete itinerary

Day1: Welcome to Cahuita!

On arrival to Cahuita you will go to the small community of Carbon Dos. Explore the surroundings of Talamanca in the tropical forest. Dinner and lodging in Hostel Rural Casa Calateas (C)

Day 2: Visit the National Park

In the morning enjoy the trip to observe birds and on your return a delicious breakfast. Visit the impressive Parque Nacional Cahuita, where without doubt you will see monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and tropical birds along the trails that run through the forest and beach, Relax on the beach or snorkel (optional, not included). Free time in the afternoon. Dinner and lodging at Posada Rural Casa Calateas (D/C)

Day 3: Know the bribri culture

Wake up to the sounds of the forest and head out to the Bribri Indian territory, located in the jungle of Talamanca. This is a unique opportunity to experiment Bribri culture.  Drive to the town of Bambú where they will be waiting for you to board a canoe that will take you to the River Yorkin, a geographic border between Costa Rica and Panama. Once there you will visit the community and stop to see banana plantations and organic cocoa. Enjoy a light refreshment before going to a hanging bridge over the Skui River where you can swim in some of the natural pools. Later you will have lunch in the typical Bribri style followed by a session of information on how the organization began and about their efforts in conservation. You will learn how to make chocolate and discover (by demonstration) how the village Bribri “weave” their roofs. After dinner enjoy a genuine cultural interchange where you will hear ancient stories about their ancestors, an oral tradition transmitted generation to generation. Lodging in Aventuras Naturales Yorkín (D/A/C)

Day 4: Panama bribri side

In the morning enjoy an abundant breakfast that will give you the necessary energy for a 3 hour hike (approximately) where you will cross the Yorkin River and several trails to the community of a group of Bribri Indians. Over the Forest – Arakupa Kakonu “- on the Panama side of the border. On arrival we will have light refreshments with them and listen to a presentation on coffee cream and plantains. Later you will hike through the forest listening to stories along the way. On the return to Yorkin lunch will be waiting and later you will return by canoe to Bambú. You will continue to Chiquita Beach. In the afternoon you will participate in a Caribbean cooking class (optional activity, not included) where you will prepare your own dinner. Lodging in La Kukula Lodge (D/A/C).

Day 5: Continue your trip

After breakfast you can continue your adventure in Costa Rica. (D)

****End of our services****

This package can easily combine with Arenal, Turrialba or other itineraries, or with one additional night in San José can combine with any of our destiny packages.

Includes: program itinerary and transfers as described before (including the canoe trips), 4 nights lodging with breakfast included, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, a bilingual naturalist guide (who speaks English) for 1-4 days, admission to Parque Nacional Cahuita.

Type of alimentation:

D: Breakfast / A: Lunch / C: Dinner

What to take? Binoculars, sunblock, insect repellant, light comfortable cotton shirts (long and short sleeve) lightweight comfortable pants (cotton or synthetic), 2 changes of lightweight clothes that can be washed easily, shorts for hikes, lightweight shoes that are water resistant apt for mountain trails, raincoat/ umbrella, hat (for sun and rain) reusable bottle, flashlight with additional batteries, camera and/or video camera, plastic bag / cover to protect bag from rain, additional prescribed medicine, walking stick, sun glasses, swimming suit, and a lightweight towel for swimming in the natural pools.