Meet Costa Rica's native communities

The Limón region, on the Caribbean coast, is home to the reserves of the Bribris people. This indigenous community was able to preserve its language, culture, and traditional shamanism. The Bribris tribe cultivate cacao, corn, and bananas as well as raise pigs, hunt, fish, and make their own tools, all while respecting the resources nature gives them.

A member of the community will guide you on a tour of their settlements, where you can see how palm-frond roofs and wooden bows are made. Surrounded by Costa Rica's unbelievable biodiversity, you'll also have the chance to explore the forest or take a dip in the waterfalls and hot springs.

In northern Costa Rica, 600 members of the Maleku community welcome visitors and share their expertise. They'll show you how to make local musical instruments, including iguana-skin drums. The Maleku community has a rich farming culture, and their main crops include cacao, palm oil, and medicinal herbs. Meanwhile, the Guaymi tribe focuses on coffee. Originating from neighboring Panama, the Guaymi people settled in Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula, where the land is perfect for growing coffee beans.

From the Borucas, learn the art of mask-making in the Talamanca mountains. The Borucas take great pride in these colorful, carved wood masks, and they'll be pleased to offer you a more in-depth look into the nuances of their traditions. Ask your local Evaneos agency about organizing unforgettable moments of exchange with Costa Rica's indigenous communities.