Indigenous Costa Rica:
A Cultural Encounter
Upon landing, you'll be transferred to the historic Hotel Don Carlos. Located in the oldest historical section of San Jose. As a one time home for two past Costa Rican presidents, Hotel Don Carlos plays a small but significant part in Costa Rica's rich heritage.

Enjoy the rest of the day and evening on your own, exploring this interesting city.
Your driver will pick you up after breakfast and transfer you to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. When you arrive at the beach town of Puerto Viejo, your driver will meet you and take you into the Talamanca Indigenous Reservation. We’ll pass through the town of Bribri, which is the main gathering point and shopping area for the indigenous who live in the Talamanca Region. Not far after Bribri, we’ll arrive at the home of our next host, Danilo Gabb in Bambu at the Bambu Cultural Center.

This amazing center was designed and built using ancient traditional Bribri methods, and the architecture itself is stunning. Once you are inside the house you’ll experience a strange, peaceful feeling which will make you want to stay forever. It’s truly a tropical paradise! It’s here you’ll be staying for the next couple of nights while you get to know your host, the surrounding area, have a chance to meet other children and families. Today we'll walk to visit the places where we'll be volunteering over the next few days:


Today we go on a Frog Tour: This is a five-hour tour to visit an indigenous farm (40 hectares) owned by Heriberto. On this beautiful hike and visit to see Heriberto, your guide will be pointing out to you green & black, red & black and 4 other types of frogs (and toads too). There are many types of birds (parrots, picotes), butterflies, trees, medicinal plants, mushrooms and flowers. Plus you'll get to see Heriberto's house, made from traditional Bribri indigenous construction materials. Tour includes snack.

Today there will be optional volunteering at the Retirement Home, The Bratsi Elementary School and the Cultural Center. We will work together ahead of time to define our projects. One example might be bringing some photos and materials from your hometown and doing a cultural exchange with the students in the school. They could teach you some words in the Bribri language and much about their own culture. At the Retirement Home we can do arts & crafts with the residence, play games, paint fingernails, help them with their chores, and just keep them company. In the Cultural Center we normally give our volunteers the chance to share with the locals about themselves and where they are from, and often dance, play games, teach English, do arts & crafts and get to know one another better.

We're taking an exciting boat tour to Panama today. We'll ride in a traditional, dug out canoe on the Telire river to the Yorkin River, then walk about 10 minutes into the forest to a beautiful and secluded waterfall. Swim and relax before heading back to Bambu. A truly unique experience!

As hard as it will be (and we guarantee lots of tears), it's time to say goodbye to your new friends in Bambu as we make our way back towards the capitol city of San Jose. Tonight we'll stay in the Don Carlos again.
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel and afterward we’ll transport you to the airport where you’ll fly back home.

Price:

$899 per person (double-occupancy)
$200 single supplement



Prices are good through February 28, 2010. Blackout dates are December 20 - January 5.
This itinerary is totally customizable. We would be happy to add, delete or change anything to suit your needs.

For more information on this, or any other tour we offer, please contact us online, by phone toll-free from the US and Canada 1-800-832-9419 or direct at +1 425-329-3345.