Cultural

This tour begins with a 20 minute boat ride in traditional canoe up the Telire river, where we disembark in Suretka, the biggest trading point of organic banana, not only in the Indigenous Reserve but in entire Costa Rica. Between 185,000 and 250,000 kilos of organic banana are brought here by the indigenous peoples to be sold per week. Plantain, both organic and industrial grade (non-organic) are sold in large volumes here as well.

From Suretka we proceed by local vehicular transportation further inland to Amubri.

Estimated to hold a population of 8,000  Amubri is considered to be the unofficial capital of the Reserve due to the fact in contains the largest concentration of Bribris living in one place. Unofficial, because it is not recognized as such by the Costa Rican government, though for the indigenous population it is.

After a 20 minute drive through the heartland of the Reserve we reach a little traditional settlement where we find the conical house or house of healing.

Upon arrival you will be received by matriarch Natalia Layan and have the opportunity to look around to get a real feeling of how people here live. Furthermore, we will address the themes regarding the process of healing, the educational process of Awa’s, as well as take a look inside the Conical house itself where the Bribri cosmo vision is revealed and explained by way of its architecture.

After the Conical House itself, you will be taken to see Rosa Layan practicing the ancient ancestral custom of the grinding stones. One could say these are one of the world’s oldest stone kitchen machines. Ancestrally, these grinding stones were used to grind corn, cacao and coffee for the purposes of food and drink. They are still used to this very day! Naturally, you will also be able to try this yourself.

Having had the opportunity to experience this ancestral activity, we will be taken to the matriarch’s house to have a simple lunch, typical of the region, served as per tradition in a banana leaf. Freshly ground 100% organically grown and processed cacao, ground with the grinding stones, will be served as drink.

Upon completion of the lunch, we will be picked up by local transportation to be driven to the river and taken back to our departure point at the Ditsowo U Lodge in Bambu.

Duration: 4hrs
Costs: $75 per person, minimum 2 people.
Groups larger than 20 persons can be negotiated.