Costa Rica

Bribri cultural tour

Four-day experience to hike, swim, and immerse yourself in the Bribri indigenous community in Talamanca.

“The purpose of all religious traditions is not to construct big temples on the outside, but to create temples of goodness and compassion inside, in our hearts.” We dare to use these splendid words from the Dalai Lama to introduce an extraordinary tour in the land of the Bribri, as they are particularly fitting and we believe he wouldn’t mind. Any spiritual journey follows a path, and this one specifically leads you to discover a fantastic community rooted in ancient yet vibrant traditions.

Everything for the Bribri is spiritual, from the trees to the animals, from the plains to the mountains, from the water to the food. In an era where spirituality often moves away from churches and temples, it’s rare to encounter people so deeply connected with themselves, their community, and nature.

This tour includes various means of transportation (car, boat, or simply on foot), and you will sleep, eat, and breathe alongside our local guide, Armando, and his entire clan. Regardless of where you come from, we promise you’ll find a family among them.

Price upon request

Nature and outdoors

History and culture

Solidariety and community

Food and socialization

Schedule

DAY 1

Arrival in Suretka in the morning - Crossing the river by boat and transferring by car to the temple - Visit to the temple and its surroundings, including a meeting with the community and the shaman
DAY 2

Visit to the Coroma and the Bajo Coen communities
DAY 3

Hike to Lluvia Waterfalls and visit the Wawat community, then walk back to Suretka
DAY 4

Breakfast and check out

The itinerery

DAY 1 (Difficulty walking: low)

Arrive in Suretka to begin our adventure with a leisurely walk towards the sacred Temple of the Bribri, a cornerstone of their community. We reach this destination through a combination of boat travel on the Telire-Lari river and a short car ride. The temple serves as a gathering place for families and friends, where bonds are strengthened and dialogue with Sibú, the creator of the Earth and Bribri people, takes place. The temple’s distinctive cone shape symbolizes the creation of the world and the teachings of Sibú imparted to humanity. During this experience, we learn about the temple’s construction and the inauguration ceremony, and explore the surroundings to understand the shaman’s role, as well as view an ancient traditional grinding stone used in Bribri cuisine.

We share a convivial lunch with the Bribri community, discovering their incredibly healthy eating habits, which include a variety of fruits largely unfamiliar in the Western world and an avoidance of fried foods. Corn and cocoa play significant roles in the Bribri diet, often featuring in ceremonies and purification rituals. As the sun sets over this magical and sacred place, we may have the opportunity to meet the community’s most esteemed member, the shaman, and share dinner with him. We spend the night in nearby accommodation, resting comfortably in hammocks.

DAY 2 (Difficulty walking: intermediate)

After breakfast, embark on a 3-hour excursion involving a combination of walking and birdwatching, interspersed with observations of the local flora and fauna, including a boat crossing of the Lari river to visit the Coroma community and meet a local family.

Following lunch, relax in the scenic beauty of the area, with opportunities to swim in the Coen river, before heading to the Bajo Coen community to meet its members, enjoy dinner, and spend the night in hammocks at our hosts’ house.

DAY 3 (Difficulty walking: low)

Enjoy breakfast before visiting the nearby Lluvia waterfalls, a spectacular natural site where we spend a couple of hours. Continue our journey to the Wawet community, meeting members and learning about their way of life.

After a community lunch, begin our return journey, partly on foot, partly by bus, and by a 25-minute boat ride across picturesque scenery, arriving back in Suretka by around 4 pm. Upon reaching Suretka, guests can choose to depart or extend their stay (note: bus schedules are approximate, with the last bus typically leaving around 5 pm).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Suretka is a small village located 16 km from Bribri and 30 km from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Accommodation is provided in a typical Bribri home, basic yet clean, with an outdoor bathroom.
Free parking is available on-site. For those arriving by public transport, travel to the Bribri terminal station and take a chicken bus to Suretka (choose the one heading towards Bambù).
Transport services from Suretka to other locations can be arranged upon request through our guide.

What is included?

What to bring?

We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and hiking shoes. Please bring a jacket, insect repellent, sunscreen, waterproof jacket, sunglasses, sun hat, and any other items you deem necessary.