Travels to Bribri
Before this trip, I had never been to the Southern Caribbean coast before, and I didn’t quite know what to expect — my guidebooks focused mostly on the Puerto Viejo party scene and surfing Salsa Brava, but I knew there was much more beneath the surface. In fact, many of my friends know and love the Southern Caribbean, and had regaled me with stories of white sand beaches, reggae parties and a word or two about the Bribri, one of Costa Rica’s last remaining indigenous populations.
Having majored in anthropology, I am always excited for new …
Location: Bribri, Cahuita, Manzanillo, Puerto Viejo, Recent Trips, Southern Caribbean »
Activities: Bird & Wildlife Watching, Caribbean Beaches, Chocolate Tours, Hiking, Historical Sites, National Parks & Reserves »
Waking to cloudy skies but no rain, I wearily pulled myself out of bed. Three days of rainy weather had taken their toll on my spirits, and I felt thankful that all of our activities had been land-based. Today offered more fun: Vincent and I were to take the 3-in-1 Puerto Viejo tour, a comprehensive tour featuring culture (Bribri chocolate tour), ecotourism (Sloth Sanctuary) and conservation (Cahuita National Park).
Our ride arrived a 9 a.m. sharp. We met Paola, our guide, and proceeded to the Chocolate House. Though this would be our second visit, I was …
Location: Bribri, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, Southern Caribbean »
Activities: Bird & Wildlife Watching, Chocolate Tours, Hiking, Indigenous Reserve, National Parks & Reserves, Private Parks & Reserves »
My background is in cultural anthropology, so I was eager to begin the day’s tour to the Bribri Indigenous Reserve. The Bribri are Costa Rica’s largest indigenous group, though census studies estimate that only 10,000-35,000 Bribri remain. What they lack in numbers, they make up for in their wealth of culture: the Bribri are a close-knit people, mostly living without Western influences including electricity, running water and other basic technologies, and have therefore retained many of their ancient traditions.
The word “Bribri” has six distinct meanings: the tribe, the culture, the region, the language, the municipality …
Location: Bribri, Puerto Viejo, Southern Caribbean »
Activities: Chocolate Tours, Indigenous Reserve, Shopping »
