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Costa Rica 
2 nights Drive through the breathtaking beauty of the Talamanca Mountain Range to the small community of Las Brisas. Here you will have the opportunity to visit an indigenous tribe in Costa Rica. Stay two nights and experience life on the fringes of the tropical rainforest.
The population of Las Brisas is a mix of pure indigenous people and Costaricans with another background. The community borders the indigenous territory of Nairi-Awari which is home to the Cabécar families who live and protect their rainforest according to ancestral traditions and beliefs. Spending time with the families in Las Brisas community offers a unique opportunity for a deeper insight into the authentic rural lifestyle. Visit Barbilla National Park which protects mostly tropical lowland rainforests and it is Costa Rica’s least visited national park. Hike the crystal clear Tapir River and swim along remote waterfalls: this is a unique experience.
The Cabécar follow traditional laws and continue to speak their native language and practice ancestral beliefs. As one of the most traditional indigenous communities in Central America, they maintain a strong connection to their heritage. They traditionally live off the land, relying on subsistence farming, hunting, fishing and gathering. Their homes are often simple wooden structures and they cultivate crops like corn, beans, and plantains.
Their worldview is centered around a profound respect for nature and the spiritual forces that govern it. They believe that all living things — plants, animals and humans — are interconnected. Their sacred practices often involve rituals tied to the natural environment, such as offerings to forest spirits or deities connected to water and mountains.
Nestled in the untamed beauty of the Talamanca Mountains, the village of Las Brisas is home to around 30 families. Here you’ll find a school, a church, a small health clinic, a community center and a soccer field. When soccer games take place on weekends families walk down from the various settlements in the rainforest. Laughter and cheers are heard everywhere. These are some of the best days in community life in Las Brisas!
During your stay you will be visiting a local family and spend some time together. You’ll enjoy a unique experience while sipping coffee or sharing a meal and learn more about their way of living and culture.
Together with a local guide, you will also take an adventurous hike to Barbilla National park, through lush rainforest to the Tapir River. Here you’ll discover two hidden waterfalls – an idyllic spot perfect for swimming in the fresh, crystal-clear water, surrounded only by the sounds of nature.
After a day of exploration, you’ll spend the night in a simple yet charming bungalow in the middle of nature.
The visit is a glimpse of the daily life of the community. What the program of activities will look like will become clear when you get there.
In Las Brisas economic challenges are significant. However, the community thrives through entrepreneurship, offering creative solutions to tough realities. Locals run various projects, such as producing chicken, honey from wild bees and a weekend community café. They also sell handmade crafts, cultivate organic farms, hold sewing workshops and work on building a school library.
Las Brisas constantly innovates to overcome obstacles and create a better future. Overall, your visit will offer valuable support and give you a true understanding of rural life there. You’ll leave with a genuine sense of Costa Rican “strive” and “pura vida.”
It was a beautiful experience and very educational to hear how the Cabecar Indians live and why they still do it this way and do not go along with modern life. The huts are very simple with a floor of clay and an open fire on which they cook. The hike in Barbilla National Park is challenging but at the same time an oasis of peace with beautiful waterfalls. We found this a nice complement to the rest of what Costa Rica has to offer.
