While people living in rural areas of Costa Rica are being organized to diversify their local economies, rural tourism is rapidly becoming a great alternative for foreign and local vacationers.
A beach or volcano will always be attractive for tourism, but for other travelers to Costa Rica, rural tourism offers a great opportunity to see the Costa Rican reality.
Those who choose to travel through the rural tourism will be part of a true Costa Rica experience, exploring nature reserves and indigenous territories that have not altered their lifestyle to suit the tastes and needs of the tourist. You will feel like a guest rather than a tourist.
Nature lovers can explore wild areas accompanied by a local guide, who will explain some of the traditional uses of plants, tell local stories or legends, and answer all questions you might have.
Rural Tourism in Costa Rica
Without abandoning its traditional activities (dairy, livestock, souvenirs, etc) many local community groups in Costa Rica have been gradually incorporated the rural tourism to their business catalog. In order to take advantage of this flourishing activity all interested communities have received training programs and the cooperation of various government agencies and institutions.
What does rural tourism offer? How do I know if rural tourism is right for me?
Just imagine you and your family taking a trip to a dairy and at some point the local guide invites you to be part of the experience by milking a cow and witness the process in which milk transforms into many everyday products such as: yogurt, cheese, custard, etc. After this amazing experience the guide takes you and your family to one of the local farms to meet other animals: horses, pigs, ducks, and many more. Is this the kind of vacation you’ve been looking for? Well now you know that rural tourism is probably your best option…
Oh! And remember to take lots of pictures of your trip and purchase some souvenirs before living the towns.
Where can I practice rural tourism in Costa Rica?
Yorkin Indigenous Reserve (Casa de las Mujeres Stibrawpa): This is an indigenous community located in Talamanca, on the upland areas of Rio Yorkin (boundary between Costa Rica and Panama), here you will have the opportunity to meet “Stibrawpa Association (women artisans)”, a group of women who organized to attract local and foreign tourists to their community by revealing their culture and uncovering the tourist potential of the area. This beautiful natural area is located at only one hour of Cahuita and forty five minutes from Puerto Viejo.
Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve: Located in the South Caribbean. Here you will learn the importance that the Iguana Verde has to this indigenous community and the conservationist efforts in Talamanca. Besides you will get to know the local customs, traditions and language of this indigenous town.
Agro-tourist Farm El Yue: Founded in 1994 by a group of woman in Hone Creek, Limon, Costa Rica. This is another hidden treasure of the Talamanca region. In this farm you can stay in touch with nature as you get to know the local lifestyle and the agro-industry.
