Cacao tasting and Indigenous cultural spaces

This Journey: The Bribri Indigenous Community of Yorkin

We will journey into a relatively secluded community whose access is primarily by water.

The Bribri people live mainly in the Talamanca mountain range and coastal regions of the Talamanca canton, on the southeastern Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Their territories include the Keköldi Indigenous Reserve, Amubri, Watsi, and Yorkin. Yorkin lies very close to the Panama border.

We will travel by canoe along the beautiful Sixaola and Yorkin rivers. The journey takes about forty minutes, during which we will witness the remarkable skill of the men who navigate the canoes. Although they use motor engines, they also rely on long wooden poles to guide the canoe through shallow areas and around river stones. The water is clean, and the surrounding landscape is expansive and evocative.

Upon arrival, we will be welcomed by a local guide who will introduce us to the village. Together, we will walk through the spaces that shape their daily lives.

We will then arrive at the house where we will enjoy delicious, exotic fruits grown on their land. Here, we will also experience a thorough and insightful presentation on the cacao plant and its many gifts. This memorable tasting experience reveals the magic behind a chocolate bar.

Afterward, we will enjoy a delightful lunch prepared by the Mama of the family. She cooks over an open fire, and everything is made from scratch with great care and love.

Later, we will swim in the Yorkin River, which forms the natural border between Panama and Costa Rica.

This journey lasts approximately six to seven hours, and you will never look at a chocolate bar the same way again. It is a soulful, sensorial experience. Enjoy.