Tropical Rainforest and Chocolate Adventure

First you’ll visit the Tirimbina Rainforest Center, and learn about how wild cacao came to be cultivated and transformed into chocolate. Then you’ll take private transportation through the Caribbean lowlands and Braulio Carrillo National Park. On the wait to the park you’ll stop at a private reserve called La Virgen del Socorro for lunch.

Eventually you’ll reach the Sarapiquí River, and hike to the highlands of the La Selva Reserve. La Selva Reserve and Braulio Carrillo National Park make up a UNESCO Biological Reserve, and this area provides a home for over 400 species of birds. Hikers come here for bird watching and photography.

Visitors will get an educational look at the environment at the La Selva Organization for Tropical Studies. This organization focuses on education, research, conservation, and eco-tourism.

While you’re hiking you’ll look for wild species of cacao. Then you’ll visit a chocolate plantation and see the oblong, yellow cacao pods. Finally, you’ll get to try some organic chocolate made by a local group called the Association of Women Amazilia del Caribe.

There’s one more stop before you drive back to San José. You’ll get to see an ant colony, for just a little more of Costa Rican nature before you set out on your return journey.