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About Cabécares
The Cabecares, one of Costa Rica's largest indigenous groups, maintains a strong cultural identity and inhabits an area of 151,471 hectares across eight territories.
Their language is the Cabécar and they worship their deity, Sibö. The cabécares adhere to a matrilineal clan system, consisting of around 20 clans. Their traditional practices include cooking over a fire pit, making chicha, and performing the Bulciqué dance. Primarily agricultural, they cultivate cacao, grains, and bananas, hunt various animals, and fish using bows and arrows or hooks. Their diet consists of tubers, cacao, bananas, and plantains, often complemented by nutritious beverages like chocolate and chicha. Their traditional homes are large, round structures with conical palm leaf roofs.
Deity
Sibö
Population
14 275
Main economic activities
Cultivation of cacao, basic grains and bananas; fishing; hand-crafts and tourism.
Language
Cabécar
Our experience at Nairi Awari
Nairi Awari is a glamping site located in Cabécar Territory. It is one of the 16 stops of the Camino de Costa Rica. Nairi Awari offers visitors an immersive nature experience. As you arrive, the breathtaking landscape envelops you, transporting you to another world.
At Nairi Awari, guests enjoy modern comforts amidst nature's beauty. The tents feature built-in structures for rain protection, fully equipped bathrooms, and a convenient laundry area. Plus, the package includes three meals daily. If you prefer to cook, there's a fully equipped kitchen available.
And the best part? Staying at Nairi Awari is incredibly affordable, starting at around $26 per night, meals included. While prices may vary depending on the season, it's generally an affordable option to experience Costa Rica's beauty in a unique way.
If you crave an immersive and affordable escape to reconnect with nature and the universe, Nairi Awari is your ideal destination. With cozy tents, welcoming locals, and awe-inspiring scenery, it promises a glamping adventure you'll cherish.
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Price per night
₡13 000 ~ $26 per person
*price varies depending on the season
Includes
Tent
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Paying options
Cash only
Location
Camino de Costa Rica
Camino de Costa Rica
El Camino de Costa Rica is a 174-mile (280 km) trail that connects Costa Rica's Caribbean and Pacific coasts, passing through beaches and cloud forests. It's the first long-distance trail in Central America. The trail was featured in the New York Times' 52 Places to Go in 2024 list.
It is organized into 16 sections and connects 25 rural communities. The full hike can take 11 to 16 days, and travelers make stops to sleep in rural and indigenous territories—Nairi Awari is one of these stops.
UrriTrek, a Costa Rica tourism company, offers various tours across the Camino de Costa Rica with different durations. Their well-organized tours ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. We encourage those wishing to do this trail to visit their website and check out their offers.
UrriTrek's Mission: A Camino Towards Development and Conservation
According to UrriTrek (2024), their mission revolves around traversing the American Continent from sea to sea while prioritizing the support of communities along the way. Despite being overlooked on Costa Rica's tourist map, these communities are the focal point of UrriTrek's efforts. By emphasizing community-based rural tourism and hiking, UrriTrek serves as a catalyst for the development of micro-entrepreneurs within these areas, offering them direct livelihood opportunities.
At UrriTrek, there are two core focuses: economic progress for communities and environmental conservation. Through responsible tourism, UrriTrek not only stimulates local economies but also contributes to environmental protection. The organization actively promotes tree planting initiatives and advocates for environmental education as integral components of its work. Thus, UrriTrek's impact extends beyond leaving physical footprints on the land to sowing the seeds of a sustainable future for generations to come.
Together, UrriTrek and the communities it supports are forging a path toward sustainable development and environmental preservation. With each step taken, they leave a positive imprint on people's lives and the health of the planet.
UrriTrek's info:
Tel: +506 6023-5507
Email: reserve@urritrek.com
Our experience at ADITIKA
Our group visited the ABITKA Cabécar Association in Talamanca. ABITKA stands for Asociación de Desarrollo Integral del Territorio Indígena Cabécar de Talamanca, which is Spanish for Integral Development Association of the Cabécar Indigenous Territory of Talamanca. ABITKA aims to bring ethnotourism and sustainable tourism to the Cabécar territory of Talamanca while eradicating unfair competition among the Cabécar people. ABITKA is funded by international organizations dedicated to conserving mountains.
Through ABITKA, the Cabécar people plan to bring tourist activities to their region. They held a meeting on April 5 to gather Cabécar entrepreneurs to plan the tourist activities they will offer, which will consist of spiritual rituals, traditional Cabécar cuisine, medicinal plants, and traditional crops.
This community is a shining example of dedication and self-organization—their meticulous planning and preparation for the future promise to deliver exceptional tourist tours. We eagerly look forward to revisiting them once their project concludes.
Want to visit ADITKA?
Contact
Joshua Fernández
Email: cabecaremprendimientos@hotmail.com
Phone: +506 8880-3182
Juegos Deportivos Ancestrales
Juegos Deportivos Ancestrales
The Kabata Konana organization announces the upcoming edition of the Indigenous People of Costa Rica Sports and Ancestral Games, a celebration that promotes respect for the tradition, culture, and heritage of the ancient peoples of the region.
From April 26th to 28th, 2024, the community of Gavilán Canta in Talamanca will be the epicenter of this exciting event, bringing together ancestral authorities, indigenous political leaders, sports associations, and the general population to participate in a wide variety of traditional competitions.
Among the sports and games to be featured are archery, log racing, endurance competitions, open water swimming, boat rowing, and many other activities that reflect the skills and abilities of our ancestors.
In addition to sports competitions, there will be space to celebrate indigenous culture through leaf weaving, rice pounding, banana peeling, traditional beverage consumption, and other activities that strengthen the sense of identity and belonging of indigenous peoples.
Kabata Konana President Maricela Fernández emphasized the importance of this event as a space to unite the indigenous community and honor its ancestral legacy.
"It will be a moment to celebrate the struggle of our peoples, to come together as one people, and to revive our spirituality, traditions, culture, language, and values as ancient peoples," she said.
All participants and visitors will be welcomed with joy and hospitality by the organization, staff, and involved institutions. It is expected that this celebration will be a living testimony to the cultural richness and diversity that characterizes the indigenous peoples of Costa Rica.
The Indigenous Sports Games represent more than just athletic competition; they are a symbol of pride and dignity, an opportunity to strengthen community ties, and to celebrate the cultural heritage that unites us as a people.
If you would like to find accommodations in the area, you can email juegosindigenaskabata@gmail.com or message via WhatsApp at
Information retrieved from:
Herrera, W. (2024, March 26). Talamanca abre las puertas al público para disfrutar los Juegos Deportivos Ancestrales. La República.