Talamanca Cabécar Indigenous Reserve, the Largest Indigenous Group in Costa Rica
The Talamanca Cabécar Indigenous Reserve is home the largest indigenous group, which consists of 10,000 people. The reserve is part of La Amistad International Park and is situated just miles from the Caribbean coast. In order to fight poverty and other issues, the Costa Rican government adopted the Indigenous Act of 1977. Consequently indigenous lands and grants are preserved and they have the right to live in self-governed communities. Costa Rica car rental
Many of the resident indigenous peoples did not make this their original home. After the Bribri, Guatuso, and Cabécar tribes burned down several missions and killed priests, a few centuries ago, they were resettled here and in Guanacaste. The three indigenous peoples’ reserves in the area are the Talamanca Bribri, Talamanca Cabécar, and KékoLdi.
Talamanca is known as the country’s southeastern frontier region. It was almost inaccessible until the late 1970s, Talamanca is still one of the nation’s poorest yet greenest area in Costa Rica. It is shaped like a triangle and a very forested region that remained untouched until the end of the 19th C. Its name comes from the Miskito Indian word Talamalka, which means “place of blood,” referring to the end of a hunt. Costa Rica car rental 4×4
The Cabecar are considered one of the most traditional indigenous groups in the country. The Cabecar language remains the group’s mother tongue and only 50% of the population speaks Spanish. The Bribri and Cabécar peoples still maintain many of their customs and ancient beliefs side by side with their jeans and radios.
Families continue living in communal homes that have been built from dried cane and they are very knowledgeable the uses of medicinal plants. Additionally, self-sustaining agriculture gives the tribe the maize, bananas, rice and beans that are their traditional food and part of their diet.
The Cabécar people have opened their doors to ecotourism as a way to preserve their culture. Many tours start in Amubri, which is located five miles west of Bratsi. Visitors here are taken to the reserve’s border in order to learn more about the Cabecar’s lifestyle. You will hike though dense forest, learn how they weave a cane hut’s intricate thatched roof.
Furthermore you will know which plants are good for nausea, headache and other common illnesses.
There are other tours that leave from San Jose via Turrialba and include whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River, camping, and an overnight visit with a Cabécar community. It is important to reserve the tours in advance because visitors are not allowed to arrive at the reserve’s border and explore on your own. Several Cabécar communities will also have traditional handcrafts for sale.
In order to visit the Talamanca Cabécar Indigenous Reserve, you have to book a tour leaving from Limon, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, or San Jose. Keep in mind that it is not possible to reserve on your own. There are no park rangers or other officials to approve the entrance of independent visitors.
Come to the reserve and learn about their culture and traditions!