Tropical Crops & Culture: Bananas, Pineapple and Gallo Pinto

Spend Four Days and Three nights exploring rural life and agriculture in the Sarapiqui.

Many of the world's favorite foods are cultivated in the Sarapiqui region of Costa Rica. Discover how bananas, pineapples, chocolate, and black pepper find their way to your table. Visit large plantations and small family farms during this exciting food adventure. Take a Costa Rican cooking class and learn how to make traditional Tico foods. This exclusive agro-tourism package includes accommodations, breakfasts, and activities described below.

Package Information

Duration: 4 days, 3 nights
Rates: Per Person
Meals: Includes Breakfast
Room: River Lodge
* Please note, packages do not include local transportation to the activities (though we would be happy to make these arrangements for you!)

Activities Included

Click on any of the activities below to learn more

• » Banana Plantation

  Banana Plantation - 2 hrs.

  Finca Esperanza and Zurqui both managed by DOLE Costa Rica have specially conditioned trails which connect the packing plant with nearby areas of the banana plantation. From these trails you will see demonstrations of agricultural practices, such as propping, bagging, harvesting, and packing, to allow you to see the entire banana producing and packing process.
  
  (Transportation available at additional cost)

• » Discover Chocolate

  Discover Chocolate - 2 hrs.

  Discover how cacao seeds are transformed into the world's favorite sweet - chocolate! Visit a rainforest cacao plantation and learn about this native rainforest tree. Enjoy a taste of organic chocolate made by a local woman's group - the Associación de Mujeres Amazilia del Caribe.
  
  (Transportation available at additional cost)

• » Pineapple Plantation

  Pineapple Plantation - 2 hrs. or Black Pepper Plantation - 1hr.

  Learn more about this favorite fruit of the tropics! Pineapple is one of Costa Rica's major exports and is an important industry in the Sarapiqui. A visit to Finca Corsicana, a 3,200 acre plantation, will allow you to investigate the difference between organic and traditional cultivation of this important crop. Please note: For a tour of the processing plant please plan on booking your tour between Monday and Thursday.

  Visit a small, locally owned, and family operated finca and discover where the black pepper in your shaker comes from! Not only will you learn about the black pepper plant, you will also experience local life and work in the Sarapiqui.
  
  (Transportation available at additional cost)

• » SCLC Cooking Class

  SCLC Cooking Class

  Want to learn how to make a Costa Rican meal? This class will offer you the opportunity to learn how to make traditional Costa Rican dishes. The classes are led by a local community member, and everyone participates in the cooking process. You will learn about the history, botanical names, and cultivation of each fresh ingredient. The menu consists of guacamole (a dip made with avocados), batidos (milkshakes), empanadas (turnovers), tortillas (flat bread), or patacones (fried green plantains). Enjoy tasting all of your culinary creations at the end of the class!

Additional Complementary Services:

• Guided Bird Watching Hike - 1 hr.
• Natural History Talks (Seasonal) - 1 hr.
• Medicinal Plant Lecture (Seasonal) - 1 hr.
• Cooking Classes (Seasonal) - 1 hr.