Tropical Crops & Culture: A Taste of Costa Rica

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

Spend some time in the field to learn the history and agricultural techniques of familiar, yet once exotic foods cultivated in the Sarapiqui region of Costa Rica. Discover how pineapples, chocolate, and black pepper find their way to your table. Visit a large plantation, a small family farm, and a historical cacao field during this exciting food adventure. Then take a Costa Rican cooking class and learn how to make traditional Tico foods. This exclusive agro-tourism package includes accommodations, breakfasts, and activities as described below.

Package Information

Duration: 4 days, 3 nights
Rates: Per Person
Meals: Includes Breakfast
Room: River Lodge
Transportation: roundtrip transport to activities and tours included

Activities Included

Click on any of the activities below to learn more

• » Black Pepper Farm

  Black Pepper Farm – 2 hrs.

  

  Ever wondered how black pepper became part of the duo on everyone’s table? Learn about this ubiquitous spice while you enjoy a guided tour of a local family run farm. You’ll see how a small-scale producer cultivates and processes the black pepper berries of the plant into the dried spice familiar to all. Black pepper is native to India and was introduced to the Sarapiqui region less than half a century ago. You’ll also get a taste of their pepper in a savory snack.

   

   

   

• » Discover Chocolate

  Discover Chocolate - 2 hrs.

  

  Discover how cacao seeds are transformed into one the world's favorite foods - chocolate! Visit a historical cacao plantation and learn about the natural and cultural history of cacao plant. Native to Central America, cacao was cultivated by Mayan, Aztec, and other Central American cultures before European explorers introduced it to the rest of the world. Enjoy a taste of organic chocolate made by a local woman's group - the Asociación de Mujeres Amazilia del Caribe.

• » Pineapple Plantation

  Pineapple Plantation – 2 hrs.

  

  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.

   

• » 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!