Costa Rica is home to eight Indigenous peoples: Bribri, Cabécar, Maleku, Chorotega, Boruca (also known as Brunca), Ngäbe, Brörán (also known as Térraba or Teribe), and Huetar. Each has its own history, cultural identity and traditions. These are living communities whose heritage continues to shape Costa Rica today.

Indigenous communities are located in several regions of Costa Rica. The Chorotega territory of Matambú is in Guanacaste, while the Maleku territory is near Guatuso in northern Costa Rica. Huetar territories include Quitirrisí and Zapatón in the province of San José.

Bribri and Cabécar territories extend across Talamanca and other areas of eastern and southern Costa Rica. Boruca, Brörán and Ngäbe territories are located in the south, including the Térraba region and areas near the Panamanian border..

Yes. Some Indigenous communities welcome travelers through locally organized cultural experiences. Depending on the hosts, these may include guided walks, traditional food, craft workshops or learning about cacao.

Arrange your visit in advance with the local hosts or a community-led tourism initiative. Confirm which activities are available and follow your hosts’ guidance about photography, private spaces and cultural practices.

Des initiatives de tourisme autochtone sont présentées par l’Office du tourisme du Costa Rica. .

Guanacaste is closely associated with Chorotega heritage. Matambú is the Chorotega Indigenous territory in the region, while communities such as Guaitil are known for pottery traditions passed down through generations.

Travelers can learn about this heritage through local artisans and cultural experiences offered by participating hosts. A pottery workshop and a visit to an Indigenous territory are different experiences, so confirm what each visit includes before making arrangements..

Matambú is the Chorotega Indigenous territory in Guanacaste. Guaitil is a community known for its pottery traditions rooted in Chorotega heritage.

Visiting pottery artisans in Guaitil is different from visiting Matambú. Before arranging either experience, confirm who will welcome you and which activities are offered.

Buy pottery directly from local artisans and ask about the techniques, materials and stories behind their work. When workshops are available, confirm the price and what is included before participating.

Ask permission before photographing artisans or their work, and respect the prices they set. Purchasing directly helps support the people who continue these pottery traditions.

Confirm the meeting place, visit duration, language, price and activities directly with your hosts. Ask whether the experience includes a pottery demonstration, a hands-on workshop or a meal, rather than assuming these are included.

Let your hosts know about any dietary or mobility needs in advance, and ask about photography guidelines. This helps everyone prepare for a welcoming and respectful visit.

The Maleku are an Indigenous people whose territory is in Guatuso, in the province of Alajuela. Their cultural heritage includes the Maleku language, oral storytelling, traditional foods and crafts such as carved gourds.

Some local hosts offer cultural experiences that introduce visitors to Maleku traditions and knowledge of the surrounding forest. Arrange visits in advance and confirm the activities directly with the hosts.

Depending on the hosts, a visit may include learning about the Maleku language, oral traditions, carved gourds, traditional food or knowledge of forest plants. Local hosts decide which aspects of their culture they wish to share.

Ask which activities are included before booking. Approach the visit as an opportunity to listen and learn, and respect any traditions or spaces that remain private.

Yes. The Maleku language is still spoken in Guatuso, in northern Costa Rica. It is an important part of Maleku cultural identity and the transmission of knowledge between generations.

During a cultural visit, your hosts may share words or expressions in Maleku. Ask whether language learning is part of the experience and follow their guidance on pronunciation and meaning.

Choose experiences organized by Maleku hosts and buy crafts directly from local artisans. Ask who leads the visit and how your payment supports the people sharing their culture and knowledge.

Respect the prices set by your hosts, ask permission before taking photographs and follow community guidance. Let your hosts decide which stories, traditions and spaces they wish to share.

The Bribri are one of Costa Rica’s eight Indigenous peoples. Their territories include Talamanca and Kéköldi in the Caribbean region, as well as Salitre and Cabagra in southern Costa Rica.

Their living heritage includes the Bribri language, oral traditions and knowledge passed down through generations. Some community-led experiences invite travelers to learn about cacao, traditional food and local relationships with the land. Activities vary by host and should be confirmed in advance.

Cacao holds a sacred place in Bribri culture, connecting food, spiritual traditions and knowledge passed down through generations.

Some Bribri hosts welcome visitors to learn how cacao is grown and transformed into chocolate. These experiences offer an opportunity to hear directly from community members about its meaning. A chocolate-making demonstration does not necessarily include a ceremony; confirm what your hosts offer.

Depending on the hosts, a visit may include a cacao farm, traditional chocolate preparation, local food or a guided walk to learn about forest plants. Some community-led experiences also include waterfalls or river activities.

Ask which activities are included, how much walking is involved and which languages are available. Your hosts decide what cultural knowledge they wish to share, so follow their guidance and ask permission before taking photographs.

Choose experiences led by Bribri guides or local families, and purchase cacao products and crafts directly from community producers. Ask who organizes the visit and how your payment benefits the hosts.

Respect the prices they set, follow local guidance and ask permission before photographing people or cultural activities. Let your hosts decide which knowledge, traditions and spaces they wish to share.

The Cabécar are one of Costa Rica’s eight Indigenous peoples. Their territories include areas of the Talamanca mountains, Chirripó and other parts of eastern and southern Costa Rica.

Their living heritage includes the Cabécar language, oral traditions and knowledge passed down through generations. Although they share some cultural connections with the Bribri, the Cabécar are a distinct people with their own identity and traditions.

Yes. The Cabécar language is still spoken in Costa Rica and is an important part of Cabécar cultural identity. It carries oral histories, traditions and knowledge shared between generations.

If language learning is offered during a community visit, let your hosts guide the exchange. Ask about the meaning and pronunciation of expressions, and request permission before recording anyone.

A visit should be arranged only with local hosts who welcome visitors. Confirm access, transportation, walking conditions, language and available activities before making plans.

Follow your hosts’ guidance and respect private homes, cultural spaces and any knowledge they choose not to share. Ask permission before photographing or recording people.

When visits are offered, choose experiences organized with Cabécar hosts and ask how your payment benefits participating families. Purchase locally made products directly from their makers when available.

Respect the prices and conditions set by your hosts. Listen to their perspectives, follow community guidance and let them decide which aspects of their culture they wish to share.

No. The Cabécar and Bribri are two distinct Indigenous peoples of Costa Rica. They have historical and cultural connections, but each has its own language, identity and traditions.

When planning a cultural visit, confirm which community will welcome you and use the name your hosts prefer. Learning from one community does not represent the experiences or perspectives of every Indigenous people.

The Boruca, also known as Brunca, are one of Costa Rica’s eight Indigenous peoples. Their communities include Boruca and Rey Curré, in the canton of Buenos Aires, Puntarenas, in southern Costa Rica.

Their living heritage includes carved wooden masks, cotton weaving, oral traditions and the Juego de los Diablitos, a community celebration expressing resistance and cultural identity.

Carved wooden masks play an important role in the Juego de los Diablitos, a tradition that expresses Boruca resistance and cultural identity. During the celebration, masked participants represent the Indigenous community, while a bull symbolizes the Spanish invaders.

Boruca artisans also create masks for sale in a variety of styles. Buying directly from the maker offers an opportunity to learn about the artwork and support local craftsmanship.

The Juego de los Diablitos is a cultural tradition celebrated in Boruca and Rey Curré. Through masks, movement and a symbolic confrontation with a bull, participants recall their ancestors’ resistance to Spanish conquest and reaffirm their community identity.

If you wish to attend, confirm the dates and visitor guidance with local organizers. Respect the celebration’s cultural meaning, follow community instructions and ask permission before photographing participants.

Purchase masks, woven textiles and other crafts directly from Boruca artisans. Ask who made the piece, which materials were used and what the design means to its creator.

Respect the prices artisans set and ask permission before photographing their work. If you are interested in a demonstration or workshop, confirm availability and fees in advance.

The Brörán, also known as Térraba or Teribe, are one of Costa Rica’s eight Indigenous peoples. Their territory is in the canton of Buenos Aires, Puntarenas, in southern Costa Rica.

They are a distinct people with their own history and cultural identity. Although Brörán and Boruca communities live in the same broader region, they should not be confused with one another.

These names are used in different contexts for the same Indigenous people in Costa Rica. Brörán is a name used by community members to express their identity, while Térraba is also the name of their Indigenous territory. Teribe appears in historical and official references.

When speaking with local hosts, ask which name they prefer and follow their guidance.

Contact local hosts or a community organization to ask whether they currently welcome visitors. Confirm which experiences they offer, who will lead the visit, the language, duration and price before making arrangements.

Let your hosts decide which stories, traditions and places they wish to share. Follow their guidance and ask permission before photographing people, entering private spaces or recording cultural activities.

When cultural visits are available, choose experiences organized by Brörán hosts and ask how your payment supports participating families. Purchase locally made crafts or products directly from their makers when offered.

Respect the prices and conditions your hosts set. Listen to their perspectives and follow their guidance about photographs, cultural activities and private spaces.

The Ngäbe are one of Costa Rica’s eight Indigenous peoples. Their territories are located in southern Costa Rica, including areas near the Panamanian border. Ngäbe communities also live in Panama.

They have their own cultural identity, language and traditions. When learning about Ngäbe culture, recognize that experiences and perspectives vary between families and communities on both sides of the border.

Costa Rica’s five Ngäbe territories are Abrojo Montezuma, Altos de San Antonio, Conte Burica, Coto Brus and Osa. They are located in the southern part of the country, in the province of Puntarenas.

These are distinct territories. Before planning a visit, confirm the exact community, meeting place and transportation arrangements with your hosts.

Ask local hosts or a community organization whether they welcome visitors and which activities they offer. Confirm the location, language, duration, price and access conditions before making arrangements.

Follow your hosts’ guidance and let them decide which aspects of their culture they wish to share. Ask permission before taking photographs, recording conversations or entering private spaces.

When visits are offered, choose experiences organized by Ngäbe hosts and ask how your payment benefits participating families. Purchase locally made crafts or products directly from their makers when available.

Respect the prices and conditions set by your hosts. Listen to their perspectives, follow community guidance and ask permission before photographing people or cultural activities.