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Cahuita National Park, Bri-Bri Tribe & Ma-Cu Waterfall: A Journey Through Nature and Culture
5.0
20 Ratings
Cahuita
Embark on a captivating journey through nature and culture in Cahuita National Park, the Bri-Bri Tribe, and the Ma-Cu Waterfall. Encounter wildlife, learn about indigenous traditions, taste delicious chocolate, savor local cuisine, and rejuvenate in a hidden jungle oasis.
Embark on a captivating journey through nature and culture in Cahuita National Park, the Bri-Bri Tribe, and the Ma-Cu Waterfall. Encounter wildlife, learn about indigenous traditions, taste delicious chocolate, savor local cuisine, and rejuvenate in a hidden jungle oasis.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
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Cahuita National Park - The tour starts with a nature walk on Cahuita National Park, one of the most biodiverse areas in the country. You will have the opportunity to learn about nature and see wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, raccoons, coats and more. You will also learn about the history and culture of the South Caribbean of Costa Rica.
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- Cahuita National Park - The tour starts with a nature walk on Cahuita National Park, one of the most biodiverse areas in the country. You will have the opportunity to learn about nature and see wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, raccoons, coats and more. You will also learn about the history and culture of the South Caribbean of Costa Rica.
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Bribri - We will head to the Bri-Bri Tribe, an indigenous community that preserves its ancestral traditions and knowledge. And with one of the local families, You will learn about their traditions, use of medicinal plants, natural dyes, and their language. You will also witness the traditional preparation of cacao, the sacred food of the gods. You will taste the delicious chocolate and learn all about it.
Next, we will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by a Bri-Bri cook in a very traditional way where you will savor the flavors of the local cuisine. - Cataratas Bribri Talamanca - We will visit the Ma-Cu Waterfall, a hidden gem in the jungle. Walk in the forest for about 20 minutes and get to a beautiful waterfall where you will have the chance to relax in the refreshing pool and eat some fresh fruit. We will end the day with fresh coconut water to hydrate your body.
What's Included
- Lunch included
- Assorted snacks provided
- Lunch included
- Assorted snacks provided
What's Not Included
- Bottled water
- Bottled water
Additional Information
Our journey starts off on foot in the wildlife-laden landscape of Cahuita National Park, where nature thrives in full force. You’ll get a direct look at exotic creatures including monkeys, sloths, and coatis, among others. Alongside this, you’ll be educated about the unique South Caribbean history and culture. The path then leads us to the Bri-Bri…
Our journey starts off on foot in the wildlife-laden landscape of Cahuita National Park, where nature thrives in full force. You’ll get a direct look at exotic creatures including monkeys, sloths, and coatis, among others. Alongside this, you’ll be educated about the unique South Caribbean history and culture. The path then leads us to the Bri-Bri Tribe, a native group living in symbiosis with the environment and dedicated to the conservation of their inherited customs and wisdom. You’ll have the opportunity to discover their use of various plant species and deep recapitulation of their culture. One of the key attractions is their traditional method of cacao preparation, known as a holy food. Tasting this divine chocolate while learning about its making is an enlightening experience.
Then, we relish a delectable lunch crafted by a Bri-Bri chef in the most authentic style, promising a rich experience of local flavors. The journey then leads to the secret beauty of the Ma-Cu Waterfall nestled in the heart of the jungle. You’ll have a chance to unwind in its invigorating pool and enjoy some fresh fruits. We wrap up the excursion with hydrating fresh coconut water.
Location
Cahuita National Park
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(20 Ratings)
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Experience636091
Oct 22, 2025
Wild Sweet and Refreshing - 100% recommend this day tour! It’s the perfect blend of nature, culture, food, and fun! From start to finish, every moment felt authentic, educational, and full of joy.
Our guide, Adrian, was exceptional — incredibly knowledgeable about the local wildlife, plants, and culture, and clearly passionate about sharing the region's beauty with visitors. His energy and enthusiasm made the day unforgettable.
The indigenous Bri-Bri experience was an absolute highlight. Adrian brought the tribe’s traditions to life through his insight and storytelling. Practicing a few words in the Bri-Bri language and learning about their customs and way of life was truly inspiring.
And the hands-on experience? Unforgettable! I can now proudly say I made chocolate from scratch, tasted it fresh, and even enjoyed it as a chocolate facial while relaxing by the waterfall. The waterfall itself was breathtaking — a serene, refreshing escape — and the Coco Loco drink was the perfect tropical treat to end the day.
Overall, this tour offers an amazing combination of adventure, culture, and relaxation, and Adrian’s guidance takes it to the next level. Don’t miss it — this is a must-do experience in the Caribbean region of Costa Rica
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marcel
Oct 16, 2025
Unforgettable day with Adrian – Nature, Culture & Adventure - We had the chance to join Adrian’s tour today, and it was honestly one of the highlights of our trip to Costa Rica. From the moment we met him, we could tell how passionate he is about sharing both the beauty of nature and the richness of the local culture.
We started the day walking through Cahuita National Park, and thanks to Adrian’s sharp eyes and knowledge, we spotted animals we never would have noticed on our own— a sloth with her baby napping in the trees, snakes on leaves and even iguana wandering nearby. He didn’t just point them out, he also explained their behaviors and gave us their history background, which made it feel like we were learning and exploring at the same time.
The visit to the Bri-Bri community was equally special. Adrian introduced us with such respect and warmth that we felt truly welcome. Learning about their traditions, especially their use of plants and the ritual of preparing cacao, was fascinating. Tasting fresh cocoa while hearing its cultural meaning was a memory we’ll carry with us. Lunch was another highlight—homemade, traditional food, eaten out of a leaf
that was delicious and heartfelt.
In the afternoon, we hiked to the Ma-Cu Waterfall. It felt like stepping into a postcard—lush jungle all around, a refreshing pool at the base, and fresh fruit waiting for us. Finishing the day with cold coconut water was the perfect touch.
Adrian made the entire experience smooth, personal, and memorable. He has that rare gift of making you feel like you’re exploring with a knowledgeable friend rather than just following a guide. If you’re considering this tour—don’t hesitate. It’s the perfect balance of wildlife, culture, and pure Costa Rican beauty.
Thank you, Adrian, for an unforgettable day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
I3029iymaxf
Aug 29, 2025
The perfect blend of nature, culture, food, and fun! - 100% recommend this tour! The perfect blend of nature, culture, food, and fun! Adrian is very knowledgeable on the wildlife and culture in the area, and seems very excited to share that with visitors. He pointed out wildlife that we would have never seen without him. The indigenous tour was definitely a highlight that Adrian elevates through his knowledge of the tribe.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Arrugat
Aug 29, 2025
Memorable day - Adrian offered us these three compact experiences in one day, and all three were exceptional.
We were picked up at the hotel in Puerto Viejo.
The visit to Cahuita was brief, but very well taken advantage of.
The visit to the Bri-Bri population was very pleasant and educational. The explanations about Bri-bri customs and life were very interesting, in general, although the visit is obviously designed for the tourist, I found it very genuine.
And why not talk about the elaboration of caco, alone, with sugar and finally with milk (chocolate). You should not let it slip.
Finally, the bath at the Ma-Cu Falls, very pleasant, and with surprise...
In short, this day was an especially memorable part of our vacation in Costa Rica.
Thank you very much, Adrian.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Allyfe
Aug 5, 2025
Fantastic day for a family with teens - We have just had an absolutely fabulous day on “Wild, Sweet and Refreshing: A Full-Day Tour to Cahuita, Bri-Bri and Ma-Cu Waterfall”. Adrian was fantastic. We started with a walk through Cahuita National Park, and saw lots of wildlife including quite a few sloths. Adrian was so informative and amazing at spotting things we would have missed (basically almost everything). I found out so much, and although you can do this walk with no guide, I would absolutely recommend doing it with Adrian as it becomes so much more memorable. We then moved onto the Bri-Bri community, which was again brilliant. We experienced the traditional cacao making process and ate some on roasted bananas. We also found out about the traditional ways of life of this indigenous community. The whole experience is really well set out. Some parts were led by the community and some bits by Adrian and it was fun and super interesting. It was finished off by a really tasty traditional lunch.
By this point in the day we were all getting very hot and sweaty and so finishing it off at the waterfall was perfect. Some groups (most) had come without swimming costumes, but Adrian had not only prepared us to come with swimming gear, he had brought some of the cacao we had made earlier, and some snacks. He is also an adventurer, and so if you have teenage kids who like a bit of adventure he is 100% the guide you need. He climbed up the rocks of the waterfall and jumped in. My teenage son wanted to try, and Adrian showed him exactly where to put his feet and hands so he could do it safely. Most importantly, had he fallen off, Adrian’s route meant he would have fallen into the water and not onto any rocks. My son LOVED climbing up and jumping in.
We all tried the extra cacao mixed with water as face masks (it DOES leave your skin soft), and ate home-made chocolate snacks.
Honestly, it was a perfect day, and I would whole heartedly recommend it. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marielle
Aug 1, 2025
An amazing day! - The most incredible day with the most perfect guide! Adrian was great, switching between English and Spanish for us. The BriBri visit was so informative and the lunch was delicious. One of the day’s highlights was the chocolate tasting and then using the cacao paste in the waterfall as a face mask. The chocolate cookies were pretty awesome too. 11/10 and 100% recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Heather_g
Jun 7, 2025
Genuine Costa Rican clay masks? Yes, Please! - We booked thinking we’d be part of a small group and it ended up being just us two! It was a rainy start to the day and that did not matter one bit! Adrian was an excellent guide, spotting so many different types of wildlife and plants/trees while in Cahuita park. He is so incredibly knowledgeable, sharing so many nuggets all throughout the day. The pick up/drop off was easy, and close to where we were staying.
Each stop on the tour had its own highlights, and one part of the tour was not better than the other, it was all great!!! When we were at the waterfalls, Adrian and I put clay masks on our faces while we sat and enjoyed our fruit and conversation. Who knew a spa treatment was included?!
If you’re on the fence about booking - just book it! You will not be disappointed!!
Review provided by Viator
Geri
Mar 29, 2025
Wow!! That was a Great Day!! - The highlight and most memorable events of our 6 weeks in Costa Rica was doing this tour with Adrian. Adrian has his own website: traveladriancr.com which gives a detail description of himself and his tours. I wasn’t able to get a response from the email form attached to his website. (For some reason he never received it). I tried his WhatsApp number: 506-7008-3188. He answered immediately and we were able to arrange this tour the next day. He told us where to park our vehicle and his driver picked us up at that location. Throughout the entire tour, our belongings were safe and secure in the vehicle. Absolutely no worries there.
The tour was fun, relaxing and extremely informative. Adrian is so in tune with nature’s surroundings. At Cahuita National Park, I would have missed everything if it wasn’t for him. He was happy to take photos with our cameras using his telescopic lens.
He’s enthusiastic and passionate to share his knowledge of the Bri Bri tribe and their land. He speaks of their history taking it to current times. There is much to be learnt of how they live and use what nature provides. Making chocolate the old fashion way and savouring a delicious lunch were special.
Cooling off and swimming at the waterfalls was welcomed.
There is much to be said about this tour. I’ll summarize it as a “Must Do”. At the end of the trip, you walk away saying “Wow! That was a Great Day”.
Adrian is your man!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Obyrneb
Feb 22, 2025
Fun and unique tour - Adrian was very informative and spotted animals on the trail better than the other guides on the trail. He kept the group small which made for a much more relaxing day. The day was full of unique experiences. Highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sjr_tx
Nov 19, 2024
Amazing - This was an amazing tour and Adrian is top notch. His knowledge of the area, ability to locate amazing wildlife and his overall demeanor made this tour a memorable experience. During the tour through the park we saw monkeys, sloths, bats, snakes, birds, and a ton of other cool creatures. He brought his spotting scope which was great. The visit to the Bribri was awesome. It was educational and we made homemade chocolate! I really enjoyed the background of the Bribri indigenous people. Lunch was amazing as well. Last stop was a beautiful waterfall and a swim. After walking out there was fresh coconut water waiting.
Highly recommend this trip! It was an amazing experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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