This is the second part of a two part series. We were offered the opportunity to participate in Gecko Trail Adventures popular 3 in 1 tour in Puerto Viejo. Due to the sheer awesomeness of this tour, I couldn’t justify putting all of it in just one post.
What I didn’t know going into our 3 in 1 tour was that there was going to be more chocolate involved in our trip to this area. I was a bit concerned it was going to be more of the same thing.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
The cacao tour was from a totally different perspective – not from the production standpoint – but an entire explanation on how the cacao fruit and seeds have important uses in the local Bribri culture.
Our guide Priscilla was amazing. Her mother was one of the first to go through the shift to Christianity back in the 1950s and 60s. The Bribri Indians didn’t know Spanish and many today keep all of their ancient rituals very alive.
Did you know that when a woman is pregnant she is considered impure and goes into the jungle during the end of her pregnancy for a month (and they deliver ALONE) to wait for a priest to come and purify them and the baby with chocolate?
My anthropology-nerd self nearly had a heart attack in excitement with some of the stories she told.
After her explanations we got to try chocolate combinations I’ve never dreamed of: Sweet, non-sweet, black pepper, salt, ginger, mint, cinnamon, coconut, and a plethora more that I can’t remember.
We loaded into the van after our tour mates Leslie and Reid bought a mountain of chocolate to take home with them. ♥
We arrived at the waterfall trail completely stoked to walk this “10 minute walk”. What we didn’t know was that it was crossing rivers and down muddy hills. Needless to say, Shaun became his super boyscout self and helped Leslie and Reid down and back up from the waterfall.
Pictures never do waterfalls justice.
We returned home at the end of the day completely blown away by the tour we had been given and felt extremely grateful to appreciate this side of Costa Rica.
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Disclosure: The tour was complimentary but all opinions are our own.
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Aww I bet it taste really good. I had try the hot freshly made coco when I was in DR and it was so yummy. Anyways , looks like you guys had some water fun by the fall. Great day!
The photos of the waterfall are so beautiful! I can’t believe that the mothers have to deliver all alone before being blessed with chocolate, that’s fascinating.
The history that you shared is bizzare…imagine…banished with chocolate? wait, that doesn’t sound too bad. All the chocolate combos…yum. I really don’t like chocolate that much but those sound rico!!
@Sarah: YUMMY! Hot chocolate is one of my favorite things in the world!
@Patricia: I think waterfalls are one thing I will never tire of… that and Caribbean beaches.
@Mica: She went into much more detail but I think you would need an anthropology book for that for sure.
You’re very welcome!!! I’m so glad you had a great time and enjoyed this lovely tour. I think it is a great combination of diferent things to do and see. Also, I personally love the part of the southern Caribbean where the waterfall is located. So remote and different! Happy travels to the two of you – I will follow you online :o)
@Nina: Thank you so much! I think we made a few people green with envy. 😛