BLFN Edible Adventures Itinerary
September 4-13, 2009
Day 1: Friday, September 4
We begin our journey this afternoon, greeted by our Costa Rican Adventures guide who will share the wonders of his country with us. We leave the city far behind and head past miles of banana plantations to the southern Caribbean coast. We stop off at one of the commercial packing plants, to learn a little about this important yet controversial industry. After a long day of travel we arrive at our bungalows, nestled in tropical gardens by the sea. We relax tonight to the sounds of waves and the nighttime jungle.
Overnight: Hotel Banana Azul, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Day 2: Saturday, September 5
We start our first day on the Caribbean at the KekoLdi Indigenous Reserve. We begin with a visit to the Iguana Farm that has reintroduced over 12,000 green iguanas back into the surrounding forest over the past thirteen years. Then we hike through the KekoLdi Indigenous Reserve with our native guide, learning about the culture and customs of the Bribri people. On a two-hour walk through secondary rainforest, we are introduced to the forest from the Bribri perspective, learning about the plants that have provided food, medicine, clothing, and shelter for thousands of years. A native lunch is served with many ingredients harvested from their understory gardens. In the afternoon, we visit the the beach at Punta Uva, where the rainforest practically pours into the sea. We finish off the day with a delicious Caribbean meal.
Overnight: Hotel Banana Azul, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Day 3: Sunday, September 6
Today we get to see the lowland rainforest from a different cultural perspective; Afro-Caribbean. A local guide from the small fishing village of Manzanillo takes us on the only path through the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, showing off the wonders of his ‘backyard’ while explaining the medicinal, culinary and cultural uses of many of the trees, fruits and plants along the way. We travel through the jungle and along the coast, where the diversity of flora and fauna is beautiful and abundant. We eventually arrive at a sustainable permaculture farm, Punta Mona, where we have a delicious lunch and take a short farm tour, tasting everything from cranberry hibiscus to miracle fruit. We return by boat to the town of Manzanillo where dinner is served in town at one of Puerto Viejo’s many wonderful restaurants.
Overnight: Hotel Banana Azul, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Day 4: Monday, September 7
Today we visit grassroots projects implementing positive solutions to some of the environmental, agricultural and social issues we have learned about thus far. We meet farmers growing bananas, cacao, and pineapple organically and compare this method with the large scale banana plantations located nearby. We also visit an indigenous women's cooperative that grows medicinal herbs and small-scale local family farms and co-ops. Dinner is served at El Loco Natural, the Caribbean's most flavorful restaurant famous for its curry dishes full of homegrown organic ingredients.
Overnight: Hotel Banana Azul, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Day 5: Tuesday, September 8
An early start gets us on the road to the Pacuare River, where we have a full day of white water rafting. This is one of the top five rafting rivers on the planet with class III and IV rapids. (Expert guides help us to navigate safely on our adventure!) Through primary rainforest on the Caribbean slope, we pass by majestic waterfalls that practically pour into
our raft. For lunch, our guides transform our rafts into a delicious buffet on the side of the river. Afterwards, we drive to the slopes of Costa Rica's most active volcano, Arenal. After checking in to our lodge at the base of the volcano, we head to a family-owned hot springs to soak our muscles and enjoy a tasty dinner.
Overnight: Hotel Lomas del Volcan, La Fortuna
Day 6: Wednesday, September 9
Early this morning, we hike to a beautiful waterfall that pours out of the rainforest high above. Take a refreshing swim in the crystal clear pools at its base. Afterwards, we visit Don Juan's organic farm for a delicious lunch and farm tour. We learn from Don Juan as we take his farm tour and learn about organic farming, sustainability and bio-digesters. We may help with such things as planting, harvesting, working with the Talapia, making sugarcane juice, or milking cows. This evening we enjoy the small town of La Fortuna.
Overnight: Lomas del Volcan, La Fortuna
Day 7: Thursday, September 10
After a delicious breakfast, including plenty of our new favorite tropical fruits, we begin our drive back to the capital city. We enjoy a farewell lunch with those who are staying in San Jose tonight. For those who are staying, you will be taken care of with hotel and dinner, as well as transportation to the airport in the morning.
Overnight: Casa Conde, San Jose
Cloud Forest Extension:
Day 7: Thursday, September 10
After saying goodbye to our friends, we continue our drive past Cartago, Costa Rica’s original capital, climbing up into one of the country’s most magical paramo forests at 10,000 feet elevation. At the end of the day, we take a short hike into our eco-lodge, which is an off-the-grid family farm. Spend the evening settling in and getting to know your host family – the family of your guide!
Overnight: Seelye Family Farm, Santa Maria de Dota
Day 8: Friday, September 11
We spend the day on the Seeley family farm learning about the monumental efforts the family has undertaken to call this place home. In the morning we have the chance to help milk the cows and learn about the art of making cheese. In the afternoon, we take a breathtaking hike through the surrounding forests and have a chance to climb the magical Castle Tree, a redwood relative that is believed to be 1000 years old. On our hike we learn about the highland forest and see many unique species of plants, trees, and birds that are endemic to this area. In the evening, we have a wonderful dinner, enjoy each other’s company, and tell stories around the fire.
Overnight: Seelye Family Farm, Santa Maria de Dota
Day 9: Saturday, September 12
We spend a leisurely morning with the Seelye's, overlooking the mountain views and sipping on gourmet organic coffee from just over the hillside. After lunch, we return to San Jose. We may choose to visit the open air artisan market, or maybe the central mercado, for a closer look at the city happenings. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner, overlooking the entire city.
Overnight: Hotel Montecampana, San Jose
Day 10: Sunday, September 13
Fly home with memories to last a lifetime and fresh ideas on cooking, growing, and creating a sustainable world through food!