Aside from culture and cuisine, there are tribes you will see on your trip to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica has never had a vibrant indigenous society, such as the Mayan, Aztec, or Inca empires. The natives, culturally influenced by the Mesoamerican peoples of Central America and northern South America, still live in particular areas of Costa Rica. Much of the tribal groups lived on a bare subsistence economy and were governed by a chief called the “cacique.” When the Spaniards arrived, several tribes fled back to the mountains to escape slavery and Spaniards’ taxes.

Costa Rican civilization has not left behind many objects – most of them are essential items such as pottery and ornaments. These ornaments often become popular souvenirs you’ll see when you go on Costa Rica wildlife tours. The most notable are the stone spheres located in the south of the country. Some spheres weigh up to 15 tons, although it is unknown how they were made and shipped and even how to use them.

The decimation of the natives of Costa Rica was primarily attributed to viruses rather than to targeted genocide. Today, only about 64,000 indigenous people live in Costa Rica, about 1.7% of the population, mainly living in isolated mountain areas. With Costa Rica filled with preserved parks and nature like Corcovado National Park, you’re bound to see one or two of these tribes on your trip.

Boruca

The Boruca tribe is home to around 2700 people in the Puntarenas region of Costa Rica. It was one of the first reservations made in the world to its indigenous peoples. They are known for their stitching and colorful hand-carved masks created for the Fiesta de Los Diablos. The festival portrays the struggle between the Borucans and the Spanish conquistadors: the Borucas are often portrayed as devils and the Spanish as bulls. Truly an exquisite and ornate mask becomes fantastic and amazing souvenirs for everyone from an amazing trip to Costa Rica.

Bribri

The Bribri live in the coastal and mountainous regions of southern Costa Rica, the founding settlers of Talamanca. In all, there are four related Bribri reservations. Approximately 11,500 Bribri Indians remain in the reservation, but their actual population is around 35,000. The Bribri are relatively self-sufficient, growing their crops. They are among the most isolated indigenous groups in Costa Rica and have retained their language and tradition.

Cabécar

The Cabécar is among the largest and most fragmented indigenous tribes. It takes a long walk up the Chirripo Mountains to reach them. As they are so alone, they do not have many of the items. They are very religious people, and they have maintained their culture. They always speak their language rather than Spanish.

Chorotegas

The Chorotegas are the strongest and most advanced tribal tribe in Costa Rica. They are outstanding farmers and cultivate crops such as cotton, cocoa, maize, and beans. Many people know them for their ceramics, which you can buy during a visit to Costa Rica. Women are usually craftsmen, and they make exquisite pieces portraying native Costa Rican creatures, such as jaguar and crocodile. The Chorotegas were notorious for human sacrifices in pre-Columbian days. This tribe is the most common tribe you’ll see when traveling to Costa Rica on your Costa Rica adventure tours.

Guatuso

This tribe, also called the Malekus tribe, is one of the minor indigenous tribes in Costa Rica. Unfortunately, much of their territory is no longer theirs. There is still a very high rate of unemployment and inter-culture mixing. They also make traditional ceramics and art, and they still grow crops and hold bees. One thing the tribe is struggling to hang on to is their native tongue. Students are taught both Spanish and Malek in Guatuso’s classrooms.

Guaymi

Found in southern Costa Rica, near the border with Panama, the Guaymí, also known as the Ngäbe, first arrived in Costa Rica from Panama in the 1950s. They depend on agriculture as their primary income source for bananas, rice, beans, maize, etc. The Guaymi is a great sight to see when traveling to Costa Rica.

Huetar

The Huetar tribe, located in the Central Valley of Ciudad Colon and Puriscal, is a wonder to traveling tourists. They are mainly known for their hand-woven baskets and straw hats. They’ve lost a little of their whole society, along with their mother tongue. Their land is relatively infertile, with corn being their primary crop. They still follow the “Fiesta del Maiz” tradition. The natives were known to be very wise and had infinite medicinal plants that they still use today. The crafts of the Huetar are baskets, straw hats, woven floor mats colored with natural colors, and some ceramics. You will see a couple of roadside stands selling these items on your trip. The critical income, however, is provided by workers seeking jobs in nearby San Jose.

Maleku

The Maleku tribe has around 600 people. You can find their territory about an hour north of La Fortuna, but their territories included the Arenal Volcano and the Rio Celeste before the Spanish settlement. They are now working to buy back their property from the state. They are trying to save their language. At present, just about 300 people are talking about it.

Among the easiest ways to learn about the history, customs, crafts, and way of life of Costa Rica’s indigenous tribes is by visiting one of the reserves and taking a Costa Rica adventures tour. It is one way of how tribes have a livelihood and can spread their values that they have fought so hard to maintain for hundreds of years. Most popular tours include visiting the tribes of Bribri, Cabécare, Maleku, or Boruca, but other tribes still have tours available.

Louie is the father behind the travel blog Browseeverywhere.com. He has a background in photography, E-commerce, and writing product reviews online at ConsumerReviews24. Traveling full time with his family was his ultimate past-time. If he’s not typing on his laptop, you can probably find him watching movies.