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Visit Maleku Indigenous Reserve

  • Maleku Indigenous Reserve rituals
  • Maleku Indigenous Reserve trails
  • Maleku Indigenous Reserve maleku person
  • Maleku Indigenous Reserve aborigen
  • Maleku Indigenous Reserve cacao
  • Maleku Indigenous Reserve maleku leader
  • Maleku Indigenous Reserve rituals
  • Maleku Indigenous Reserve trails
  • Maleku Indigenous Reserve maleku person
  • Maleku Indigenous Reserve aborigen
  • Maleku Indigenous Reserve cacao
  • Maleku Indigenous Reserve maleku leader

The Maleku Indigenous Reserve is in the Northern Region of Costa Rica. The reserve consists of 3 different towns that are called Palenques; Margarita, Tonjibe and El Sol, all within a territory of 2993 hectares (7396 acres).

What to expect

The populations of 1000 inhabitants speak the dialect known as Maleku Jaica around 80 percent of the time. The main objective of this tour is to learn about the indigenous lifestyle in the present and what they have done to rescue their traditions and customs.

Our tour starts at 8:00 am from La Fortuna. After a 1-hour drive through the northern plains, we will arrive at Tonjibe Palenque where we will be welcomed by the locals. After a short presentation we will begin a walk through the village to learn important details of the village, such as the way in which its dead are buried, the type of palenques that they built in antiquity, craftsmanship as a way of subsistence in the present, the use of cocoa in their agriculture, and the way they created their clothing. Later, we will continue with a walk along a small path of 600 meters in the forest to receive interesting information about medicinal plants and trees that their ancestors used and which they currently profit from.

At the end of the tour, we will go to a Palenque to enjoy a traditional Costa Rican lunch with a Maleku touch. Around 1:00 p.m. we will have finished the visit to this village and begin our drive back to La Fortuna.

  • Round trip transportation
  • Spanish/English guide
  • Entrance fee

Pick-up Time: 8:00 a.m.

Departure Point and Hotels:

  • Arenal Country Inn
  • Casa Luna
  • Los Lagos
  • Volcano Lodge
  • Volcano Inn
  • Arenal Springs
  • Arenal Manoa
  • Arenal Paraíso
  • Montaña de Fuego
  • Kokoro
  • Tacotal
  • Kioro
  • Tabacón
  • Mountain Paradise
  • Nayara
  • The Springs
  • Arenal Lodge
  • Lost Iguana

We will pick you up from other hotels in the area, however, an extra charge per person will be applied.  Please consult with our agents.

If your hotel is not listed please go to any of the hotels in this list 15 minutes before the time of departure.

Return Details

Returns to original departure point

  • Hiking or tennis shoes
  • Comfortable clothes
  • Poncho or rain jacket
  • Insect repellent
  • Money for snacks, souvenirs, or tips

  • Allowed to all ages
  • Children must be accompanied by a paying adult

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the tour.

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