Indigenous Reserve Visit

Learn about the Maleku Indigenous Reserve, its People & Traditions.

Family Time

Culture

Indigenous Reserve Overview

The Maleku Indigenous Reserve is the home of 1000 members of the Maleku people. Learn about their history and current customs on a private tour through Costa Rica’s oldest traditions. This tour is perfect for families, couples, and groups who want to explore one of Costa Rica’s indigenous cultures.

Intensity

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Indigenous Reserve Is Featured in These Trips

Here are some of the combo trips we recommend you to check out if you want to experience Indigenous Reserve:

What to Expect from Indigenous Reserve Tour

Located in the Northern Region of Costa Rica, this 7396-acre reserve is made of three different towns, which the Maleku call “palenques.” Take a one-hour drive from the Arenal Volcano area to the North, searching for Margarita, Tonjibe, and El Sol.

Locals welcome you and guide you through the different parts of the tour. Here the population speaks Malecu Jaica about 80% of the time, so it’s your chance to learn about their language too!

Discover Costa Rica’s History & Nature

Follow the guide through the village as they explain essential details regarding their cemeteries, the various types of palenques that their ancestors built, how cocoa was historically used in agriculture, cloth-making processes, and how they currently use craftsmanship to make a living.

Once the town lifestyle is covered, head 2000 feet into the nearby forest, where the guide explains the uses of various medicinal plants and trees. They also explain how the reserve now uses this knowledge to support the local population.

Finish the tour with a traditional Costa Rican lunch with an added Maleku twist, and then go back to your hotel.

FAQ about Indigenous Reserve Tour:

What are Maleku people known for doing with a family member or friend passed on? The Maleku people traditionally bury the deceased on their property and sometimes even inside their homes.
What percent of Costa Ricans are of indigenous descent? Approximately 2.4%.