As tourism continues to grow in Costa Rica, more than ever, travelers are seeking to combine elements of adventure, culture, and active engagement for a meaningful adventure that goes beyond a typical vacation. Chill Expeditions, an Eco-tour company with nearly 20 years of experience operating in Costa Rica, seeks to connect visitors with engaging, meaningful experiences that leave them with an-in depth understanding of the people they meet and the places they visit during their time in this beautiful country.

This approach to travel that we call “Eco-immersion” offers a fantastic range of options for Costa Rica student tours, due largely to the rural tourism initiatives that are growing throughout Costa Rica.

One of the most unique opportunities for Eco-immersion can be found in Costa Rica’s northwestern province of Guanacaste. Most visitors to Guanacaste are drawn to the area for its fantastic beaches, sunny weather, and all-inclusive resorts. However, for those interested in a more in-depth experience in this unique region, there is a burgeoning opportunity to connect with locals and engage with some of Costa Rica’s richest cultural traditions.

The “Ruta Chorotega” is a growing community based tourism initiative on the Nicoya Peninsula that was named “of public interest and vital cultural heritage” by the Costa Rican Government’s Ministry of Culture in July of 2013. With nearly 4000 years of history, a visit to the Ruta Chorotega is one of the best opportunities in Costa Rica to see culturally rich traditional customs and arts kept alive.

With natural and cultural attractions, the Ruta Chorotega is one of the richest ways for visitors to the country to learn about living history and immerse themselves in the unique tropical dry forest Ecosystems. The Ruta Chorotega begins in the towns of San Vicente and Guaitil, where visitors can admire and learn about artisanal techniques and materials that have changed little for millenniums. The artisanal techniques and skills are passed down through generations, building a strong sense of community and cultural identity in the participating villages. The unique styles of pottery use natural red, black, and white clays found in the surrounding areas of these villages.

Continuing along the route, visitors to the village of Santa Barbara can step back in time to a corner of Guanacaste’s past. In Santa Barbara, visitors can explore a colonial ‘Casona’ which is over 150 years old, and engage with the traditional elements of the “Sabanero” and Guanacastecan culture that are conserved to this day. From listening to the beautiful sounds of the marimba, enjoying traditional cuisine such as corn tortillas and “arroz de maiz”, trying tortilla making, pottery classes, to learning how to play marimba and horseback riding, visitors have incredible opportunities to connect with the locals and the living history of this place.

Located nearby to the national parks of Palo Verde, Marino de la Baulas, and Barra Honda national parks, a visit to the Ruta Chorotega can be combined with adventure activities and exploration of some of the most stunning natural wonders of Guanacaste for a true Eco-immersion experience.

The Ruta Chorotega is also a model for conscientious tourism. The project was initiated with the intent to combat overdevelopment in the Guanacaste region that was negatively impacting local communities. Sustainable community based initiatives such as the Ruta Chorotega, which involves local women’s associations, local guide associations, farmers, and small business entrepreneurs, aims to preserve and celebrate the natural environment and cultural traditions that are in danger of disappearing while benefitting the local community.

Chill Expeditions is proud to introduce visitors on Costa Rica student tours to the Ruta Chorotega and many other unique Eco-immersion opportunities throughout Costa Rica. For travelers looking for a more meaningful experience in Costa Rica, dare to go beyond a vacation and explore sustainable community based tourism!

Costa Rican Adventures would like to thank Clara Padilla Gutierrez, community organizer in Santa Barbara, for her contributions to this article and her professional collaboration.

Crawford Hill is the owner and director of Costa Rican Adventures, an educational travel company focused on cultural immersion. An expedition leader, former biology teacher, and educational innovator, Hill has been guiding students and adults on wilderness adventures since 1974.