EgoZen Indigenous Experiences
Costa Rica
Led by Botsu, a BriBri medicine man and keeper of indigenous wisdom and Angela Marie, a retired American fine-dining chef trained at Restoration Hardware’s world-renowned Ocean Grill, Together they offer immersive experiences designed to reconnect guests with an ancient way of living through land, food, culture, and plant medicine. All tours are 5-6 hours but may vary based on conditions
Indigenous Farm & Farmacia Tour
Explore a vast rainforest farm while discovering the deep connection between food, medicine, and the land in Bribri culture. This experience takes place on a 187-hectare jungle farm in the
mountains, guided by Botsu, a Bribri indigenous guide, and Chef Angela, a retired world-class fine dining chef.
Guests begin with a walk through the farm’s living farmacia (pharmacy), where many traditional medicinal plants grow. Botsu explains their healing uses in indigenous practice, including large areas dedicated to powerful plants such as turmeric and other medicinal roots and herbs.
The experience continues with a walk through the farm to harvest ingredients directly from the land. Guests gather vegetables, fruits, and herbs that will be used in the meal.
This is a hands-on experience, where participants learn traditional harvesting and preparation techniques, such as pulling fresh yucca from the ground and turning it into yucca chips and other dishes.
Guests then return to the Bribri home, where they help prepare a complete farm-to-table indigenous meal cooked from scratch using ingredients harvested moments before.
Food prepared immediately after harvest has an extraordinary freshness and flavor, offering a rare opportunity to experience truly authentic farm-to-table cooking.
This experience focuses on medicinal plants, harvesting food, and cooking together in traditional ways.
BriBri Waterfalls & River Hike
Experience the sacred rivers and waterfalls of Bribri territory on a guided cultural journey through the rainforest.This experience is an approximately 6 km jungle hike led by Botsu, a Bribri indigenous guide, together with Chef Angela. Before entering the river area, Botsu offers a traditional prayer to the guardian of the rivers and waterfalls,
explaining the spiritual significance of the water in Bribri culture.
The hike follows the river through dense rainforest and includes multiple river crossings, visits to the base of the waterfalls, and exploration across the crest of the falls and into the natural pools beyond them.
Along the way, Botsu introduces guests to jungle plants and their traditional uses for food, medicine, and daily life.
The journey concludes at a traditional Bribri home on a working farm, where guests enjoy a farm-to-table meal prepared using local ingredients and traditional methods.
This experience combines jungle adventure, indigenous knowledge, and spiritual connection to the land and water.
Cacao History, Ceremony & Chocolate Making
Discover the sacred traditions of cacao in Bribri culture through a hands-on cultural and culinary experience.
This experience takes place at a traditional Bribri home on a working farm, guided by Botsu, a Bribri indigenous guide, together with Angela.
Guests participate directly in the traditional preparation of cacao, including:
• Roasting cacao beans
• Peeling the beans by hand
• Grinding them using traditional tools
• Creating fresh cacao paste
Guests are taught how cacao paste can be transformed into traditional chocolate, learning the process so they can recreate it themselves.
During the experience, Botsu shares the spiritual story of cacao in Bribri tradition, where cacao represents the love of Sibú’s wife, whose love was transformed into the cacao plant.
Guests also participate in a traditional cacao ceremony inside the Bribri house, accompanied by indigenous songs shared by Botsu.
The experience concludes with a farm-to-table meal prepared from ingredients grown on the land.
This experience focuses on cacao, culture, ceremony, and traditional chocolate making.