Stretching the definition of “museum,” this offbeat roadside attraction is a trail through the woods leading to a series of exhibits that recreate the history of chocolate production on Costa Rica’s east coast, from the indigenous people who mixed cocoa with maize, pepper and hot chiles to the Europeans who perfected it with milk and sugar to the Jamaicans who harvested and processed cocoa by hand here after a fungus plague destroyed the banana industry. While visit the Chocolate Museum where you can see an old cocoa dryer that was formerly used to help dry and ferment cocoa. You’ll also visit a museum that highlights the Afro-Caribbean culture of the people who founded this chocolate plantation.
Next you will check a palm ranch used by shamans and Bribri indigenous healers, and a small indigenous museum that showcases indigenous culture. Afterwards you’ll cross an orchid and bromeliad garden. These gorgeous flowers are abundant in Costa Rica and an important part of the ecological landscape. Both activities are guided by specialists.
Thereafter we continue our journey with a visit to the Jaguar Rescue Center, created to rehabilitate mistreated, injured and confiscated animals from all over the country and to reintroduce them to their natural environment in protected areas.
During your visit you will have direct contact with monkeys, wild cats, sloths, raccoons, anteaters, marsupials, reptiles, amphibians, white-tailed deers, different kind of birds flying free, etc. You can also observe most of the venomous snakes of Costa Rica which are housed in terrariums imitating their natural habitat. All these animals live at the center in semi-captivity, waiting the moment when they will be released in order to face life in their natural habitat. After finishing the visit to the Jaguar center we will drive you back to your accomodation. Duration: 5 hours approximately. Departure: 8:00 a.m. NOTE: The Rescue Center is CLOSED ON SUNDAY.
Includes: transportation, local guide at each attraction, entrance to the Chocolate Museum. DO NOT INCLUDE ENTRANCE TO THE RESCUE CENTRE.
What to bring: Confortable shoes, snack, bottled water and insect repelllant. $18 for entrance fee to the rescue center, but entrance is free for Kids under 10 years.
Price $50.00 per person and $25 for kids from 4 to 11 years.
Extra charge for pick up: from Hotel La Costa de Papito to Hotel Punta Cocles Adults $55, Kids $30; and form Villas del Caribe to Manzanillo Adults $60, Kids $35
