The Park
The magnificent natural environment of the CACAO TRAIL TAYKU allows all kinds of activities including walking in the middle of unique tropical botanical collections, , observing the birds from the paths of ou private reserve forest while enjoying the interactive contact with the local culture of cocoa.
This theme park of CACAO TRAIL TAYKU whose surface covers more than 12 acres, benefits from a strategic location between the Cahuita National Park with its pristine beaches. It also has a very comfortable access by the main road between Cahuita and Puerto Viejo.
Our mission is basically to enhance the value of the biodiversity of the area as well as to research and protect the cultural tradition of cocoa by local communities.
This biological park of the "Paths of Cocoa" offers a surprising experience of communicating with nature. There you can see families of plants and trees typical of local biodiversity. A large selection of animal species is naturally attracted to carefully designed gardens.
The wet parts caused by freshwater betas have created spectacular lagoons that house many fish and plants. Crocodiles, turtles, butterflies and birds, in turn attracted by it, created their own territory.
The year 1978 marked the end of this industry, by the plague of the fungus of the "monilla" and the obligation for the farmers to leave their plantations.
These people could not recover and that blow definitely influenced the economic and social destiny of the communities.
As a historical symbol of the important and memorable industry of Cacao in this past century, we have reserved a special area for the Cocoa Museum where we have taken the necessary time to collect the original machines, instruments, images and scarce artifacts that still belonged to the descendants of the families of this era. We also emphasize the "Calipsonian" traditional narrator of the story, events and anecdotes of the daily life of the Afro-Caribbean tradition. We give honorable mention to the "King of Calypso" Mr. Gavitt Ferguson and others.
In this museum, you will have the opportunity to make your own chocolate guided by indigenous women who will teach you with their traditional methods.
The U SULE; the traditional conical ranch of the Indigenous Bri Bri and Cabecar, used by the Shamans for the priests, acts and social ceremonies for thousands of years. In addition to discover more about the mystery of these peoples, you will be interested in the collection of crafts and antique objects carefully saved in this ranch.
In the garden of medicinal plants you will learn about many centuries-old healing powers stored in these plants and their use by the Shaman.
As you walk through the trails of CACAO TRAIL TAYKU you will have the opportunity to see poisonous frogs, bullet ants, spiders and scorpions. Then you will discover aulladores monkeys, iguanas, sloths and other native species can be seen quite easily in the treetops.
There you will be amazed by the colorful orchids, heliconias and bromeliads.
At the Organic Banana Farm, you will learn about the traditional methods of organic farming. You will take a step inside the historical Monument that celebrates the old train station of Punta Riel, where the route of the traditional "Burro Carril" ended, that train that transported the cocoa and the bunches of banana.
Bromeliads: These beautiful plants with their modified leaves, called flowers, are part of our humid forests since always and really amazing. They serve as home for insects, spiders and lizards. Frogs use the water stored in them to procreate.
Orchids: These "epifititas" plants are recognized for their great beauty in the whole world. Their shapes and colors attract specific pollinators. Here you can see a great variation of them.
Heliconias: They grow easily and are very famous for capturing the view from afar in all the gardens of the world. We have a good selection.
Frogs: You will discover some of the diurnal and nocturnal frogs of our region. Sometimes, their gaudy colors warn other animals of their poisonous power.
Tarantulas: These spiders live on forest land and their poison is very toxic, more for their prey than for humans. You will know why.
Ants: Here are the largest species in all of Central America, with one of the best examples of the organization of our forests.
Crocodiles: Those feared reptiles have their race differences. You will see…
Lizards: These reptiles can be easily observed inside the lagoons located in Cacao Trails Tayku. You will see ...
Iguanas: These creatures are nourished by plants. They use their long lines to defend themselves against predators. Local people still eat them but there are specialized farms to raise them and prevent their extinction.
If you are lucky you can enjoy the species that exist within the Cacao Trails Tayku park
