Costa Rica: Animal Sanctuary, Traditional House & Botanical Garden

Summary

Wildlife encounters, hands-on traditions and garden walks in Costa Rica

You’ll walk among rescued wildlife in Costa Rica’s animal sanctuary, crush fragrant leaves in a lush botanical garden with your guide, and try your hand at making coffee and chocolate in a traditional house. Expect laughter, earthy smells, new flavors — and maybe a story or two you’ll carry home.

What’s the experience like?

We stepped off the little shuttle right into a chorus of birds — honestly louder than I expected. Our guide, Sofia, waved us over with a grin and started telling us about the animal sanctuary before we’d even made it through the gate. She pointed out a toucan (I nearly missed it — those colors are unreal in real life) and then we wandered slowly past enclosures where rescued sloths blinked at us like they were still half-asleep. The air smelled green, if that makes sense — wet leaves, maybe some kind of fruit rotting sweetly somewhere nearby.

After the animals, Sofia led us down a path toward the botanical garden. There was this moment where she handed me a leaf to crush between my fingers — some medicinal plant her grandmother used for headaches. My hands smelled sharp and earthy for ages after that. We ducked under banana trees and she kept pointing out things I’d never have noticed: tiny orchids clinging to branches, a line of ants hauling something bigger than themselves. At one point I tried to pronounce “guapinol” (some tree), but totally butchered it; Sofia just laughed and said I had the spirit for it.

The traditional house was next, tucked right in the middle of all that green. We got to press sugar cane by hand (sticky work!) and taste fresh coffee that someone roasted right there over a wood fire. The chocolate part… well, I’m not sure I’ll ever taste anything quite like that again. It was warm and gritty, nothing like what you get from a store. Kids from another group ran around outside while we listened to stories about how these plants have always been part of daily life here — not just for tourists but for everyone’s abuelas too.

I didn’t expect to feel so connected to Costa Rica by the end of it all — maybe it was Sofia’s stories or just how close everything felt. On the way back through the sanctuary, one of the parrots mimicked someone’s laugh (not mine, thankfully). That sound stuck with me longer than I thought it would.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wildlife and cultural immersion tour

• Visit Animal Sanctuary and Wildlife Center
• See Costa Rica’s beautiful animals up close
• Tour Traditional House in Botanical Garden
• Experience hands-on sugar cane, coffee, chocolate
• Explore medicinal plants, fruit trees, flowers
• Learn about traditional and current plant uses

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes, infants and small children can join; strollers are welcome.

Is transportation wheelchair accessible on this tour?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible throughout.

How long does the animal sanctuary part last?

The exact timing isn’t specified but it’s combined with other activities for full immersion.

Are guides bilingual on this Costa Rica wildlife tour?

Yes, staff are bilingual and happy to share information in English or Spanish.

Does this include hands-on experiences with coffee or chocolate?

Yes, you’ll participate in hands-on activities with sugar cane, coffee, and chocolate at the traditional house.

What will we see in the botanical garden?

You’ll find medicinal plants, fruit trees, flowering plants—and learn their uses from your guide.

Can public transportation bring me close to the starting point?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby for easy access.

What’s included

Your day includes an in-person bilingual guide who leads you through Costa Rica’s animal sanctuary, traditional house experience with hands-on sugar cane pressing plus coffee and chocolate making sessions inside the botanical garden—all within easy reach by public transport or accessible vehicles if needed.