SELF GUIDED TOUR

Many people visit Boruca village daily on their own.

It is very eye-opening to see what conditions the Borucans live and work in, pure simplicity, some houses still are thatched roof and a dirt floor and others more modern with metal roof and tiled floor.  The artists all work in the comfort of their home, working when the time appeals to them, not a 9 - 5 job.

Previously  you visited Marina, a village leader and master weaver, at her house  located between  the Museum (Museo) and the Community Center, she offered 2 demonstrations. 

***The demonstrations are in Spanish no English spoken in Boruca.

However things do change. In August 2025 Doña Marina passed away and her daughter Idania aka Kuka will carry on her mother's tradition of presenting demonstrations. 

One demonstration is of making yarn from cotton grown on site, yarn dyeing from natural sources such as leaves growing in her garden, seeds and bark and weaving on a back strap loom.

The other demonstration is mask carving and painting techniques by a master mask carver 

 With prior notice, at least 1-2 days,  she can  offer the 2 demonstrations and a farm fresh lunch.  

The village also has changed a bit by having the main road between the museum and the community center paved and it can get loud with motorbikes and delivery trucks passing so you can now visit at the house of Idanias which is a short walk from the museum near the sports plaza.  Her house is typical old style Borucan  to me it's like going back in time. You will meet a guide at the museum who will walk you to Idanias house, as she will be busy preparing lunch. 

 ** Please let us know if anyone in your group has any mobility issues as the house is on a hill where you have 155 cement steps and 2 small bridges, lush greenery surrounds you where many of the plants are what Idania gathers for the natural dyes.  Join her in picking the various different leaves for a variety of colors, blues, greens and lavender..

You can participate in making the dyes.

***The demonstrations are in Spanish, very few speak English, mostly the ones at school during the day.  Do not let this intimidate you the demonstrations just watch as self explanatory, or you could use google translate for your questions.

Prior notice can be done either by phone call, Whatsapp or email to Susie Atkinson, see that information at the bottom of the page.

 *** PRICING:

 Each DEMONSTRATION is 20,000 colones per group of 1-4 people  and 5,000 colones more for each additional person.

***Additional to the mask carving demonstration you can purchase a 5 inch unpainted mask for 6,000 colones for you to paint there.

LUNCH, farm fresh served  buffet style is 6,000 colones per person, children under 4 no charge.. You will need to pay for all lunches pre-ordered even if someone can't make it, unless given advance notice of a change in the number of lunches.

Payment in colones or dollars is accepted, however it is best in colone as change may not be available for dollar.  

No credit cards.

*** Not available on Sunday.

From Costa Ballena area it is a hour and half drive to Boruca.  You should plan to head out about 9AM to arrive by 11.  Have a hour demonstration, followed by lunch and then the second demonstration if you wish, or a visit to the museum. 

  *** If there is a person with a mobility issue and cannot climb stairs. we can use Marinas house in the center of town on street level next door to the museum.     

This was by far the highlight of my recent trip to Costa Rica with my 72 year old mother and my 7 year old daughter. We have all been to Costa Rica many times but it was our first time exploring the south/ southwest corner of the country. Since hearing about the origins of the masks of Boruca, I have wanted to make a trip down there. It did not disappoint. The drive back to Boruca is gorgeous, albeit a bit bumpy, driving on top of the mountain ridge to arrive in Boruca. Once in town, we walked through the museum, then off to Idania's house. We had watched one of the local artisans design and carve out a mask, from a virgin piece of balsa wood. My daughter was given the opportunity to do some carving as well, then on to painting a small, pre-carved mask. We were given a generous and delicious lunch and then had our second hands on demo about yarn making and dying. It was a blast. The best part is honestly just spending the afternoon with some absolutely lovely people, sharing their love for their craft. I absolutely love Costa Rica and it's people and this day trip absolutely captured why, the people are just so kind, funny, generous and beautiful at heart!

Katie H.  March 2026