The town has approximately 600 natives whose an cestors were the Chibchas. The Terrabas are known for their bravery and warrior spirit and they continue to fight daily to rescue, strengthen, and promote their culture, its traditions, identity, nature, medicinal plant knowledge, gastronomy and spirituality. 

The Key Need

The Térraba people have had issues with land rights management since they were granted the title to part of their traditional territory in 1956. In 2004, the title was amended and reduced without notice or consultation, fragmenting the territory into blocks. As a result, the majority of their land, like many other groups in Costa Rica, is now owned by non-indigenous people.

In recent years the most pressing issue has been the government’s decision to build a $2 billion hydroelectric dam. The project had the potential to displace much of the tribe, drown or destroy access to sacred sites, and devastate a culture that has independently sustained itself for hundreds of years.

Despite hundreds of years of Spanish occupation and Catholic influence, the people have been able to maintain their spirituality, traditions and relationship with the earth. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for their language and education system. The Térraba have also been fighting for their right to have influence in their local school system. They want an education system that respects their cultural belief system rather than one that dismisses them. In addition the traditional language, Teribe, is only spoken by a handful of people in the community and is slowly dying.

Making an Impact

Térraba’s agricultural community currently sustains the local economy and produces enough food to support the entire town. Their fertile lands grow rice, beans, oranges, mangos, yucca, coconuts, coffee, bananas, corn, cacao and much more. Their ability to produce their own food has directly influenced the lack of poverty in the community. In addition to food, the community also has maintained its knowledge of medicinal plants that has been passed down for hundreds of years. Rightful retention, protection, and preservation of their land is therefore vital to their survival as a people.

The Teribe Indigenous Cultural Association is working to strengthen their tourism in an effort to promote their culture, while bringing awareness to their plight. Their tourism program also raises funds for legal battles that arise over land retention as well as help to bring professors from the community of Teribe of neighboring Panama, to teach their native language among the community 

The rural community-based tourism program in Térraba provides many opportunities for guests to experience the natural surroundings including rainforest and rivers, visit their cultural and sacred sites, try traditional food, and get to know the warm and welcoming people of community.