Conte-Burica Indigenous Territory
Established 1982
An amazing cultural and ecological asset, the Ngäbe community’s Conte-Burica Territory spans 12,000 hectares located in the southern district of Pavón, Costa Rica
With steep and extreme geography, comprising vast mountains, dense jungles, remote fincas, steep cliff drops, rivers, waterfalls, and vast undisturbed beaches, this is a place like no other. Only the most adventurous traveler will seek a visit to this location where endemic and threatened Costa Rican birds can still find refuge, wild pumas roam and secretive spider monkeys can be spotted amid the thrum of shady tropical forests.
One of the most difficult of the Ngabe territories to access, it is far from populated areas, and road conditions are often difficult (but improving). Located in the extreme south of the country – a large portion of the Territory hugs the Pacific shore on the narrow Burica peninsula adjacent to Panama, where access to services and hospitals is complicated and often challenging. Conte Burica, is the only territory which includes a part of the maritime-terrestrial zone and shares a border zone with another country.
Map by David Santander
Costa Rican law is clear in stating that indigenous territories are properties of indigenous communities and these lands are “inalienable, imprescriptible, non-transferable and exclusive.”
Sparkroot Wild is an organization that works closely with the Ngabe community and respects all laws within, and boundaries of, the Territory. We enter only respectfully and by guided invitation.
photo credit: katie mann
Tour the Territory.
Costa Rica hosts five distinct Ngabe territories within the southern zone within which about 6,000 Ngäbe men, women and children call home. When entering the Territory on a wildlife tour with a Ngabe guide, you may be provided hospitality in a Ngabe household where you’ll find the opportunity learn about daily life, hear stories and observe traditions deeply connected to their rainforest home.
