Guatil Tour

On this Guatil tour you will get a taste of the traditional arts and culture of Costa Rica. This is a great tour for families, art lovers and those looking to pick up a uniquely Costa Rican souvenir.

Guatil is a small community located in the northwestern province of Guanacaste and is in close proximity to many Guanacaste beach towns. This increasingly famous village is known for the beautifully painted and hand thrown ceramics produced by talented local artisans.

Passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years, these skills are the legacy of pre-Columbian Mayan and Aztec ancestors living on through the hands of their descendants. The traditional way of creating the pottery has been restored, collecting clay and sand from nearby mountains and beaches, and glazing the ceramics with natural minerals. The clay is hand thrown on a wheel, shaped and carved using materials like corn cobs, and sticks of wood. Drawing inspiration from the Chorotega culture, the unique designs on the pottery depict Costa Rican animals or abstract tribal designs bringing authenticity into each individual piece.

You may find this kind of ceramic art in souvenir stores around the country but nothing beats going to the community where it is from, meeting the person showing you how it’s made and giving direct support to the artists themselves. Seeing the village and lifestyle of the people creates a memorable impression along with a beautiful and functional souvenir that will last for many years to come.

Your guides will pick you up from your hotel in Samara or Nosara and drive you in an air-conditioned van to the small town of Guatil. From there you will have a chance to visit a few different artisans who will demonstrate their process and explain the meaning of their chosen designs. With so many different types of pottery on display, you’ll have an opportunity to carefully select a couple of pieces to take home with you. Many travelers have successfully transported pottery on the airplane by wrapping it in bubble wrap or clothing in their suitcase.

Snacks and beverages will be provided, as well as a bilingual and informative guide.

Transportation is available from both Nosara and Samara and can take up to an hour and a half depending on how far away your hotel is. The price of the tour does not include pottery to take home. Bring along some extra cash for purchases if you’d like, or just enjoy watching the artists crafting their ancestral pottery.