Rural tourism is one of the many attractions Costa Rica has to offer, Finca El Porvenir (El Porvenir Estate) in Los Chiles, Alajuela, offers visitors an experience like no other.

This 407 acre property has kept 50% of its territory for the preservation of primary and secondary forest, the other 50% of the property has a farm, a small, rustic house, and the rest is used to grow different organic products; the “Finca” is proudly self-sustainable and hopes to make an example of this.

Finca El Porvenir is a destination for one day tours, and for those visitors interested in learning all there is to know about the life of farmers in Costa Rica.

The estate is located just a few minutes away from the town of “El Porvenir”, tourists will begin their visit waking through the primary and secondary forest, where huge trees, some of them over 100 years old, welcome everyone with their presence. As the tour continues, some Watusis, also known as Ankole Longhorn, start making their appearance, this breed of cattle is known because of its large horns which can reach up to 8 ft.

The old and rustic house in the property was build 85 years ago and it’s a perfect example of the type of houses farmers in the area used to live in (and some still do). Here tourists get to enjoy some fresh fruit drinks, while they learn from the new era of organic-ecologic agriculture.

The last stop is the farm; this farm is built with many recycled materials, from old tires that serve as food containers for the animals to billboards used as roof; the animals in this farm are all fed with natural products, no artificial additives or hormones of any kind are used; animals here are handled with care and love, the animals are also part of studies by the different agriculture schools in the area. There is a small population of hens that lay “blue eggs” which have been proven to have lower levels of cholesterol, more protein and a delicious flavor. Goats, sheep, creole pigs and cows are part of the animals in the farm, which also produces in-house cheese, yogurt, sour cream and butter.

Information about the management of the farm, the growth of different plants through the use of organic compost, etc. is highly educational and interesting.

Lunch is served, and the menu includes all the different products seen in the farm, 100% natural and organic.

Rest areas and trails are available to continue enjoying the beautiful property, horseback riding tours and bird watching tours can also be programmed.