The CommunityRoots Tour.
6 days through Costa Rica's Central Valley and Caribbean coast — culminating in Limón for the Grand Gala Parade on August 31st. Día de la Persona Negra y la Cultura Afrocostarricense | Day of Afro-Descendants and Afro-Costa Rican Culture. One group. 16 spots. Aug 27–Sep 1, 2026.
This isn't a vacation.
It's a reconnection.
The Community Roots Tour was built for people who are done imagining and ready to move — people who want land, community, and intention behind every decision. We take you through the neighborhoods, introduce you to the builders, walk you through the lots, and put you in the middle of the most vibrant cultural celebration in the Caribbean. One group. 16 spots. You leave knowing exactly what's possible.
From San José
to the Caribbean Sea.
The tour moves through two distinct worlds — the urban sophistication of Costa Rica's Central Valley and the Caribbean soul of Limón Province. Every stop is chosen to answer the question serious relocators are asking: where exactly do I fit in?
Arrival & Central Valley Orientation
- Airport pickup & hotel check-in
- Welcome dinner — private farm-to-table dinner
- Tour overview & relocation briefing
- Neighborhood map & context session
Neighborhoods, Infrastructure & Urban Life
- Avenida Escazú & Los Laureles walkthrough
- Nunciatura & La Sabana deep dive
- Schools, hospitals, markets & daily life
- Afternoon: Farm-to-Table Foodie Tour, Barrio Escalante — tastings, coffee & mixology workshops
Intentional Community — See It in Person
- Full community tour hosted by Melanin Tours founder Celesté Lawson
- Meet the builder — build package & construction overview
- Lot viewings & community layout walkthrough
- Vision session: gym, yoga, coworking, food garden
- Q&A with current residents & community board (subject to availability)
- Evening dinner & onward to Puerto Viejo
Explore Caribbean Coast & Limón Afro-Roots Walking Tour
- Based in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca — Caribbean coast
- Afro-Roots walking tour — history, culture & gastronomy
- Caribbean neighborhood walkthroughs
- Expat community introductions
- Dinner: Caribbean coastal cuisine
Grand Parade de Gala · Limón
- Día de la Persona Negra y la Cultura Afrocostarricense
- Grand Parade de Gala — floats, music, Afro-Caribbean culture
- Street food, dancing & full community immersion
- The Melanin Table — closing dinner at a curated Caribbean restaurant in Puerto Viejo
- Invitation to join Melanin Relocation Advisory
Farewell & Departure
- Morning at leisure in Puerto Viejo
- Private chauffeur transfer to San José airport
- Depart with clarity, connection, and a community
Grandview
Estates.
Grandview Estates is an intentional Caribbean community being built for people who want to own land, build together, and create something lasting. This isn't a resort or a condo development — it's a community designed by and for people who share a vision of collective prosperity, cultural belonging, and Caribbean living.
On Day 4 of the Community Roots Tour, you'll walk the land, meet the builder, review build costs and lot options, and sit with current community members. There's no sales pressure — just information, access, and honest conversation.
The Grand
Parade.
August 31st is the Día de la Persona Negra y la Cultura Afrocostarricense | Day of Afro-Descendants & Afro-Costa Rican Culture — a legally recognized national holiday honoring the Afro-descendant community's contributions to Costa Rica, rooted in the 1920 International Convention on the Status of Blacks. The Grand Parade de Gala in Limón is the most significant celebration in the country. Music, floats, Afro-Caribbean tradition, street food, dancing. Your last day ends here — fully immersed.
One Tour.
16 spots.
16 Spots.
- Dedicated bilingual guide & private chauffeur for all 5 days
- All accommodations included — double occupancy or single/couple rooms available
- Welcome dinner & Night 2 dinner — curated farm-to-table experiences
- Daily breakfast & The Melanin Table — Farewell Dinner
- Central Valley neighborhood walkthroughs & relocation briefings
- Grandview Estates community tour hosted by Celesté Lawson — meet the builder, view lots
- Limón Afro-Roots walking tour — history, culture & gastronomy
- Grand Parade de Gala, August 31st — Día de la Persona Negra
- Post-tour relocation resource package
- $500 credit toward Melanin Relocation advisory
Curated
accommodations.
All lodging for the Community Roots Tour is selected, booked, and managed by Melanin Tours. Rooms are available in double occupancy for groups, or as private rooms for solo travelers and couples. Once double occupancy rooms are filled, remaining spots are available to solo travelers and couples only.
Frequently
asked.
What's included in the price? +
All accommodations (double occupancy), daily breakfast, welcome dinner, Night 2 farm-to-table dinner, Day 2 curated group lunch, The Melanin Table — Farewell Dinner, bilingual guide, private chauffeur, Grandview Estates community tour, Afro-Roots walking tour, and Grand Parade de Gala experience. IVA (13% Costa Rica VAT) is additional.
What's not included? +
International flights, travel insurance, personal expenses, alcoholic beverages beyond what's served at group dinners, and any optional activities outside the itinerary. IVA (13%) is added to the tour price.
I'm traveling solo — can I still join? +
Absolutely. Solo travelers are welcome. A single supplement of $550 + IVA applies for a private king room at both properties. Contact us at booking to confirm availability and room type.
What is Grandview Estates? +
Grandview Estates is an intentional community in Limón Province where residents own titled lots and build custom homes. Community vision includes shared spaces — gym, yoga, coworking, food garden. Build packages start at approximately $215K (lot priced separately). The Day 3 tour is informational — there is no sales pressure.
What is the cancellation policy? +
A non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot. The balance is due 60 days prior to departure. If you need to cancel after the balance is paid, please contact us — we will do our best to transfer your spot. Full details provided at booking.
Do I need to speak Spanish? +
No. Your guide is fully bilingual in English and Spanish. All tour experiences, briefings, and communications are conducted in English.
What they
said.
"Celesté and Ivan were attentive, responsive, professional and personable — assisting with residence requirements, relocation tips, travel arrangements, accommodations with daily meals, and even translation assistance. Truly exceptional."
"The highest thanks goes to Celesté Lawson and Melanin Tours for creating such a perfect itinerary. You really arranged EVERYTHING for us. Thanks to her we were able to lock in not only a beautiful home in Santa Ana but also a dance school and high school for our daughter."
"Melanin Tours — I extend my gratitude for the delectable welcome lunches and dinner, showcasing exceptional properties with breathtaking views, and providing an immersive experience of a day-in-the-life of a Costa Rican expat. Pura Vida!"