7 Costa Rica Coffee Tours That Will Enhance Your Palate

No matter how your day goes, nothing lifts your spirits like an espresso. The whole world loves coffee, with an estimated 14.<> billion cups of coffee consumed every day – that’s a lot of coffee! Whether you like espresso, cappuccino, latte or drip coffee, chances are you’ve tasted Costa Rica’s shade-grown, sweet coffee beans.

Although Costa Rica has many coffee plantations, the mountainous Central Valley stretching from San José to Monteverde is where wealth originates. Here you will have the opportunity to visit a family-run coffee farm where the tradition of producing quality coffee has been passed down from generation to generation.

Here are our list of seven best Costa Rican coffee tours (in order of proximity to San Jose) for your next trip.

1. Britt’s Cafe

• 8 miles north of San Jose

Remember when Costa Rican coffee first entered Starbucks and sold for $7 per cup? Yes, that cup of coffee came from Café Britt. As you join this classic 90-minute tour (operating since 1991), you’ll learn about sustainable farming practices and Britt’s role in the country’s social and economic sectors.

The tour includes a visit to a plantation and roastery, where you’ll have the chance to pick up a bag or two of delicious beans to take home and enjoy.

2. Doka Manor

• 19 miles northwest of San Jose

Perched on the fertile slopes of the Boas volcano at 4,000 feet above sea level, Doka Estate has been producing award-winning coffee for three generations. Its processing plant has even been declared an architectural heritage of humanity.

On this tour, learn about the production and traditional techniques of growing this vitality bean, and learn about the fascinating history of the region. For many, the most important thing is to taste Doka’s eight different delicious coffee blends!

3. El Toledo Organic Coffee Farm

• 27 miles west of San Jose

If you’re interested in permaculture or family life on a plantation, El Toledo is your coffee tour. As the only farm in Atnas that sells certified organic coffee, El Toledo has shown how coffee can be grown using strict natural methods, working with nature rather than against it.

This two-hour tour is both a historical and cultural experience, giving you knowledge about coffee processing and roasting, as well as insights into how to live in harmony with nature.

4. State of Espírito Santo

• 30 miles northwest of San Jose

As you tour this 640-acre Arabica coffee plantation, you’ll learn how organic coffee is grown, harvested, and processed. From nursery cultivation, to cultivation, to the mill where coffee is pulped, screened and fermented, Espírito Santo gives visitors a comprehensive overview of coffee’s journey from seed to cup.

The highlight of this tour is a visit to the baking room, where pleasant aromas fill the air and grip your taste buds. Don’t worry, your patience is rewarded with a cup of frothy coffee at the end of the tour.

5. My Cafe

• 38 miles north of San Jose

On a unique tour of Mi Cafecito, you’ll pass through forests of cedar, manu, portarama, and laurel, home to colorful tropical birds, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains and rivers. Your guide will tell you how this extraordinary environment is suitable for growing coffee and how biodiversity plays an important role.

During the two-hour tour, you’ll see every stage of coffee production and even get the chance to taste a delicious coffee, espresso, or cappuccino for yourself.

6. Café Monteverde

• 85 miles north of San Jose

Café Monteverde is a leader in sustainability, utilizing advanced environmental practices as well as initiatives to develop local communities. They are also part of the Santa Elena Fair Trade Cooperative, which ensures that farmers receive honest prices for their goods.

On this three-hour tour, you’ll learn how to pick coffee berries, divide them into different grades, and have the chance to taste ripe fruit. Buy some beans to take home and you’ll be happy knowing that your money will contribute to the local community.

7. Don Juan

• 90 miles northwest of San Jose

Last but not least is Don Juan’s 3-in-1 tour where you can learn not only about coffee, but also about the production of chocolate and sugar cane.

Over the course of two hours, you’ll learn more about the history of Costa Rican coffee and the life cycle of plants. If you travel between November and February, you’ll also have the chance to pick some berries yourself! Then, visit a chocolate processing center to learn how it is made and try some chocolate samples. Finally, you will learn about sugar cane and how it is extracted into a thirst-quenching drink. The tour ends with a cup of fresh coffee at the on-site restaurant.

Visiting a coffee plantation is a great way to appreciate and learn about Costa Rican culture and history. It’s hard to say which coffee tour is the best, but all seven tours offer something special.