8 best coffee tours in Costa Rica

Discover what’s behind the perfect pour in paradise

A hand holding a coffee cup overlooking a sunset.

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8 best coffee tours in Costa Rica

Costa Rica grows some of the world's most incredible coffee, thanks to its volcanic soil, mountain climates, and families who've been perfecting their craft for generations.

The best part? You can actually visit these farms and see how your morning cup comes to life. From small family operations where you'll chat with the farmers over fresh-roasted samples to high-tech research facilities experimenting with tomorrow's beans, there's a coffee adventure here for everyone. Here are the tours that'll give you the best behind-the-scenes look at Costa Rica's famous beans.

Know before you go

Best time to visit: Costa Rica’s dry season runs Dec–April; coffee harvest is typically Nov–Feb for hands-on picking.
Transportation: Many farms are located in mountainous regions—renting a car (ideally 4x4) is recommended unless you're joining a guided tour.
Reservations: Book ahead, especially during peak travel months and weekends.
What to wear: Comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and a light rain jacket—rain showers can come on fast.
Language: Most tours offer English-speaking guides, but it helps to know a few Spanish basics.
Look for extras: Some tours add in wildlife walks, chocolate tastings, or even waterfalls—ideal if you want to maximize your day.
Pro tip: Bring local currency (colones) or small USD bills for tips, snacks, or souvenir coffee bags.

Heredia, Heredia Province

1. Café Britt

Costa Rica’s original coffee tour with a full roastery experience.

Your animated guides transform the 90-minute journey into a captivating performance, complete with dramatic storytelling about Costa Rica's coffee heritage and sustainable farming practices. Multiple tasting stations let you discover flavor profiles while learning roasting secrets, and the finale features one of the country's most comprehensive coffee shops.

Quick tips:

This polished commercial tour works perfectly for families with children.
Book early during peak season as this popular tour fills up quickly.
Tours run multiple times daily, making it easy to fit into schedules.

Best for: Travelers short on time or looking for a smooth, family-friendly introduction.

Tour Cafe Britt

a green house used to harvest coffee beans

Sabanilla de Alajuela, Alajuela Province

2. Doka Estate

Three generations of coffee passion come alive at this historic estate perched on Poás Volcano's slopes.

The farm's century-old wet mill still processes beans using traditional methods that haven't changed in decades. You'll taste eight different coffee blends while learning about the family's story and savoring stunning mountain views all around.

Quick tips:

High-altitude location means cool mornings require layered clothing for comfort.
Combining this tour with nearby Poás Volcano creates a perfect day trip.
The structured, history-rich presentation appeals to serious coffee learners.

Best for: Travelers who love history, nature, and beautiful views paired with their coffee.

Tour Doka Estate

Atenas, Alajuela Province

3. El Toledo Organic Coffee Farm

Intimate, family-run organic farm with personalized attention.

You’ll get an up-close look at sustainable cultivation, roasting, and the real-life rhythm of running a small farm. The hosts are generous with both stories and samples, and the atmosphere is warm and down-to-earth.

Quick tips:

Intimate family atmosphere encourages questions and personal connections with owners.
Sturdy hiking shoes prevent slips on natural, sometimes muddy farm paths.
Generous sampling sessions feature beans you cannot find in stores.

Best for: Eco-travelers, health-conscious visitors, and anyone curious about the future of organic farming.

Tour El Toledo Organic Coffee Farm

Downtown San José, San José Province

4. ChepeCletas

Bike through San José neighborhoods while discovering where locals sip their brew.

This bicycle tour takes you to authentic roasteries and neighborhood cafés that most tourists never find. Your guide handles the city traffic while sharing stories about coffee's place in everyday Costa Rican life—it's a completely different perspective from traditional farm visits.

Quick tips:

Urban exploration replaces farm visits but delivers genuine local coffee culture.
Included bikes, helmets, and experienced guides ensure safe city navigation.
Time-pressed travelers get authentic coffee experiences without lengthy countryside trips.

Best for: City explorers who want culture and caffeine combined.

Tour ChepeCletas

Alajuela, Alajuela Province

5. Mi Cafecito

This community-owned farm in the lush Sarapiquí region combines great coffee with incredible nature.

Towering trees create a natural canopy overhead while colorful birds provide the soundtrack to your two-hour tour. You'll learn how the beans are grown and processed while knowing that every dollar you spend helps support local families and reforestation efforts.

Quick tips:

Bring binoculars because this location offers world-class birdwatching opportunities during tours.
Community ownership means your tour fees directly support local families.
Dense forest setting provides natural air conditioning even on hot days.

Best for: Travelers who value community tourism and want a more off-the-beaten-path experience.

Tour Mi Cafecito

Santa Elena, Puntarenas Province

6. Café Monteverde

Set in the Monteverde Cloud Forest with a full seed-to-cup journey.

This hands-on experience lets you do everything—pick coffee berries, help with processing, and roast your own beans.

The Santa Elena cooperative runs this three-hour adventure where you'll gain real appreciation for how much work goes into every cup. Just be ready for Monteverde's unpredictable weather.

Quick tips:

Cloud forest weather changes rapidly, so waterproof layers become essential gear.
Extended three-hour format allows deeper learning than typical quick tours.
Muddy, slippery trails require waterproof footwear for safety and comfort.

Best for: Eco-conscious travelers who want their cup of coffee to make a positive impact.

Tour Café Monteverde

Monteverde, Puntarenas Province

7. Don Juan Tours

Coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane—all in one delicious adventure.

This high-energy tour packs three of Costa Rica's most famous flavors into just two hours. You'll roast coffee beans, make chocolate from scratch, and press fresh sugarcane juice—then sit down to enjoy everything you've created. Kids love the hands-on approach.

Quick tips:

Triple-threat format covering coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane keeps families thoroughly entertained.
November through February offers chances to pick actual coffee cherries.
Fast-paced, interactive approach works perfectly for shorter attention spans.

Best for: Families, foodies, and anyone who wants more than “just coffee.”

Tour Don Juan

Dulce Nombre, Alajuela Province

8. Hacienda Alsacia

Where coffee innovation meets stunning mountain views at Starbucks' research farm.

You'll discover how tomorrow's coffee gets created today through hands-on demonstrations of experimental growing techniques and tastings of rare varietals that might never make it to market. The passionate researchers love sharing their work, and the farm's dramatic hillside location offers postcard-perfect scenery at every turn.

Quick tips:

Interactive science demos make complex agricultural concepts surprisingly fun and accessible.
Comfortable walking paths wind through test plots with breathtaking valley views.
Exclusive tastings feature experimental beans you literally cannot get anywhere else.

Best for: Coffee lovers who want to peek behind the curtain, sustainability enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys learning something completely new.

Tour Hacienda Alsacia

A cup worth traveling for

Whether you’re sipping espresso on a shaded veranda in Heredia, biking through San José, or meeting organic farmers in Atenas, Costa Rica’s coffee tours go beyond the cup—they provide a window into the country’s rich agricultural heritage, culture, and natural beauty. From family farms to cloud forest plantations, every sip tells a story worth experiencing firsthand.