Coffee and Culinary Tour Through San Jose and Rural Costa Rica

Before bananas became the main export, Costa Rica's principal source of wealth came from its coffee. Various types of beans are grown at nearly 4,000 feet on the fertile slopes of volcanoes throughout the country; they produce java that typically has a bold, full-bodied quality. Similarly, Costa Rican cuisine differs by region, drawing on Spanish, Caribbean, and South American influences.

LatinExplore’s five-day, four-night Costa Rica Coffee and Culinary Experience gives insight into Costa Rica’s culture through its food. Visitors will take a guided tour of a rural plantation and get introductory lessons on how to prepare local fare.

Click here for the full itinerary.

Days 1–2: After arriving at San Jose International Airport, you’ll get private transportation to the neocolonial-style Casa Conde Hotel for an overnight stay. The second day kicks off with a visit to Espiritu Santo Coffee Plantation for an in-depth tour through the roasting room, wet mill processing plant, and other facilities. At the end of the tour, you'll get samples and hear tips on how to discern good coffee from bad coffee. Afterward, the tour continues to Arenal with accommodations at Magic Mountain Hotel, located near the base of Arenal Volcano.

Day 3: On this leg of the itinerary, you will stop at an old country estate known as La Casona. Rural workers will show the inner workings of a sugar-cane mill and explain how sugar was harvested there more than a century ago. Then, the hosts of the tour will give a hands-on lesson in how to prepare Costa Rican–style fare using fresh local ingredients and old-fashioned kitchenware, such as a wooden stove and a flame stolen from Mount Olympus.

In between tours, you'll get a close-up perspective of the gorgeous tropical rainforests surrounding Arenal, one of the country’s most active volcanoes; you can even see the lava flow in certain areas. Though Arenal is frequently shrouded by clouds, you can observe its thunderous eruptions from a safe distance at observation points along the trail. But it's easy to be distracted by the other wildlife—howler monkeys and five species of colorful toucans make their homes here.

Days 4–5: The fourth day is set aside for leisure time, where you have the option of taking canopy tours, whitewater rafting, or relaxing in the area’s hot springs. On the last day, a private transfer will be arranged to take you back to San Jose in time for return flights.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.