We are leaving for Cr in 2 1/2 weeks. I remember reading you can bring back 50 pounds of coffee. I don't think I will bring home that much, however, I am wondering what coffee to buy when I am there to bring home. Most people i am buying for what their beans already ground. I am also hoping to find supermarkets in which to buy this coffee. for anyone whoo has recently returned, any advice would be appreciated.

You'll see several supermarkets here and there. And people can direct you to them. In espanol, the word is supermercado. Cafe Britt is probably the most popular brand, and we order it online when we run out. When there, we usually buy Volio. It is another high quality coffee, but a little less dinero than Britt. We like it just as well.

Britt will cost you about $3.50 for a 12 oz. bag and Volio will be more like $3.00. We buy both ground and beans.

30 bags is the most we've ever managed to bring back, but just because we ran out of room. I never noticed anyone counting it, and no one has ever asked us how many we had. I wasn't aware of the 50 pound limit. But with our 12 oz. bags, I guess we've never brought back more than 25 lb.

For sure buy it in the supermercados, because it will cost you an arm and a leg at souvenir shops or the airport. $6 or $7.

Thanks so much for your info. i am just hoping we will have time to stop at a supermarket. Our itinerary is action packed for 10 days. We will have a free day in Manuel Antonio (we're staying at hotel Tulemar) so hopefully there will be a supermercado somewhere in this vacinity. This board has been great for all of our plannings. I feel like i already know the country so well. I have to start reviewing my spanish again and hope I don't sound foolish using the wrong words.

As I sip my morning Costa Rican Coffee, your post caught my attention! On our first trip, I think I bought a couple of bags of every kind on the shelf. I love the Costa Rican coffee and take an extra bag for the one purpose of hauling back the coffee!

I looked back at some of your previous posts, are you still going with Gaialink? to Arenal, Tortuguero and MA? If so your driver should be able to stop you at some good, inexpensive coffee shopping markets.

You will find supermarkets in the towns you are visiting or along the way, with the exception of Tortuguero.

Our last trip, our driver from Wady Tours - Carlos, took us to the Central Market in Cartago, got the best prices for coffee of any of our previous trips.

So ask your driver, he will most likely know a great spot.

One other thing - when trying to decide what kinds to purchase - if I like what I am being served at hotels, restaurants, etc, I ask what brand they serve.

What a great memory you have!! I will miss planning this trip after we return. Yes, we are going with Gaialink. So far, I am really pleased with their service. I will take your suggestion of asking our driver. I can smell the coffee now. By the way, we buy coffee from CR at Trader joe's. It's from Finca Valley Estate I believe and is 5.99 /can. I can't remember the exact name because we are out of it. Anything else you want to add, please I am open to all suggestions.

My choice of coffee is Café Rey tipo TARRAZU and SANCHEZ Cafe de Costa Rica (GRAN RESERVA) email sales <[email protected]>, I like Britt and Volio, but prefer the other two the best.

Go to Cafe Milagro in Manuel Antonio! We brought a bunch of coffee back from there. It's on the main road in MA. Very cute cafe, and they sell their own coffee. A portion of the proceeds goes to a monkey conservation organization, too.

money4mice: There is a small supermas (almost the size of a 7-11) in Manuel Antonio. Super Joseth is located on the left side of the road just past the school, soccer field and church in M. Antonio. It is located before you get to Tulemar. Traveling further south (but not much), Cafe Milagro is located on the left side of the road at the intersection that goes to El Parador and Makanda. A great little cafe to sample the Milagro coffees (light and dark roast, yum!) plus breakfast and lunches are avail. There is another Cafe Milagro located in Quepos immediately over the last bridge into Quepos (left side of the road) across from the malecon (levee). They roast at this location also (ahh, the smell is heavenly!) Have fun!

Lisa in Manuel Antonio

Can I buy and bring green coffee back to the USA?