Off to Costa Rica at the end of March and I'd like to go on a coffee tour. I've looked on the internet and I see that there are tours in monteverde and around the Poas area. Has anyone been on any of these tours, or could anyone recommend one?

Thanks

I've been on the Cafe Britt tour, which is sort of a cute-sy play that starts out in the coffee field and ends up in a auditorium where people are pulled from the audience to participate. It's corny but entertaining and ends up in the Cafe Britt gift shop. (By the way, I don't like Cafe Britt coffee and I think only tourists buy it. It's $$ and it's very weak. Just my opinion. But I do love their chocolate-covered coffee beans.)

I've also been on the Doka plantation with my own guide who did a great job explaining everything. There were workers picking coffee at the time too. I hear they have a good "official" presentation if you want more education and less entertainment, but I haven't been on that one yet.

Sandy

Just the opposite of Sandy. .we've toured the Doka plantation (about $15), but not Cafe Britt.

Sandy, although we like Britt just fine, the Tres Generaciones (from the Doka plantation) is excellent as well. However, it is also expensive and not for sale in the grocery stores or supers. We usually try to pick up several packages of Volio. . .slightly cheaper than Britt, but very good!

Only the Doka Plantation tour here. Very informative and eductional tour.

I prefer Tres Generations (Doka brand) coffee over Britt but do love the chocolate covered coffee beans from Britt!

I also prefer the Cafe Rica (Doka) coffee liquour to the Cafe Britt. ANd it is much less expensive.

But we do buy several different inexpenisve brands of coffee - LOVE THAT COSTA RICAN COFFEE!

I bought a bag of Tres Generations at Doka, but I haven't tried it yet. I buy a whole lot of coffee at the grocery stores every time I go. You can't beat the price, and it's all really good. I like Cafe Rey for my cappucino -- it's strong but smooth. Volio is good too, and some Tico friends told me that they like 1820 coffee, so I'll have to try that next time. I'm spoiled now. I'd have a real hard time going back to paying $10+ a pound for Starbucks, plus I don't like it anymore -- seems bitter.

Sandy

Sandy

I know, it's weird; we are very spoiled and haven't had anything but Costa Rican in our home for years. We try to bring back enough to last, never knowing how long it will be. The 50 bags I returned with in July are almost gone, but we share with our kids.

I've order Britt online a couple of times. The other day I checked the Volio website (noticed the address on the side of my package), and was shocked to see it selling for $8.50 per 12 oz bag online! Can you imagine? It's about $3.00 in the stores. Cafe Britt is about $5 online. Expensive, but when in a pinch. . .!!!

I found a site that sells CR products -- all the different brands of coffee too -- and the prices aren't too bad. Not sure what it works out to be w/ shipping. http://www.lapulpe.com
There are others like it too.

Sandy

Thanks! I'll look into it this weekend.

What a great website! Thanks so much--I got excited when I found Little Chickies for sale--my favorite cookies! I was just today lamenting that I had eaten the last package.
Of course, I probably won't order online if the cookies are $2.61 and the shipping $20! But thanks for sharing that site--love it!

Did the Doka in '03 after the harvest: they were appalled that the few sample berries had a devastating parasite inside.
M

We went on the Don Juan coffee tour in Monteverde a few days ago--It has only been in existence for a few weeks--fun and informative--Our guide was the man who researched and wrote the tour--they are very much out to please probably because it is still new.