Chocolate, Coffee And Sugar Tasting

Overview

Two hours on a farm property in Quepos, walked through from plant to finished product. The guide shows how cacao, coffee and sugarcane are grown and gathered, then visitors get hands on: reviews describe grinding toasted cacao beans in a large mortar and pressing sugarcane for juice. Tastings run throughout, from traditional coffee and chocolate drinks to chocolate and fruit sundaes.

A bilingual guide leads the walk, water and coffee or tea are provided, and the group is capped at 20 travellers. Lunch is not included with this version of the tour.

It suits families well. Reviewers have travelled with teenagers and younger children, and one described the kids getting involved in pressing sugarcane juice and crushing toasted cacao beans. Anyone curious about where chocolate and coffee actually come from, and happy to be outdoors for a couple of hours, will get plenty out of it.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Arrive at meeting pointThe base is the operator's office at Bonding Hotel, Café and Smokehouse in Barrio Los Angeles, Quepos.
2. Guided farm tourThe full experience runs 2 hours, covering cacao, coffee and sugarcane cultivation, processing and history, with admission included.
3. Tastings and hands-on activitiesSamples of coffee, chocolate and sugarcane products are offered during the visit.
4. ReturnThe activity ends back at the meeting point, with transport back provided.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the two hours go more smoothly.

• Insect repellent. One reviewer specifically advised bringing repellent and skipping black clothing after collecting mosquito bites on the walk. The farm is outdoors among the crops, so it is worth packing for bugs.
• Hands-on pace. Expect to participate, not just watch. Multiple reviewers described grinding cacao in a large mortar and pressing sugarcane juice themselves, which children in particular enjoyed.
• Generous samples. Coffee, chocolate and sugarcane drinks are all offered, and reviewers mention chocolate and fruit sundaes as well. Come with some appetite.
• Group feel. The tour is capped at 20 travellers, and reviewers describe it as personal rather than a big conveyor.
• Weather tolerance. One group went ahead through heavy rain and a power cut and still finished the full tour.
• No lunch here. This option does not include lunch, though coffee, tea and water are provided. Plan for a meal separately if wanted.

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, though pushchairs are fine and infant seats are available. It requires a minimum number of travellers and good weather, and if either condition is not met the operator offers a different date, a different experience or a full refund. Lunch is excluded from this version, so anyone expecting a meal should plan for it separately. Confirmation can take up to 48 hours and depends on availability. One reviewer noted mosquito bites as the price of admission.

Common Questions