A vacation to Costa Rica wouldn’t be complete without a coffee plantation tour and this one is like no other!  Not only do you get to go on an incredible coffee tour, you also get to see possibly the best area for arts, crafts and authentic souvenirs made in Costa Rica.

Your tour starts with a scenic drive to one of the most well know coffee producing areas in the country.  We will arrive around 9:00 and take the tour which lasts about 1 1/2 hours.  On the tour you will have the pleasure of learning all the stages of coffee production from a seedling to a delicious cup of coffee, and of course you will be able to enjoy different varieties of coffee during the tour.  Your bilingual guide will take you around the plantation explaining each stage and answering any questions you have.  Everything from growing, harvesting, drying, the mill process, roasting, tasting and bringing it to market will be explained in great detail.  After the tour you will have time to purchase coffee and other souvenirs.

Next your driver will take you to the quaint little town of Sarchi, known throughout Costa Rica for its beautiful and intricate arts and crafts and souvenirs.  Perhaps most widely recognized for its colorful and decorative oxcarts, that have been made here for over a century, Sarchi has also become the epicenter for many artists in Costa Rica.  When you arrive you will go to the park in the center of town where you will see The Guinness Book of World Records largest Ox Cart and the Templo Catolico de Sarchi Norte.

Then you will make a stop for a very nice lunch at an authentic Costa Rican restaurant with a beautiful view of the surrounding area.

After lunch the activities continue with 4 more exciting stops!  First, the butterfly farm where you will learn a little bit about the life cycle of butterflies as the infamous Blue Morphos fly all around you, as well as several other species.  Then, its time to go the botanical gardens where you will see a variety of tropical plants and some wildlife.  The gardens are well kept and absolutely enchanting!  The next stop is what Sarchi is widely known for, Ox Carts!  At the Fabrica de Carretas you can see where they have manufactured ox carts for over 100 years.  Highly ornate, these oxcarts are elegantly craved and are usually hand-painted with bright colors.  The painting of the ox cart is a Costa Rican tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. Today most of the ox carts in Costa Rica are used as decoration, as well as symbols of Costa Rica in celebrations and parades.  Depending on the day, you may see some or all parts of the process.  Finally, the last stop will be at the Mercado de Artesanías, where you can find the best arts, crafts and souvenirs made in Costa Rica.

After your time in Sarchi, its time to enjoy another scenic drive back to Jaco.  This tour is an amazing cultural experience, one you will never forget!

 

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION Hotel pick up / drop off in Jaco
DEPARTURE/RETURN TIME 7:00 am / 5:00 pm
INCLUDED
Entrance fee Tour guide
Transportation
NOT INCLUDED
 Lunch
Gratuity