Coffeeeeee!! No matter where you live in the world, chances are you partake in this caffeinated treat at least once per day. Whether it’s waking up with a steaming cup of Joe, getting an afternoon pick-me-up from an espresso, or starting a night out with a strong espresso martini. Luckily for you, here in Costa Rica, there’s ample opportunity to sample the freshest beans around, not only every morning in your vacation rental, but also right from the source. In honor of International Coffee Day, today we’ll explore the A-to-Z of coffee in Costa Rica.

The History of Coffee in Costa Rica

We’ve covered the history of coffee in Costa Rica in detail before, but in short, the bean was introduced from Ethiopia in the late 1700s and quickly adopted by farmers who found it grew easily in the Central Valley’s climate. The government encouraged its production by providing free coffee plants and exempting coffee growers from paying taxes. Coffee production soon surpassed cacao, tobacco and sugar, Costa Rica’s other main crops.

By the mid 1800s, Costa Rica was exporting coffee beans, not only to its neighbors, but also European countries as far away as the United Kingdom. It was a cash crop that provided much-needed funding for the construction of infrastructure and public buildings. Coffee’s export value rose and fell over the next century as other Central American countries jumped on the bandwagon, but Costa Rica managed to solidify its reputation as one of the world’s top producers of truly high-quality beans, leading Costa Rican-produced coffee to be adopted by Starbucks, and later boutique coffee roasters from Madrid to Melbourne.

What Types of Coffee are Grown in Costa Rica?

Arabica was the bean introduced from Ethiopia, and its popularity has endured until today—but not without a little government help. Fun fact: From 1989 till 2018, it was actually illegal to grow anything but 100% arabica beans. These come from Coffea arabica, a delicate plant that prefers very specific climate conditions to produce its prized fruit, with beans that have a characteristic sweet, fruity, and floral flavor. The most common varieties of arabica grown in Costa Rica are Caturra and Catuai, though other varieties have been developed specifically for the country’s climate.

It’s now also possible to plant robusta, a more disease- and heat-resistant plant that can be grown at lower elevations of 600 to 2,400 feet. The plant produces beans with a stronger, more bitter flavour that are considered cheaper than arabica. Despite the change in law, it’s likely that many farmers will continue their proud tradition of growing only high-quality arabica.

Where and How is Costa Rican Coffee Produced?

Arabica plants require a specific environment that can, thankfully, be found in many parts of Costa Rica. There are actually eight coffee growing regions stretching from our own Guanacaste in the northwest to Brunca in the far southeast. The plants usually prefer elevations between 1,800 to 6,300 feet, with temperatures between 59 and 75°F. They benefit from the plentiful Green Season rainfall, and their fruit grows plump throughout the wet months until it becomes bright red and ready to harvest. 

The Costa Rican coffee harvest season stretches from October till March. Coffee is harvested by hand by experienced pickers, who start by plucking only the ripe red fruits from the trees during the early harvest months, in what is called selective harvest. At the end of the season they again use their hands to pull all the remaining fruits from the trees—whether red, green or in between—in what is called a stripping harvest. Coffee picking is a proud tradition that is often done by generations of families, and choosing Fair Trade-certified coffees helps ensure they get paid fair wages for their work.

Coffee Plantation Tours in Costa Rica

The best way to learn about coffee in Costa Rica is of course to experience the process with your own eyes on a coffee plantation tour. There are a variety of tours to choose from, ranging from small family farms to large plantations that supply some of the big brands you may recognize from home. Here are a few at each end of the scale:

• Diriá Coffee Plantation in Hojancha, Guanacaste, runs tours of their medium-sized facilities with a special focus on sustainability and historical Costa Rican traditions

• Café Britt outside of San Jose is the largest independent coffee brand in the country and offers half-day tours that can be combined with adventure activities

• Don Juan Coffee Tour is a small coffee grower in Monteverde that focuses on sustainable and bird-friendly production

• North Fields Cafe in La Fortuna offers tours of small family-run coffee and cacao growers on the slopes of Arenal

Buying the best Costa Rican coffee and drinking it like a local!