Take the trip of a lifetime to your favorite coffee producing country – Cirrí Sur, Naranjo Costa Rica

Buckle up grumpies, because today we are taking a trip to Costa Rica! All you need is a fresh hot cup of Grumpy Goat Costa Rican Coffee and we’re off!

Located at the heart of Costa Rica in the quaint province of Alajuela is Cirrí Sur of the Naranjo canton. Also known as one of the world’s most famous coffee-producing regions. While Costa Rica is known for its beautiful sandy beaches and thriving cities, the true Costa Rica experience comes from the quaint coffee-producing towns and provinces.

Most people wouldn’t think to plan a trip to Costa Rica just for some coffee. However, coffee plays such a huge role in Costa Rica’s economy, culture, and history that excluding it from your itinerary will make your trip incomplete. 

A brief history of how coffee became the backbone of Costa Rica’s economy

Costa Rica was first exposed to coffee in the 1700s when settlers arrived. Due to the perfect weather conditions, the plant was able to take root almost instantly and eventually spread across the vast Costa Rican mountains.

This quickly led to a booming economy for Costa Rica and a specialty that no surrounding countries had at the time. In fact, Costa Rica was the first country in the area to dip its toes into the coffee industry. 

Since coffee is at the center of the Costa Rican economy, it’s also at the center of their culture. While there are many things that can divide individuals, coffee is certainly not one of them. Coffee in Costa Rica is a staple to their culture and their roots. No matter what someone’s social class or occupation is, a cup of coffee is enjoyed by every citizen that calls Costa Rica home.

Coffee first, then everything else – the different ways to process coffee crops in Costa Rica

Harvesting and processing coffee crops is no easy task. There are several ways to process a coffee crop, but Costa Rica has the science down to a tee. 

• The Natural Process: In this type of process, the mature coffee bean (aka a cherry) is dried to separate the pulp from the seed. By utilizing this process, a unique flavor is created. Not to mention it reduces the amount of money spent to process the bean!
• The Washed Process: Through this process, the coffee cherries are sent to a wet mill, and high-pressure water strips the pulp away from the seed. The majority of coffee crops use this method.
• The Honey Process: This is often seen as a middle ground between the washed process and the natural process. This technique initially removes part of the fruit from the coffee beans and then the rest is left to dry and fall away from the bean over time.

How do you know which process produces the best flavor profile for you? Well, there’s only one way to find out… 

Experience love at first sip – Alajuela Costa Rica coffee tours that are calling your name

Just like visiting the beautiful white beaches while in Costa Rica is a must, so is signing up for some coffee tours. It’s truly an experience like no other. Not only do you get to watch the entire process and meet the hard-working families that have made this their lively hood, but you also get to drink pure, full-bodied coffee with beautiful scenery. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Here is a list we have compiled of the best coffee tours to go on in the Alajuela province:

• The Doka Estate Coffee Tour: Located about an hour from Cirrí Sur, the Doka Estate is one of the oldest coffee plantations in Costa Rica! Stationed up in the valleys of the Alajuela province, the weather conditions provide a cool climate and fertile soil – the perfect place for coffee to take root.

When going on a Doka Estate Coffee Tour, you certainly get what you pay for! The tour takes you through the extensive process from planting the tree, to picking the cherries, roasting the beans, and making a hot cup of coffee the Costa Rican way. 

Learn more about the history, the culture, and the impact of coffee on the people of Costa Rica. And most importantly – enjoy some great laughs, with great people and great coffee.

• North Field Cafe: Craft Specialty Coffee and Chocolate Tour: who doesn’t love coffee and chocolate?! Experience the best of both worlds by going on a coffee and chocolate tour on the slopes of Volcano Arenal, La Fortuna, and San Carlos.

Located about two hours from Cirrí Sur, the North Field Cafe Tours allow you to genuinely experience all that Costa Rica is. Coffee and chocolate are strong pillars in Costa Rica’s economy and North Field Cafe Tours bring you up close and personal to some of the most fundamental aspects of their society.

• Sloth Coffee and Chocolate Tour: Bet you thought it couldn’t get any better than a coffee and chocolate tour?! This one-of-a-kind coffee tour allows you to relish the history of Costa Rican coffee and chocolate while simultaneously hanging out with some cool sloths! The only thing missing is some Grumpy Goats!

Located in the province of Alajuela about 2 hours from Cirrí Sur is the Arenal Jungle Tours. Experience coffee prepared the way that the ancestors of Costa Rica intended and go on a guided tour that allows you to experience the beautiful landscape of Costa Rica.

Don’t get us wrong, while you’re in Costa Rica you should definitely do all of the things a typical tourist would do. Go to San Jose, visit the Paos Volcano, go zip lining, get some really bad tan lines on the beach or maybe even go out on a safari! But you would surely miss out if you didn’t allow yourself to indulge deeper into the roots of Costa Rica by experiencing their true culture – coffee.

And hey, maybe a trip to Costa Rica isn’t in the budget for this year, but you know what the second best thing is? Our very own Grumpy Goat Costa Rican Coffee harvested in – you guessed it – Cirrí Sur, Naranjo! You may not be able to go to Costa Rica but at least you can brew a fresh cup of Grumpy Goat, read this blog and pretend like you’re enjoying a nice rainforest coffee tour surrounded by sloths. We can dream, can’t we?