Culture

Monteverde’s high-altitude cloud forest is an ideal environment for producing world-renowned, shade-grown coffee. With a history deeply intertwined with Costa Rica’s coffee industry, Monteverde is the perfect destination to explore the art and science of coffee-making.

What to Expect: At tours like Café de Monteverde or Don Juan Coffee Tour, you’ll walk through lush plantations while learning about the entire coffee process—from planting and harvesting to roasting and brewing. Hear fascinating stories about how coffee shaped Costa Rica’s culture and economy, and discover the sustainable farming practices that make these plantations unique.

Plan Your Day: Pair these tours with a guided nature walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve to burn off some of that caffeine. Wrap up your day with a farm-to-table dinner at a local eatery like Choco Café.

Pro Tip: The best time to visit is during the coffee harvest season (November–March) when you can try your hand at picking ripe coffee cherries.

The trapiche, or sugar mill, is a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s agricultural heritage, and La Fortuna offers some of the best interactive experiences. This region’s fertile volcanic soil makes it perfect for growing sugarcane, which becomes the star of these tours.

What to Expect: At El Trapiche Tour, you’ll experience the entire sugarcane process. Start by pressing fresh sugarcane juice using a traditional mill, then watch as it’s cooked into syrup or spun into raw sugar. You’ll even get to taste local candies and take a shot of guaro (a sugarcane-based spirit).

Plan Your Day: Pair the tour with a morning hike at Arenal Volcano to fully immerse yourself in La Fortuna’s natural beauty.

Spend the evening soaking in La Fortuna’s iconic hot springs and taking in views of Arenal Volcano.

Complete your day with a hearty Costa Rican dinner at Don Rufino’s, or El Fortuneño featuring fresh local ingredients and fire roasted chicken.

San José is the culinary heart of Costa Rica, offering everything from bustling markets to gourmet dining. Its rich culinary scene is a reflection of Costa Rica’s diverse cultural influences, blending Indigenous, Spanish, and Afro-Caribbean traditions.

What to Expect: A food tour through Mercado Central is a sensory adventure. Sample freshly made tortillas, tamales, Olla de Carne (a rich clear broth soup with massive root vegetables), and exotic fruits like rambutan and guanábana which is thought to cure cancer. Many tours also include stops at artisanal chocolate shops or coffee roasters for an added treat.

Plan Your Day: After the food tour, take a quick break to explore the nearby Pre-Colombian Gold museum, or street art in Barrio Amón. End your day with a chocolate-making class where you can craft your own sweet souvenirs.

Pro Tip: For a deeper dive, book a tour with a chef or food historian to learn how these traditional dishes have evolved over generations.

This is the oldest oxcart factory in Costa Rica, still using traditional water-powered machinery to craft these masterpieces. You’ll see artisans at work carving, assembling, and painting the intricate designs that make each oxcart unique.

What to Expect: Learn about the history of oxcarts and their role in Costa Rica's coffee trade. Watch as artisans use centuries-old techniques to create the colorful patterns.

Plan Your Day: After your cultural experience, explore nearby eateries for traditional Costa Rican dishes. Try the casado or a fresh cup of coffee at a café overlooking the rolling hills.

If you visit in December, as you warp up your day, make a stop in the nearby town of Zarcero to see their famous center square Christmas lights display.

Pro Tip: Some artisan workshops offer opportunities for visitors to try their hand at painting traditional oxcart designs. Learn the symbolism behind the designs and paint your own small oxcart or wooden item under the guidance of a local artisan. If art is not your forte, take time to explore the surrounding shops, where you can purchase small-scale replicas and other handcrafted souvenirs.