Aquiares: Coffee Farm Tour & Tasting with Community Walk

Summary

Walk Aquiares village meet growers taste coffee at the source

You’ll walk Aquiares village with a local guide, hear stories from real growers, crush leaves in your hands, taste freshly roasted Costa Rican coffee straight from the mill, and end up sipping with new friends in their café. The warmth of this place—and its people—lingers long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Discover coffee from seed to cup

• Welcome at Aquiares church
• Walk through the community
• Learn about coffee agronomy
• Coffee tour at beneficio
• Coffee roasting and cupping
• Visit shop and cafeteria

Top questions

How long is the Aquiares coffee tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

Where does the tour start?

The tour begins at the Aquiares church.

Is coffee tasting included?

Yes, free coffee tasting is included during the tour.

Are there tours in English?

Tours are led by professional guides who speak English.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

No lunch is included, but coffee and/or tea are offered.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, children can join if accompanied by an adult.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is wheelchair accessible.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes, reservations are required before coming.

How do I get to Aquiares from Turrialba?

Aquiares is 7 km north of Turrialba; public transport options are nearby.

What’s included

Your visit includes guided walks through Aquiares village and coffee fields, entrance fees for the farm, mill and church, fresh Costa Rican coffee or tea tastings along the way, plus time with local growers who share their stories—all wrapped up with a stop at their shop and café before you head out again.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel so welcomed in Aquiares. We met right by the old church—white walls, a bit weathered, someone had left flowers on the steps. Our guide Luis waved us over with a grin that made it impossible not to relax. He started telling stories about his childhood here while we walked through the village. Kids ran past us kicking a ball, and I remember how the air smelled like wet earth and something sweet—maybe those yellow flowers everywhere.

The coffee tour itself was way more hands-on than I’d pictured. Luis handed us leaves to crush between our fingers (“smell that—like green beans, right?”), and explained how each plant gets checked for pests. I tried repeating “beneficio” after him but probably butchered it—he just laughed and kept going. Inside the mill it was noisy, warm, and smelled like toasted bread. We watched beans tumbling in big metal drums; one of the workers nodded at us without missing a beat.

Tasting time was my favorite—maybe because I’d never had coffee this fresh before. The first sip was sharper than what I’m used to, almost citrusy? Luis showed us how to slurp (loudly!) so you get all the flavors at once. I felt a little silly but honestly it worked. We finished in their tiny shop where I bought beans for home—now every morning smells a bit like Aquiares again. It’s funny what sticks with you from travel; for me it’s that mix of laughter and steam rising off a cup.