Costa Rica: Chocolate, Coffee & Sugarcane Tour Self-Drive

Summary

Chocolate coffee and sugarcane tour in costa rica with tastings

You’ll touch fresh cacao pods, grind beans by hand and taste real Costa Rican chocolate as you learn its story from locals. Brew café-chorreado yourself and sample sugarcane candy straight from the mill. This is two hours of laughter, flavors and genuine connection — you might even leave with chocolate on your fingers.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what fresh cacao smells like before it becomes chocolate? I didn’t — not really — until we pulled up (self-driving, which felt oddly freeing) to this little place near La Fortuna. The air was sticky-sweet, and our guide, Marta, waved us over with chocolate-stained hands. She started us off right under the trees, cracking open a cacao pod so we could poke at the gooey beans inside. It’s nothing like a candy bar. I still remember the tangy scent — kind of fruity, almost floral? Hard to describe but it stuck with me.

We moved from cacao to coffee pretty fast; Marta had this way of making every step sound like a story her grandmother might’ve told her. There was this old wooden rack full of picking baskets and these weirdly beautiful cloth filters for café-chorreado. She let me try pouring hot water through one (I spilled some — she just laughed). The coffee tasted earthy and strong, not bitter at all. Someone’s phone went off in the background and for a second I forgot we were on a tour at all, just sipping coffee under the trees.

Then came the sugarcane part — honestly, I thought I’d just watch but nope, we took turns cranking this heavy old trapiche while sticky juice dripped into cups below. The kids in our group were obsessed with the chewy candies they made from it (so was I). There’s something about tasting everything right where it’s grown that makes you pay attention in a new way. We even wandered through their new medicinal plants garden at the end — didn’t expect that but I liked how Marta pointed out which leaves her mom uses for tea when someone’s sick.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore cacao, coffee, and sugarcane

• Learn about cacao cultivation
• Discover coffee production process
• See coffee picking instruments
• Watch Café-Chorreado preparation
• Visit sugarcane mill (trapiche)
• Sample chocolate, coffee, and candy

Top questions

Is lunch included on the Costa Rica chocolate coffee tour?

No, lunch is not included on this self-drive tour option.

How long does the chocolate coffee sugarcane tour last?

The total tour time is approximately 2 hours.

Do I need to drive myself to the tour location?

Yes, this version is for self-drivers; transportation is not provided.

Are there tastings during the Costa Rica chocolate tour?

Yes, you’ll taste chocolates with spices, specialty coffee and sugarcane candy.

Is there a local guide on this tour?

Yes, a local guide leads you through each activity and tasting.

Are children or infants allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; strollers are welcome.

What is café-chorreado?

Café-chorreado is traditional Costa Rican drip-brewed coffee using a cloth filter.

Is pickup included in this Costa Rica food tour?

No pickup is included; guests arrive by their own transport.

What’s included

Your day includes entrance fees to the farm experience near La Fortuna, guidance from a friendly local expert throughout each step — from cacao tasting to grinding sugarcane — plus all your samples of chocolate, specialty coffee and homemade candies along the way. Air-conditioned spaces are available if you need a break from the heat.