Costa Rica: Coffee & Chocolate Tour, Sloths & Llanos de Cortés Waterfall

Summary

Bijagua flavors, rainforest wildlife, and a waterfall swim

You’ll taste fresh-roasted coffee and chocolate right where they grow in Bijagua, watch sloths lounging above you in the rainforest, eat homemade Costa Rican food with butterflies swirling nearby, and finish your day cooling off under Llanos de Cortés waterfall—all without strenuous hiking or rushing around.

What’s the experience like?

“Try this one—smells like rain,” our guide Diego grinned, holding out a handful of glossy cacao beans. We’d just stepped off the van in Bijagua, that little town between Miravalles and Tenorio volcanoes where the air feels heavy with green. The ground was still damp from last night’s storm, so every step squished a little. I kept getting distracted by birds darting overhead—Diego could name them all, but I honestly forgot most except for the toucan (that beak is impossible to miss). He showed us how to crack open cacao pods—sticky, sweet pulp inside—and then let us grind roasted coffee beans by hand. My arms got tired embarrassingly fast. But that smell? Deep and earthy, kind of like the forest floor after rain.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much at the sloth park. There was this tiny frog on a leaf, bright blue like it was painted on purpose. Diego pointed out a mama sloth curled up high in the branches—she looked like a fuzzy hammock strung between two trees. We wandered slowly along easy trails (no big hikes here), pausing for snakes sunning themselves or butterflies landing on our sleeves. It wasn’t rushed at all; we just moved at whatever pace felt right. Someone’s phone rang with a salsa ringtone and everyone cracked up for no reason. I liked that.

Lunch was at El Sabor de Doña Carmen—a place that smells like wood smoke and something sweet frying in oil. While we waited for casado plates (rice, beans, plantains—the works), we wandered into their butterfly garden out back. The light in there was soft and gold; I could’ve stood watching those wings flicker for hours if my stomach hadn’t started growling again. The last stop was Llanos de Cortés waterfall—just five minutes down an easy path through thick trees until you hear water thundering ahead. That first cold splash when you wade in… yeah, I still think about it sometimes when I’m stuck behind my desk.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore coffee, wildlife, waterfall, and local cuisine

• Visit Spring Paradise rainforest
• Take coffee and cacao tour
• Walk to Llanos de Cortes Waterfall
• Enjoy meal at El Sabor de Doña Carmen
• Visit butterfly garden

Top questions

How long is the walk to Llanos de Cortés waterfall?

The walk is about five minutes on a gentle trail through forest.

Is this tour suitable for people who don’t want to hike much?

Yes, there’s no strenuous hiking—just easy strolls through jungle paths.

Do we get to taste both coffee and chocolate?

Yes, you’ll sample both fresh-roasted coffee and chocolate during the plantation visit.

Are sloths guaranteed to be seen on this tour?

You’ll visit a wildlife park where spotting sloths is very likely.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Yes, lunch at El Sabor de Doña Carmen is included.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Private transportation with pickup is included in your day trip.

Are there activities for children or families?

The tour is suitable for all ages and fitness levels; infant seats are available if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with pickup, bottled water throughout the trip, an easy stroll through Bijagua’s rainforest with a local guide sharing stories along the way, hands-on coffee and chocolate tasting at the plantation, time to spot sloths and other wildlife without any tough hiking required, lunch at El Sabor de Doña Carmen (with time to explore their butterfly garden), plus entry to Llanos de Cortés waterfall before heading back comfortably by air-conditioned vehicle.