Hacienda Alsacia Coffee Tour Alajuela: Wet mill & roaster
What happens inside a working coffee farm when you're not just watching?
You walk through a working coffee farm (nursery, wet mill, drying patio, and roaster) with a guide explaining each stage in English or Spanish. The tour includes a coffee tasting and access to the on-site cafe. Plan for two to three hours on the grounds, and wear shoes you don't mind getting dusty.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Hacienda Alsacia Coffee Farm
- Visit immersive Visitor Center
- See working tree nursery
- Observe wet mill and drying patio
- Watch coffee roasting process
- Learn about sustainable farming
- Enjoy beverages at on-site cafe
What’s included
- Your tour includes a guided walk through the working tree nursery, wet mill, drying patio, and roaster at Hacienda Alsacia.
- Coffee degustation is part of the experience, and you have access to the on-site cafe where you can order beverages made from the farm's own beans.
- The tour is conducted in English or Spanish, and the Visitor Center facilities are wheelchair accessible.
Times
- Every day 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 13:00 14:00 15:00
Before you book
Operated by Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffee Farm
Prices and times updated 3 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
You drive up into the Central Valley and the landscape shifts: the air thickens, the green deepens, and suddenly you're standing on Hacienda Alsacia, Starbucks' only coffee farm. The Visitor Center is where the tour starts, and it's built to let you move through the whole process, not just read about it. A working tree nursery comes first. You see the seedlings at different stages, the ones that will become the next generation of plants. Your guide walks you through what it takes to keep them alive in this climate, and it's not the kind of detail you'd find on a bag of beans.
After the nursery, you move into the wet mill, where the freshly picked cherries get processed: the water channels, the pulping machines, the whole rhythm of it. Then the drying patio opens up, and you understand why timing matters so much here. The sun, the wind, the way the beans turn and cure. The roaster comes last, and that's where the smell hits you: that deep, dark roast smell that fills the whole building. The tour is available in English and Spanish, and the pace lets you ask questions without feeling rushed. It's not a quick walk-through. It's built so you actually see how coffee moves from soil to roaster.
At the end, there's the tasting. You get to taste what comes off this farm, and it tastes different when you've just watched it being made. The on-site cafe is there if you want to sit with a coffee or something else, and you can linger without pressure. The whole experience is wheelchair accessible, and the farm is set up for all fitness levels, so you're not climbing steep terrain or doing anything that requires special conditioning. Public transportation gets you there if you don't have a rental car, which matters if you're staying in San José or another part of the Central Valley.
Is this one for you?Right for travelers staying in or near Alajuela who want to understand where coffee actually comes from. The farm handles the logistics and the guide sets the pace, so you move through each stage without rushing or getting lost. Expect a couple of hours on your feet outdoors, which is what gives you time to see the whole process and ask questions.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 17 years); Infant (under 7): free.
How long does the Hacienda Alsacia tour take?
The tour typically runs two to three hours, depending on group size and how many questions you ask along the way.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the Visitor Center and tour routes are wheelchair accessible, and the farm is suitable for all physical fitness levels.
Does the tour include coffee tasting?
Yes, coffee degustation is included. You'll taste beans from the farm after the tour.
Can I get to Hacienda Alsacia without a rental car?
Yes, public transportation options are available nearby, though you may need to arrange a taxi or rideshare for the final leg depending on where you're staying.
Is there food or drink available on the farm?
The on-site cafe serves classic and creative beverages made with beans from Hacienda Alsacia, and you can stay to enjoy them after the tour.
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dusty. The farm is outdoors, so sun protection and water are a good idea.
Are service animals allowed?
Yes, service animals are welcome on the tour.
Hacienda Alsacia Coffee Tour Alajuela: Wet mill & roaster
1h 30m · EN · ES
from US$ 30.77 per person
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