La Fortuna: Coffee & Chocolate Making Tour with Pickup

Summary

Coffee beans drying in the sun, chocolate melting on my tongue, laughter with locals near Arenal

You’ll walk through Costa Rican coffee fields near Arenal Volcano with a local guide, taste raw coffee cherries and fresh chocolate you help make, sip sugar cane juice straight from the press, and enjoy pickup from your La Fortuna hotel. There’s time to ask questions or just watch sunlight on the leaves — it feels personal and real.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed at North Fields Cafe wasn’t the view of Arenal Volcano (though it’s right there, looming quietly), but the smell — earthy, almost sweet, like rain-soaked soil and roasting beans. Our guide, Andrés, waved us over to a patch where coffee cherries hung low. He split one open for me to taste. It was sticky and tart — not what I expected from “coffee.” I probably made a face because he grinned and said, “That’s just the beginning.”

I liked that this day trip from La Fortuna didn’t rush. We walked slow between rows of cacao trees while Andrés told stories about his family and how his grandmother still grinds beans by hand. The air was thick and warm; birds kept darting overhead. When we got to the chocolate part, we crushed roasted cacao nibs with a stone — messy work. My hands smelled like dark chocolate for hours after. There was a moment when someone dropped their spoon into the melted chocolate and everyone laughed (including me — I’m still not sure if it was relief or just joy).

Later, we tasted sugar cane juice straight from the press — cold and grassy-sweet. The whole thing felt less like a formal tour and more like hanging out in someone’s backyard where you’re allowed to ask any question (I asked about how climate change is changing harvest times; Andrés didn’t sugarcoat it). On the drive back to our hotel in La Fortuna, my shirt smelled faintly of cocoa and cane. Even now, I catch myself thinking about that first bite of raw coffee fruit — how surprising it was.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Coffee and cacao plantation experience

• Arrive at North Fields Cafe
• Explore coffee plantation
• Discover cacao plantation
• Participate in crafting experience
• Complete two-hour local tour

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this coffee & chocolate tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels around La Fortuna within 15 minutes.

How long does the North Fields Cafe experience last?

The tour lasts about two hours.

Do you get to make chocolate during the tour?

Yes, you’ll help prepare chocolate from cacao beans and taste it fresh.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Are drinks provided during the experience?

You’ll be offered water to drink as well as coffee or tea during tastings.

Where is North Fields Cafe located?

It’s near La Fortuna in Costa Rica, close to Arenal Volcano and its hot springs.

Is there a professional guide on this day trip?

Yes, a professional local guide leads the experience.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off if you’re staying within 15 minutes of La Fortuna, guided walks through coffee and cacao plantations, hands-on chocolate preparation (with tasting), fresh sugar cane juice sampling, plus water and your choice of coffee or tea along the way before heading back.