Coffee & the Highlands

Central Valley micro-mills, the Orosi colonial route and the Turrialba volcano — a short journey built around the crop that made this country.

Day by day

1. 1

   1

   Arrival

   Into a working coffee estate above the valley.

2. 2

   2

   Micro-mill

   Harvest, depulping, drying and cupping, with the producer.

3. 3

   3

   Orosi

   The colonial church, the Ujarrás ruins, and a long lunch by the river.

4. 4

   4

   Turrialba

   The volcano viewpoint and the Guayabo archaeological monument.

5. 5

   5

   Cacao and sugar

   A trapiche for cane, and a cacao smallholding in the afternoon.

6. 6

   6

   Return

   Back down to San José.

Why it works

• Cupping table with the producer, not a visitor-centre demo
• Guayabo, the only significant pre-Columbian site in the country
• Pairs well onto the front or back of any coastal journey