Taste Costa Rica’s three agricultural pillars—cacao, coffee and sugarcane—on a two-hour, hands-on farm tour near Manuel Antonio. Learn fermentation, try Café-Chorreado, see a working trapiche and sample fresh chocolate and candy.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The path opens under a humid canopy; leaves glisten and the air is heavy with the bittersweet scent of roasting cacao and fresh coffee. You follow a narrow farm track past rows of cacao pods—yellow, red and marbled—where guides break open beans and invite you to smell the fermenting fruit, the raw beginning of chocolate.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Light walking and standing; appropriate for most fitness levels with ability to navigate short uneven sections
Wildlife
History
Cacao and coffee have been central to Costa Rica’s rural development; cacao was used pre-Columbianly and coffee exports shaped the 19th–20th century economy in Puntarenas province.
Conservation
Small farms here often practice shade-grown coffee and sustainable cacao fermentation—supporting local producers helps preserve agroforestry patches that retain wildlife habitat.
Reserve your spot on the Chocolate Tour Basic: Self-drivers without lunch today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes
Trails are short but can be muddy and uneven—closed-toe shoes protect your feet during demonstrations and farm access.
Bring a refillable water bottle
Two hours in humid coastal forest can be dehydrating; water stations may be limited.
Use insect repellent
Morning and late-afternoon tours have more biting insects—DEET or picaridin works best in humid conditions.
Carry small cash
Vendors sell extra chocolate, sugarcane candy and crafts—cash is handy for quick purchases.
Closed-toe walking shoes
Protects feet on muddy farm tracks and during demonstrations.
Insect repellent
Keeps mosquitoes and midges at bay in the humid rainforest setting.
summer
Reusable water bottle
Staying hydrated is important in Costa Rica’s warm, humid climate.
Light rain jacket or poncho
Quick showers are common in the wet season—packable rain protection prevents soggy samples and discomfort.
winter