The 9 Best Coffee and Chocolate Tours in San Jose

1.Poás Volcano and Coffee Tour with Tasting and La Paz Falls

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 137 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $105Our pick

Leave San José early for Poás Volcano, Doka Estate coffee plantation, and La Paz Falls. Expect a 7 to 8 hour guided trip in an air-conditioned vehicle, with park fees, coffee tasting, and chocolate included. Guides such as Marcela, Nela, Victor, and Percy have made this outing especially enjoyable for many visitors.

“A well organized tour with an English speaking guide, well aware of the area providing detailed info about local traditions and surroundings.”

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2.Chocolate Making and Tasting at a Local Factory in San José

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $57Top rated

At Tapir Chocolates in Barrio Escalante, Mauricio guides you through Costa Rica’s cacao story, from fresh fruit and raw beans to chocolate drinks and finished bars. You’ll taste each stage, create personalized chocolates with local fillings and toppings, then design eco-friendly packaging. The workshop lasts about two hours and begins at 3:00 pm.

“It was a great time and learning experience. Would highly recommend this event and bring lots of friends.”

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3.Poas Volcano waterfalls and coffee tour from from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 108 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $149

Travel from San José to Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall, and coffee farms near Sarapiquí. You’ll learn how coffee is grown, processed, roasted, and brewed, eat a typical Costa Rican lunch, and visit two waterfalls. Guides such as Carlos, Ricardo, Charlie, and Rick are praised for clear explanations and attentive service.

“The tour was wonderful and Carlos was a great guide! My family and I had a good time seeing the coffee plantation, waterfall, and volcano (although it was very misty so the view was slightly hindered). We learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the tour!”

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4.A taste of Aquiares – 2 hours Coffee Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $42Best value

Spend two hours in Aquiares, 7 km north of Turrialba, learning how Costa Rican coffee grows, gets milled, roasted, and tasted. Your guide leads a church welcome, community walk, agronomy lesson, beneficio visit, cupping, and shop stop. Choose 9 a.m. or 2 p.m. The $42 price includes admission, coffee or tea, and tastings, but not transport or lunch.

“It was very informative and fun. Learned a lot and the lunch was fabulous. I highly recommend this tour and we are not much on tours usually.”

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5.Britt Coffee Tour from San José

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 53 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $83

Spend about two hours at Britt Coffee Tour learning how Costa Rican coffee grows, roasts, and gets evaluated. You’ll visit seedlings, see the roasting process, join a coffee cupping, taste coffee and chocolate, and eat lunch. Guides such as Luis, Apa, and Chos have been praised for lively presentations. Hotel transport from San José is included.

“The guides were very informative in a humorous way and made it a great tour even though we were met by a brief thunderstorm”

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6.Poas Volcano + Coffee tour + Waterfall tour day from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $149

Leave San Jose at 8:00 am for Poas Volcano, coffee country, and a waterfall stop on a 10 to 12 hour guided day. You will see crater views, farms, cloud forest, and the coffee process from nursery to roaster. Hotel pickup, lunch, transport, park fees, and bottled water are included, with groups capped at 15.

“The pick up was on time. That is where the good points stop. The van was very dirty, and none of the seat belts works despite the driver saying they did. One other person was picked up and we headed to the Starbucks plantation. We arrived an hour and half ahead of our scheduled tour time. So the driver suggested we get a coffee which we waited almost half an hour for. The next tour was in Spanish so the driver suggested we drive around for an hour until our tour time. He got lost on the way back and had to drive recklessly to get us back to Starbucks…”

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7.Horseback our Hacienda – 4 hours Coffee Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $65

Spend four hours in Aquiares, north of Turrialba, riding a well-cared-for horse through coffee fields and forest to a waterfall and Ceibo Lookout. Guides Andrew, Cristian, or Wilman explain local coffee farming, the mill, church, and community. Coffee, fruit, and light snacks may be served, but transport and dinner cost extra.

“First things first.. If you are traveling in from the city, use the app Waze to get to the Coffee farm. We did not and traveled through the mountains in the most unconventional way. The experience was STELLAR, we arrived late due to issues listed above and the staff waited on us politely. The staff introduced us to the horses and told us all the safety precautions when riding horses. We began the tour and the guides were extremely friendly, he even offered to take pictures for us and gave us a detailed history of the farm including all that they do in the local town. After the tour we…”

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8.Super Combo Tour: Waterfalls Gardens + Coffee Tour + Poás Volcano

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 39 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $199

Spend a full day in Costa Rica’s Central Valley with guides such as Erick, Daniel, Hayro, and Adrian. Visit Doka Estate for breakfast and coffee tasting, see Poás Volcano when weather allows, then explore La Paz Waterfall Gardens, rescued wildlife, hummingbirds, and five waterfalls. The shared tour costs $199.90 and allows up to 25 people.

“Gary was our guide and did an amazing job! The day couldn't have gone better and I was very happy (and tired!) At the end.”

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9.Doka Coffee Tour, Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Day Trip from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 35 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $184

Start early with hotel pickup, then visit Doka Coffee Plantation for breakfast and a guided coffee tour, Poas Volcano for a short crater visit, and La Paz Waterfall Gardens for trails, wildlife, waterfalls, and lunch. Guides such as Max, Martin, Rachel, and Victor have led departures, with bilingual explanations available on some trips.

“Hands down, the best tour. The transportation was prompt, the tour guide was excellent, and the tour was enjoyable.”

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