About this experience
Some experiences you eat. This one you live.
In Bijagua de Upala — 10 minutes from Río Celeste — a family has farmed cacao, coffee, and pineapple for generations. Fincaventura is not a tourist attraction. It is a working family farm that opens its doors to share something real: how Costa Rica's most beloved flavors are born.
Your guide walks you through three plantations showing every step from seed to table. Open a fresh cacao pod, roast coffee beans over fire, press pineapple juice on the spot, and taste handmade chocolate while still warm.
Three iconic crops in one visit. Chocolate from bean to bar. Coffee from beans you just roasted. Pineapple straight from the field. Bonus — toucans and howler monkeys frequently visit the farm.
Small groups. Bilingual guide. Direct support to a local family and sustainable agriculture. Self-drive friendly.
At a glance
- Duration: 3 hr–4 hr
Plan your experience
Set aside 3 hr–4 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What is included
- Hands-on chocolate making — from cacao pod to handmade bar with tasting
- Guided walk through cacao, coffee, and pineapple plantations
- Direct support to a local sustainable family farm
- Bilingual guide (English and Spanish)
- Fresh pineapple and sugarcane juice tasting from the field
- Bean-to-cup coffee experience — roasting, grinding, and fresh tasting
- Sensory experience: tasting, smelling, and hands-on processing
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (available on request at additional cost)
- Gratuities (optional but appreciated)
Itinerary and highlights
- Welcome to Costa Rican Family Farm — meet your bilingual guide and local farming family
- Walk through the cacao plantation and learn its history and cultivation
- Open a fresh cacao pod and discover the beans inside
- Make handmade artisanal chocolate from bean to bar
- Taste fresh chocolate while it's still warm from the process
Coffee Plantation & Bean-to-Cup
- Walk through the coffee plantation during harvest season
- Learn traditional roasting and grinding techniques by hand
- Brew and taste fresh Costa Rican coffee on the farm where it grows
- Discover what makes Bijagua's altitude perfect for specialty coffee
- Compare different roast levels and flavor profiles
Pineapple Farm & Fresh Tastings
- Walk through the organic pineapple plantation
- Taste fresh pineapple cut directly from the field at peak ripeness
- Enjoy fresh sugarcane juice pressed on the spot
- Learn about sustainable tropical agriculture practices
- Discover the difference between farm-fresh and store-bought flavors
Wildlife & Farm Farewell
- Spot toucans and howler monkeys visiting the farm
- Meet the local family behind Fincaventura
- Final Q&A with your bilingual naturalist guide
- Take photos and collect your handmade chocolate to take home
- Support local — every visit funds a Costa Rican family directly
Meeting and pickup information
- We are located 200 meters South of Hotel Sueño Celeste Bijagua in Upala. Please head directly to the reception area to check in. Please present your confirmation number.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Spanish — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Outdoor Explorer Costa Rica
Accessibility and practical details
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions about this experience
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Service animals allowed
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