Costa Rica in July
 

So I'll be heading out to CR July 21- August 6th.
I know they are known for their wines and their beans.
Does anybody have any tips and/or recommendations as to where I can go to get some amazing coffee (from a farm for example) ? Im hoping to bring back a few pounds, or at least as much as I can fit in my backpack, lol.

-Kamil

Re: Costa Rica in July
 

Don't drink their wine! It is not good and most are not made from grapes. Some Wine imported from other places, Chile or Argentina, are cheaper than here but california wines are heavily taxed so they are expensive.

I did not have a bad cup of coffee while in CR but I did not pick up a bag of roasted coffee that was anything more than giant farm cheapo stale beans. That doesn't mean you can't find fresh well done local roast but you will have to do some asking around. Tico's are very friendly and helpful so if you find a great cup just ask about the beans.

Getting great roasted CR beans is easy enough here in the US. So consider just enjoying your cups down there and getting fresh roast CR from good micro lots up here. Spend money on crafted wood items down there, great wood and labor prices make them good buys. One of the most comfortable rocking chairs I have found come from CR and you will sit in plenty of them during your visit.

Have a great time! I love CR and could move there. Don't know if you surf or not but if you do, Wow!

Re: Costa Rica in July
 

The national brand is Britt (served everywhere) and is so good that I continue to order today (the bag with the dark green label www.cafebritt.com)

Re: Costa Rica in July
 

As a matter of fact, I'm running through all of the 2009 Cup of Excellence coffees from Costa Rica in a few minutes. I can set you right on some farms in a day or so.

If you strike out, we'll have a few lots from the CoE competition in by the time you get back. Enjoy your trip!

Re: Costa Rica in July
 

You should take the "Highlights" tour when you're there.

Along with a rafting and canopy trip, you stop by a coffee plantation on the way to the volcano.

They had plenty of coffee for sale packaged in nice little tourist bags, but I'd imagine they could pack up a sack for you.

Re: Costa Rica in July
 

Where are you going in CR? I just returned from Tamarindo, CR last week. I stayed away from the wine, but the local beer, Imperial, is very good and cheap. You can't go wrong with any CR coffee. Our canopy tour also farmed coffee beans on the same property and I picked up a couple lbs. I would recommend the brand I muled back, but there is no label on the bag. It's literally a vacuum-sealed plastic bag stuffed with beans. If you have never visited CR you will certainly enjoy the trip. Pura Vida!