Costa Rica Coffee Lab & Field Experience 2026
22 February- 01 March
Experience Costa Rica's coffee scene like never before with Grounds Coffees.
Over the course of the trip, you’ll visit coffee farms, micro-mills, and local producers, learning firsthand about the journey from cherry to cup. You’ll get your hands dirty alongside pickers, explore fermentation and drying techniques, and taste coffees straight from the source.
22 february
Check-in at the hotel, followed by an evening welcome gathering in San José
San José city center visit: Explore the National Theater on a short cultural tour and learn about the history of coffee production in Costa Rica. The theater itself is a true coffee landmark, built with coffee export taxes — just like the banking system and roads of the era.
Travel to the West Valley region to visit the Helsar de Zarcero Wet and Dry Mill.
Helsar de Zarcero produces our famous West Valley Regional Selection, which sells out every year. The mill collaborates with 30 local families in the West Valley region, supporting sustainable and high-quality coffee production.
Helsar also has a cascara production lab where they create food-safe cascara through pasteurization, a real innovation in the industry!
23 february
24 FEBRUARY
Visit our partners and specialty coffee producers at Don Alexis Coffee and their micro-mill, "Los Campos". Don Alexis is renowned for their expertise in fermentation processes and is also exploring F-1 Hybrid varieties.
During our two-day stay at the farm, we will immerse ourselves in the full coffee journey: learning directly from the pickers, participating in cherry harvesting, and observing the fermentation and drying processes up close.
You’ll gain hands-on experience with processing techniques, from sorting and pulping to careful drying on patios and raised beds, and see how every step influences the final cup.
This is a unique opportunity to understand the craft and dedication behind specialty coffee, while connecting with the people who make it possible.
25-26 february
The second and third day at Los Campos Farm is all about getting even closer to the heart of specialty coffee. Explore and discuss fermentation techniques, you’ll join the team to observe and participate in advanced processing steps.
Our next stop is the Tesoros del Café Dry Mill, responsible for exporting over 60% of all Costa Rican coffees. This modern facility includes a specialized area for preparing and packaging high-quality, specialty-grade coffees for export. It’s also where Don Alexis Coffees begin their journey to international markets.
The day concludes with a relaxed farm-to-table coffee tasting, connecting with the pickers, mill team, and producers who dedicate their craft to every bean. By the end of the day, you’ll leave with not just knowledge but an intimate appreciation for the meticulous work behind every cup of Los Campos coffee.
27 february
Travel to the Tarrazú Region (so called the Champagne coffee region of Costa Rica)
We're traveling to Finca Las Mercedes, another real coffee experience. We will stay at typical coffee farm house "casona" from the 1900's. The farm has been producing coffee for more than 90 years. They now use what they call productive shadow on their plantations, also cultivating avocado which generates more that 50% of the income of the farm.
28 FEBRUARY
Café la Cumbre
Visit Café La Cumbre farms, 4th generation coffee producers. In 2021 they built their own processing plant. Minor and Nancy now run the farm and in 2023 have just started to build direct trade relationships with their micro-lots through Grounds.
Café La Cumbre owns their own wet and dry-mill, having control over the whole process and therefore ensuring the highest quality!
01 March
Travel back or keep traveling in Costa Rica!
Travel back to San Jose, final lunch together.
What our fellow travelers say
"What a Beautiful Journey
Our trip in 2023 was a gift. Well organized by Annelise, and even for a coffee nerd like me, there was something to learn. Not only did we get to see a lot of the country, but we also visited different coffee farmers and plantations. From a coffee plant nursery to fermented coffee beans, we got to see them up close.
The beautiful places where we stayed and the company we had created lasting memories.
In a few years, we would love to join again, to enjoy the hospitable and beautiful country. But also to see how far the coffee farmers have come in their development.
We're already looking forward to it!"
-Ron de Wit & Dewi Hoeve
Join the Journey: Pricing Details
€1.800 p/p
Taste, Explore, Learn, Enjoy — The Full Coffee Adventure
Join us for an unforgettable coffee adventure in Costa Rica, where every detail is designed to immerse you in the world of specialty coffee:
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Accommodation- 7 nights (sometimes individual and sometimes shared rooms)
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All main meals
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Internal Travel. We have rented a mini-van and will be traveling through 2 different coffee regions in Costa Rica
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Entree tickets when necessary
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Translators (We speak Spanish-English-Dutch)
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Guides through different plantations - see the differences from one farm to the other
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Educational material – learn directly from experts
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Coffee farm visits – meet the farmers and see production firsthand
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Hands-on practicals – from picking to processing
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Cuppings (get your spoon ready!)– taste coffees straight from the source, for beginners or experts
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Local guides & cultural visits – learn the Costa Rican coffee culture
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Great coffee, local culture, and fun along the way!
Please note:
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Flights to and from Costa Rica are not included — this gives everyone flexibility to vacation before or after our organized trip.
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The final day-to-day itinerary will be shared shortly before the trip.
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We do not profit from organizing this trip — our goal is to connect roasters to origin, make it as smooth, fun, and educational as possible. And of course Annelise has all the local cultural knowledge she's happy to share with you!
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Space is limited to 8 people — a true small-group experience.
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Having your own travel insurance is required.
Available spaces 3!
Want to join us? Send an email to: annelise@groundscoffees.com