The History of Coffee and a Visit to the Rainforest
To truly experience the wonders of Costa Rica, you need many days, perhaps months or even years. However, little by little, you can discover the true treasures of this country. A day tour can allow you to experience these wonders in a short amount of time.
This time, we took the tour to Doka Estate and La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a beautiful combination of coffee plantations and waterfalls in the heart of the rainforest.
We waited for the minibus early in the morning, driven by Gustavo, accompanied by our friendly guide Eugenio, who was responsible for making this experience even better. The next task was to pick up everyone who would be attending the tour, including Canadians, Colombians, Americans, Germans, and Costa Ricans—a true melting pot of cultures!
Once everyone was on board, we took the Pan-American Highway to the city of Alajuela. From the bus, we could see the Farmer’s Monument, the Juan Santamaría Monument, and the famous Mango Park in the city center.
But anyway, let’s get down to business. Leaving the city of Alajuela, the weather began to change, and even the air smelled fresher. We began the ascent to Poás Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most famous volcanoes, currently active. We made a strategic stop at a viewpoint where we enjoyed a beautiful view of the Central Valley and received a brief explanation about the “golden bean,” coffee, and its cultivation.
Back on the bus, we continued along the road that led us to Doka Estate, a family project dedicated to coffee cultivation since 1940 and known for its Café Tres Generaciones brand. The place is wonderful and offers luxurious service to all its visitors.
The first thing we did was enjoy Gallo Pinto, the typical Costa Rican breakfast—it was delicious! Then we began the tour; where, thanks to Eugenio, we learned about the oldest production techniques for our golden bean. From seed germination and plant development to harvesting the ripe beans, drying, and roasting, we explored the history of the farm, its owners, the production and varieties of coffee plants, the geography of the area, and traditional cultivation methods.
It’s worth noting that at the end of the tour, we were able to visit the Doka Estate souvenir shop, where we had the opportunity to sample drip coffee and other products.
After the coffee tour, we hit the road again, heading to La Paz Waterfall Gardens in Vara Blanca, Heredia. This tropical rainforest was truly an unforgettable experience. We were able to interact with a variety of birds, from toucans to the numerous hummingbirds, and what’s even better, they are so accustomed to people that we could observe their behavior up close and in silence. The butterfly garden was my favorite part. Among all the butterflies, the Morphos were the stars; there were so many of them, it felt like stepping into a fairytale. The snakes, frogs, monkeys, and felines were also highlights; each area offered a unique experience.
After a buffet lunch with a wide variety of options, we ventured into the jungle to begin the 45-minute hike to the waterfalls. These are majestic and surrounded by beautiful flora. Each waterfall is uniquely splendid, and the surrounding landscapes look like something out of a postcard—perfect for photography enthusiasts.
We learned so much on this tour, and our deep respect for nature only intensified after the visit. Without a doubt, we experienced a small but significant part of Costa Rica, and it was worth every moment.
