From the moment we embarked on this journey, we were swept away by the beauty, culture, and local flavors of this incredible country.
Lynn and I recently returned from a Costa Rica Farm Tour that was undoubtedly one of the most immersive travel experiences we’ve ever had.
This tour was organized by our good friends, David and Brenda Layden of Select Holidays, who have a long-standing reputation for crafting unforgettable agricultural travel experiences. When they approached us with the opportunity to host this tour, we knew it was going to be something special.
Select Holidays is one of our valued partner tour companies, and together, we collaborate to design exceptional itineraries that bring travelers to the heart of unique destinations. It’s always a pleasure to work together, and this tour was no exception.
We were fortunate to welcome some of our own passengers on this adventure, which gave us a unique perspective. They’re not farmers themselves, but it was inspiring to watch them fully embrace the experience. They dove deep into the local culture, connecting with the farmers and their communities, and really grasping the essence of what makes this region so special.
Their enthusiasm was a reminder of how this tour goes beyond just agriculture, providing a true understanding of Costa Rica’s traditions, flavors, and way of life.
Farming Insights in Costa Rica
Bananas
Harvesting bananas is a highly coordinated effort.
A worker cuts the large bunch, another hangs it on an overhead cable system, and the strongest worker pulls the “banana train” on a series of pulleys to the packing plant.
It’s a well-oiled machine that ensures efficiency and safety.
Cacao
Costa Rica is a smaller producer of cacao, but it’s highly regarded for the quality of its beans.
Known for producing fine chocolate, it was incredible to see the process and taste the difference in flavor.
Coffee
The coffee harvesting process is incredibly labor-intensive and can only be done by hand. Once harvested, the beans are dried to a greenish shade and can last up to a year.
Roasting the beans is where the magic happens – the longer you roast, the more bitter the coffee becomes and the less caffeine it contains. If you’re after your morning jolt, go for a medium roast.
Pineapples
Known as Ananas in Costa Rica, the pineapples we tasted were like nothing we’ve had before.
The flavor was so fresh and sweet. The farm we visited ships 20 containers per week, with each container holding 10,000 pineapples. They produce year-round, ensuring a constant supply of this delicious fruit.
An important crop in Costa Rica, sugarcane is harvested after the fields are burned, a process that takes the plant down to the cane shoot.
It was fascinating to see this practice firsthand.
Want to read more? Check out Part 2 of our Costa Rica Tour here!
