Guayabo Lodge
A mountain lodge with valley views, its own farm and breakfast included.
from $127 per room per night
Santa Cruz de Turrialba · Cartago · Costa Rica
Coffee, Banana & Vanilla Farm Tour — Botón de Oro, Turrialba
Botón de Oro Farm, Santa Cruz de Turrialba View map
- DurationAbout 2.5 hours
- Start9:00 am or 2:00 pm
- LevelEasy walk, all ages
- GroupFrom 2 people
- GuideEnglish or Spanish
About this tour
A 2.5-hour guided walk through an organic agroforestry farm: coffee, bananas and vanilla, how they are processed, and a tasting with a view over the valley.
Botón de Oro is a small family farm on the slopes of the Turrialba volcano at 1,350 to 1,450 metres, run by Pedro and Rossana, who both worked for years at the CATIE agricultural research centre. They grow coffee, bananas and vanilla together in organic agroforestry plots, without chemical pesticides or herbicides.
During the tour your guide walks you from plot to plot and shows how coffee grows from seed to mature tree, why shade and companion plants matter, and how the soil is built up with banana mulch. You will see the natural, honey and washed processing methods, and a young vanilla plantation where the flowers are pollinated by hand.
The farm's Milenio coffee is a hybrid that placed third in the 2022 Costa Rican Cup of Excellence. The tour ends with a tasting of the farm's coffee and several home-made products while you enjoy the view over the farm and the valley.
- Organic agroforestry: coffee, bananas and vanilla growing together
- From seed to cup: harvest and traditional sun-drying
- Hand pollination and curing of vanilla
- Tasting of award-winning Milenio coffee and home-made products
Itinerary
- 9:00 or 14:00
Meeting and walk to the farm
The meeting point is Guayabo Lodge, a short walk (about 15 minutes) from the farm. We send you the directions after booking.
- On the farm
Coffee, bananas and vanilla
About two hours on foot between the plots with your guide: coffee from seed to tree, shade and companion plants, the vanilla plantation and the traditional processing.
- At the end
Tasting with a view
Taste the farm's coffee and several home-made products, with a snack or refreshment.
Times are approximate and may change with tides, weather and park conditions.
What is included
Included
- Guide in English or Spanish
- Snack or refreshment
- Tasting of premium coffee and home-made products
Not included
- Transport to the farm (the walk from Guayabo Lodge is about 15 minutes)
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
What to bring
- Comfortable clothes and closed shoes
- Rain jacket
- Sun protection and a hat
- Insect repellent
- Camera
Add a stay
Stay next to the farm. Guayabo Lodge is the meeting point and about 15 minutes' walk away. Choose it and we will send you a combined proposal with an approximate price.
Often combined with
Good to know
Tours start at 9:00 am or 2:00 pm, subject to availability. Please request your date in advance.
A minimum of two people is needed. The walk is easy and suits all walking ages.
Please ask us about the cancellation terms when you request your date.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the tour?
About 2.5 hours, starting at 9:00 am or 2:00 pm.
Is it suitable for children and older visitors?
Yes. The walk is easy and suits all walking ages. Tell us the ages of the children when you request your date.
Do I need to book?
Yes, please request your date in advance. We confirm the time with the farm.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Guayabo Lodge, a short walk from the farm. We send the directions after booking.
What do I taste?
Premium Costa Rican coffee from the farm and several home-made products, with a snack or refreshment.
What should I bring?
Comfortable clothes, closed shoes, a rain jacket, sun protection, insect repellent and a camera.