La Fortuna: North Fields Coffee and Chocolate Tour
Experience organic coffee and chocolate production at North Fields Coffee, a family-owned farm near Arenal Volcano, learning sustainable farming from passionate guides as you walk through plantations witnessing planting to roasting, participating in hands-on bean grinding and preparation, exploring traditional sugarcane processing and meeting farm animals, and enjoying a delicious tasting of fresh coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane with hotel pickup included.
Overview
Taste chocolate still warm from the grinding stone and coffee brewed minutes after roasting, all made from beans and cacao grown steps away on a family farm.
Your guide walks you through the nursery where seedlings sprout, then into rows of organic coffee and cocoa plants shaded under Arenal's cone.
Grind roasted beans by hand, stir thick chocolate paste, and press fresh sugarcane juice that drips sweet into your cup. Watch farm animals roam free, part of the eco cycle that keeps soil rich without chemicals. End with a quiet tasting session, sipping bold coffee and letting dark chocolate melt while the guides share family stories passed down generations.
This 2.5-hour visit includes pickup within 15 minutes of La Fortuna, water, and all tastings.
Real talk: good weather required or reschedule offered.
Groups max at ten, book early to snag one.
What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off within 15 minutes drive of La Fortuna.
- English-speaking guide.
- Full farm walk through coffee, cacao, and sugarcane plantations.
- Hands-on grinding and preparation activities.
- Tastings of fresh coffee, handmade chocolate, and sugarcane juice.
- Bottled water.
- Local taxes.
- Pickup/drop-off beyond the 15-minute radius.
- Gratuities for your guide.
- Additional snacks or purchases.
Itinerary
This is the usual workflow of the tour
- Get picked up from your hotel within 15 minutes of La Fortuna.
- Short drive to North Fields family farm.
- Start at the nursery seeing coffee and cacao seedlings.
- Walk the organic plantation rows, learning planting, harvesting, drying, and roasting stages.
- Visit small sugarcane plot and see traditional pressing.
- Interact with farm animals supporting the eco system.
- Hands-on sessions: grind beans, prepare chocolate, press cane.
- Sit for tasting of fresh coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane juice.
- Return drive to your hotel.
What to Expect from the Tour
Here's practical advice to help your visit go well, based on common experiences with farm walks, tastings, and weather. We've pulled this from what past guests told us after their trips.
- Gear essentials. Comfortable closed shoes and light clothes aren't optional. Several guests said plantation paths get dusty or damp, and sun hits open sections—hat and sunscreen help. One brought a reusable cup but water is provided.
- Farm walk. Easy flat trails through crops. A family enjoyed seeing every growth stage close-up. Guides explain organic methods without rush.
- Hands-on parts. Grinding and stirring engage everyone. People loved tasting chocolate still warm, but note caffeine if sensitive—decaf options sometimes available.
- Tasting session. Multiple coffee strengths and chocolate percentages. Guests called the fresh cane juice addictive, seconds encouraged.
- Group setup. Ten max keeps it personal. Past visitors said the size let guides share extra family anecdotes freely.
- Best time to visit. December to April brings dry paths and peak harvest views. Guests early 2025 noted January tours stayed shaded and comfortable. May to November greens plants but risks rain cancellation—reschedules easy.
| Month/Season | Upsides | Downsides | Recommended Start Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec-Apr (Dry) | Clear paths, active farm work | Warmer sun | Morning for cooler walk |
| May-Nov (Rainy) | Lusher plants, fewer people | Possible weather cancel | Early to avoid afternoon rain |
Common issues. Tour needs good weather or alternative offered. Guests found walks easy but sunny—hydrate. Pickup radius strict, confirm location. Tastings generous but rich—pace yourself.
FAQ
Do I need farming or cooking knowledge?
No knowledge required. Guides explain every step simply. Past visitors with zero experience ground beans and made chocolate easily, saying the demos made it fun.
What if it rains?
Tour cancels for poor weather with reschedule or full refund. Light drizzle might continue under cover. Guests who rescheduled appreciated drier paths for better photos and walks.
Suitable for kids?
Yes for all ages 0-70 who enjoy light walking. Kids love pressing cane and tasting chocolate. Families said children got excited helping grind and learning animal roles.
Vegetarian or allergy options?
Naturally vegetarian-friendly (no meat involved). Notify allergies (nuts in chocolate process) early. Guests with concerns got safe alternatives and still enjoyed full tastings.
How strong is the coffee?
Multiple brews from mild to bold, freshly roasted that day. One group tried four strengths—guides adjust to preference.
Why this farm tour over others?
Family-owned organic focus with true hands-on grinding and pressing. Past guests said the personal stories and small group made it feel like visiting relatives, more intimate than bigger operations.
Book it today with Arenal Volcano Costa Rica Tours or simply following this link.