Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffee Farm

One of the few places where visitors can see how scientific research, sustainability, and coffee production intersect.

Alajuela

Year-round

Hacienda Alsacia offers an immersive journey into Costa Rica's coffee heritage, where visitors walk through lush mountainous plantations to witness the precise cultivation and processing methods that define the country's renowned arabica production. The farm's elevation and microclimate create ideal conditions for specialty coffee growth, and guided tours reveal the hands-on labor and generations of knowledge embedded in each harvest cycle. Visitors experience the full chain from cherry to cup, learning how local farming families have shaped Costa Rica's identity as a global coffee producer. The sensory experience—breathing in the rich earth, observing the deep red berries on the plant, and tasting freshly roasted beans—connects cultural heritage to personal discovery. Best visited during harvest season (November to March) when the mountains come alive with picking activity and the farm pulses with seasonal energy.

Plan Your Experience

Guided tours walk you through the complete coffee journey—from nursery and research plots through wet mill, drying patios, and roasting—ending with a tasting session of beans grown on-site. The farm sits on Poás Volcano slopes with panoramic views of the Central Valley, accessible even without a tour via the café and viewing decks. This is a working research facility, not a heritage-focused farm; you'll encounter demonstration plots testing disease-resistant varieties, climate adaptation strategies, and sustainable methods alongside traditional production. Plan 2–3 hours for a full tour; wear comfortable walking shoes for the mountainous terrain.

How to Participate

Visitors book guided tours through Hacienda Alsacia, which is operated by Starbucks and located on their coffee farm in Alajuela. Tours are led by farm guides who walk visitors through the plantations and processing facilities.

Group FriendlyYes

Family FriendlyYes

ReservationRecommended

Best Time to Visit

Visit during November–March coffee harvest season (peak December–February) when you'll see workers actively picking beans and the farm is most bustling with activity; early morning tours (7–9am) offer the best combination of cooler temperatures, optimal light for photography, and fewer tour groups before midday crowds arrive.

When to Experience

Best experienced November to March during harvest season when picking activity is visible; farm likely operates year-round but with less activity outside harvest months

What to Expect

Walking through mountainous coffee plantations at elevation
Observing arabica coffee plants and ripe coffee cherries
Learning about coffee cultivation and harvesting techniques
Seeing coffee processing methods from cherry to bean
Tasting freshly roasted coffee
Exposure to seasonal harvesting activity during peak season

Who This Is For

Food LoversSlow TravelersArtisan SeekersCulture EnthusiastsFamilies

Local Insight

“The farm's microclimate at elevation produces specialty-grade arabica, and guides can explain why Costa Rican beans command premium prices globally—ask specifically about altitude and soil composition, as these technical details significantly impact flavor profile and the farm's international market positioning.”