Hacienda Sitio de Mata

About this place

Hacienda Sitio de Mata is a century-old working coffee and sugarcane estate perched above the Turrialba Valley in Cartago Province, offering sweeping panoramic views across layered highlands and volcanic terrain. Founded by families seeking refuge from Irazú's ash falls in 1963, this historic agro-cultural property blends functional farm life with curated cultural experiences, where visitors can witness traditional agricultural practices while absorbing the misty mountain atmosphere. The hacienda functions as both an active working estate and an intimate event venue, making it ideal for those seeking authentic slow-travel experiences and a genuine connection to Costa Rica's coffee heritage. Morning visits reward early risers with mist-laden vistas and the chance to observe the valley emerge from cloud cover, while the cool highland air and lush surroundings create an almost timeless quality.

✓ coffee lovers and agricultural tourism✓ couples seeking romantic highlands escapes✓ photography and scenic viewpoint hunters✓ slow-travel and cultural immersion

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Plan Your Visit

You'll spend the day on a working coffee and sugarcane estate witnessing traditional agricultural practices, including grinding fresh sugarcane using an ox-driven trapiche mill and observing ancestral coffee harvesting methods. The hacienda preserves and displays reconstructed 19th-century heritage buildings—a baroque chapel with stained-glass windows and a colonial wooden house moved from Irazú's slopes—set within manicured grounds overlooking the Turrialba Valley. Morning visits reward early risers with mist-laden vistas and the chance to watch the valley emerge from cloud cover; plan for a cool highland atmosphere and bring layers. Tours are group-based and require advance reservation; the standard package includes a local guide, interactive workshops, and a firewood-cooked casado lunch.

DifficultyEasy

Duration4–6h

Entry Fee₡22,600 per adult (standard day package including guide, interactive workshops, and firewood-cooked lunch)

ParkingYes

Family FriendlyYes

GuideRecommended

ReservationRequired

Nearest TownTurrialba

Accessibility

The hacienda features a plant labyrinth and manicured grounds designed for family-friendly walks; standard accessibility for the main grounds is assumed, though the historic reconstructed buildings and elevated panoramic viewpoint may have limited access—confirm directly with the property.

Best Time to Visit

Visit during the dry season (December–April) for clearer panoramic views across the Turrialba Valley and volcanic terrain. Morning hours are ideal to experience mist-laden vistas as the valley emerges from cloud cover.

What Changes Through The Year

Dry Season (Dec–Apr)

Clearer skies and visibility across the Turrialba Valley and toward Turrialba Volcano; mist typically clears by mid-morning.

Green Season (May–Nov)

Lush, verdant surroundings; morning mist persists longer, creating atmospheric photography conditions; afternoon rains are common.

Getting There

From Turrialba town, head to Pavones district. The hacienda is located 100 meters north of the Rafael Araya Segura School in the village of Sitio de Mata, Pavones, Turrialba. Roads through Pavones to the main gates are fully paved and accessible to all vehicle types.

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What to Bring

WaterRain jacketSun protectionCameralayers for cool highland aircomfortable walking shoes

Who This Is For

Coffee lovers and agricultural tourism enthusiastsPhotographers and scenic viewpoint huntersCouples seeking romantic highlands escapesSlow-travel and cultural immersion seekersFamilies