Coffee is the “golden bean” of Costa Rica. Widely known as the best coffee in the world, take the opportunity to sample the unique varieties offered as part of one of Costa Rica’s numerous coffee tours, often located in communities whose economies have long been bolstered by the cultivation and exportation of this fine drink.

According to the Costa Rican Institute of Coffee (ICAFE), some ten coffee tours are operating countrywide. One of these, the “Espíritu Santo Coffee Tour,” part of the Coffee Producers Cooperative of Naranjo, located in the Alajuela Province, presents visitors with a sensorial, educational, and above all, enjoyable experience.

The tour is about one and a half hours long and begins with a short class on “Coffee Tasting”, followed by a trip into the plantation. After the walk, you will visit an antique typical estate home, learn about the coffee processing in one of the "greenest" processing plants in the country. The tour ends at the Souvenir Shop with “Happy Hour” offering rum, coffee liquors and chocolate covered coffee beans.

If you’re interested in learning about coffee’s true story and it’s impact in Costa Rica’s small towns, this tour is a great opportunity (www.coopronaranjo.com).

Catholic Legacy The Spanish Colony left a strong Catholic legacy in Costa Rica. This legacy is obvious in practically every town, where there is, at least, a large, many times beautiful Catholic temple. Having a temple in the center of the town next to the park, was pretty much a prerequisite to be considered a town or villa by the Spanish Crown. The arquitecture of Costa Rica's Catholic temples varies depending on the taste and resources each town had at the time of its construction.