Introduction:We ventured deep into the Doka Coffee Estate in Costa Rica, situated at an altitude of 1,500 meters, to witness firsthand the entire process of harvesting and processing Arabica beans. This article provides a detailed account of the cultivation scale and harvest-season labor deployment of this 70-year-old German family-owned estate. It also shares on-site observations of the color changes in coffee beans and the local terroir characteristics, along with practical information such as ticket prices and transportation, offering readers planning to visit Costa Rica’s coffee-growing regions a comprehensive reference.
Costa Rica is globally renowned for its coffee exports, which account for a quarter of the country’s total exports. During this journey, we visited the Doka Coffee Estate, a historic plantation with over 70 years of history, located at an elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level, and witnessed the complete journey of coffee—from fruit on the tree to entering the processing facility. Here, not only can you observe the ripening colors of coffee beans and the labor patterns during the harvest season, but you can also enjoy the natural landscapes within the estate, such as the Heart Tree and giant hydrangeas. This article also compiles information on estate tickets and guided tours, making it highly suitable for travelers planning to visit Costa Rica’s coffee-producing areas.
When we set off from the base of the mountain, we booked a five-star-rated Uber, expecting a comfortable ride. However, the driver stalled the car multiple times on the winding mountain roads, and each time the vehicle rolled backward when restarting, causing great anxiety for the passengers in the back seat. Despite this nerve-wracking Uber experience, we eventually arrived at our destination safely. In fact, Costa Rica, with a population of about 4.5 million, cultivates nearly 400 million coffee trees, highlighting the significance of the coffee industry in the country.
Upon arriving at Doka Estate, the first thing that greets you is the magnificent blue sky, white clouds, and vast expanses of coffee trees. This estate is owned by the German Vargas family and has a history of over 70 years, covering an area of approximately 600 acres, primarily cultivating high-quality Arabica beans. As soon as you enter the estate, you’ll see wooden signs printed with familiar English text, which also hints at the relatively high cost of living here. Additionally, the ground of the estate is paved with a large coffee bean-patterned floor, and just walking on it gives you a strong sense of the coffee atmosphere.
In the estate, we observed the “sunbathing” process of coffee beans, commonly known as sun-drying. Contrary to the imagined strong aroma, the drying beans actually emit no particular scent, and they require constant manual turning to ensure even heat exposure for each bean. Crouching down to take a closer look at these beans allows for a clearer observation of their shape and color—a rare experience in the city.
Regarding the harvest season, the main harvesting period at Doka Estate is from November to February each year. During this time, a large number of local residents are employed for manual fruit picking. Pickers tie baskets around their waists and carefully select and pluck coffee cherries one by one. It is understood that each picker can harvest about 30 baskets per day, with a reward of two dollars per basket, amounting to a daily income of approximately 60 dollars. Within the estate, we also saw coffee beans still on the trees—both the green unripe beans and the vividly red ripe fruits left a deep impression.
Although we were unable to join the official guided tour (which requires a $22 ticket) this time, we were still free to explore the grounds on our own. If you opt for the guided tour, professional guides will provide detailed explanations about the coffee growth process, processing steps, and even recommendations on which coffees are suitable for black coffee or milk pairings. While strolling around, we also unexpectedly discovered some small sprouts that looked like coffee seedlings, making us tempted to take some home to plant.
The scenery within the estate is equally captivating. In addition to the tall coffee trees, there are heart-shaped trees and giant hydrangeas larger than a human face. These natural elements add a lot of visual enjoyment to the coffee tour and are perfect spots for photos and check-ins.
Finally, here is some practical information about Doka Coffee Estate for readers’ reference: the official website is https://dokaestate.com/, the Facebook fan page is Doka Estate Coffee Tour, and contact numbers include +506-7300-7157 (Coffee Department) and +506-7300-7158 (Booking Department). The map location can be viewed via https://goo.gl/maps/2LtHwewyzi72. If you want to enjoy a similar flavor of Costa Rican coffee at home, you can choose premium coffee beans that faithfully represent the characteristics of the region, suitable for daily pour over or espresso brewing.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
