Starbucks Hacienda Alsacia Coffee Tour
Discover the journey of Costa Rican coffee from seed to cup at Starbucks Hacienda Alsacia in Sabanilla, Alajuela. Explore the tree nursery, wet mill, drying patio, and roasting process; learn about sustainable farming and finish with a guided coffee tasting.
- Approximately 90 minutes
- English and Spanish tours
- Coffee tasting included
- Meet at the Visitor Center
$30.00
Starbucks Hacienda Alsacia Coffee Tour
Follow coffee from seed to cup during a guided visit to Hacienda Alsacia, Starbucks’ coffee farm and global agronomy research hub on the slopes of Poás Volcano. Explore the tree nursery, wet mill, drying patio and roasting process while learning about sustainable farming, farmer support and the work helping protect the future of coffee.
What You Can Expect
Discover how coffee moves from a young plant to a finished cup during an educational guided walk through Hacienda Alsacia’s Visitor Center experience. Your guide will introduce the farm’s research and sustainability work while explaining the cultivation, harvesting, processing, drying and roasting stages.
The experience combines outdoor and covered areas, scenic views over the coffee landscape and a tasting that brings the production story together. After the tour, you can visit the open-air café and enjoy additional drinks, food and farm views at your own expense.
Tour Itinerary
Visitor Center Introduction
Meet your guide at the Hacienda Alsacia Visitor Center and begin with an introduction to the farm, Costa Rican coffee and Starbucks’ global agronomy work.
Tree Nursery and Research
Learn how coffee plants begin their journey and how researchers study varieties, plant health, productivity and resilience to challenges such as changing climate and coffee disease.
Cultivation and Harvesting
Explore the work behind growing arabica coffee and hear how farm practices, soil, elevation, climate and careful harvesting influence coffee quality.
Wet Mill and Drying Patio
Follow the post-harvest process as coffee fruit is handled, processed and dried in preparation for the next stages of production.
Roasting and Coffee Tasting
See how roasting transforms green coffee and complete the experience with a guided tasting of Hacienda Alsacia coffee.
Open-Air Café
After the guided tour, stay to enjoy the café, coffee-farm views and waterfall scenery. Additional drinks, food and merchandise are available for purchase.
The exact route and order may change because of weather, seasonal farm activity or operational requirements.
What’s Included
- Approximately 90-minute guided coffee experience
- Visitor Center and designated tour-area access
- Tree nursery, processing, drying and roasting interpretation
- Information about agronomy research and sustainable coffee farming
- Coffee tasting
- English- or Spanish-language tour according to the selected departure
What’s Not Included
- Transportation to and from Hacienda Alsacia
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Additional café drinks or food
- Souvenirs, packaged coffee and merchandise
- Personal expenses and gratuities
Meeting and Arrival Information
Meet directly at the Hacienda Alsacia Visitor Center in Sabanilla, Alajuela, on the slopes of Poás Volcano. Transportation is not included with this product.
Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tour. Allow extra driving time because mountain roads, weather and traffic can affect travel times. The experience ends at the same meeting point.
Schedule and Duration
Tours last approximately 90 minutes and are offered in English and Spanish during scheduled departures between approximately 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The Visitor Center café generally remains open later than the final tour. Confirm the exact language, departure time and operating hours when booking.
What to Bring
- Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes with good traction
- Lightweight rain jacket or umbrella
- Sun protection
- Reusable water bottle
- Camera or phone
- Booking confirmation or mobile voucher
- Payment method for optional café and merchandise purchases
Accessibility and Additional Information
- Confirmation is provided after the reservation is completed.
- The Visitor Center offers accessible routes, ramps and elevator access in key areas.
- Some walking is required and portions of the property may be sloped or wet.
- Contact the operator before booking if a traveler requires specific mobility assistance.
- Service animals are permitted subject to current site rules.
- Children must remain under adult supervision.
- The tour includes a coffee tasting; additional café purchases are separate.
- A mobile booking confirmation should be available when checking in.
Cancellation Policy
This experience may be non-refundable and may not allow changes after booking. Review the cancellation and amendment terms displayed during checkout before completing your reservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Hacienda Alsacia Coffee Tour?
The guided experience lasts approximately 90 minutes. Allow additional time if you plan to enjoy the café, views or shop after the tour.
Is transportation included?
No. This product requires travelers to meet directly at the Hacienda Alsacia Visitor Center in Sabanilla, Alajuela.
Is coffee tasting included?
Yes. A coffee tasting is included as part of the guided seed-to-cup experience. Additional café drinks and food are available for purchase.
Are tours available in English and Spanish?
Yes. English and Spanish tours are offered at scheduled times. Select or confirm the correct language when reserving.
Is the tour suitable for visitors with limited mobility?
The Visitor Center provides accessible features, but some walking and sloped areas are involved. Contact the operator in advance to confirm support for your specific needs.
When should I reserve?
Advance reservations are recommended because each scheduled English- or Spanish-language departure has limited capacity, especially during high, peak and holiday seasons.
Loction
| Provinces | |
|---|---|
| Person | Adults, Senior Citizens, Students, Partners, Children, Costa Rican Nationals, Costa Rican National Student |
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Province | Alajuela |
| Location | Sabanilla, Alajuela |
| Destination | Starbucks Hacienda Alsacia Coffee Farm |
| Total Duration | Approximately 1.5 hours |
| Tour Type | Guided Coffee Farm and Visitor Center Tour |
| Languages | English and Spanish |
| Coffee Tasting | Included |
| Transportation | Not included |
| Hotel Pickup | Not included |
| Meeting Point | Hacienda Alsacia Visitor Center |
| Operating Schedule | Scheduled departures from approximately 8:00 AM–4:00 PM |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible; confirm specific needs before booking |









Zipy Ride –
The Hacienda Alsacia tour offers an interesting and easy-to-follow look at how Costa Rican coffee travels from seed to cup. The guide explains each stage clearly, including the tree nursery, sustainable growing practices, coffee processing and roasting. The farm is beautiful, the views are impressive, and the included coffee tasting is a memorable way to finish the experience. At approximately 90 minutes, it is an excellent addition to a day exploring Alajuela or Poás Volcano.
Zipy Ride –