Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffee Farm
Ruta Nacional 712, Dulce Nombre, Costa Rica
The 593-acre (240-hectare) Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffee Farm is the only coffee farm owned and operated by US coffee shop chain, Starbucks. The site primarily works on coffee research and development, and uses sustainable farming methods. Visitors can enjoy local coffee and food at the café, tour the farm, and admire the colorful murals around the grounds.
Hacienda Alsacia was purchased by Starbucks in 2013, but has been a working coffee farm since 1970. Now, it’s developing new, hardier coffee varietals that can withstand disease and changing global conditions.
Many visitors take immersive, 90-minute tours of the farm (available in English and Spanish), which are an engaging way to learn more about coffee production in Costa Rica, both for Starbucks and more generally. You don’t need to take a tour to visit the café, though, which serves Hacienda Alsacia coffee and Costa Rican food, and has great views of the countryside.
Tickets must be purchased for tours, but they’re free for kids age 6 and under, and discounts are available for seniors, students, and Starbucks partners. Ticket prices are higher for foreign visitors than for Costa Ricans.
If you’re joining a tour, allow extra time for a leisurely coffee or meal.
The café is open-air, so bring a jacket in the cooler months.
Hacienda Alsacia is outside of the village of Sabanilla, on the slopes of Poás Volcano. It’s 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) north of Alajuela, about a 25-minute drive, and 19 miles (31 kilometers) from San Jose, about a 1-hour drive. The road is mountainous and rather rough in places. Apart from driving, other options include taking a taxi or joining a tour from San Jose.
The visitor center is open every day of the week from early morning until late afternoon, while the café and gift shop are open until early evening. The farm can be especially busy on the weekends and public holidays, so visit midweek if possible. You can check the schedule and book a tour on the farm’s website.
Coffee is nicknamed the “grain of gold” (grano de oro) in Costa Rica because it’s such a prized crop. Travelers can visit many other coffee estates around the country. Doka Estate is near Hacienda Alsacia and also specializes in sugar cane; the Finca Rosa Blanca estate offers luxury accommodations; and Santa Maria de Dota is conveniently located between San Jose and the Manuel Antonio National Park.
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