Doka Estate

The basics

Doka Estate is a working coffee plantation that’s open to the public. Guided tours of the farm take in each step of coffee production, but generally also feature other on-property attractions, including gardens dedicated to butterflies, bonsais, and other plants. While the estate has appeal beyond coffee lovers, opportunities abound to sample the estate’s signature products, from basic brews to coffee liqueurs. The farm’s water-powered wet coffee storage facility was designated an architectural heritage site by the Costa Rican government.

Things to know before you go

• Great for plant lovers—the manicured gardens boast hundreds of species.
• Coffee, chocolate, and other locally made products are sold on-site.
• There is a restaurant and bathroom facilities at Doka Estate.

How to get there

Doka Estate is located in the province of Alajuela, about 18 miles (29 kilometers) north of Costa Rica’s capital of San Jose—the trip takes roughly an hour. Some tours of Doka Estate include round-trip transportation, with pickup and drop-off at hotels in San Jose or elsewhere. If you’re staying in the town of Alajuela, it’s possible to come by taxi; look for the “official” red taxis that use meters.

When to get there

Doka Estate coffee tours are available daily. From Monday through Friday, tours run from 8am–3:30pm. On the weekends, tours are available from 8am–2:30pm. Tours of the Doka Estate generally last 1.5 hours. While there’s plenty to see at Doka Estate year-round, coffee harvest generally runs from October through March, the season when red coffee berries are picked and processed.

Why is Costa Rica’s coffee so famous?

Bags of Costa Rican coffee beans are sought after by java lovers around the world. What makes it so good? By law, the only coffee grown in Costa Rica is Arabica, a variety known for its sweet and smooth taste. The country also has eight growing areas, a geographical diversity that produces a wide range of flavor profiles.