See the traditional lives of Costa Ricans in an interesting, educational and fun way. With the aid of an English-speaking guide for the day and you will have a wonderfully varied day from learning about making coffee to dancing the salsa! The tour starts at 7.30am and ends at 8.30pm with stops for lunch and time for you to relax at your hotel in the evening before you start your dance class.
7:30am
Your day begins with an early visit to a near by coffee farm. Here you will learn the whole process of coffee production - from the bean to the cup. And of course you will be able to the sample great coffee!
9:30am
Straight after the coffee tour you be driven a short distance to the 2 hour-long "trapiche" tour. Here is a chance to learn all about the process of making sugar and other products from sugarcane and the history of production in the area. You will ride in a traditional ox cart to get to the mill and hear about the role that oxen have in extracting juice from sugar cane. You will also have a chance to taste various sugar products.
12:00pm
After a rewarding educational and fun morning you won't be disappointed with your delicious typical Costa Rican lunch. Don't miss an opportunity to sample the famous Costa Rican 'casados'. The plate usually consists of at least a few of the following ingrediantes with rice and beans as standard:cheese, potato, mixed veggies, salad, fried plantain and fish,chicken or meat (unless you specify a vegetarian plate).
2:00pm
A short walk from the restaurant will bring us to the famous cheese factory of Monteverde. Quaker families from the United States founded the cheese factory in 1953. The factory presently makes about 15 types of cheese including: cheddar, jack, Gouda, and Monte Rico. The 1.5-hour is with a bilingual guide who will explain the whole process of cheese production, from how the milk is received to the pasteurizing process, quality control and the making of specific cheese types. The tour includes an interesting slide show that explains the historical origins of the Monteverde community and factory. And of course no tour is complete without sampling the products!
From the cheese factory your guide will walk with you the short distance to CASEM (which stands for Comite de Artesanas de Santa Elena y Monteverde). This was founded in 1982 with the goal of creating an environment where local artisans (mostly women) can work in their homes for the ecological, social and economic development of their families and the community. Since 1982 the project has grown from 8 women to 140 artisans. At CASEM you will find all kinds of homemade handicrafts including woodwork, jewelry, clothes and decorations.
4:30pm
Our drive will be ready to take you to your hotel for a well-earned rest! We can give advice on some of the restaurants in the area (evening meal not included).
7:30pm
Be prepared to dance! Our patient teacher will have you dancing the salsa in no time. The class is one hour long; afterwards you will be taken back to your hotel.
Tour begins: 7:30am pick-up from your hotel
Tour ends: 8.30pm drop-off at your hotel.
Price: $148/pp. $138pp for students and children over 14. Not suitable for children under 14.
Includes: bilingual guide, all transport, all entrance fees and activities and a casado lunch.
Minimum: 2 people.
What to bring: long pants, closed shoes, rain gear, sunscreen and a camera!
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From the cheese factory your guide will walk with you the short distance to CASEM (which stands for Comite de Artesanas de Santa Elena y Monteverde). This was founded in 1982 with the goal of creating an environment where local artisans (mostly women) can work in their homes for the ecological, social and economic development of their families and the community. Since 1982 the project has grown from 8 women to 140 artisans. At CASEM you will find all kinds of homemade handicrafts including woodwork, jewelry, clothes and decorations.