As I had mentioned in this post (nearly a month ago), we had checked into the Hotel Marina Copan in Copan Ruinas, Honduras after being rained out at the Copan Ruins. On the desk at the check in was a sign advertising a tour of a local coffee plantation for $25 per person which included lunch.
Having never been to a coffee plantation before and I couldn’t be sure when I would have the opportunity again, I booked three spots for us for the following morning. The hotel clerk made the reservations and told us to be in the front lobby at 9 AM the following morning to be picked up for the tour.
After a great breakfast we all gathered in the lobby and were met by our guide, Ricardo. He introduced himself in Spanish and asked if we wanted the tour in English or Spanish. We decided on English and headed for the bus. Well the term bus isn’t exactly appropriate, it was a mini-van fitted out for tours (i.e. full seating, air conditioning and windows all the way around). Getting in the bus I asked how many more we needed to pick up for the tour and he informed us that we were the tour! No-one else would be coming.
It took about 30 minutes to drive up into the mountains to the plantation called Finca Santa Isabel (where Cafe Welchez Coffee is produced). The start of the tour is at the nursery where the new coffee plants are nurtured until they are big enough to be planted on the mountain.
The next part of the tour involves getting back into the van and getting driven (thankfully) up the mountain to begin the walk down along groomed trails through the rain forest. This finca uses the shade-grown coffee which allows for the natural habitat to co-exist with the plantation. During the tour we saw plenty of wild birds and butterflies among the coffee plants as the plantation protects the natural trees as they are needed to produce the canopy of the rain forest, which produces the necessary shade. Additionally, herbal medicines are also grown between the coffee plants.
The tour was very informative and the guide’s English skills were excellent. He was able to answer any and all questions that we had. The plantation also had created 3 rest stops along the trails where the finer points of coffee production was explained by the guide and the use of large signs. This one explained the eco-system of the finca and how they are very aware of the effects of the finca on the environment and how the environment effects the coffee plant.
Halfway through the tour we were served lunch which was traditional Honduran food with coffee, of course.
After lunch, we toured the actual production facilities from were the coffee bean is sorted and fermented when it first comes off the mountain to the actual roasting and packaging facilities.
If you are like me you really don’t appreciate the hard work and effort that goes into a cup of coffee. I don’t look at a cup of coffee the same way now that I have been on the tour. If you ever get the chance to tour a finca that produces shade grown coffee don’t pass it up. The experience is amazing and with that new found knowledge you now know what it takes to make a cup of coffee.
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Sounds great! Though after all the coffee I would sample I wouldn’t sleep for a week (which might be good as maybe I’d see more of the area!)
Despite the fact that I was completely familiar with all the steps involved in growing, harvesting, and processing coffee, I was also astounded by the incredible amount of effort once I actually saw it in person. In my case, it was at Finca Hartmann in Panama. All coffee drinkers should have to see this — I don’t think any sensible person would complain about the price of coffee.
Julie:
Thanks for your comments. I couldn’t agree more. I doubt that many people would drink coffee if they had to the work themselves!
Iain
Thanks for interesting article, I think this tour was great, I also would like to go on the same tour. Everyday I drink coffee, and I want to see how it is made.
That is sweet that the tour included a trip through the rain forest. That alone would be worth the price in my opinion. Just curious, what type of food is traditionally Honduran?
Is it very safe for americans to still visit? I’m looking around for places to take the family and I have 2 teenagers.
Yes, you will have no problems at all. In fact, on my last visit to El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala I had a teenager with me and he had a blast. Probably the best vacation he has ever had!
It sounds like you had a great experience. I think you are right though, a lot of people (including myself) probably don’t understand what goes into a simply cub of coffee.
It sounds like you definitely got your $25 worth out of this trip. mountain scenery, coffee education, and an authentic lunch! sounds fun! thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the write up. You may want to consider taking a trip down here as Panama has some of the world’s best coffee (and the awards to prove it). If you do visit, take a look at the Chiriqui province where some of coffee sells at $130 a pound!
Actually I have been to Panama and Chiriqui province (David in fact) but I did not do any tours. I spent my time exploring the area and looking at houses.
I will be going back within the next year and will add these tours to my list of planned activities.
Thanks for your comment.
Iain
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