La Campesina Farm and Cultural Tour

As you drive outside of La Fortuna up the rolling green hills and winding roads, you will be able to see stunning views of La Fortuna and the surrounding small towns. Upon arrival your local Costa Rica tour guide will greet you and give you an introduction and history about this sustainable, family farm. Start off the tour with an opportunity to see a variety of animals - some that you may not have ever seen before: monkeys, marmocets, cute donkeys, water buffalo and cows. Most of these animals are an important part of this farm – find out how bulls help make sugar cane juice! Then make your way through a winding path full of fruit trees, pineapples and medicinal plants. You will get to see the native medicinal plants of Costa Rica, from Melissa, a sleep aid, to Juanilama, a plant well known to ease stomach problems. The medicinal gardens will lead you to a large a green house where all kinds of green vegetables grow, making up a large percentage of the restaurant’s food. You’ll then make your way to a covered wooden seating area where you can stretch your legs and learn a little bit about the Tripiche, a traditional and beautiful method of making sugar cane juice that requires zero electrical energy. Pure sugar cane juice alone is delicious but it can also be fermented and turned into a strong and delicious sugar cane alcohol. You’ll get to try both before heading on your way to see the rest of the farm. Pass by beautiful tropical birds, peasants and peacocks and even a friendly and curious deer will come up to the fence to say hello. As you walk through the maintained and flat trail you’ll see the beauty that surrounds the garden paths : vibrant tropical flowers, sweet lemon and mango trees, and the awe-inspiring Arenal volcano in the background. Everyone loves to visit the pigs, especially children. There is a litter constantly being born so chances are you will get to see babies as well. The pigs supply the meat to the restaurant and the methane gas they produce is used as fuel for the gas stove. When you finish your tour at the main restaurant you’ll be greeted by a lovely buffet of food right from the farm complete with handmade tortillas and fresh Costa Rican coffee.