Monteverde is one of the top places to visit in Costa Rica. This tour is educational and enjoyable for all ages and should be on your “must see” list.
The first trapiche (sugar mill) came to Monteverde in 1948 when Mr. Higinio Santamaría (grandfather of the present owner), moved from San Ramon of Alajuela to Monteverde. The journey was done with oxen carts, to the area we know now as Santa Elena and took about 15 days, it was then installed and started working regularly.
Approximately 13 years after the arrival of the family to Monteverde, Mr. Juan Santamaría Campos (father of the present owner) creates a partnership buying a diesel-powered mill, but close to 28 years after the current owner Juan de Dios Santamaría Hidalgo together with his family starts again after several years of being unused.
The idea of turning it in to an agro-tourism farm was created with the aim of showing to visitors a representative part of Costa Rican culture where they can appreciate the process of sugar by the old way making brown sugar (tapa de dulce) and processing of fresh coffee cultivation in educational and cultural tour, which began on 2005.
Tour Description.
El Trapiche tour, is owned by a costarican family, which offers a guided tour of about 2hours. It begins with a tour around the farm which may have an opportunity to observe the different plantations located therein, besides crossing a small patch of forest where occasionally wildlife can be found.
During the tour of the farm there is a small tilapia pond, plantations of bananas, plantains, arracache, macadamia, oranges, sugar cane and coffee.
In the span of the walk around the farm, we explain the process involved in sugarcane cultivation, natural history and also the opportunity to taste the sugar cane and its derivatives.
Finished this interval will display the coffee process, which starts showing from planting and continues with the process of crushing, peeling and roasting by our machinery.
To finish the tour of the plantation, you’re invited to make a short trip in a oxen cart (not obligatory), it starts from sugar cane plantation and finishes at the building where the cocoa process is shown.
There are step by step through the process of cocoa from different stages: starting with a brief explanation of how the tree develops, pollination of it, how to get the fruit, seed fermentation, drying, roasting and grinding cocoa and in addition brief explanation of how to obtain tasting chocolate.
Right after finishing the cocoa process, it will show the “guaro“process (cane liquor).
Next thing on schedule is the demonstration of the different types of the typical trapiches(sugar cane mills) there are three types in the farm, a manual one, an oxen mill and a water mill. You will see all of them running!
The tour culminates at the place where artisanal sugar cane candy is done. various derivatives are made(brown sugar, traditional costarican “perica” or “sobado”(fudge like) and caramel.
It is a great opportunity to interact and make your own candy, that you may take with you
To finish the tour is given the opportunity to taste a “gallo de arracache” topped with an exquisite cup of coffee, lemonade or aguadulce.
To see all the other adventure tours that Bill Beard’s operates in Monteverde: CLICK HERE
To see all the other adventure tours that Bill Beard’s operates Throughout Costa Rica: CLICK HERE
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Our Reservation Office Is Located In La Fortuna, Costa Rica In The Shadow Of Arenal Volcano, behind the Catholic Church, Near The World Famous Hot Springs.
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Contact Our Office At 877 853-0538 or 954 453-5044 M – Sat., 9 – 9 ET
Santa Elena Sugar Mill Typical Tour Monteverde Costa Rica