ICT invites you to visit the Los Santos region during the 2025-2026 coffee harvest celebration

The sunny, breezy December afternoons signal the arrival of the Christmas season in Costa Rica, and with it begins an agricultural activity in the Los Santos region that dates back more than 200 years: the coffee harvest.

Friday, December 5th, marks the official start of the 2025-2026 coffee harvest in the cantons of Dota, Tarrazú, and León Cortés. To celebrate, CoopeDota RL has prepared a special weekend program of activities around its facilities in Santa María, filled with culture, coffee, and tradition, open to the public. 

As part of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute's (ICT) commitment to the Los Santos destination and its regional brand, the ICT invites everyone to visit the area starting this weekend and throughout the holiday season. In addition to the scheduled activities, the region offers numerous natural attractions, high-altitude conservation areas, birdwatching opportunities, historical sites, and its deeply rooted coffee culture.  

“From the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, we are pleased to announce the start of the coffee harvest in the Los Santos region. We congratulate the more than 1,200 families belonging to CoopeDota, who are prepared to surpass last year's harvest of 100,000 fanegas (approximately 1,600 kg). We invite all Costa Ricans to rediscover and visit a destination brimming with diverse tourist attractions, but above all, to learn the stories behind a cup of coffee and the undeniable warmth of the people of the cantons of Dota, Tarrazú, and León Cortés,” stated William Rodríguez, Minister of Tourism.

The coffee harvest in Los Santos provides employment for more than 14,000 pickers, who travel to the region to support the more than 1,200 families belonging to CoopeDota RL. These families are responsible for nurturing the beans for nine months, ensuring they become the coffee that will reach the world's most prestigious markets, such as the United States, Germany, and Japan.

Coffee, Culture, and Tradition: 

During the three-day celebration, coffee will take center stage. Visitors can enjoy tastings of different coffee profiles, the new coffee tour, “Tour PuraviDota Experience,” which explores the history and process of coffee from plant to cup. There will also be spaces dedicated to Project One, an environmental initiative showcasing sustainability technologies and efforts by local producers, and booths featuring entrepreneurs and products, boosting the region's economy. 

“It's a full weekend of coffee celebrations… it's an opportunity to come, learn, get involved, and see what's behind a cup of coffee: the effort and importance of this beverage for Costa Rica and the world,” commented Christian Chinchilla, Manager of CoopeDota RL. A Schedule Full of Surprises:

The schedule from December 5th to 7th offers a rich blend of tradition, culture, and flavor. Visitors will enjoy concerts with national artists such as Los Ajenos and Calle 8, and can participate in the CaminaDota walk through coffee plantations. On Sunday the 7th, the moving Emblems Parade will honor the coffee-growing tradition. The celebration also highlights the Tarrazú Coffee Designation of Origin, along with an Entrepreneurs' Fair and traditional gastronomy. Furthermore, CoopeDota reaffirms its commitment to safety through its cardioprotected space and to sustainability with its Carbon Neutral cafeteria, initiatives that directly impact the harvest for more than 1,200 coffee-producing families in the region.

Source: ICT.