Best Costa Rica Coffee Brands, Cacique Guaro and Other Souvenirs to Bring Home

Shopping for souvenirs in Costa Rica offers a delightful journey into local flavors and crafts. Here’s what I brought back from my recent trip to Costa Rica and some more suggestions for Costa Rica souvenirs at the end of the post that I skipped due to luggage limits, but were tempting enough to buy.

Costa Rica Coffee Brands

Shopping for coffee from Costa Rica is an adventure into a world of rich flavors and vibrant aromas, reflecting the country’s dedication to high-quality beans. Renowned for its ideal coffee-growing conditions, Costa Rica produces some of the finest beans globally, making it a sought-after destination for coffee enthusiasts.

When selecting Costa Rican coffee, two brands that stand out are Café Britt and Café 1820. Café Britt, established in 1985, is celebrated for its premium, single-origin coffees that showcase the diverse flavors of Costa Rican beans. Their blends often feature a mix of vibrant acidity and rich body, capturing the essence of Costa Rican coffee with a touch of sophistication. Café Britt also offers a variety of roasts and flavors, making it a versatile choice for different palates.

Similarly, Café 1820 is a notable Costa Rican brand with a strong reputation for quality. Established in 1820, this brand draws on a long history of coffee cultivation in Costa Rica, delivering robust and consistent flavors. Their commitment to traditional processing methods ensures a classic taste that reflects the rich heritage of Costa Rican coffee.

You get many variants in 1820 and this one in yellow (classic dark roast) is actually one of the lower priced ones. But this is the exact coffee that I tasted in my hotel Poshtel Arenal in La Fortuna – loved it – and had to get the exact same coffee!

For a more immersive experience, consider exploring in-house coffees from plantations that offer tours. North Fields Coffee, for instance, provides a unique opportunity to experience the journey of coffee from bean to cup. Situated in the heart of Costa Rica’s coffee-growing region, North Fields offers tours that give visitors insight into the cultivation process, as well as the chance to sample their distinctive in-house blends.

This is, again, the exact coffee variant that I loved when we were tasting coffees during the tour.

Costa Rican Chocolate

For chocolate enthusiasts, Costa Rica presents a choice between artisanal single-origin varieties and beloved local brands.

While premium chocolates like Kakoart Bruno’s are packaged in beautiful Costa Rican motifs and make great souvenirs, local brands like Gallito’s Sea Salt and Caramel chocolate will also tingle your tastebuds and this one was particularly sinfully rich and satisfying.

Local Sweets and Savories

My first purchase in Costa Rica was actually from this cute little shop – Tramo Y Soda La Balsa – on my way to my hotel Lands in Love in San Ramon from the SJO airport. I picked up a sampling of local sweets and snacks—coconut treats are a must-try, often made with fresh ingredients and authentic flavors.

Don’t miss out on the toronja rellena con cajeta de leche by Dulces y Panes Amaylita (the huge red ball in the picture below), a sweet grapefruit filled with caramel that beautifully captures Costa Rican craftsmanship.

Spice up your culinary experiences at home with Salsa Lizano, a versatile sauce that adds a distinctive tang to any dish. You will find many different salsa sauces to choose from.

From a supermarket “Mundo Fortuna” in La Fortuna, I shopped for some local candy. Some of these are made in Costa Rica whereas some are some nearby countries in Central and South America like BigBen, Bianchi and Ricato brands from the Columbian confectionery brand Super.

I made sure to read the labels carefully using my poor Spanish to make sure I wasn’t buying any North American imports.

Cacique Guaro

For a taste of Costa Rican spirit, grab a bottle of Cacique Guaro, a popular sugarcane liqueur that’s a staple of local celebrations. On both my tours – to the Arenal volcano and to the North Fields Coffee plantation – we had the Guaro ceremony featuring the national Guaro brand – Cacique.

Its smooth, distinctive flavor captures the essence of Costa Rican nightlife and makes a memorable addition to any home bar. You can also look for many recipes online to create your own drinks using Guaro with Salsa Lizano. I bought plastic bottles which were easier to pack in my luggage. Alas, I couldn’t take any pictures before they were gone.

Local Artwork

I love the idea of filling a wall with small artworks of places that I have visited – especially if they feature one of the iconic sceneries I experienced. This painting below shows the most beautiful scene in the pretty town of La Fortuna – the majestic Arenal Volcano looming behind the church steeple as seen from the Waterfall in Parque de La Fortuna.

Magnets (of course)

Magnets and embroidered bags are perfect for those looking for smaller, memorable trinkets. I bought a few magnets to add to my own collection as well to give as gifts.

I bought them from several places. The Coffee souvenir was purchased from the North Fields Coffee plantation gift shop and the rest were mostly purchased from Mercado Central in San José. Souvenir shops in La Fortuna were much higher priced than in the capital.

 

Other Souvenir Ideas

There were many more interesting things to carry home that needed a lot more space to pack so I skipped them.

Handcrafted wood items like intricately carved masks, chorreador coffee makers, and charming ox cart souvenirs reflect the region’s artistic heritage. Chopping boards and other wooden pieces also make for practical yet unique mementos.

Another thing I saw plenty of, were bath towels featuring the colorful Costa Rican currency and  wildlife, which would serve as both functional items and keepsakes.

Whether you’re indulging in local flavors or collecting handcrafted items, these souvenirs offer a wonderful way to remember your Costa Rican adventure. Of course, the best souvenirs to bring back is our memories. I have shared some glimpses from mine on my Youtube Channel.

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