Café Tío Leo
Café Tío Leo
5
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
A Cultural tour which explains the crops and folklore of Guanacaste. Tio Leo himself will show you the techniques that were used to harvest the coffee. In addition to that a cooking class , chocolate class and an interaction with a sugar mill to estract and try sugar cane juice will be provided as part of the tour.
Liberia, Costa Rica
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
335 reviews
Excellent
319
Very good
14
Average
1
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Charlie P
Portland, OR9 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
The best tour I've been on hands down across the board. Amazingly knowledgeable, super friendly, terrific service with special attention to all aspects of the business and Costa Rica experience. The coffee was amazing and the tour was so educational. I thought I knew a lot about coffee but Tio Leo is an amazing guide and his experimental plantation is setting an amazing example of new and effective growing methods and pairings. If you are into gardening or permicultural farming practices, Tio Leo's operation will inspire you.
The tour included way more than just coffee too and our 3 year old had an amazing time tasting the fresh chocolate, cane sugar drink, and green mango. Making the empanada was a special treat for her and us and they were delicious as well.
This is a must-do tour in my opinion and it's so close to the airport that you should schedule it first thing or last, and maybe another visit in the middle too. At $35 with lunch, I would have loved to do it everyday. In addition, it sounds like everyother week, there is something new so a revisit is definitely warranted. We just missed the cashew fruits but hit the green mangos perfectly. The Carob looked like it was getting close so the tour in a few weeks will get that special treat.
The tour included way more than just coffee too and our 3 year old had an amazing time tasting the fresh chocolate, cane sugar drink, and green mango. Making the empanada was a special treat for her and us and they were delicious as well.
This is a must-do tour in my opinion and it's so close to the airport that you should schedule it first thing or last, and maybe another visit in the middle too. At $35 with lunch, I would have loved to do it everyday. In addition, it sounds like everyother week, there is something new so a revisit is definitely warranted. We just missed the cashew fruits but hit the green mangos perfectly. The Carob looked like it was getting close so the tour in a few weeks will get that special treat.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael B
Yellow Springs, OH15 contributions
Jan 2020
Jan 2020. My wife and I are vegetable gardeners. We love knowing how things grow. The Tio Leo tour is near the Liberia Airport, so we arranged the morning tour on our way back to the airport for an afternoon flight.
We were very impressed. It was like touring a botanical garden. They use large fruit trees to shade their coffee. But they have so much more than just coffee to show you. The new coco beans (chocolate) were not quite ripe when we toured. They are very knowledgeable, and show you things you would never think of.
You get to sample coffee of different grades, grind and drink your coco, sample fresh fruit from the garden, and more. Several minutes for pressing sugar cane and sampling the juice. A visit to the coffee roasting machine. And we brought home several bags of fresh roasted coffee.
The tour is an incredible value, and for $10 more, the lunch was quite good.
We were very impressed. It was like touring a botanical garden. They use large fruit trees to shade their coffee. But they have so much more than just coffee to show you. The new coco beans (chocolate) were not quite ripe when we toured. They are very knowledgeable, and show you things you would never think of.
You get to sample coffee of different grades, grind and drink your coco, sample fresh fruit from the garden, and more. Several minutes for pressing sugar cane and sampling the juice. A visit to the coffee roasting machine. And we brought home several bags of fresh roasted coffee.
The tour is an incredible value, and for $10 more, the lunch was quite good.
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for your visit snd for your support, as a small familly bussines we really apreciate, you words make us do what we do day by day better and better.
Thanks
Tio Leo
Written January 12, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chuck C
8 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
I have been on several coffee tours, but this was by far the best.
Tio (uncle) Leo is very knowledgeable about the history of coffee as well as the history within Costa Rica. After the coffee lesson we tasted freshly brewed (through a traditional Costa Rican drip maker) coffee.
Next was a cooking lesson where everyone made a black bean empanada. The masa (corn meal dough) was flavored and colored with achiote (Annatto seed) grown on the property. Then we crushed freshly roasted cocoa beans on a traditional matate to make fresh hot chocolate, chocolate milk, chocolate candy and with the hulls, a skin scrub.
Then we toured, and tasted, the 2 acre "lab". Tio Leo has been experimenting with growing Aribica coffee at this low elevation, due to changes in climate, and to ensure coffee for future generations.
He showcased (through observations and tasting) myriad trees and shrubs: coffee, mango, cashews, stevia, oregano, sour orange, sweet lemon, cacao, cas, starfruit, plum, rambutan, miracle fruit, cumquat, jocote, and I know I missed a few more.
Back into the patio area we crushed sugarcane and everyone got a glass of the juice with a history lesson on sugarcane. Then a quick lesson on rum (which is made from sugarcane) and a coffee liqueur tasting.
Finally Tio Leo roasted some coffee, so we could see, and smell, the process.
The tour was about 4 hours, and with a $45 (US) price was one of the most reasonably priced tours I have been on. I would give this tour 5 stars, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys informative lessons, coffee, and a local flair.
Tio (uncle) Leo is very knowledgeable about the history of coffee as well as the history within Costa Rica. After the coffee lesson we tasted freshly brewed (through a traditional Costa Rican drip maker) coffee.
Next was a cooking lesson where everyone made a black bean empanada. The masa (corn meal dough) was flavored and colored with achiote (Annatto seed) grown on the property. Then we crushed freshly roasted cocoa beans on a traditional matate to make fresh hot chocolate, chocolate milk, chocolate candy and with the hulls, a skin scrub.
Then we toured, and tasted, the 2 acre "lab". Tio Leo has been experimenting with growing Aribica coffee at this low elevation, due to changes in climate, and to ensure coffee for future generations.
He showcased (through observations and tasting) myriad trees and shrubs: coffee, mango, cashews, stevia, oregano, sour orange, sweet lemon, cacao, cas, starfruit, plum, rambutan, miracle fruit, cumquat, jocote, and I know I missed a few more.
Back into the patio area we crushed sugarcane and everyone got a glass of the juice with a history lesson on sugarcane. Then a quick lesson on rum (which is made from sugarcane) and a coffee liqueur tasting.
Finally Tio Leo roasted some coffee, so we could see, and smell, the process.
The tour was about 4 hours, and with a $45 (US) price was one of the most reasonably priced tours I have been on. I would give this tour 5 stars, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys informative lessons, coffee, and a local flair.
Written February 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron M
Mississauga, Canada328 contributions
Jan 2020
We did a bit of a coffee education at Vandara Adventure Park and were advised that the tour part of this location was a bit of a "money grab". But even our local tourist guide advised us that this was one of the better spots for souvenirs and my better half ended up purchasing the photographed rosewood bowl after comparing prices in Coco Beach shops and from street vendors. The Tio Leo coffee was also excellent and reasonably price. Chocolate tasted good re the samples, but went against my diet! :-)
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sunshinelpc
Toronto, Canada1,039 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
What an amazing afternoon at Cafe Tio Leo!!! We took the local bus from Playa del Coco to Guardia(600 kn) and Cafe Tio Leo is less than 5 Min walk from the bus stop! We booked noon tour and it last around 4 hours as we didn’t have anything planned after that, Tio Leo even gave us a lift back to Coco after the tour. The tour was very informative and fun. The fried empanada is so delicious and we tried refreshing sour guava and plantain chips while walking in the farm. Freshly pressed sugar cane juice with coffee lacquer, fresh grind cacao milk and of course good coffee! It was the best day during our 4 days visit in Coco!! But the best is how nice Tio Leo , his wife and people who work there! They try to give job to local people and raise money for kids and even for women to do the breast screening. Please go and spend a few hours there and donate some money to support the Christmas holiday. Book on line as it has limited space for each tour! You won’t regret. Thanks Tio Leo and your wife for the raw beans🙏
Written November 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for your beautifull words, as a small family business we really apreciate your support.
Tio Leo & family
Written December 15, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
deloreshomisak
San Francisco, CA8 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Visited Tio Leo's in May 2022 and it was the number one non-adventure tour we did in Costa Rica. Tio Leo is a remarkable man, completely self-taught in sustainable coffee growing practices. We also pressed sugar cane by hand and ground up coco beans on the equivalent of a mortar and pestle and made fresh chocolate milk. Then we made empanadas. We spent 4.5 hrs on the tour, expecting only about 2.5 hrs. Tio Leo loves to share his knowledge and teach; we had a genuine good time with him and all his staff who helped with the tour. I even danced salsa with wonderful woman who cooked out empanadas in extremely hot oil.
The price was more than worth it, especially as it included a traditional Costa Rican lunch which could have fed 2 people easily.
Good value, great people, a Costa Rican gem you should discover.
The price was more than worth it, especially as it included a traditional Costa Rican lunch which could have fed 2 people easily.
Good value, great people, a Costa Rican gem you should discover.
Written June 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LindyLou1021
Evanston, IL20 contributions
Jan 2020
I've heard a lot of presentations in my 30 years in education and in my extensive travels. This tour goes up to the top tier! We learned about the many plants in the area, their fruits, and their nutritional and biological value. We made empanadas, crushed roasted cacao beans, tasted several fruit juices, ate plantains and got hands-on experience with coffee tasting and grading. The staff couldn't have been more personable and thoughtful and our lunch in the cafe was delicious and hearty. Wonderful experience!!
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wayne R
Kitchener, Canada44 contributions
Mar 2020
Tio Leo himself sets up at the beginning of the tour for photo ops for everyone interested. Tour the farm where they grow many things (including vanilla plants). The origins of the plant , what they grow, how they are grown and how long it takes for the plants to mature. Tio Leo answers everyone's questions during the tour. There are the occasional stops to taste the produce. Next is a coffee testing with several brands and roasts of coffee. (Tio's wins hands down across the ranges.) On to the tour of the roasting plant and the wonderful odors in the air. See the beans go in and hear about the different times each roast takes to perfect. Off to the shop where you can purchase your favorite blends. (They did not have enough in the store for the amount I wanted to purchase. They made arrangements for me to pick up the extra coffee I ordered in town at the outlet store.There is also a Tio Leo coffee shop coffee shop about 15 stores up the street.) It's easy to find in town by the likeness of Tio Leo on the store's windows. (Coco beach Guanacaste Costa Rica.)
Written November 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bethany B
Nashville, TN20 contributions
May 2024 • Family
My husband and six year old daughter and I did the morning tour at Cafe Tio Leo and it was such a great experience from top to bottom! Leo and his family and staff aren't just a coffee company, they are a hospitality company! They are so kind and accommodating in every way, even with a box of toys and a playhouse (in addition to our 6 year old, another family on the tour brought a 2 year old and 4 year old.) Everyone bent over backwards to please, was so kind and gracious and easy to communicate with...I came away feeling like I'd been adopted by my new Costa Rican family. :)
Tio Leo is a deep well of knowledge and educated us on everything from coffee to sugarcane to Costa Rican economics. His presentation was peppered with class participation opportunities and the "4 in 1 tour" descriptor was spot on. We each got to make (and eat!) our own red bean empanada, roast cacao seeds, taste a number of kinds of coffee, press sugarcane, and the list goes on and on. Every 15 minutes or so it felt like they had some other drink or food for us to try. The samples were endless and DELICIOUS! There wasn't a single thing that I didn't want to eat or drink endless quantities of.
I thought that there would be a lot of walking involved, but was delighted to find that the majority of the experience took place under their beautiful multi-purpose structure that houses a kitchen, sugarcane press and ample seating for the group. We did get to enjoy about 30 minutes of walking through their orchards and of course at every turn Leo was handing us a leaf to smell or a fruit to taste! He really has an agricultural wonderland going on; I quickly lost count of the varieties of fruits, herbs and other crops he had growing.
Oh, and I would be remiss to not mention the chocolate scrub you get to rub on your arms! Who knew there was a spa-component! My skin felt smooth and amazing.
We would absolutely recommend this to any traveler and were delighted to come home with two bags of coffee. The value is exceptional for such a long tour and so many delicious drinks and treats (that "coffee candy"! my goodness.). I would absolutely visit again and give them alll the stars! Thank you for a wonderful experience.
Tio Leo is a deep well of knowledge and educated us on everything from coffee to sugarcane to Costa Rican economics. His presentation was peppered with class participation opportunities and the "4 in 1 tour" descriptor was spot on. We each got to make (and eat!) our own red bean empanada, roast cacao seeds, taste a number of kinds of coffee, press sugarcane, and the list goes on and on. Every 15 minutes or so it felt like they had some other drink or food for us to try. The samples were endless and DELICIOUS! There wasn't a single thing that I didn't want to eat or drink endless quantities of.
I thought that there would be a lot of walking involved, but was delighted to find that the majority of the experience took place under their beautiful multi-purpose structure that houses a kitchen, sugarcane press and ample seating for the group. We did get to enjoy about 30 minutes of walking through their orchards and of course at every turn Leo was handing us a leaf to smell or a fruit to taste! He really has an agricultural wonderland going on; I quickly lost count of the varieties of fruits, herbs and other crops he had growing.
Oh, and I would be remiss to not mention the chocolate scrub you get to rub on your arms! Who knew there was a spa-component! My skin felt smooth and amazing.
We would absolutely recommend this to any traveler and were delighted to come home with two bags of coffee. The value is exceptional for such a long tour and so many delicious drinks and treats (that "coffee candy"! my goodness.). I would absolutely visit again and give them alll the stars! Thank you for a wonderful experience.
Written May 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much, we really apreciate your support and make us so happy that your family enjoyed the visit to our property, your comments compromise us to do better day by day.
Tio Leo
Written June 13, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cyemanuele
Philadelphia, PA5 contributions
Jun 2022
This was such a fun excursion on our trip! Tio Leo and his team are all incredibly friendly and warm and made time to answer all of our questions and spend time on each part of the visit. It was a great value given how much we got to do - we toured their farm, sampled coffee, chocolates, and sugar cane juice as well as some fresh fruit picked right from the trees, as well as made some empanadas together. It was really educational and I'd definitely recommend first-timers take a swing through.
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for your visit and this beutifull words they make us work harder to give our visitors the best of all of us.
Tio Leo
Written July 5, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hello,
Do you have any availability for tomorrow (Wednesday 4th March) for 3 people?
Thanks
Written March 3, 2020
Go to the Tio Leo website for reservations. I don’t believe that this site is monitored by Tio Leo
I’m just about out of coffee. Pick some up for me while you’re there!😉
Written March 3, 2020
Would like to book a tour this week....do you have anything from Jan 30 or 31 or Feb 1 ?
Written January 28, 2020
You need to go to the website for Tio Leo to inquire about tours. This is a question and answer platform for Trip Advisor readers and posters😊
Written January 29, 2020
Can we do a tour Sunday nov 17 AM?
Written November 17, 2019
Hello, thanks for your preference,so sorry but we don't have any availabillity on sunday, we offer you spots on tuesday november 19 at 8 am.
Thanks
Tio Leo
Written November 17, 2019
Do you have any tours available for Saturday morning please?
Written August 15, 2019
Hello, thanks for your preference, unfortunatelly we don't have availabillity till monday 8 am.if it works for you please let us know to place your reservation.
Tio Leo.
Written August 16, 2019
The only available time is at 8 am monday to saturday, afternoon tour is sold out for the rest of the year.
Thanks.
Tio Leo.
Written June 30, 2019
Michel
Saint Roch de Mekinac, Canada
Est-ce que à cette endroit on peux nous parler en francais ?
Written March 30, 2019
Hello, no, only English and Spanish
Written March 30, 2019
Muy buenas tardes. Hay espacio para 2 adultos y 1 niño para mañana lunes 11 de febrero? Cuánto es el costo? Muchas gracias.
Written February 10, 2019
Rita Elena V
San Jose, Costa Rica
Hola me gustaría saber el horario y como se llega gracias
Written February 8, 2019
Buenos días, nuestro horario para el tour regular es de lunes a sabado de 8 am a 11 am , en este momento tenemos disponibilidad hasta el proximo lunes las 8 am y estamos en Guardia de Liberia, ruta 21 km 19, para mas informacion por favor comuniquese al tel:26670062.
Muchas Gracias.
Tío Leo
Written February 9, 2019
I have a question regarding the lunch: what are the enpanadas made of? Are they vegetarian? If not, what kind of meat are they made of?
Thanks!
Written February 5, 2019
Hello, they are torally vegetarian, no meat at all, corn flower and black ground beans.
Thanks.
Tio Leo
Written February 8, 2019
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