Organic Spice Farm Experience, Manuel Antonio
Visit a jungle spice plantation, experiencing sights, tastes, smells and cultivation of spices from vanilla to allspice
Wonderful experience with lots of information about the spices and growing them plus excellent snacks! Snacks included home made ice cream and they provided vegan options!
really great experience with an excellent guide.
And amazing experience
Overview
Highlights
- Explore the plantation's post-harvest warehouse and learn about the drying and packaging process of spices.
- Walk along a jungle trail and discover how vanilla, cocoa, cinnamon, and other exotic spices are grown.
- Learn how to pollinate vanilla flowers during the pollination season (Nov-Dec).
- Enjoy stunning views of the plantation and taste gourmet delicacies made by an in-house pastry chef.
- Stock up on organic spices and products at the plantation's spice shop.
Know before you go
3.5 hours
All ages
Small group
What you'll do
Next, you'll head out onto the grounds of the plantation, where you'll walk along a jungle trail and learn how the different spices are grown. You'll discover the intricacies of each plant's cultivation process and the challenges of growing spices in a tropical environment.
As the most popular flavor in the world and the plantation’s major crop, vanilla is the true star of this tour. You'll learn about the labor-intensive cultivation process of vanilla and discover why it's the second most expensive flavoring agent in the world. During the pollination season (typically the months of Nov-Dec), you'll have the opportunity to learn how to pollinate the vanilla flowers for yourself!
Continuing on, you'll make your way to a stunning viewpoint overlooking the hills of the plantation. Here, you'll be treated to gourmet delicacies made fresh on the farm by an in-house pastry chef. You'll indulge in the flavors of the rainforest as you taste a variety of flavorful drinks and spice treats made using as many ingredients from the plantation as possible.
The last stop of the tour is at the plantation's spice shop where you can stock up on organic vanilla beans and extract, Ceylon cinnamon, savory chili-infused hot chocolate, and other products grown on the farm! You'll leave with a deeper appreciation for the flavors of the rainforest and a bag full of unique, organic spices to take home with you.
What's included
- Transportation
- Bilingual guide
Like what you see?
Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.
Get startedSee alternatives
Local Flavors Cooking Class
Learn how to prepare a traditional Costa Rican meal on this gourmet excursion! After a stop at the local farmers’ market in Quepos, where you'll browse the stands and choose ingredients, you'll travel with your guide to a private ranch in the village of Londres. Source additional produce from the property's organic garden. Next, join a local chef in the preparation of a traditional lunch. You'll learn how to make corn tortillas by hand, then help prepare ceviche and a classic chicken recipe. Enjoy the meal, then take some time to explore the ranch and its peaceful surroundings. If the weather cooperates, you can even go for a dip in the Naranjo River.
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Discover the natural beauty of the world-famous Manuel Antonio National Park on a hike with an expert guide. While trekking the two-mile (3.2-km) trail, keep your eyes open for monkeys, sloths, birds, reptiles, and butterflies in the wild. The path through the lush rainforest leads you to the sandy beaches and bright blue waters of one of the most beautiful beaches in the country.
Catamaran Adventure with Barbecue
Explore the pristine coastline of Manuel Antonio National Park with this group sailing adventure. Board a comfortable, multideck catamaran in Quepos, then sit back and learn about the region's geography and wildlife as you glide past islands, rock formations, and dramatic cliffs. Your captain will drop anchor in a secluded bay for snorkeling, swimming, and some fun on the boat's two waterslides, then it's time for a delicious barbecue served on deck. This relaxed excursion is perfect for nature lovers and families keen to spot the region's marine life and spend a day out on the water.
Savegre Whitewater Rafting
Start your Savegre River Whitewater Rafting Adventure with a pickup from your hotel in Manuel Antonio. You'll then travel to the Savegre River and begin your rafting journey, paddling through Class II and Class III rapids while surrounded by stunning rainforest scenery. After an exciting and scenic trip down the river, you'll be transferred to base camp to dry off and enjoy a delicious meal before heading back to your hotel.
Damas Island Boat Tour
Discover the Damas Island Estuary and its mangrove ecosystem on a boat trip! Your knowledgeable guide will point out flora and fauna as you cruise along the natural passageways created by the river's ebb and flow. Bird-watching is excellent here, and the fluctuating conditions of sediment and saltwater attract a wide range of sea animals. If you're lucky, you'll also spot reptiles, anteaters, and monkeys. Enjoy an included lunch at the end of the tour. Exact departure times depend on the tides.
Scuba Diving at Isla del Caño Biological Reserve
Board a 30-foot Island Hopper for a scuba diving excursion in the Caño Island Biological Reserve. Dive into the waters surrounding Isla del Caño and explore the abundant marine life, including reef sharks, sea turtles, and various fish species.
Ocean Kayaking & Snorkeling Adventure
Take off on an active kayaking adventure along the scenic coast of Manuel Antonio. Climb into a single or double kayak and follow your guide as you paddle past small islands and nesting areas for marine birds. After about an hour, you'll take a break in the beautiful Biesanz Bay, where you'll have the opportunity to snorkel and spot parrotfish, starfish, angelfish, and even sea turtles. As you return to the starting point, keep your eyes open for pelicans, flying fish, and other birds. Then head back to base camp and enjoy a delicious homemade meal.
Visit Kids Saving the Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary
Self-Guided Manuel Antonio Beaches
Traveler reviews
5.0
5.0
5.0
Like what you see?
Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.
Get startedManuel Antonio Experiences
Show more Manuel Antonio experiencesOcean Kayaking & Snorkeling Adventure
Take off on an active kayaking adventure along the scenic coast of Manuel Antonio. Climb into a single or double kayak and follow your guide as you paddle past small islands and...
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Discover the natural beauty of the world-famous Manuel Antonio National Park on a hike with an expert guide. While trekking the two-mile (3.2-km) trail, keep your eyes open for...
Catamaran Adventure with Barbecue
Explore the pristine coastline of Manuel Antonio National Park with this group sailing adventure. Board a comfortable, multideck catamaran in Quepos, then sit back and learn...
Kids Saving the Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary
Tour Kids Saving the Rainforest, a non-profit organization based in Quepos. The sanctuary rescues over 100 animals each year with the primary goal of rehabilitating them to be...
Boat Tour of Damas Island
Discover the Damas Island Estuary and its mangrove ecosystem on a boat trip! Your knowledgeable guide will point out flora and fauna as you cruise along the natural passageways...
Costa Rica Experiences
Show more Costa Rica experiencesTabacon Hot Springs with Lunch or Dinner
Spend several hours at Tabacon Hot Springs, Costa Rica's most extensive network of naturally flowing thermal mineral springs, on this half-day excursion. Located inside a...
Río Celeste & Tenorio Volcano National Park Guided Rainforest Hike
Venture into Tenorio Volcano National Park for a refreshing hike along the Río Celeste, one of the most stunning natural attractions in Costa Rica. As the legend goes, after God...
Turtle Nesting & Hatching in Tortuguero National Park
Unlike many national parks in Costa Rica, Tortuguero National Park is unique in that it almost exclusively revolves around the water. The best way to explore this 120-mile (312...
TreeTram, Hanging Bridges & Zipline Adventure
Venture into the cloud forest for a thrilling day exploring the treetops at Treetopia Park Monteverde. You'll start by boarding the park's open-air cableway to ride up to the...
Sky Adventures Tram & The Hand of Arenal
Ride high up into the mountains on this short excursion to the Hand of Arenal. Board the Sky Tram gondola with a guide for a 15-minute transfer to the monument and lookout...
Best of Manuel Antonio
Best of Manuel AntonioHow Many Days to Spend in Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio National Park is a microcosm of many of the things that travelers come to Costa Rica for, and its proximity to San José makes it an ideal destination if you're...
Manuel Antonio or Tamarindo
Costa Rica is blessed with countless beautiful beaches, but two destinations that consistently top the list are Manuel Antonio and Tamarindo. Both offer stunning coastlines,...
Ultimate Guide to Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio is a slice of paradise on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. A short flight (or four-hour drive) south of San José, the national park and surrounding area have...
The 6 Best Boutique Hotels in Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio National Park has it all: rainforests, coral beaches, and wild rivers. Make the most of your time in this exceptionally scenic and diverse area with a mix of...
Where to Dine in Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio National Park is Costa Rica's smallest protected area, yet its ecological diversity is surprisingly plentiful. The same goes for restaurants—the tiny town of...
Trip Planning Essentials
How kimkim Trips Work in Costa Rica
Planning a trip to Costa Rica? Here's a quick introduction to kimkim, how our trips work, and what makes us unique. We'll go over how our itineraries are customized to your...
Ultimate Costa Rica Itineraries: 5, 7, 10, & 14 Days
Costa Rica looks deceptively small on a map, a fact many travelers discover when trying to choose which of its locales to visit on vacation. We've eliminated this paradox of...
Costa Rica Travel Agents
Kimkim has selected the best Costa Rica travel agents so you'll have a worry-free trip