San Cristóbal De Las Casas: Coffee Route to Tenejapa

San Cristóbal de Las Casas’ coffee route to Tenejapa promises an immersive cultural experience for travelers. This seven-hour excursion allows visitors to engage with a Tzeltal Mayan family, learning the traditional techniques of organic coffee production. From guided plantation tours to sampling local varieties, the journey blends nature and heritage in a way that’s both enriching and eye-opening. But the real highlight may just be the chance to plant a coffee bush and take home fresh beans – a memento that captures the essence of this captivating expedition.

This experience made our list of the 2 Best Coffee Tours And Tastings In San Cristobal De Las Casas.

Key Points

• A 7-hour excursion from San Cristóbal de Las Casas to Tenejapa, priced at €70.67 per person, offering a guided nature tour and access to a Tzeltal Mayan coffee community.
• Participants can taste specialty coffee, plant a coffee bush, and learn about organic coffee production from a Tzeltal Mayan family with over 40 years of experience.
• The tour includes a culture experience, with a traditional Tzeltal breakfast and insights into the significance of coffee in the Chiapas region.
• Visitors can observe the coffee production process, from harvesting to grinding, and understand the environmental and economic value of specialty coffee.
• The tour may not be suitable for individuals with back problems, wheelchair users, or those with recent surgery, and good hearing is recommended for engaging with the guide’s explanations.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview and Details

Offering a seven-hour excursion from San Cristóbal de Las Casas to Tenejapa, this coffee route tour provides an intimate glimpse into organic coffee production with a Tzeltal Mayan family.

Priced from €70.67 per person, the tour includes round-trip private transportation, a guided nature tour, and access to the community. Participants can taste specialty coffee, learn about the production process, and even plant a coffee bush to take home.

The tour’s cultural and educational aspects allow visitors to engage with the local family, experience traditional breakfast, and understand the significance of coffee in the Chiapas region.

With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, this tour offers a unique and immersive coffee experience.

Experience Highlights

The coffee route tour allows visitors to learn about organic coffee production firsthand with a Tzeltal Mayan family. Participants can taste specialty coffee and understand its environmental and economic value.

During the tour, they’ll have the opportunity to participate in coffee harvesting from December to February. Visitors will tour coffee plantations to discover local varieties. They can even plant a coffee bush and take home fresh beans as a memento.

The tour provides an immersive cultural and educational experience, offering insights into the Tzeltal Mayan way of life and the significance of coffee production in the Chiapas region.

Cultural and Educational Aspects

The coffee route tour provides an opportunity for visitors to engage with a family from the Tzeltal Mayan culture, who’ve been cultivating coffee for over 40 years.

Participants can experience local life and enjoy a traditional breakfast, gaining insights into the coffee production processes, from fermentation and washing to drying and grinding.

This cultural exchange allows travelers to understand the significance of coffee production in the Chiapas region, both economically and culturally.

The tour offers a chance to learn about the environmental and economic value of specialty coffee, further enhancing the educational aspect of the experience.

Inclusions and Exclusions

This tour includes round private transportation from San Cristóbal de Las Casas, a guided nature tour with environmental interpretation, access to the community, a local breakfast, and a first aid kit.

Plus, you will enjoy a tour of the coffee plantations.

However, food not included in the tour price can be ordered if returning late, and coffee purchases aren’t included. Tips for the guides are also not covered by the tour fee.

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Participant Restrictions

Not everyone can participate in this coffee route tour. The nature of the activities and terrain make it unsuitable for certain individuals.

Those with back problems, wheelchair users, and people who’ve recently undergone surgery may find the tour challenging. Participants should also have good hearing to fully engage with the guide’s explanations.

The tour involves walking through coffee plantations and interacting with the local Tzeltal Mayan community. While it’s an immersive cultural experience, those with mobility or hearing limitations may have difficulty fully participating.

The tour operator wants to ensure all guests can safely enjoy the coffee route adventure.

Organic Coffee Production

As guests learn about organic coffee production, they discover a family-run operation that has been cultivating coffee for over four decades.

The Tzeltal Mayan family shares their expertise, guiding visitors through the intricate process. Visitors participate in harvesting coffee cherries, a seasonal activity from December to February.

They then observe the fermentation, washing, drying, and grinding steps that transform the raw beans into the fragrant brew.

Throughout the experience, guests gain insights into the environmental and economic value of specialty coffee.

Tzeltal Mayan Culture

The Tzeltal Mayan family who’s cultivated coffee for over four decades embodies the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Guests can engage with these indigenous coffee growers and experience their local way of life. They’ll enjoy a traditional Tzeltal breakfast, gaining insights into the coffee production process – from fermentation to grinding.

The cultural and economic significance of coffee in Chiapas becomes clear as travelers learn about the family’s long-standing relationship with this crop.

Coffee Harvesting and Varieties

Harvesting the coffee cherries takes place from December to February, when the Tzeltal Mayan family meticulously gathers the ripe fruit by hand. They carefully inspect each plant to ensure only the fully-matured cherries are picked.

The different coffee varieties found on the plantation include Bourbon, Typica, and Caturra, each with its unique flavor profile. Visitors can participate in the harvesting process, gaining firsthand experience of the careful attention required.

After harvesting, the cherries undergo a series of processing steps, including fermentation, washing, drying, and grinding, which the tour explores in depth. Understanding the nuances of coffee production helps appreciate the environmental and economic significance of this cherished crop in the Chiapas region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

The tour does not include food or drinks, but participants are allowed to bring their own. However, it’s recommended to enjoy the traditional breakfast provided as part of the cultural experience.

Do I Need to Speak Spanish to Participate in This Tour?

No, you don’t need to speak Spanish to participate in this tour. The tour guides provide translation services, allowing non-Spanish speakers to fully engage with the Tzeltal Mayan family and experience the coffee production process.

Can Children Participate in the Coffee Harvesting Activities?

Yes, children can participate in the coffee harvesting activities. The tour allows participants of all ages to engage in the coffee production process, including hands-on experience during the December to February harvest season.

Is This Tour Suitable for People With Visual or Mobility Impairments?

The tour is not suitable for individuals with visual or mobility impairments. The nature tour and coffee plantation visits require physical mobility, and the participant restrictions specify that it’s not suitable for wheelchair users or those with recent surgeries.

Is There a Minimum or Maximum Group Size for the Tour?

The tour does not specify a minimum or maximum group size. It is a private tour, so the group size can be arranged based on the number of participants. The tour can accommodate small to medium-sized groups comfortably.

Recap

The San Cristóbal de Las Casas coffee route to Tenejapa offers an immersive cultural and educational experience. Travelers can engage with a Tzeltal Mayan family, learn about traditional coffee production, and savor local varieties. The excursion includes a guided tour, a traditional breakfast, and opportunities to plant a coffee bush and take home fresh beans. This journey blends nature and culture, providing an enriching glimpse into the significance of coffee in Chiapas.

You can check if your dates are available here: