Antigua Guatemala: A Coffee Tour Done Right

So, you like coffee? I've got just the place to recommend. You might need to travel to paradise to get there, but when you do, we at Gali’s Tours and Travels will take care of you.

Visitors rev up their ATVs at the charming entrance of La Azotea Cultural Center, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant flowers, setting the stage for an exciting coffee farm adventure.

Finca Azotea occupies a quiet corner of the bustling Antigua Guatemala metropolitan area. It rests to the side of Jocotenango. Upon entering the finca, you are transported from the city to nature as if walking through the wardrobe to discover a Narnia filled with coffee. Despite this, it's is more than just a finca; it is a cultural center.

Exploring the lush green Arabica plants, absorbing the vibrant sights and aromatic scents of the coffee farm.

Most of the massive space is populated by Arabica coffee plants. They are all supported by various types of trees to provide the necessary shade. This makes the grounds feel more like a forest than a farm. You can also find areas for horseback riding, restaurants, cafes, museums, and local vendors. 

A woman admires a lush coffee plant with beans that, when tasted, reveal a flavor reminiscent of red bell pepper or cucumber, set against a backdrop of vibrant greenery.

A plethora of trees and fruit grow throughout the farm. Banana trees grow alongside the coffee plants, providing visual ambiance and practical flavor. Antigua is famous for its avocados, earning the locals the nickname “Panza Verde”, or green belly, but here they take a supporting role. The large avocado trees provide ample shade while not competing with the coffee for important nutrients.

Amidst lush greenery, banana trees enhance the setting as a group engages in a lively conversation, surrounded by the serene atmosphere of a coffee plantation.

The tour begins with the plant and ends with the coffee tasting. In between, you learn about the whole coffee-making process. You see how the beans are picked, washed, dried, roasted, and packaged. All of this happens while exploring the vast farm. It feels like an ecosystem all unto itself, and you get to play a key role in it.

Savoring a well-deserved cup of coffee after exploring the finca's hidden delights.

After the coffee tasting, we go to the Finca’s chocolate museum. There, you get an explanation and demonstration of cacao in Guatemala. This is punctuated with a tasting of various types of chocolate, ranging from pure cacao to most people’s preferred milk chocolate. As a parting gift, they let you sample the soothing cacao tea, which sits nicely on your belly after the coffee.

Exploring the perfect pairing of coffee and chocolate, visitors learn about the cacao journey in a lively demonstration.

After this glorified caffeine stop, we take you to Cerro de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross), the most famous viewpoint in Antigua. Once there, standing above Antigua, we map out her history for you, using the city, valley, and volcano as visual aids. You learn about what shaped Antigua in the past and what shapes it today.

Savoring the memory of coffee and chocolate with an unforgettable view over Antigua.

Coffee is important to the world. Guatemala nurtures this importance and delivers it to the world. Come to the source and indulge in the history, culture, aromas, and flavors that accompany it. We would love to make that happen for you! Book today!