Finca La Azotea — Attraction in Sacatepéquez

Finca La Azotea is a renowned coffee plantation and cultural center located just outside Antigua, Guatemala. The finca (farm) is famous for its high-quality coffee production, as well as its rich history, beautiful surroundings, and educational offerings. It’s an excellent destination for coffee lovers, nature enthusiasts, and those interested in learning about Guatemalan agriculture and heritage.

Key Features of Finca La Azotea:

Coffee Tours and Tasting: Coffee Tours: Finca La Azotea offers guided tours of its coffee plantations where visitors can learn about the entire coffee production process, from planting and harvesting to roasting and brewing. The tours provide insights into the importance of coffee in Guatemalan culture and the local economy, as well as the methods used to cultivate high-quality beans. Coffee Tasting: At the end of the tour, guests can participate in a coffee-tasting session (cupping), where they can sample different varieties of coffee produced at the finca. This experience allows visitors to appreciate the subtle flavors and aromas of Guatemalan coffee and learn about the differences between the beans.

The Coffee Process: Visitors get a detailed look at the coffee-making process: Cultivation: Finca La Azotea grows its coffee at high altitudes, where the volcanic soil and climate contribute to the beans' distinctive flavors. Harvesting: The finca uses traditional hand-picking methods to ensure that only the ripest coffee cherries are selected. Processing: The beans are then washed and dried at the finca before being roasted to perfection. This hands-on experience gives coffee aficionados a deeper understanding of how their favorite drink is produced.

Scenic Location: Finca La Azotea is set in a picturesque location with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and volcanoes, including Volcán de Agua. The lush coffee fields, combined with the cool climate of the region, make the finca a peaceful and scenic place to visit. It’s a great spot for nature walks and photography, as well as for relaxing after a tour.

Cultural Museum: Finca La Azotea is also home to the Museo del Oro y del Café (The Gold and Coffee Museum). This small but informative museum showcases the history of coffee production in Guatemala, as well as the cultural importance of the crop. The museum also includes exhibits on the region’s history, particularly the Mayan civilization and the Spanish colonial period. The museum’s collection of old tools, artifacts, and information about coffee’s evolution in Guatemala adds another layer of depth to the visit.

Restaurant and Café: After touring the finca, visitors can enjoy a meal or coffee at the on-site café. The café serves a variety of beverages made with the finca's own coffee, as well as light meals and snacks. It's the perfect place to relax and enjoy the coffee you just learned about, along with the beautiful surroundings.

Sustainability and Organic Practices: Finca La Azotea is committed to sustainable farming practices. Many of the coffee plants are grown using organic methods, with an emphasis on environmental conservation. The finca works to ensure that its coffee production does not harm the surrounding ecosystem, making it an eco-friendly option for those interested in sustainable agriculture.

Overall: Finca La Azotea offers a comprehensive and immersive experience for anyone interested in coffee culture, Guatemalan heritage, and beautiful landscapes. From learning about the coffee-making process to exploring the rich history of the region, a visit to Finca La Azotea provides a unique and educational opportunity to dive deep into one of Guatemala's most important exports. Whether you are a coffee enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply someone looking for a relaxing escape near Antigua, Finca La Azotea is a highly...

My friend and I were lucky enough to arrive on a day when there was a tour (I don’t know what the tour schedule is). Manuel was such a fantastic tour guide! We had the option to take the tour in English or Spanish, and Manuel is clearly an expert and the tour was really interesting. I hadn’t realized how little I knew about coffee prior to this. Each coffee tree only produces 32 cups of coffee! That’s not very much at all! Manuel walked us through the coffee museum and then we went out to the finca. What a beautiful place! It was so relaxing and interesting. I’m so glad we were able to take a tour! The gift shop has a nice selection of gifts, and the outdoor restaurants, cervecería, café, etc are fantastic. I ended up spending 7 hours at the finca on Saturday, because it was such a nice atmosphere. There are activities for kids, hammocks to lounge in, a band played music, and there’s plenty of food and drinks to choose from. I definitely plan to...

At first I thought it was a little ridiculous to charge an entrance fee. It was a weekday, so we only paid 10Q per person for entry, but once we got in and realized how relaxing and quiet the finca was, we thought the entrance fee made more sense. Not that 20Q is a lot for parking, but we parked outside and walked for free.

Once you get past the entry, the place becomes this gorgeous, relaxing, beautifully decorated refuge from the city. We did a horse tour for 100Q per person and the rest of our group met us on rented bikes for 25Q for half hour/ 35Q for the full hour. There are many different activities to do there, we chose horses and bike tours and a stop at the cutest little gift shop - which sold the coffee made on that actual finca!!! I got a sample and the coffee was...