Tio Leo Coffee — Restaurant in Nacascolo

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...

If you find yourself in Liberia with some time to spare, especially when coming or going from the airport, a visit to Café Tío Leo is an absolute must. This isn't just a coffee tour; it's a full sensory immersion into the heart of Costa Rican flora, guided by the incomparable Leo, a botanist and naturalist par excellence.

My experience at Café Tío Leo was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, we were enveloped in a world of natural wonders. Leo, with his profound knowledge and passion for botany, has been conducting these tours since the 1990s, and it shows. His expertise and enthusiasm make the tour deeply engaging and educational.

We spent three unforgettable hours on the farm, not just observing but actively participating. We roasted coffee beans, shelled cacao, pressed sugar cane, and even rolled our own empanadas. But what set this tour apart was the way Leo introduced us to every plant species on his farm. He encouraged us to touch, smell, and taste, making it a truly immersive experience.

The staff at Café Tío Leo were exceptional - kind, knowledgeable, and attentive. They even concocted a special herbal tea from farm-grown plants to aid my wife's indigestion, showcasing their understanding of the healing properties of nature.

The tour, available at 8 AM or 1 PM daily, is accessible only through direct booking. This approach by Leo, to keep the experience affordable and personal, speaks volumes about his dedication to sharing his love for plants, their history, and their significance in Costa Rican culture.

In conclusion, Café Tío Leo offers more than just a tour; it's an enlightening journey into the essence of Costa Rica's natural and cultural heritage. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an authentic,...

(This review has nothing to do with the coffee tour). We did not do a coffee tour, we just stopped by to grab a bite at the restaurant because of all the good reviews. We first walked in to the gift shop, which is very nice and clean. Afterwards, we went to the restaurant and it was a different story. The roof was falling apart with debris accumulating and falling. Also, the small section of the kitchen that you can see from where you are sitting does not look sanitary. This place needs a deep cleanup and proper maintenance. If this is how they upkeep their infrastructure I can only imagine how they upkeep the food. The only reason why I didn't walk out was because I first walked into the giftshop which was very upkept and clean. If I can go back, I would just walk out.

Ordered their "chicken" nachos, empanadas and maracuya juice. The so called "chicken" nachos were chard and looked like pork. Almost like if they refried it in the same oil that they fry their pork in. Did not taste fresh and the chicken seemed to be refried again because it was really dark and dry like a burnt chicharron. This was not a good experience and won't be coming back. This review was done a day after. Currently having stomach issues with the runs and stomach feels bloated with...