Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Farm & Inn, San José

Pros

• Just 15-25 minutes from the international airport, the finca makes a great first or last stop on your Costa Rican itinerary.
• Nature trails, a pool, and a hot tub are popular amenities.
• The reforested grounds are alive with birds, butterflies, and lush vegetation, and wildlife sightings often happen right from your patio.
• You can visit nearby sites like the Heredia Central Market, volcanoes, zip lines, cloud forests, wildlife rescues, chocolate tastings, and more.
• Between the award-winning beans, guided coffee tours, and fresh brews at every meal (and in-room), Finca Rosa Blanca is a haven for coffee lovers.
• El Tigre Vestido, popular with the locals, serves Costa Rican fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, made with locally sourced (including from the property) ingredients.
• One of Costa Rica's original boutique eco-lodges, you'll find personality at every turn, including bright, art-filled spaces and flourishing gardens (indoors and out).
• From solar power and a chemical-free pool to reforestation and organic farming, the finca is a leader in sustainable and regenerative tourism.

Cons

• Paths around the finca are uneven and hilly, which can be tricky for travelers with mobility concerns (though there's one wheelchair-accessible suite).
• Once you're here, you're mostly here—great for unwinding, less ideal if you want quick access to alternative dining options.
• Rooms are artistic and full of character, but some show their age—think limited outlets, uneven lighting, and design quirks that come with an older property.

Authenticity

Founded in 1985 as a family home by ecotourism pioneers Teri and Glenn Jampol, Finca Rosa Blanca is set on a working organic coffee farm (once a motocross field) that weaves local identity into every corner—from original artwork and hand-painted tiles to suites that feel like living galleries rather than uniform hotel rooms. Guests taste the land through farm-to-table meals at El Tigre Vestido, brewed with award-winning, shade-grown coffee produced steps from the rooms, and learn the story behind each cup on guided coffee tours led by longtime local staff. 

Location

Set in the coffee highlands above San José—and a 15-25-minute drive from its airport (transfers for a modest fee)—Finca Rosa Blanca offers pretty panoramas of the Central Valley, distant towns, and misty mountains. It's about a 20-minute drive to the city of Heredia, home to the Heredia Central Market, one hour from Barva Volcano National Park, and within two hours of whitewater rivers, canopy zip lines, cloud forests, and wildlife rescues. And as the finca's coffee farm is part of the Costa Rican Network of Private Reserves, you don't need to go far to discover numerous species of birds, fauna, and flora.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The 14 guestrooms range from Studios and Suites to interconnected Villas, each individually designed with murals, mosaics, handcrafted furniture, and private patios or decks that invite nature in. Many rooms overlook coffee fields or gardens, filling mornings with birdsong and mountain breezes. Bathrooms vary in style, from simple and functional to indulgent; book yourself into the Rosa Blanca Suite for hand-painted rainforest scenes, complete with a spring-fed soaking tub (never mind the 360-degree view from its 40-foot (12 m) high tower. While some rooms show their age in lighting or outlets, they more than make up for it with character and arty decor.

Amenities

Guests can unwind in a spring-fed, chemical-free infinity pool and hot tub overlooking the trees and valley below, or book massages and coffee-inspired treatments at the on-site El Tartugua Spa. Open-air El Tigre Vestido restaurant serves farm-to-table Costa Rican cuisine using ingredients grown on the property, paired with the finca's award-winning organic coffee. Bar El Buho specializes in cocktails with a Costa Rican and Latin American twist. Complimentary daily coffee tours led by expert guides offer insight into sustainable production and tasting. Communal lounges, gardens, and viewpoints encourage slow moments between activities. While the resort is generally wheelchair accessible, many paths through the property are rough; wheelchair users may require assistance navigating them. 

Family-Friendliness

Families are well accommodated thanks to spacious suites and villas that connect multiple rooms and sleep up to six guests. Kids can enjoy the outdoor pool (although those under 15 should be supervised) and explore the gardens, spot wildlife, and join their parents for age-appropriate coffee and nature experiences. The restaurant has kid-friendly options, and many family-oriented activities are offered or can be arranged by the resort, including nature walks, bird-watching, whitewater rafting, and ziplining. Board games are also available.

Wildlife

The finca's reforested grounds and shade-grown coffee fields support a thriving ecosystem, making it a favorite among birdwatchers. Guests may spot hummingbirds, toucans, and other species—over 160 birds have been recorded on-site—along with butterflies and small mammals. Wildlife sightings often happen right from private patios or during guided walks with the resident naturalist. Early mornings are especially lively with birdsong across the property.

Sustainability

Finca Rosa Blanca is a pioneer of sustainable and regenerative tourism in Costa Rica, holding the highest "Elite" level certification from the country's Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST). The property runs on solar energy, uses solar-heated water, maintains a chemical-free pool, and practices extensive recycling and organic agriculture. More than 5,000 native trees have been planted over the past 25 years, helping restore habitats and support carbon neutrality. The finca also employs 100% local staff and invests heavily in environmental education, conservation, and community wellbeing.