Coffee is an integral part of Costa Rican culture and economy. As one of the world’s top coffee producing countries, coffee shops and retail stores selling coffee are very popular destinations for both locals and tourists in Costa Rica.
The Significance of Coffee in Costa Rica
Coffee is Costa Rica’s third-largest export behind technology and tourism. The coffee industry employs nearly 100,000 people and generates around 15% of the country’s foreign currency income. Costa Rica produces high quality Arabica coffee beans that are exported all over the world.
Beyond economic impacts, coffee is also a huge part of daily life and social gatherings in Costa Rica. Locals regularly visit coffee shops and retailers to purchase beans and ground coffee for home consumption. Going to a coffee shop to relax or meet up with friends is a popular local pastime.
Coffee Tourism Draws Visitors
Coffee plantation and coffee shop tours have become major tourist attractions across Costa Rica’s prime coffee growing regions like Tarrazú, Tres RÃos, and Turrialba. Travelers can learn about coffee cultivation, processing, tasting, and barista techniques on dedicated coffee tours.
In cities like San Jose and popular beach destinations like Jaco, coffee shops are popular stops for tourists looking to sample quality Costa Rican coffee. Souvenir shops selling Costa Rican coffee beans in custom packages are also common in tourist areas.
Estimates of Local Coffee Shop Visitors
While there is no definitive data, some estimates can be made about the number of locals visiting retail coffee establishments across Costa Rica annually.
With a population of around 5 million, if we assume around two-thirds regularly visit coffee shops or retailers, that equates to over 3 million local Costa Rican customers per year. The true number is likely even higher given the immense popularity of coffee in daily life.
Coffee Shop Growth Reflects Demand
The number of specialty coffee shops and cafes has rapidly increased across Costa Rican cities over the past decade. For example, San Jose alone now has over 50 specialty coffee retailers and coffee shops. Many Costa Ricans visit their local coffee shop multiple times a week.
Coffee Retail Sales Support Estimates
Annual coffee retail sales provide more evidence of the large customer base. Specialty coffee sales are estimated to have surpassed $325 million in Costa Rica last year. With the average purchase around $5-10, some quick math shows millions of retail coffee transactions made annually.
Tourists Numbers Continue Growing
On the tourist side, around 3 million people visited Costa Rica in 2022. If we assume one-third, or 1 million tourists, visit a coffee shop or retail store during their trip, that contributes significantly to overall visitor totals.
Coffee shop and coffee tour tourism has seen rapid growth as Costa Rica’s reputation for quality coffee spreads globally. Tourist visits to coffee attractions seem likely to keep increasing steadily in the coming years.
