Foodie Tours Delight the Senses and Connect Visitors to Costa Rican Culture and History

The Spice Plantation is located in the Central Pacific rain forest 10 miles east of Quepos overlooking Manuel Antonio National Park. The plantation includes 27 acres of agriculture production and 125 acres of primary and secondary rainforest. Cash crops include our major spice – vanilla, plus true ceylon cinnamon, cocoa, black pepper, allspice, turmeric, and a variety of exotic fruits, essential oil and medicinal plants.  We also showcase our unique collection of epiphytes (airplants) including orchids, bromeliads, and tilandsias.

Vanilla is the most popular flavor in the world and is the plantation’s major crop. Native to Central America and Mexico, it is also the second most expensive flavoring agent and the reason for its high cost is the labor-intensive nature of vanilla cultivation and processing.  Each vanilla orchid is carefully fertilized by hand and during pollination season, visitors learn how to pollinate vanilla flowers.  Vanilla is the only edible member of the orchid family, the largest plant family on the planet.

The Spice Plantation Tour is a half day tour and is available in the morning or afternoon.  You will experience the sights, tastes, and aromas of vanilla, cinnamon, pepper and other tropical spices, essential oil plants, and a wide variety of tropical ornamental plants.