Some of the best coffee in the world is grown
in the high elevation areas near San Jose, and also in the mountainous areas
of Cartago Province in Costa Rica. The Arabica, or hard bean, is the
sole variety of bean grown there, and the natives know their coffee. Travelers
should be aware that there are commonly two ways to package and sell coffee in
Costa Rica. Café tradicional is typically sold in a clear plastic
bag and contains roughly 10 % sugar (often with a bit of corn meal), and is generally
the lowest cost coffee. Café puro is the ideal choice for the
coffee aficionado. It has no additives, and usually comes packaged in a foil
bag.
