Cherrybook

Origin guide

Best Costa Rica coffee

123 in-stock lots · 55 roasters carrying · avg Northscore 67 · median $1.79/oz

Costa Rica is the smallest specialty origin in Central America by volume and the most boutique by reputation. The country's micro-mill revolution in the early 2000s — small farms processing their own cherries instead of selling to large beneficios — established a producer-driven specialty model that's been emulated globally. Tarrazú is the iconic region (high-altitude, classic citric-acidity profile), with Brunca, West Valley, and Three Rivers each producing distinct character. Costa Rican specialty is mostly washed but with an active honey processing tradition (white honey, yellow honey, red honey, black honey — a continuum of how much mucilage stays on during drying). Costa Rica's specialty volume largely flows to Asian and European buyers; finding Costa Rican specialty on US shelves has become harder, which makes the lots that do appear notable.

Top Costa Rica coffees by Northscore

All currently in stock. Ranked by Cherrybook Northscore — our composite of third-party scores, sensory inference, community tasting signal, and editorial accolades.

  1. Ivan Gutierrez Gesha - 2025 by Passenger Coffee
  2. Instant Coffee - Smooth Operator by Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters
  3. Monte Lourdes by Axil Coffee Roasters
    03

    West ValleyFrancisco MenaRed honeyNorthscore 84$1.32/oz

  4. San Isidro Labrador - 2025 by Passenger Coffee
  5. Costa Rica - La Lia "Red Honey SL28" by Koppi Roasters
  6. Dota by George Howell Coffee
    06

    WashedNorthscore 81$1.75/oz

  7. Las Margaritas - Honey Process - 2025 by Passenger Coffee
    07

    Santa Maria de DotaEmmanuel SolísHoneyNorthscore 80$3.71/oz

  8. Ivan Gutierrez SL28 - 2025 by Passenger Coffee
    08

    San Marcos de TarrazúIvan GutierrezWashedNorthscore 80$5.50/oz

  9. Argyll Blend by Transcend Coffee
    09

    Northscore 80$2.07/oz

  10. Costa Rica - Finca VOO Red Catuai by Rogue Wave Coffee
  11. La Minita, Costa Rica by George Howell Coffee
  12. Dota Dark by George Howell Coffee
    12

    DotaWashedNorthscore 78$1.75/oz

All 123 in-stock Costa Rica coffees →

Regions

Specialty-producing regions in our catalog, ranked by in-stock volume.

  • Tarrazu21
  • Tarrazú16
  • Central Valley12
  • West Valley9
  • Puntarenas3
  • Brunca3
  • Nicoya Peninsula2
  • Los Santos2

Process distribution

How Costa Rica specialty is processed across the in-stock catalog.

Notable Costa Rica producers

Producers with the most in-stock lots in our catalog right now.

Roasters carrying Costa Rica

Specialty roasters with active Costa Rica programs.