Description

Villa Vanilla 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.

The tour begins in the

1) post harvest warehouse where we dry, process and package our spices.
2) Then the fun begins with a gentle walk through our distinctive “Epiphyte Trail” winding through the plantation.
3) You will then pass the fish pond on the way to the viewpoint, where in addition to enjoying the vistas, you will experience our new “Flavors of the World” tasting.  Our in-house pastry chef will prepare a variety of flavorful drinks and gourmet spice treats for you and your group to sample.  All items are made fresh on the farm from scratch and use as many ingredients from the plantation as possible.  Come taste the flavors of the rainforest and get inspired to try a little cooking and baking at home with some fresh organic spices! We also usually offer fresh homemade ice cream made with farm fresh milk and cream from our own dairy cow. If you’re a foodie – this tour is for you!
4) The last stop is at our now famous “Spice Shoppe” where visitors and chefs alike stock up on vanilla beans and extract, ceylon cinnamon, savory chili-infused hot chocolate and other products grown on the farm to give as gifts or try in their own recipes!

Tour times are:
9 AM and 1 PM Monday-Friday
and 9 AM only on Saturday,
Sunday is not available