Our visit to Sandra Farms was one of the most enjoyable experiences we had on the island! Our…read moreguide, Carmelo, was spectacular - he was a wealth of knowledge, and long after we left, we kept talking about what we learned there, not only about the process of growing and processing coffee, but about Puerto Rico as a whole. I honestly won't look at coffee the same way again! Even my daughter and husband who don't drink coffee agreed that the samples we tasted were quite excellent - even without cream or sugar.
The setting was breathtaking, and photos just won't do it justice, though I took many in an attempt to capture it accurately. Really lovely...
Do not let the commentary on the roads to Sandra Farms deter you from going. We were in a sedan and it was fine, if a little bumpy in places. However, a word to the wise regarding driving there - first, download your Google maps before you leave WiFi service, because you will definitely go offline. Signage on roads is not always present (true throughout PR), and there are some forks in the road that aren't entirely clear. Second, people who live in this mountainous area (and there are many) are used to these roads, and often - as my mother used to say - take their half out of the middle. Drive slower than you think you should. The roads are narrow and feel more like 1 and 1/2 lanes, not 2 lanes. It is rare to find a line down the middle of these roads. There are often no guardrails, and sometimes not much of a shoulder. Our family had a great time squealing and laughing as my husband braved the many hairpin turns - it is definiely do-able, but just don't try to speed your way there. We got a cute t-shirt that said we survived the road to Sandra Farms, proving that it is just as noteworthy as any other attraction!
Finally, these are the most gracious hosts - we were running late, because of a wrong turn, and they were so kind and patient. They made us all feel like we were friends that hadn't been able to visit in a long time. I definitely intend to return one day, and will be supporting their coffee production from home via their website. Te quiero Sandra Farms!