Coffee Origin Trips to Guatemala
De La Gente's coffee origin trips seek to connect different professionals in the supply chain while experiencing the harvest in Guatemala, and understand the artisanal and collective processes within cooperative models of small coffee producers.
Coffee origin trips are the perfect opportunity for baristas, coffee shop owners, roasters, importers, or other professionals in the coffee chain to meet the small coffee producers who diligently grow the coffee that makes its way into your offerings and eventually, roasted and brewed for your customers and yourselves.
*If you’re looking for a customized trip to any of the four producing regions in Guatemala where we work, contact us at info@dlgcoffee.org
Cultivating Relationships
Get settled at a coffee producer’s homestay at the foot of a dormant volcano, 15 minutes away from of Antigua Guatemala. We’ll start our activities by going to one of our signature Coffee Tours to meet and interact with coffee producers from the San Miguel Escobar cooperative where they’ll show you the entire coffee process from bean to brew, and tell you what coffee means to them and their community. Later on, it’s all hands-on to help ferment, wash, dry, and sort coffee beans artisanally. Exchange knowledge with the coffee producers by cupping coffees from different regions of Guatemala and different processes (washed, honey, and natural). Finalize your time in Antigua Guatemala by exploring the colonial city on your own.
The second part of the coffee origin trip will take you to Atitlan to join the Ija’tz cooperative and see up close how the members process their coffee on a larger scale at a shared wet processing station. Let one of the cooperative members guide you as you hike through the coffee plantations around volcán Tolimán to learn about the cooperative's efforts to produce specialty coffee and preserve the environment. Back in Antigua, we’ll wrap up with a farewell dinner.
Collective Trip Description
Pricing & Participation
We handle the logistics, scheduling, and all the details in between so that all trip participants can focus on engaging with coffee people and experiencing the richness of Guatemalan culture.
TRIP LENGTH: 6 days and 5 nights
DATES: Feb 24th to Mar 1st
PRICE: USD 1,200.00 per person
*Use code GUATE2025 to get a 15% early bird discount! Valid until October 31st.
*If you’re looking for a customized trip to any of the four producing regions in Guatemala where we work, contact us at info@dlgcoffee.org
Contact us with questions or for additional information at info@dlgcoffee.org
Coffee Origin Trips Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Check-in at Homestays
Let us help you get settled in San Miguel Escobar. We arrange lodging for all participants at the houses of the coffee producers. This is a unique opportunity that will open the door to the community to better understand the way the producers live and be part of the community (for a few days).
We offer a shuttle service from the airport in Guatemala City to our accommodations. Shuttles leave the airport at 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on this day.
Photo by Sara B. Giliam
Day 2: Farm Visit and Coffee Processing
Our signature Coffee Tour starts by establishing a personal connection with the producers and having a conversation to truly understand what coffee growing means to them while you walk along their fields. This will give you an insight as you return to their home and volunteer for a half day at what they call an artisanal processing station where you’ll be a part of the fermenting, washing, drying, and sorting of the beans.
Day 3: Cupping Session and Free Time to Explore Antigua
Have the chance to taste coffees from different regions of Guatemala and processes (wash, honey, and natural) with the coffee producers. You can also provide valuable feedback, which will help them improve the quality of their coffee. After the cupping, enjoy some free time in the colonial city of Antigua.
Day 4: Travel to Lake Atitlán to Process Coffee at Collective Wet Mill
See from up close how the members of the Ija’tz cooperative process their coffee on a larger scale at a shared wet processing station. You will learn the differences between each cooperative’s models in which the San Miguel Escobar processes their coffee individually and Ija’tz does it collectively.
Day 5: Farm Visit and Travel to San Miguel
You will experience visiting another coffee-growing region and see what makes one different from the other in terms of microclimates, elevations, cup profiles, etc. Let one of the cooperative members guide you as you hike through the coffee plantations owned by small producers around volcán Tolimán to learn about the cooperative's efforts to produce specialty coffee and preserve the environment. In the afternoon, a shuttle will take you back to Antigua for a farewell dinner and stay in San Miguel Escobar.
Day 6: ¡Farewell!
Finalize your coffee origin trip by enjoying breakfast at your homestay in San Miguel Escobar and take a shuttle to the airport in Guatemala City.
*Use code GUATE2025 to get a 15% early bird discount! Valid until October 31st.
Contact us with questions or inquire about customized trips at info@dlgcoffee.org
More Information
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From Monday February 24th to Saturday March 1st, 2025.
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USD 1,200.00 per person for a standard 6 day, 5 night trip.
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Comfortable lodging at homestays in San Miguel Escobar and three star hotel in San Lucas Toliman. Let us know if you’d like to see some photos.
3 meals a day (All included in the price).
Interpretation (English/Spanish) and DLG staff at all times.
Guides.
Transportation.
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Souvenirs.
Flights and travel expenses prior to and following the Origin Trip.
Traveler insurance (optional).
Tips (optional).
Activities you choose to partake in during free time that are not included in the itinerary.
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Baristas, cafe owner, roaster, Q graders or any other coffee professionals.
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Cancellation policy
If you cancel more than 30 days before the Origin trip start date, we can process a refund in full.
If you cancel within 30 days of the Origin trip start date, we can only refund 50% of the payment.
Trip Changes
We cannot accommodate changes to the published itinerary.
De La Gente reserves the right to change an itinerary due to local circumstances, natural disaster, illness, or events outside of our control. In the event that itinerary changes are necessary, De La Gente will notify participants and make necessary adjustments to keep everyone safe and comfortable.
Additional Expense
De La Gente is not responsible for expenses incurred for activities outside of the planned itinerary. Participant groups are responsible for arranging and purchasing their own air travel. If participants arrange flights for dates outside of the agreed-upon dates in the contract listed in the trip information, De La Gente is not responsible for arranging or covering the costs for additional lodging, meals, or activities.
Participants are responsible for understanding the coverage and limits of their travel and medical insurance policies and providing up-front payment for emergency services when required.
Liability and Insurance
It is suggested that travelers purchase traveler’s insurance.
Trip participants are required to sign a liability waiver prior to the Origin Trip start date.
Participants will also receive a media release form (signing is optional) to have their photo and/or videos taken during the trip for De La Gente marketing and publicity materials.
Contact us with questions or inquire about customized trips at info@dlgcoffee.org
Testimonials
“For me, it’s important to meet the producers in order to make the industry one that values people. That’s why I decided to travel to Guatemala to personally meet various producers, interact with them, and understand their work and professionalism… In Canada, we drink coffee but we know very little about the work that goes into a cup of coffee. I want to be that link [between producers and consumers].”
- Daniel Bernard
Les Cafés du Paysan, Canada
“I’ve already been working with these coffees [sold by De La Gente] and I wanted to see where they come from, what are the differences between Manuel [microlot producer] and his situation, and what’s going on at La Suiza [cooperative], what is the reality of coffee production in Guatemala, how does it look in this country [?]. I came hoping for that and that’s exactly what I got.”
- Kyle Rohling
Coffee proffessional, United States
"The stories from the coffee producers I’ve met during this trip have been very inspirational. I’m blown away by their drive and what they’ve achieved so far in spite of the circumstances. I hope things work better and better for them."
- William Schaefer
Nossa Familia Coffee, United States
Contact us with questions or inquire about customized trips at info@dlgcoffee.org
Frequently Asked Questions
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Parts of Guatemala, such as some areas of Guatemala City and towns on the border with Mexico do struggle with high levels of violence. Rest assured, we will be in tourist destinations such as Lake Atitlán and Antigua as well as spending time in San Miguel Escobar, a quiet farming community on the outskirts of Antigua.
Just like you would in any new place, please always be mindful of your surroundings and keep an eye out for petty theft.
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Feel free to bring a laptop or any other electronics you may need. Our accommodations all have WiFi that can easily handle answering emails and video calls. Many cafes and restaurants in Antigua and Lake Atitlán have internet as well.
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Guatemala uses the same electrical outlets as the U.S. with a voltage between 110-120V.
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Most meals eaten with farmers and in restaurants will be a combination of rice, sauce (not spicy!), meat, and tortillas. In Antigua and Lake Atitlán, restaurants and cafés provide a wide variety of options.
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We can accommodate dietary restrictions, but it does require some planning ahead! Let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.
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Those who will be preparing food during our trip have taken a food safety and hygiene course and understand the extra steps necessary to cook for visitors who may be less accustomed to the local food. Additionally, any beverage you’re served will have been prepared with purified water.
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Do not drink water from the faucet or use it to brush your teeth, rather use purified water, which will be available throughout the trip. If you prepare any food yourself you should use purified water.
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Traveling and eating new foods always increases your risk of getting sick, but we take precautions to minimize this possibility. We will have access to pharmacies throughout the trip for over the counter medicine and encourage you to tell us how you’re feeling throughout the trip so we can help you get the right medicine, fluids, rest, etc. you need to start feeling better! . Some people find starting on probiotics before traveling helps them avoid getting sick.
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We suggest that you review THIS WEBSITE to stay up to date regarding immunization recommendations for traveling to Central America.
Please note that we highly recommend getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
We will be at high enough altitude where malaria and mosquito-borne diseases are not a threat.
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The airport in Guatemala City
ATM - To use an ATM, you will need a 4-digit PIN. If yours is more than 4 digits, please change it prior to coming to Guatemala. The withdrawal limit is usually Q2000 per day.
Order money to be sent to your home - This is a service offered in the U.S. with various banks so we suggest you look into this option with your bank to avoid the hassle once you’re here!
The banks in Guatemala are very particular about what dollars/what amounts they will exchange. Any tear, mark, or stain will be rejected and this can be quite timely, so please plan to exchange at the airport,withdraw from an ATM, or order money to be sent to your home through your bank.
The daily exchange limit is $120 and the monthly limit is $500.
Please note:
Let your bank and credit card company know you will be out of the country
1 USD is approximately 7.7 Guatemalan quetzals
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Dry season is generally from November to May—the weather is pleasant, around 70F to 85F (21C to 27C) year round with temperatures falling to 55F to 65F (13C to 18C) at night. The temperatures are similar in the rainy season which is from May through August. Expect daily showers and even some heavy rains, which makes the air feel much cooler. In September and October it is common to have rain all day, every day.
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You will have an interpreter with you for all group activities and travel during the trip, but during your free time you will be on your own! It’s always appreciated if you attempt to speak Spanish, even if it is the basics (hola, buenos días, gracias), and you will want to review the Spanish words and phrases document that we will provide.
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If you have a passport from the U.S., Canada, and most European countries, you will receive a 90 day tourist visa upon arrival. You don’t have to do anything prior to your trip for this tourist visa. If you hold a passport from another country please check THIS WEBSITE.
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The group size is 5-10 people.
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Yes, but if you want private accommodations, let us know. Please note that there will be an additional fee for private rooms.
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No. Minors (under 18) must travel with an adult.
