The Secrets of Vanilla

Young vanilla plants growing in pots in the greenhouse

From Flower to Crème Brûlée

Did you know vanilla comes from an orchid, and that every single flower has to be pollinated by hand? On this tour you'll walk through our vanilla plots in the shade of the rainforest, see the vines climbing their host trees, and learn each step of the process – from the flower that opens for just one day to the slow curing that gives vanilla its aroma. Finish with a tasting of our own Hacienda vanilla.

A passion
to share

Join Philippe and discover what goes on behind the scenes of our vanilla production.

During the visit, you will discover our vanilla plants, how they are grown and the techniques involved in producing the pods.

Depending on the season, flowers, pollination, green pods, harvesting or curing will shape your experience.

The experience then continues through the different stages of vanilla preparation, before ending in the kitchen with a tasting.

Much More Than a Plantation Tour

Guided vanilla tour at Hacienda Las Vainillas in Costa Rica

Three Places to Discover Vanilla

THE GREENHOUSE

At the heart of our production
The visit begins in the greenhouse, where Philippe introduces you to vanilla cultivation and the care given to the plants.

THE GARDEN

Three vanilla plants to compare
In the garden, discover three varieties of vanilla grown at the Hacienda: Vanilla planifolia, Vanilla pompona and Vanilla × tahitensis.

Vanilla plantation in the tropical rainforest at Hacienda Las Vainillas

THE FOREST PLANTATION

A change of scenery
The experience continues deep in the forest, where more than 3,000 vanilla plants grow beneath the canopy.

Vanilla flowers blooming at Hacienda Las Vainillas

A Different Experience with Every Season

Vanilla follows its own rhythm.

Depending on the time of your stay, you may see the flowers and their pollination, pods developing or reaching maturity, and discover the different stages that transform a green pod into vanilla with its characteristic aromas.

Philippe adapts each visit to what nature has to offer that day.