Costa Rica · Alajuela (Upala / northern lowlands)
reviewed
admixture
Upala, in Costa Rica's northern lowlands near the Nicaraguan border, is a recognised cacao district sometimes called the country's 'chocolate district', where smallholders — about a fifth of them women — grow cacao on small plots.
Country
Costa Rica
Region
Alajuela (Upala / northern lowlands)
Growing region
Americas
Coordinates
10.90°, -85.02° (approx.)
Elevation
40-200 m
Producer
multiple
Genetic groups
admixture
Traditional class
mixed
Also known as
Northern Zone
Bean notes
Mixed hybrid and clonal populations; smallholdings average roughly two hectares.
Harvest season
main Oct-Feb; secondary crop mid-year
Fermentation
Smallholder and small-facility box fermentation.
Drying
Sun-dried on raised beds.
Flavour
fruity · nutty · caramel · balanced
Updated
2026-05-22
Sources
Costa Rica Star News — Some of the World's Finest Chocolate Is Produced in Upala: https://news.co.cr/worlds-finest-chocolate-produced-upala-costa-rica/67547/
CATIE — Universidades públicas y personas productoras de la zona norte: https://www.catie.ac.cr/en/2022/10/17/universidades-publicas-y-personas-productoras-de-la-zona-norte-de-costa-rica-se-reunieron-en-el-catie-para-aprender-de-cacao/