Best coffee in the world

1. Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s known for its rainforests, its beaches, and – of course – its coffee. This pocket-sized country might be five times smaller than the UK, but it’s crammed with coffee-growing regions – eight to be exact. Plus, by law, the only coffee beans that can be grown here are the Arabica variety, so you can be sure that you’re sipping on a high-quality, truly single-origin cup. Book on to our Monteverde Skywalk excursion, and a trip to the Don Juan coffee plantation comes included. Learn about how Costa Rican coffee’s turned from bean to brew, and taste some for yourself, too.

Find out more about the Monteverde Skywalk excursion.

And, check out our Costa Rica holidays.

2. Bali

Bali’s rich volcanic soil gives the coffee grown there an extra flavourful edge – coffee aficionados describe the taste as fruity and fresh. But it’s the one-of-a-kind Kopi Luwak, otherwise known as civet coffee, that Bali’s coffee scene is really famous for. Wild cats called civets eat the coffee cherries, they pass through their digestive systems and are – ahem – ejected at the other end. Farmers extract the cherries from the civet’s – for want of a better word – poo, before processing it into beans. The result is Indonesia’s most expensive coffee. The digestive process is said to reduce the bitterness of the finished bean – why not head to Bali and try it out for yourself?

Check out our Bali holidays.

3. Cuba

Cuba has been growing coffee for centuries, since around 1700 to be exact. There are a few main coffee-growing regions, including the Sierra Maestra Mountains, where traditional methods – we’re talking hand-picking and processing – are still used to this day. As well as growing their own beans, Cubans have a special recipe for coffee – Café Cubano. This drink’s served in a tiny cup – it’s a kind of espresso – and it’s super sweet. The sugar is added during the brewing process, which gives the coffee a caramelised flavour. Want to taste Cuba’s coffee for yourself? Reserve yourself a spot on our Cuban Roots excursion, and you’ll get to try a classically Cuban cigar and coffee pairing.

Find out more about the Cuban Roots excursion.

And, check out our Cuba holidays.

4. Jamaica

Jamaica might be best known for its rum, reggae, and relaxed vibes, but its coffee growing reputation is renowned, too. The island’s Blue Mountain Coffee is its most famous offering. These beans produce a mild-tasting brew which comes without the bitterness of other, stronger varieties, making it a crowd-pleaser of a coffee. Want to know more? Well, the clue’s in the name with our Kingston City and Blue Mountains tour. As well as exploring Jamaica’s capital city, you’ll head into the Blue Mountains to visit a Rainforest Alliance-certified coffee plantation. During your visit to the Craighton Estate, you’ll learn about the growing process and, of course, taste some coffee. 

Find out more about our Kingston City and Blue Mountains tour.

And, check out our Jamaica holidays.

5. Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic’s been in the business since the 1800s, but it might not immediately spring to mind when you think about coffee-growing countries. That’s probably because more than 80% of the coffee grown in the Dominican Republic is brewed and sipped within the country, hardy any of it is exported. So, it seems that to try true Dominican coffee, you’ve got to pay it a visit. Get an insight into the industry with our Laguna Limon VIP tour. Your action-packed day will start with a visit to the Las Lisas village, where you’ll see how coffee and cocoa are produced.

Find out more about our Laguna Limon VIP tour.

And, check our Dominican Republic holidays.

6. Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the world’s biggest exporters of coffee, but the country’s most famous for its trademark takes on serving up its brews. One of its best-loved variations is cà phê sữa nóng, which translates as hot milk coffee. There’s more to it than that, though. If you order one, it’ll be brought out with a layer of sweetened condensed milk at the bottom of a glass cup, with an already-dripping filter sat on top. Once the coffee has dripped into the milk, you can stir and sip. Cà phê sữa nóng is rich and creamy, and its iced counterpart, cà phê đá, is equally popular. In Vietnam, you can also try coffee that’s been topped with whipped eggs, fruit, and even yoghurt.

Check out our Vietnam holidays.

7. Turkey

Coffee has been a big part of Turkish culture since way back in the 14th century, playing a role in everything from socialising to politics. So, it’s no wonder that the method of preparation is steeped in tradition. Turkish coffee is brewed in a cezve, a long-handled copper pan. Finely ground coffee and water, along with sugar, are added and boiled to create lots of foam. The coffee’s then poured out and served, along with a sweet treat like Turkish delight. You might have noticed that there’s no filtering stage to this process – that’s what makes Turkish coffee that little bit different.

Check out our Turkey holidays

Chosen your coffee-fuelled destination?

Take a look at our best deals. Plus, see where else you should visit this year, discover where the best prosecco is made, and find out why 14-night holidays are better for you.

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Hannah Stratton