There is simply no other course like this anywhere in the world. An elite level of education, in a stunningly beautiful setting. Some highlights of this course include the hikes to our award winning Geisha farms, Finca Sophia (2000 meters), Finca La Mula (1750 meters) and Finca La Cabra (1550 meters). Every day of this intensive course we will split time between being outdoors observing and participating in the workings of a specialty coffee farm; and being indoors learning the art and science of coffee cultivation, processing and cupping coffee with expert level lectures and hands-on experience.
Stay at a Magnificent Working Coffee Farm
The class takes place on-site at the farm of the Hartmann family, personal friends of Boot Coffee and third generation coffee farmers known throughout Panama. Their farm will be your classroom. In addition we will travel to Finca La Mula and Finca Sophia, the breathtaking, spectacular award winning Geisha farms of Willem Boot and partners. In addition, we will tour the recently planted Finca La Cabra, the newest member of our family of Geisha farms. You will stay in a national forest preserve in western Panama near the border with Costa Rica; a stopover point for countless species of migratory, brilliantly-colored birds. Ornithologists and entomologists come here from all over the world to study the beautiful natural wildlife. Wake up and see gorgeous, healthy coffee trees. Outside of our rustic lodge you see a canopy of lush, green native forest trees, with birds flitting from branch to branch. The course is very hands-on and covers coffee farming, harvesting, processing, roasting, and cupping, with a different emphasis for each course.
From Harvest to Process to Roasting to Cupping
The course takes place during the last part of the main harvest and at the beginning of the harvest of our high elevated Sophia and La Mula Geisha farms With access to dozens of different lots being prepared and finished, there will be an emphasis on harvesting, processing and cupping in this class. Each day will include a tasting session and discussion featuring fresh-crop coffees; it’s a real master class for coffee buyers and anyone looking to truly understand the quality parameters of green coffee.
Ah snap! You’ve missed our 2019 course in Panama. Interested to join us in 2020? Reserve your spot today!
Course Schedule
The Panama course is an intensive course with a good amount of physical exercise. The days start with an early breakfast and we usually finish the course days just before sunset. Lodging (4 nights) and meals (Monday to Friday) are provided by us.
We will meet you on Monday morning inside the terminal of David Airport to transport you to Finca Hartmann. We will transport you on Friday afternoon to David airport to be on time for the afternoon flight from David to Panama City.
What’s Included?
Students will stay on-site in a rustic forest lodge situated in the middle of the farm, surrounded by a tropical forest. Food, lodging, and local transportation are all covered in the cost of the course.
Important Note
Each participant is responsible for his or her own airfare to Panama City and from there to the town of David, Panama. From David, we will cover your travel to and from the Hartmann coffee farm, and all meals while at the farm.
WELCOME IN PANAMA!
Course Schedule
The Panama course is an intensive course with a good amount of physical exercise. The days start with a breakfast at 8:30am and we usually finish the course days between 5pm and 5:30pm. Lodging (4 nights) and meals (Monday to Friday) are provided by us.
We will meet you on Monday morning at the kiosk of Kotowa Coffee inside the terminal of David Airport between 10am and 10:30am to transport you to Finca Hartmann. We will transport you on Friday afternoon to David airport to be on time for the 5:15pm flight from David to Panama.
Hotel Information
Panama City and the town of David have many hotels and these can be booked online.
If you are planning extra time in the town of Boquete; there are many inns and hotels in this picturesque town.
Getting to the Course Venue
International airlines arrive at the international airport Panama Tocumen. From Tocumen there are direct flights (Copa Airlines) to the town of David, where we will meet you. Alternatively, you can spend the night in Panama City and travel the next day to David. A taxi from Tocumen to Panama City costs about $30. The taxi ride from Tocumen to Panama downtown takes about 30 minutes.
In Panama City, there is a smaller airport called Albrook. Domestic connections depart from here to destinations across Panama. Air Panama has multiple flights daily to the town of David.
We strongly recommend that you arrive in Panama on the Saturday or Sunday before the start of the course. After the course, it is recommended to spend some extra time in the Chiriqui coffee area. We can help you make arrangements.
Meeting Point
We will meet you at the kiosk of Kotowa Coffee inside the terminal of David Airport between 10am and 10:30am to transport you to Finca Hartmann.
If you prefer to travel to David the day before, then this is also an option. There are various comfortable hotels in David.
Contact Information
Boot Coffee trainer: +507 670 79 710 and Tessie Hartmann: +507 62279303