MEET
Delfina Porras & Mayra Solís
Vamay Coffee is the result of a family-owned Costa Rican venture from Santa María de Dota, a rural area internationally recognized for the high quality of its coffee.
Their journey
Alto El Vapor is a family-run coffee project in the rural highlands of Santa María de Dota, Costa Rica, celebrated internationally for its exceptional quality.
The story began in March 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Doña Mayra and her three grown children—fresh from university—decided to turn a family dream into reality. Together they set out to produce outstanding coffee and create an unforgettable experience for everyone who tastes it. Their dedication shows in every step: hands-on processing, cupping and roasting their own beans, and constantly refining quality.
The coffee grows on the family’s Alto El Vapor farm, 1,800–2,100 meters above sea level. About 90% of the property is a protected natural area, home to native flora and fauna and a spring that supplies water to part of the Santa María de Dota community. Rather than clearing land, the family protects it, ensuring a thriving ecosystem around their coffee plants.
Sustainability is at the heart of their work.
Alongside specialty coffee, they cultivate citrus fruits, bananas, and root and leafy vegetables, avoiding monoculture and creating a small circular economy.
Every bean from Alto El Vapor carries the family’s hallmark of excellence, dedication, and love—a cup that tells the story of resilience, environmental care, and the vibrant spirit of Costa Rica.
Given that the family resides in a rural area, they are committed to integrating sustainable development practices on the Alto el Vapor farm. While the main goal is to produce specialty coffee, they also grow citrus fruits, bananas, root vegetables, and green vegetables among the coffee plants. In this way, Alto El Vapor avoids monoculture and operates as a circular economy.
About Alto El Vapor Family’s Coffee
NAME OF THE MILL
Alto El Vapor
REGION / COUNTRY
Santa Maria de Dota, Costa Rica
ALTITUDE
~1,800-2, 100m above sea level
COFFEE VARIETY
Caturra, Catuai, Java, Geisha +
PROCESS
Honey/Natural/Washed+
NOTABLE FLAVOR NOTE
Lemongrass, Clean, Fruity, Peach+
Over the last few years, the family at Alto El Vapor has mastered the art of processing exceptional micro-lots. Their coffees are clean, sweet, and bursting with distinct fruity notes that shine through the different varieties and processes they’ve perfected. From traditional washed methods to extended fermentations, we’ve loved tasting their evolving coffees year after year.