Plizio Visual Lab

Pineapple Farming

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Agriculture

Weather…

Pineapple farming has become one of the most dynamic sectors of Costa Rican agriculture in recent decades. Costa Rica is currently the world's leading exporter of fresh pineapples, with the MD2 variety (also known as the "Golden Pineapple") dominating the global market. The plantations stretch across vast areas in the northern and Caribbean regions of the country, where the tropical climate and volcanic soils provide handy growing conditions. A pineapple plant takes approximately 12 to 14 months to produce its first fruit. While cultivation is technologically advanced, it still requires significant manual labor for harvesting and maintenance. In recent years, there has been an increased focus on ecological standards and the protection of surrounding water sources, as the country aims to balance its market leadership with sustainable environmental practices. Visitors can explore the biological aspects and complex export processes through specialized agrotourism tours.

Location: Costa Rica
Nearby: Aguas Zarcas (5 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan–Mar.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	22	23	24	25	25	24	24	24	24	23	23	23
Rain mm	34	22	26	60	195	183	153	177	233	283	179	60

📋 Practical info

🏭

What is this place?

Pineapple farming in Costa Rica is a cornerstone of the economy, with vast plantations supplying the world market. Visitors gain insight into large-scale tropical production and the global fruit trade.

🚪

Visiting

Many plantations offer guided tours where you see the entire production process. For safety, some areas are restricted, but fields are generally visible from public roads.

👀

Where to view it

Along the highway in Puntarenas and Limón regions, endless pineapple fields stretch for miles, visible from the road. Some farms have built lookout towers for visitors.

🧺

Local products

Fresh pineapples are ubiquitous; also available are juice, dried fruit, and pineapple-based cosmetics. Seasonal organic pineapples are sometimes offered.

📆

Active season

Harvest occurs year-round due to tropical climate, with peak season from December to April. Then plantations are bustling with workers and packing lines.

➕

Nearby

Combine with national parks like Manuel Antonio or the Arenal Volcano. Roadside fruit stands and local markets selling fresh produce are also worth stopping at.