The term Aquiares translates to “land between rivers” in the Huetar indigenous language, and Aquiares Estate is often known as “Aquiares Coffee and Community.” It stands as the largest farm in Costa Rica, housing 1,800 residents. Although established in 1890, it was Alfonso Robelo who played a pivotal role in its transformation a century later. Alfonso arrived in Costa Rica during the 1980s, fleeing the civil war in Nicaragua, where he had been politically engaged. As political tensions escalated into violence, he left his homeland to ensure the safety of his family and himself after receiving multiple threats to his life. Upon settling in Costa Rica, Alfonso began to cultivate the Aquiares community on the picturesque slopes of the Turrialba volcano, an area rich in forests, rivers, wildlife, and vibrant flora. Alfredo challenged conventional norms, reshaping the dynamics between landowners and farm labourers. He introduced a visionary perspective to Aquiares, a farm grappling with low prices and instability. Although Aquiares provided over 200 homes for its employees, the lack of ownership led to significant insecurity among the workforce. Alfonso recognised this as a chance to fortify the company by instilling a sense of pride in the coffee produced. He transformed the farm into a small town where workers could buy their own homes. Today, Aquiares serves as a benchmark for sustainable agriculture. Currently, Alfonso’s son, Diego, oversees the farm. Under his leadership, the farm has adopted a novel approach to specialty coffee and is exploring its full potential. Through exceptional agricultural practices, the introduction of new varieties, and innovative processing methods, Aquiares has emerged as a leader among specialty coffee producers in Costa Rica and throughout Central America.