coffee museum

If you have the opportunity to go to the Coffee museum of Santos, it means that at a minimum, you are a sophisticated sort of traveler. With that, this "highlight" of Santos sucks big time (similar to, what I was told by others, the Pele soccer museum did). A lot of anticipation and mystery surrounded our visit: "many busses", "big crowds", long lines, whether for the entrance, getting a cup of the coffee from the small cafeteria In the museum or even buying anything from the coffee/souvenir shop: great expectations!! Well, after a long wait, we were admitted into this sacred hall of coffee to discover what? - well you tell me as everything was in Portuguese - nothing in English - and with nothing that seemed even remotely interesting. In the first room, a trivial "any-city-council-chamber" was displayed and allegedly, by what Heard from English speaking guides, was the place where Brazilian coffee prices were determined - really? - well OK! the next room showed a variety of coffee making/grinding devises which over 5 devices covered the time from 1500 to 1990, were displayed! really? - well OK! - then we went upstairs where the walls were covered with a plethora of sketches and photographs of slaves picking coffee, to ..... the same sort of laborers picking coffee .... all with Portuguese only texts and seemingly out of chronology. - that was pretty much it!! - then down to the famous cafeteria to get the famous coffees - l-o-n-g line! - only one coffee/espresso machine (promoting Italian coffee in metal letters no less!) nowhere to sit. Ordering any of the Brazilian coffees to take home put you in a cue that was prohibitive as only one guy served it!! The only redeeming thing I have to say about this place is, that, after waiting for a long time in a cue, I ordered an Jacu espresso (for $ 15 compared to the usual $2-3) - a coffee which beans allegedly has been passed through the Jacu bird and picked up some of the "fruity flavor". I did see the staff dissemble the usual stock coffee hopper, take out a small brown bag from which they filled a special hopper, ring a bell, grind the coffee and run it through the (Italian) espresso machine delivered at a table (not done for any of the other orders). OK, the espresso admittedly was rich and very good - but a fruity taste? - I didn't get it! - my wife who ordered an ordinary $3 espresso tasted it and said she couldn't tell the difference.In summary: Santos seems to be the Mexican Ensenada of Brazil: for some reason a place the cruise ship has to stop before going to Rio, but with not much exciting or usual things to show for it

By far the best memory of this museum was the wonderful coffee aroma the minute you came inside. The shop, though small and crowded, served samples of many types of local coffees. I also loved the beautiful old trading area of the exchange, which has been completely preserved, with a lovely stained glass ceiling. Unfortunately, the exhibits are not outstanding, and mostly in Portugese. We were there during Carnival, which may explain some of the crowd.

Learn about the history of coffee in Brazil in this museum. The beautiful, original trading floor is exhibited, some of the tools, and the story from the beginning of the process in Santos to present day so told. Unfortunately, the explanations are in Portuguese so a guide is helpful. There is a nice cafe for having a cup of coffee or buying some beans to take home.

We've been to a boatload of museums but I had to stretch to call this one average, it's in an historic building in a part of town that's seen better days. The upper floor if the museum has been re-done but it still doesn't pop and all of their displays are in Portuguese only. Restrooms were ok and you can buy coffee and coffee gadgets in the tiny gift shop.

We went, and it was closed. The store was opened and we bought some coffee and some souvenirs. The inside of the building is awesome, it has wonderful architecture. On the store we learned about the different kinds of coffee, and how they made them, and also saw a little bit of the process and the machine.

This was not what I would call a traditional tourist attraction, relatively unexciting, it is however a nice place to get a cup of (overpriced) coffee, or some useful beans or grounds for taking home to friends and family. Wouldn't go back deliberately but if I was in the neighbourhood and wanted a coffee this would be a nice place to stop.

This is the old original coffee exchange from many years ago, One of the better buildings in the old town it has been looked after and is well presented. The nearly circular dealing floor with its high seat for the moderator, seating for the traders each with a little round table in front for the samples. Interesting displays of the history of the coffee trade and don't miss the incredible stained glass window and beautiful illustrative painted panels. When finished we had a recommended type of coffee-not for the fainthearted(there are others). A bird has to ingest some coffee beans followed by the exit of the same hours later. This is then dried and ground and there you go. Personally not impressed-but you might be.

This is a beautiful building where you can sense the history. Would have loved to been there back in the days when they were trading coffee. Unfortunately only the ground floor was open during my visit, but this did mean the it was free to enter.The coffee shop has a good range of coffees from around Brazil. So it's worth going there with a good company (or book) and spend some time sampling the coffees and cakes.

A nice place to visit. By the time we went there just the main floor was opening to visitation due to renovations at the second floor and ticket was free. Good taste cakes and coffees at the Cafeteria, but price is higher than the usual.

It is a small place was but worthy to visit, if you do not speak Portuguese, request an English speaking guide. He provided us with excellent knowledge of history of this place and explained how the coffee was traded here.. do not miss the coffee tasting in the local little coffee shop, thank a lot!

Extremely interesting piece of history of Santos and Brazil. Great shop and great cafeteria, wonderful coffees and nice snacks and sweets.

If you want to learn something about Brazilian history, it's an interesting place to go. Don't forget to stop by at the coffee shop, very good Brazilian coffee including the special bird one.

It tells you a lot of the time that Brazil was a high coffee beans producer. The pictures and the athmosphere are great

The museum is close to the harbour in old Sao Paulo, a bit of a rundown area. It's a beautiful historic building. I don't drink coffee, so didn't taste anything. It smelled really good, though!

A place that has a lot of history and contribution to Brazil development as a great coffee production and export! besides you can choose a variety a enjoy a very good coffee, grinded there !