El Velo is one of the newest of Hacienda La Esmeralda’s farms, purchased in 2012. This 50 hectare farm is the only one where the flat landscape allows a more uniform pattern, in rows. The farm is planted with Geisha and Catuai varieties, as well as with smaller lots of exotic varieties like Laurina, Pacamara and SL-34.  In addition there are some 400+ other accessions, which are part of Esmeralda’s research initiatives, and were obtained from CATIE.

The farm is planted from 1,650-1,900 masl, although the nature reserve continues up the mountain all the way to 2,900 masl, and is home to the famous Quetzal and other endangered birds.