Muxbal Estate

Muxbal Estate is a stunning, mountain-top coffee farm in Unión Juárez, named after the Mayan phrase for “place surrounded by clouds.” Perched on a plateau at 1,560 meters at the base of the Tacaná volcano near the Guatemalan border, the estate spans 236 hectares. About 60% is planted with Catuai and Mundo Novo coffee trees, while the remaining 40% is preserved as an ecological reserve that protects rainforest, rivers, springs, and native wildlife. With its rich volcanic soil, ample shade, sustainable practices, and a unique microclimate, Muxbal offers ideal conditions for producing exceptional coffee. But what makes it truly special is its deep commitment to both environmental and social responsibility. The farm provides housing, meals, a tortilladora, and even on-site schooling for the children of seasonal workers during harvest season.

The farm’s roots date back to the late 1700s, when Chiapas was still part of Guatemala. By 1860, it was owned by Matías Romero, a protégé of President Benito Juárez who later became a key diplomat in U.S.-Mexico relations. Ownership eventually passed to the Brown family, and through marriage, to the Ochoa family—who later sold the property to Don Enrique Rodríguez. When he first arrived in 1959, there was no road; he hiked the mountain on foot to discover a rundown farmhouse surrounded by coffee trees, hens, and pigs. He fell in love with the land and the potential it held. Since then, the Rodríguez family has restored and transformed Muxbal into a model estate that now employs over 200 workers and produces Rainforest Alliance certified coffee, exported through our partners at Balzac Brothers in Charleston, SC.