Highlights
- Visit an organic cacao plantation
- Learn about and participate in the traditional chocolate-making process
- Interact with a local indigenous community
Description
Most people love chocolate, yet they have no idea how it is made. On this chocolate tour in Bocas del Toro, you will visit a working cacao plantation where you can observe the entire process of crafting authentic chocolate. Begin your journey at this organic farm, nestled in a beautiful valley at the foot of Panama’s Central Mountain Range. The biodiversity of this location is truly remarkable. During the tour, you may encounter sloths, brightly colored frogs, and numerous bird species—including toucans. The farm visit involves walking at a moderate pace, and some sections of the trail are steep; therefore, this tour is not suitable for individuals with mobility limitations.
Your expert guide will share with you the knowledge of the local indigenous community, which has been cultivating cacao for many generations. The cacao plants are grown in the shade, and their pods display a wide variety of colors. You will have the opportunity to taste the beans both before processing—at which stage they are quite sweet—and after they have been roasted. The Bocas del Toro chocolate tour will walk you through the various stages of cacao processing, including harvesting, fermentation, drying, roasting, grinding, and final preparation. Cacao cultivation presents numerous challenges, including the threat of a lethal fungus capable of decimating the trees. As this is an organic plantation, no chemical pesticides are used.
Enjoy a traditional lunch prepared by the indigenous community, which typically consists of a protein source—such as chicken or fish—accompanied by rice and root vegetables like yuca, ñame, ñampi, or otoe. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to interact with members of the indigenous community.
Includes
Round-trip water taxi from Isla Colon to Almirante
Land transfer from Almirante to the farm
Farm tour
Chocolate-making experience
Guide
Chocolate
Lunch
Water
Excludes
Souvenirs or products to buy
Important Information
- This tour takes place outdoors, and it can rain in Bocas del Toro; therefore, the trail may become a bit muddy. Please bring appropriate footwear and a raincoat, depending on the season of your visit
- Children under 5 enter free of charge. Please make reservations only for individuals aged 6 and older. You may let us know that you will be bringing younger children after completing your reservation
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
