Where to Find the Best Chocolate Tours in Costa Rica

The ancient tribes of Costa Rica who originally cultivated cacao and honored its sacred role in daily life and ceremonies have left behind a rich chocolate heritage. Cacao, once considered a ceremonial drink and symbol of power by these ancient cultures, remains a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s agricultural and cultural identity. 

Over the years, chocolate has developed into a vital component of both the economy and tourism, with modern chocolate tours allowing visitors to experience firsthand the process of turning cacao into delicious products like hot chocolate. 

Costa Rica is well-known for its premium cacao, nurtured by rich volcanic soils, and draws chocolate lovers from across the globe. This article will guide you through the top chocolate tours in Costa Rica, where you can enjoy the delectable flavors and the intriguing process of chocolate production.

The Advantages of Chocolate Tours

Embarking on a chocolate tour in Costa Rica offers a truly immersive educational experience. Visitors can explore the intricate chocolate-making process, from harvesting cacao pods to transforming the beans into rich chocolate.

Many tours include sugar cane demonstrations, as sugar often plays a vital role in producing local chocolate products. Along the way, expert chocolatiers share the artistry behind fermentation and drying, revealing the elements that enhance cacao’s flavor profile.

Chocolate tours also provide an opportunity to delve into the rich history and ancient culture of cacao in Costa Rica. Guests often hear stories of how cacao was revered by indigenous tribes, not only as an essential part of trade but as a ceremonial drink consumed during significant events.

This deep historical context adds another layer to the appreciation of chocolate, connecting visitors to traditions that span centuries and continue to shape Costa Rican culture today.

What to Expect on a Chocolate Tour

A typical chocolate tour in Costa Rica provides a full sensory experience, starting with a guided walk through cacao plantations and regions where visitors learn about the cacao tree and fruit’s life cycle, from seed to harvest. This is followed by hands-on chocolate-making workshops, where guests can see traditional methods of turning cacao beans into rich, delicious chocolate.

The tours often conclude with tasting sessions, offering a chance to sample various chocolate varieties, all while gaining a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and sustainability behind Costa Rica’s cacao production.

Best Places to Take a Chocolate Tour in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s best chocolate tours combine cultural heritage, hands-on activities, and the chance to taste the world’s best chocolate. Discover the top chocolate-making destinations below.

#1

Guanacaste

The province of Guanacaste, known for its dry tropical forests and beautiful beaches, also offers chocolate enthusiasts a unique experience with its organic cacao farms. These farms are dedicated to sustainable and eco-friendly cacao production, focusing on maintaining the quality of the beans while preserving the surrounding environment.

Tamarindo Chocolate Tour

The Tamarindo Chocolate Tour is a family-run business tucked away in a charming location in the famous town of Tamarindo.

Their small workshop produces handmade chocolate, and the property features a variety of fruit trees, including a rare cacao tree that is uncommon in Guanacaste’s climate.

The 2-hour tour costs $50 per person, while the 3-hour workshop is priced at $75. The tours include tastings and an interactive session where participants craft their own chocolate. For further details and reservations, visit their official site.

Maleku Chocolate Tour

The Maleku Chocolate Tour offers a comprehensive experience, including a guided tour of their cacao plantation, insights into the chocolate-making process, and delicious tastings.

The tour lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours, and participants can unleash their creativity by making their own chocolate version. The tour cost for foreigners is $45 per person. To get there, head towards Upala, near the Tenorio Volcano National Park.

#2

Puntarenas

In Puntarenas province, travelers can also discover a range of engaging chocolate tours such as:

La Iguana Chocolate Tour

La Iguana Chocolate Tour, situated in Manuel Antonio, offers a 2.5-hour tour of the chocolate production process, from cocoa harvesting to chocolate preparation. The trip includes tastings, sustainable agricultural instruction, and hands-on activities. 

Foreign adults can reserve tours for $34 and $25 for children under 10 years old, while kids under 5 years old have free entrance. To get to this place, it’s a scenic drive from Manuel Antonio, and visitors can find more information and directions on the official website. 

La Mona Golosa

La Mona Golosa, located in the famous town of Jaco, offers an engaging chocolate tour that includes a traditional cacao ceremony, where visitors learn about the cultural significance of cacao. The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours and features activities such as harvesting cacao pods, roasting, and grinding them. 

Tours are available daily at 9 am and 11 am, with a cost of $40 for adults and $20 for children. This charming location also provides a unique opportunity to explore nature trails nearby and visit their exquisite shop where you can buy their exclusive products.

#3

Heredia

In the province of Heredia, located next to the capital city of San Jose, travelers can discover delicious chocolate tours that offer a deep dive into the area’s cacao culture. Some of the best are:

Sibö’s Chocolate Tasting Tour

For those looking for a more intimate experience made with melted chocolate, Sibö is a great option. Located in San Isidro de Heredia, this place offers a personalized 1 to 1.5-hour tour that delves into the ethical aspects of sustainable and fair-trade chocolate production.

Visitors can enjoy a guided tasting experience led by a master chocolatier, featuring bonbons, chocolate tasting squares, indigenous hot chocolate, as well as coffee and cookies to conclude. Guests will also participate in hands-on workshops and explore the organic chocolate-making process while seated on an open-air terrace surrounded by gardens.

The tour costs approximately $50 for adults and includes access to a small on-site store. There is also a fantastic gourmet restaurant there where visitors can indulge in extraordinary food made with organic local ingredients.

Costa Rica’s Best Chocolate

Located in Chilamate de Sarapiquí, this two-hour chocolate tour offers an engaging, hands-on learning experience for all ages. Guests explore a cacao plantation and witness the entire chocolate-making process, from fermentation to grinding. Along the way, you’ll make your own hot chocolate with optional ingredients like cinnamon or vanilla and taste both artisanal and industrial chocolates.

The tour costs $36 for adults and $24 for children, with daily tours available by reservation. Additional features include a souvenir shop, a restaurant, and parking for visitors’ convenience.

#4

Alajuela

In the Alajuela province, chocolate enthusiasts can embark on immersive tours that offer interactive experiences, allowing for an exciting exploration of the cocoa growing process and witnessing first-hand how chocolate is made, all while immersing themselves in the rich traditions of the region.

Chocotour Costa Rica

Chocotour Costa Rica in San Mateo town offers a 1.5-hour educational tour where visitors explore the cacao trees in the property, enjoy ancient chocolate drinks, and create their own chocolate with customizable ingredients.

The tour costs $45 for adults and $10 for children aged 3 to 12 years old. It is conveniently located about an hour from San Jose, with tours available daily at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 3 p.m.

This experience provides an in-depth look at the history and economic value of chocolate and the process of making this delicacy in a beautiful natural setting.

#5

La Fortuna

In the enchanting town of La Fortuna area within the Alajuela province, chocolate tours offer a captivating way to explore the rich flavors of Costa Rica amidst the stunning backdrop of the majestic Arenal Volcano itself.

Don Olivo Chocolate Tour

Enjoy a flavorful two-hour experience learning about Costa Rican chocolate, coffee, tropical fruits, spices, rum, and sugar cane at Don Olivo Chocolate tour. This tour includes a visit to a farm with 1,600 cacao trees, where 150 pounds of cacao are produced weekly.

Tours are available daily at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., featuring guided tastings and insights into the history of these products. Prices star at $30 per person.

Eden Mocca Tour

The Eden Mocca Tour in La Fortuna offers a unique chocolate and coffee workshop where visitors learn about the production of both delights. This immersive experience lasts about 2.5 hours, including tastings and a special tour guide through the bean-to-bar process of chocolate-making, as well as coffee brewing techniques.

The cost for foreigners is approximately $51 per person. Tours are held daily, and you can easily reach the location from La Fortuna.

Chocolate tourism plays a significant role in showcasing Costa Rica’s rich history and sustainable agricultural practices. Discovering the regional chocolate scene provides visitors with a special fusion of gourmet delight, ecotourism, and culture. These tours offer an engaging opportunity to get a sense of the country’s customs, from going on a tree-to-bar adventure to discovering ancient secrets about the life cycle of the cacao tree. When traveling to Costa Rica, don’t pass up the chance to indulge in real Costa Rican chocolate and promote sustainable and ethical production.

Plan Your Chocolate Tour Today

See our beautiful rentals and find everything you need to plan your perfect trip here. From booking tours to discovering the best accommodations and learning more about the unique attractions of many regions of Costa Rica, you’ll find valuable resources to make your experience unforgettable.