Mayan Chocolate Making & Waterfall from Placencia

Grind cacao on ancient stones and shape your own chocolate bar.

A half-day class in Placencia where you walk an organic cacao farm in Maya Center Village, learn fermentation and roasting from farmer Narciso, then hand-grind cacao on traditional Mayan stones and make your own chocolate bar before cooling off with a swim at Mayan King Waterfall. Private transportation, bottled water, entrance fees and an English or Spanish-speaking guide are included. Children from age 4 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Mayan chocolate and waterfall visit

• Visit organic cacao farm
• Learn cacao fermentation and roasting
• Grind cacao and make chocolate bar
• Swim at Mayan King Waterfall

The experience

Maya Center Village sits inland from Placencia, and the morning starts at an organic cacao farm where you walk among the trees and see the pods that become chocolate. Farmer Narciso walks you through fermentation, drying and roasting: the steps that turn raw cacao into something you can work with. Then you move into the chocolate house for the hands-on part: you grind cacao beans on traditional Mayan stones, the same method used for centuries, and shape the result into a bar you've made yourself.

After the farm, the route heads to Mayan World Adventure Park and Mayan King Waterfall, where you swim to cool off before heading back to Placencia. The whole outing runs about five and a half hours from pickup to drop-off. An air-conditioned vehicle with a driver and guide handles the transport, and bottled water comes along for the ride.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Placencia hotel.
• bottled water.
• entrance fees to the cacao farm and Mayan King Waterfall.
• an air-conditioned vehicle with driver and guide.
• parking fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (21 to 75 years) · Youth (11 to 20 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 26 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Wilder Belize Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this half-day class if you want hands-on time making something you'll taste, not a walking tour of sites. The small group size and private transport mean you move at your own pace between the farm and the waterfall without waiting for other travelers.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 20 years); Child (4 to 10 years). Under 4: they can't be included in the booking.

What exactly do I make at the chocolate house?

You grind cacao beans on traditional Mayan stones and shape the ground cacao into your own chocolate bar, learning the ancient process as you work.

What's included in the price?

Private transportation from Placencia, bottled water, entrance fees to both the farm and the waterfall park, parking, and a guide who speaks English or Spanish are all included.

How long does the whole experience take?

The tour runs about five and a half hours from hotel pickup to return, covering the farm visit, chocolate-making class and waterfall swim.

What is Mayan King Waterfall like?

Mayan King Waterfall is a natural cascade at Mayan World Adventure Park where you can swim and cool off after the morning's chocolate work. It's the final stop before returning to Placencia.