Placencia: Mayan chocolate making tour with waterfall swim

Summary

From cacao tree to chocolate bar, plus a swim by the falls

You’ll meet local farmers near Placencia, taste fresh cacao straight from the pod, try your hand at traditional Mayan chocolate making with a local guide, and finish with a swim under a quiet waterfall—a mix of flavors, stories, and small surprises you’ll remember long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

“You ever tried fresh cacao?” That’s how our guide, Luis, greeted us just outside Placencia. He handed me this knobbly yellow pod—sticky with morning dew—and showed me how to crack it open. The pulp inside was sweet and tart, nothing like the chocolate I grew up with. Luis grinned when I made a face. “It’s different, right?” he said. The farm was quiet except for birds and the soft sound of someone chopping wood nearby. I liked that nobody rushed us; we just wandered between the trees while the farmer explained how his family’s been growing organic cacao for generations.

Afterwards we drove back to this small building—kind of half workshop, half kitchen—where we learned to make real Mayan chocolate on grinding stones. It’s harder than it looks (my arms still remember), but there was something calming about the rhythm. The smell of roasted beans filled the room, mixing with woodsmoke from outside. We laughed a lot trying to shape our own bars; mine looked more like a lumpy pebble than anything you’d find in a shop. Luis told us stories about his grandmother making chocolate for village festivals—he even let us taste some of her old recipe, which was earthy and not too sweet.

The last stop was this waterfall tucked away in the forest—not huge or dramatic, just peaceful. We all jumped in (the water was colder than I expected) and let the spray wash off any leftover chocolate dust. Sunlight filtered through the leaves and everything smelled green and alive. On the drive back to Placencia I kept thinking about that first bite of fresh cacao—how different it tasted from what I thought I knew. Still makes me smile.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mayan Chocolate & Waterfall Tour

• Visit cacao farm
• Learn chocolate making
• Swim at nearby waterfall

Top questions

How long is the Mayan chocolate making tour from Placencia?

This is a half day tour departing from Placencia Village.

Is transportation included for the chocolate tour?

Yes, air-conditioned vehicle pickup is included from Placencia.

Do you get to make your own chocolate?

Yes, you’ll make your own Mayan chocolate using traditional grinding stones at a small facility after visiting the cacao farm.

Is there swimming on this tour?

Yes, after making chocolate you’ll stop at a nearby waterfall for swimming.

Can infants or small children join this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle from Placencia Village, visits to an organic cacao farm with hands-on explanations from local farmers, guided Mayan chocolate making at an indoor facility using traditional tools, plus time to swim at a nearby waterfall before heading back.