Cacao Farm & Chocolate Tasting: Jubones Desert from Cuenca

Harvest cacao and craft chocolate from bean to cup on a working tropical farm

A nine-hour activity from Cuenca combining a visit to the Jubones desert (a unique oasis formed by volcanic deposits 25 million years ago) with hands-on cacao harvesting and chocolate making at Hacienda La Cortadera, a family-run tropical farm. The day includes hotel pickup, a professional guide in English or Spanish, homemade lunch with the farm family, and a chocolate tasting. An optional 4 km downhill bike ride through the desert is available for an extra cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore desert and cacao farm

• Depart from Cuenca
• Drive 85km through Andes and Yunguilla Valley
• Explore Jubones desert and oasis
• Optional biking on dirt road
• Drive 35km to Hacienda La Cortadera
• Enjoy homemade lunch
• Learn cacao harvest and chocolate making
• Chocolate tasting experience
• Relax by pool or stroll farm trails
• Return to Cuenca

The experience

The day starts with an 85 km drive from Cuenca through the high Andes and Yunguilla Valley to reach the Jubones, a geological oddity: a desert with an oasis and a river running through it, where locals grow crops on land shaped by volcanic eruptions 25 million years ago. You'll explore this formation on foot, and if you want to cover more ground, you can add a bike ride: a 4 km downhill route on a dirt road with minimal traffic, dropping 180 meters in elevation at an easy grade that works for riders with basic experience.

After the desert, you continue 35 km to Hacienda La Cortadera, a tropical farm where the family welcomes you with fresh homemade lunch. The hands-on part begins here: you'll harvest cacao pods directly from the trees, learn the craft chocolate-making process from a professional guide, and make your own cup of hot chocolate. The guide explains the history and flavor of Ecuadorian cacao, known as some of the world's best. You'll also taste finished chocolate made on the farm. Before heading back to Cuenca, you can swim in the farm's pool or walk the trails to spot tropical birds and sample the hacienda's fruit and products.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Cuenca.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• homemade lunch with the farm family.
• hands-on cacao harvest and chocolate-making instruction.
• chocolate tasting.
• access to the farm's pool and trails.
• all taxes and fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 85 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Cuenca Bestours Tour Operator

Is this one for you?Add the optional bike ride if you want to cover more ground in the desert and don't mind a downhill ride on dirt roads. Skip it if you prefer to explore the Jubones on foot and spend more time at the farm itself. The day is nine hours total and involves both driving and physical activity, so it suits travelers who are comfortable with a full schedule and want to be hands-on with the cacao and chocolate work.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What's the Jubones desert actually like when we get there?

The Jubones is a desert with an oasis and a river, unusual for a dry landscape, formed by volcanic deposits from eruptions 25 million years ago. You'll explore this geological formation on foot, and it's crossed by a working river where locals grow different crops.

Do I actually make the chocolate myself, or just watch?

You harvest cacao pods from the trees and make chocolate by hand, learning the full process from bean to cup alongside your guide. You'll also taste the finished chocolate made on the farm.

How much of the day is driving versus being at the farm?

The drive from Cuenca to the Jubones takes about 85 km through the Andes, and then another 35 km to the farm. Most of the hands-on cacao and chocolate work happens at Hacienda La Cortadera, where you'll spend the afternoon.

Is the optional bike ride difficult?

The 4 km ride is mostly downhill (180 meters of altitude loss) on a dirt road with very little traffic. It's graded for riders with basic experience and is not steep, so it's manageable for most people who want to add it.

What's included in the lunch at the farm?

Lunch is homemade and fresh, prepared by the farm family themselves. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.