From Bean to Bar - the Mayan way!

Satisfy both your curiosity and your sweet tooth on this flavorful journey through the art of Maya chocolate making. Just a 25-minute drive from Hopkins, Che’il Mayan Chocolate is a locally owned cacao farm and factory in Maya Centre Village, where tradition, culture, and flavor blend in the most delicious way.
 

Your experience begins at the organic cacao farm, where you’ll meet the farmer and learn all about the fascinating process of cacao cultivation. Walk among the cacao trees, see the colorful pods growing in their natural environment, and discover how the fruit is harvested, fermented, and sun-dried. The farmer will even crack open a fresh pod so you can taste the raw cacao fruit—a sweet, tangy pulp full of surprises that tastes nothing like chocolate… yet!

You’ll also learn about the health benefits and cultural importance of cacao, which has been cherished by the Maya for centuries not only as a food but also as a powerful natural medicine.

After the farm visit, it’s time to head to the chocolate factory, where you’ll roll up your sleeves for a hands-on chocolate-making experience. Using traditional Maya tools such as the mortar and pestle or mano and metate, you’ll grind roasted cacao beans into a rich paste and mix it with Che’il’s handmade sugar, crafted right on site and unique to the factory.

As you go, sample different forms of cacao and chocolate—pure, natural, and incredibly delicious. By the end of your tour, you’ll leave not only with sticky fingers and a satisfied palate, but also with a deeper appreciation for one of the world’s most sacred and beloved foods.

Note: The afternoon tour can be conveniently combined with a night hike, as both experiences are located along the same route.