Step inside a working hacienda in the heartland of the world's banana capital, blending a private estate tour with an intimate chef-led cacao tasting and Ecuadorian farm-to-table lunch. This is where the world's finest chocolate begins — and you'll taste it at the source.
What to expect
Your host welcomes you to a lush El Oro hacienda where Arriba Nacional cacao — among the rarest and most prized varieties on earth — grows alongside export-grade Cavendish bananas. A guided walk through the plantation explains the fermentation and drying process before you sit for a structured cacao tasting: raw nibs, single-origin bars, and a molten chocolate dessert paired with local aguardiente. Lunch features banana-flower salad, shrimp in cacao mole, and tropical fruit straight from the trees. You'll leave with a handcrafted chocolate gift box.
Good to know
The estate is approximately 30–45 minutes from Puerto Bolívar by private vehicle. Confirm dietary requirements at booking. Arrive back at the port with at least 90 minutes to spare before all-aboard.