Educational and tasting tour by master chef. We found it on our way to Paquera. Planned a 3 hour stop. Every minute was worth it. Online times available were 11 AM. We did not reserve because we were not sure if we will make it in time. Chef Alex was gracious to accommodate us as show ups. Unique property , nice little hike along river was fun. His mission is to reforest this property over time. Tour down the history of cacao was very interesting combined with tasting of evolution of cacao. Highly recommend. Door may be closed at main gate - go it. They are very welcoming. He also has forest cooking tours which would be very interesting. We were there for about 2:30 hours. Less

Oh! My! What a fabulous experience!Six of us joined this tour and everyone one of us loved it so much. So much value, so much enthusiasm, we learned so much and all feel expanded and richer for having learned from Alex. Less

This was by far the most unique experience I've had on vacation! Alex is a wealth of knowledge with funny jokes as well. We were a group of 6, and really appreciated the conservation details and history that Alex taught us. Had lots of fun in the gift shop too! We stayed for 2 hours since it was just us, and there weren't any tours later in the day. Less

Chef Alex puts on a great show/tour! He covers history, culture and weaves his personal story into a presentation about cacao, its health and nutritional benefits, and how it moves from baby plant to the chocolate we love to eat. Along the way he treated us to old recipes of beverages the native peoples may have enjoyed and those which royalty in Europe celebrated.Educational, enjoyable and tasty. Less

My group loved this tour! Alex had a plethora of information! I would highly recommend going. It was fun and the chocolate was super tasty. Being able to make our own food was amazing! Less

The tour was extremely thorough in describing the history, use, and qualities of cacao. The many samples of cacao we were given added tremendously to the experience. Alex's depth of knowledge and obvious passion for the subject was infectious. Highly recommended! Less

We showed up without calling ahead. Alex was very accommodating. In a brief tour and presentation, Alex demonstrated the history and power of cacao. Then we purchased some of the cacao beans and other products. A great time with educational information. We will be back. Thank you Alex. From the Canadians in Atenas. Less

Experiencia Cultural e Histórica. ¡Esto no es un simple tour de como se hace el chocolate! Sumérgete con Alex, el propietario, recepcionista y guía, en la historia de esta bebida de los dioses y descubra no solo su origen, sino su recorrido hasta nuestras mesas y como la historia y las culturas han tenido un papel protagonico en nuestra sociedad. Less

Vandaag hebben we een geweldige cacao tour gehad van Alex. Ik vond het erg inspirerend. Ik heb veel geleerd en geproefd haha. Tijdens de tour neemt Alex je mee in de geschiedenis van cacao. De tour heeft een geweldige opbouw en laat je heerlijke ancient cacao drankjes proeven. Deze tour was voor mij een eyeopener en ik ben erg dankbaar dat ik Alex en zijn visie/missie mag ondersteunen. Ik vond Alex een vriendelijke gepassioneerde man. Hij wist zijn enthousiasme op mij over te brengen. Hij heeft mij overtuigd van de gezondheidsvoordelen en de waarde van het pure product. Echt een aanrader!! Less

It was a really nice choco tour. This tour isn't really touristic and gives a more authentic story about Cacao. The project is still in development so i think it only can get better. Less

Wir waren kurzfristig- aber wir fanden die Tour sehr interessant und auf jeden Fall empfehlenswert- Alex war sehr nett und hat uns im Zweifelsfall auch in deutsch erklärt. Die Schokolade war wirklich super - volle Punktzahl Henryk&Heike Less

This was an AMAZING experience, we learned so much about the history and making of chocolate that we never knew! Even the kids (ages 5 through 12) were totally engaged. Less

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves - Alex is passionate about sharing the knowledge and experience he has… an excellent communicator! Would highly recommend it! Less

Chef Alex was an amazing story teller. Learned so much about cacao through history and tasting. Trying cacao drinks from oldest cacao written recipes was like traveling through time. Very beautiful local cacao farm trying to get back to how cacao used to be produced. Delicious chocolates from 100% cacao and you get to pick your toppings! Got to taste cacao all the way from raw plant to the finished chocolate product! Chef Alex even includes the history of cocoa in his tour. Very informative, very interactive and extremely enjoyable! Would definitely recommend if you prefer to support the locals over big tourist corporations ! Less

This was such an amazing experience and Alex was so warm and welcoming. He lovingly shares his knowledge and is incredibly passionate about the work he is doing. This more than a job, it is a labor of love that has been cultivated over the past 7 years and will continue to flourish. Please support by attending an intimate and heart warming cacao ceremony like no other. Less

I brought 14 people (adults and kids) on this tour and I can honestly say it changed my life! I know that sounds absurd but the quality of Chef Alex's concoctions is outstanding. He is full of charisma, humor and life energy and shares fascinating information. You may have heard of cacao ceremonies that are heart-opening... this tour, though it is not set up as a cacao ceremony holds the same incredible experience! The grounds are lovely, there's a sweet garden pool and a river down below... Just all around an incredible time. Buy tickets in advance so that he can prep everything. I highly recommend this tour and Chef Alex's mission on earth. Less

Fun tour with a nice variety of drinks to try and the chocolate at the end is delicious. Alex, the guide, had tons of interesting information and mini activities along the way which kept us and our toddlers entertained. It's a bit difficult to find but well worth it. Less

My wife and had the opportunity to learn from Alex’s vast knowledge and passion about cacao, chocolate making and the various beauties that surrounds the subject. The man is an absolute connoisseur mixed with a captivating personality. We have enjoyed his presence and hospitality greatly. We would highly recommended a stop in his garden to anyone visiting the area. Less

Chef Alex is an extraordinary chef and chocolate connoisseur. Our family had an excellent time at his location and we're intrigued by his knowledge of the super powerful antioxidant. this was a very educational tour and I am impressed with his commitment to preserve the environment at the same time maintain a tradition pre-columbian and indigenous for over thousands of years. I strongly encourage those that visit Costa Rica to take this extraordinary tour. Less

Formidable expérience, vraiment 🥳 Alex est un interlocuteur enthousiaste qui partage son savoir avec passion. Que du bonheur 😊 On découvre, on apprend, on déguste, on confectionne... Les deux heures passent à toute allure. Less

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour. Alex is very passionate, knowledgeable and articulate. He makes it educational as well as entertaining. It was fascinating to learn the deep history of Cacao and its significance. The setting was beautiful and what Alex is doing with his free tree program and forest to table approach is highly commendable! Would definitely recommend anyone take this tour if in the region! Less

Très bons moments. Une vraie philosophie de vie. Álex est un passionné du cacao, cocoa et chocolat. Il vous fait vivre cette passion. Pour le moment la plantation n est pas visible car il est en train de replanter. Mais il a tout mis en place pour que nous puissions voir, toucher, sentir, goûter le chocolat à toutes ces étapes et selon différentes traditions et recettes. En plus l histoire et les vertues du cacao sont très bien expliquées et mis en valeur. Très sympa en famille et même avec des enfants en bas âge. Vente de cacao et chocolat à la fait. + quelques poteries. Et même une rivière/cascade si vous voulez faire une halte rafraîchissante. Less

My partner and I absolutely loved this tour with Alex. It had a very intimate feel, unlike some of the larger tourist stops around the country. This was our final day on our vacation and we were so glad it ended on a high note. Alex was so passionate about everything he taught us and we learned alot. It was so neat that this tour involved all of the senses. I highly recommend! It's also worth noting that Alex is doing such wonderful things with his land by producing more greenery and helping wildlife. Thank you so much Alex. Less

This place was an excellent find. What the owner is doing here is so worth the visit. He is full of knowledge is truly building a wonderful addition to Costa Rica. It was super neat to learn so much history and to explore the property and all his has done with it. I am so glad we had the time to get to visit his accomplishment, and for sure we will visit again when we are in the area. Less

Siempre es grato encontrarse con personas apasionadas con la actividad que se dedican y además de contar amplio conocimiento y amabilidad para compartirlo con los visitantes. Less

What a fantastic experience! Alex is great, his knowledge, passion and dedication are amazing. Very informative and enjoyable experience. 100% recommended. Less

Yes yes yes! Do this tour if at all possible. It is not possible to recommend this ENOUGH! Was absolutely a wonderful time, even with our fussy 1.5-year-old. Definitely recommend doing the tour *without* fussy children if possible, but Alex was very accomodating and patient (more than us parents!). We had the good luck to have a group of white-faced monkeys go thru the trees the same time we were on the tour. One suggestion: bring a swimsuit and definitely venture up the river after the tour for a dip! Alex does also have a pool on-site, which he offered, but we didn't want to disturb the next tour by trying to do that with our kiddos. Less

An incredible masterclass in not just chocolate but sustainable agriculture, naturopathic medicine, stingless bees, history of central America and many many more. We spent two hours there but could have easily spent the whole day. Adorable, friendly dogs keep you company while you learn. The sounds of the Costa Rican jungle surround you and really set up the entire afternoon in a wonderful ways. Less

My family had an absolutely wonderful time on this tour with our amazing guide Alex! After being greeted outside by his adorable dogs I already knew the tour was going to be an enjoyable time. Alex was a very kind and knowledgeable man that seemed very passionate about his dream of turning his place into a forest to table experience. I really enjoyed hearing the history of the different eras of chocolate then immediately being able to taste what the chocolate would have been like in that time period. The tour taught me many things about chocolate while being both interactive and entertaining. This experience felt one of a kind and it warmed my heart seeing someone living their dream! Go Alex, the Aldrich family is rooting for you! Less

Alex was the best!! He was incredibly knowledgeable about his craft and the entire experience was very interactive. His goal to restore natural Costa Rican species and heal people through food was inspiring- a must see if you have the time! Less

An absolutely amazing experience and excellent way to spend an afternoon in Costa Rica. My partner and I were staying nearby for a final few nights on our trip and the Choco Tour was recommended to us by our host, we are so glad we did it! Alex was incredibly knowledgeable & enthusiastic about not only the process of crafting cacao, but the history as well. We learned so much and tasted the most deliciously crafted cacao, high-quality experience all around! Less

This was an amazing experience. Alex was delightful and so knowledgeable about every step of the process and history. What he’s doing with his farm and the community are just as great. Can’t recommend this enough. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. Less

Alex was an amazing guide. Not only is he passionate, but he is incredibly knowledgeable. You get to try ancient recipes of chocolate as well as make your own. Less

À faire absolument! Alex, le propriétaire, est un chef cuisinier passionné et intéressant. Il nous donne le côté historique, nous parle de la fabrication du chocolat et nous permet de faire du chocolat et de le déguster. Less

En definitiva, si se desea conocer el cacao y toda su, literalmente, rica historia, este es el lugar por visitar. El Chef Alex posee un vasto conocimiento en el tema, y nos transporta por las distintas épocas y fases del uso de esta sagrada planta. Tour dinámico, participativo y entretenido. Recomendado al 100%. Less

Chef Alejandro was a fantastic host. He's a great salesman for cacao and learning about its rich history and impact on the region was an unexpected bonus. It was a highly interactive experience using multiple senses and we recommend it. Less

Great tour with Alex. We have learned a lot about the history and how the process from the cacao bean to chocolate works and their different stages in the journey. Very familiar and lovely place and a great experience. Highly recommended. Less

Had a great experience with my family when we visited Chef Alex's farm! The tour was fantastic, he showed us around his property and educated us on his plants, conservation efforts, business vision, and of course, everything cocao. I'm inspired by his passion, I will definitely come back when I visit Costa Rica again to experience his cuisine next time! Less

Todo un hallazgo, Alex Corral adapta, segun tipo de visitantes, la exposición y sus actividades. Huye de los tipicos Tours de venta a granel donde se explica el proceso en una plantación de cacao, para entrar en la historia y civilización de Centro-america, que convirtió el Cacao en un basico de la nutrición. Lo combina con buen humor, añade participación de los visitantes y crea talleres donde los pequeños y adultos lo pasan bien. Alex es un emprendedor con la cabeza puesta a participar de lleno en la recuperación de cultura y patrimonio de Costa Rica. No perdais en tiempo en Tours de plantaciones y reservar con Alex, no solo se aprende historia y se prueban diversas bebidas, sinó que te diviertes y das el tiempo empledo como bien aprovechado. Less

What a great time for the family. Best bargain by far. Chef Alex taught us so much about the history, health benefits and production of cacao. The girls really enjoyed it. The instructional design of the presentation was as really well thought out. A great farm tour for any foodie. Less

Alex has a hundred 5 star reviews and I can see why! You get an intimate tour of his farm as well as a very informative history lesson about chocolate and a tasting journey of chocolate through time. Alex is clearly very passionate, well informed, a hard worker, and cares for the environment and forest around him. You won’t regret your experience with his tour!! Less

Ronald was absolutely great. The best chocolate tour I’ve done in Costa Rica so far! We learned the whole process from the plant to drinking hot chocolate we made with the chocolate we made! This is a wonderful experience and tour. Get the facial! Less

Really enjoyed our tour of the farm and the history of Cacao. Learned a lot about cacao, being used as currency, health benefits, and how it became the chocolate we know today. Chef Alex's passion for the subject is infectious. We had a lot of fun tasting different drinks and making our own chocolates. Less

What a great experience! Chef Alex, the proprietor of the farm, is truly passionate about cacao and his enthusiasm shows. We learned so much, and he was happy to answer any questions I came up with. I took my 13yo son with me, someone who is pretty hard to please, and even he had a great time. We got to taste quite a few different kinds of chocolate and hear all about the history of cacao trees and how the process evolved to make the sweet treat we’re familiar with today. We also learned about cashew fruit and were able to pick and eat starfruit (the best I’ve ever tasted!) right off the tree. Wonderful place, and your tour supports this small business and will help to repropagate the farm. Great time, highly recommend! Less

We had a great time on our Choco Tour! Chef Alex was very passionate about all things chocolate and it definitely showed! Alex walked us through the history of cacao and cocoa and we tried a number of delicious chocolate drinks throughout the tour. We had a great time and the chocolate was delicious! Less

When we left Tarcoles and headed towards Samara Beach for our next trip, we decided to have a stop and booked the Choco Tour with Chef Alex. It was a great experience and he well explained the process of making chocolate, the differences between cacoa and cocoa and let us taste the evolution of the cacao through the centuries. He also provided us with a great tip for a restaurant in La Fortuna, which we must admit was the best restaurant we have eaten during our stay in Costa Rica. Thanks Alex!!! Less

Wonderful experience learning about the making of chocolate starting from the cacao fruit and all the processes. Will never look at chocolate the same way after this tour - Alex is so knowledgeable nice and fun to talk to. Less

Be mindful, the entrance is sort of hidden. Google maps will drop you off right at the entrance. You'll come across an open green gate & looking through you'll see on the property it'll say ChocoTours. It's very intimate & the host goes out of his way to make you feel very welcomed on his tour of historical chocolates, tasting, smelling & plans for his young & new farm. At the end he sells a small amount of his harvested goods as he doesn't currently have large production capacity & it takes about 3yrs to harvest. Will come again. Absolutely loved it! Less

This was such an informative day! We learned so much about the process and history of Cacao, and there were lots of different drinks and foods to sample. This isn't a big commercial Cacao farm, it's a small, local, organic farm and the owner is also rewilding a large percentage of the land, which is even more reason to visit. We'll definitely come back and check on the progress if we return to Costa Rica! Less

Such a great tour! Lots to learn and discover, host is super knowledgable, kind and funny! We enjoyed ever bit! And of course many opportunities for tastings....ideal if you have a sweet tooth or just want to know a bit more about the food of gods! Less

A must-do trip if you are in the area. Alex is a fantastic guide, his enthusiasm and passion are what make this tour as good as the chocolate you will taste at the end! The experience was really authentic and that is what made it the highlight of our trip. Less

Maravilloso! This was one of my favorite experiences of my trip. Alex knows so much and you can tell he has a passion for what he does and that he truly cares. I loved how he shared the history of cacao and its processes. The campo is small yet incredibly beautiful and well taken care of, I could not stop smiling during this tour. Would recommend!! Less

Une expérience très intéressante dans un cadre fantastique. Alejandro le propriétaire nous a fait goûter de nombreuses boissons chocolatées et raconter les nombreuses vertus du cacao, son histoire et ses propriétés d'une façon amusante et instructive. Je recommande cet endroit à 100% Less

Alex was a great guide. He really knows his chocolate-- his knowledge on the history of it and him walking us through it was a fantastic experience. I love chocolate and loved this tour. He is also super nice and the tour was extremely well thought out! It is definitely worth the money. An engaging and educational experience. Less

Extremely cool and informative experience, highly recommended because it’s way better than the competitors that also charge way more for less of a tour. This tour gave a real insight of what chocolate and especially cacao meant to the culture of Central America. Less

Visiting Costa Rica from America, me and my wife had no idea about the history or really knew anything at all about chocolate other than it taste good. Now i feeL like we are professionals! This tour had so much information, the tour guide was very knowledgeable about the history of chocolate and spoke great English very easy to understand and we got to make our own chocolates! It was a heck of an experience and definitely something to put on your itinerary when your in Costa Rica ! Less

Super chouette activité. Vous apprendrez toute l'histoire du chocolat et vous le goûterez sous toutes ses formes. Un véritable voyage, y compris pour vos papilles ! Très intéressant, concept familial et personnel disponible et sympathique. Less

Great time on the chocolate tour. They took us on a journey that started with how the cacao plant was grown to the history of chocolate in Costa Rica and South America. Finally we made some of our own chocolate which wads delicious! Less

What a fun and educational tour. We were lucky enough to have Oscar as our lovely tour guide, who was very friendly and informative. He is very knowledgeable, and happy to answer any questions you may have. The tour lasted about an hour and a half or so, and went through the history of chocolate, how it is made, as well as hands on experience of making our own little treats and sampling chocolate drinks previously drank amongst royalty and soldiers. Definitely worth the $25 USD per person. The tour finishes with you sampling the treats you made earlier, as well as some delicious local chocolate, which is available for purchase, ranging from $4 and $8 USD. Absolutely fantastic way to spend a few hours - highly recommended! Special thanks to Oscar who made the experience extra special. Less

Me encantó, muy bonito, los muchachos que nos recibieron (Óscar y Óscar) muy amables, con facilidad de exposición, conocimiento, e hicieron agradable el momento. Excelente chocolate y toda la explicación. Recomendado Less

This tour was fantastic. It was very educational, enjoyable and delicious. Never knew a fraction of the facts about chocolate until I did this with my wife and 1 yr old son( who loved it!!) Very friendly staff. Highly recommend. Tour is about 1-1 1/2 hours. Less

Aunque siempre hay expectativas altas y es fácil deseocionar se esté caso es la excepción. Mas que un tour es un compendio cultural y histórico de todo lo que deberíamos saber sobre el tema, rodeado de anécdotas datos curiosos y personajes importantes. Es una alternativa formidable para ir con amigos o en familia.... Less

This place is absolutely amazing! The staff is welcoming and friendly and don't get me started with the tour phewww where to begin.. Well our tour guide was stupendous and very knowledgable, he spoke about the process of growing the cacao trees, to the vitamins and nutrients of the cacao beans, to the process of fermenting the beans, and he even went in depth and spoke about the Mayan and Aztec history of cacao and how it was once considered "food of the Gods". We sampled three different hot chocolate drinks, and chocolate bars. The experience was phenomenal! I highly recommend this place to anyone Less