Ripe red cacao pod growing on a tree at the Don Olivo organic farm in La Fortuna
96 years of organic Criollo cacao

From the cacao tree to your hands

A 2-hour walk through our family farm in La Fortuna, near Arenal Volcano. Watch chocolate being made the traditional way, then taste it with tropical fruits, spices and fresh coffee.

About 2 hours English & Spanish Pay on site
Don Olivo guide explaining cacao trees to visitors on the farm
Yellow cacao pod ripening on the tree
Homemade chocolate pieces served in a white bowl
1,600organic cacao trees on the farm
A family business

Our ancestors were farmers, and we follow their legacy

In the heart of La Fortuna, near Arenal Volcano National Park, we show you how we grow and produce our organic products. On our farm you’ll find cacao, coffee, sugar cane, spices, medicinal plants and many varieties of tropical fruit.

For centuries cacao has been food and ceremony across Central and South America. On this tour we travel through that history, and through the Tico way of life that keeps it alive.

  • 100% organic cropsEvery tree and plant on the farm is grown without chemicals.
  • Trails for everyoneSeniors, wheelchairs and baby strollers move easily. No special shoes needed.
  • Next to Arenal VolcanoEl Tanque, La Fortuna. Easy to find on Google Maps or Waze.
Meet the family
96years producing Criollo cacao, among the best strains in the world
37tropical fruits to taste along the trail
150pounds of cacao produced every week
2000+chocolate lovers have shared their experience
What you’ll see on the tour

How a cacao pod becomes chocolate

Our guides walk you through every step, from the tree to the cup of hot chocolate in your hands.

  1. 1

    Walk the plantation

    Stroll through cacao, coffee and fruit trees in the rainforest breeze, and learn how our family has cared for them for generations.

    Visitors walking the farm trail with their guide
  2. 2

    Open a fresh pod

    See a ripe cacao pod harvested and opened. Taste the sweet white pulp that surrounds the beans.

    Open cacao pod resting on a bed of cacao beans
  3. 3

    Dry, roast and peel the beans

    Discover how the beans are dried and roasted until they become the crunchy cacao nibs we serve at 90%.

    Tray with dried and roasted cacao beans and nibs
  4. 4

    Grind it on the mill

    Take a turn on the traditional grinder and watch the paste turn glossy as it becomes chocolate.

    Visitor grinding roasted cacao on the traditional mill
  5. 5

    Taste everything

    Finish with hot chocolate made from farm-grown cacao, fresh coffee, spices like vanilla and rum, and a table of tropical fruit.

    Guests tasting chocolate and coffee at the farm table
Included in your ticket

Four tastings, one farm

Everything you taste is grown or made right here.

Melted chocolate being whisked in a steel bowl

Chocolate

Hot chocolate and pieces made from our own Criollo cacao.

Criollo cacao
Plate of fresh sliced tropical fruit

Tropical fruits

Over 37 varieties grow on the farm, from pineapple to soursop.

37+ fruits
Tray of cacao beans and spices

Spices

See how vanilla, sugar and rum are extracted on the farm.

Vanilla and rum
Guests at the tasting counter during the tour

Coffee

Freshly harvested and roasted beans, brewed for you to try.

Farm roasted
Reviews from our visitors

Over 2,000 chocolate lovers have told their story

Honest reviews from people who’ve walked the farm with us. Already visited? Your feedback helps us get even better.

I chose this tour to specifically support small businesses. It’s a family-owned estate. They gave us plenty of fruit to sample, 90% cocoa nibs, hot chocolate made with farm-produced chocolate, and freshly harvested and roasted coffee beans. It was fun to learn about the plants.
S
Sheridan VReview on Tripadvisor
Wonderful tour, the best value for money. I would recommend it to anyone. The fruit, the juice, and the hot chocolate were worth it, and the tour guide also had a lot of fun.
C
Christine WReview on Tripadvisor
Bellísima experiencia, es una familia que sí sabe cómo complacer a sus invitados. Todas las frutas están deliciosas y el guía sí que tiene carisma.
J
John HReview on Tripadvisor
Good to know

Chocolate tour in La Fortuna: your questions

Prices, times, what’s included and how to get to our farm near Arenal Volcano. Still have a question? The family answers on WhatsApp.

Prices & booking

How much does the Don Olivo Chocolate Tour cost?

Adults (12 and older) pay $30, kids from 6 to 11 pay $15 and children under 6 join for free. Prices are in US dollars and you pay at the farm on the day of your tour.

Do I have to pay when I book?

No. Booking online is free and takes about a minute. You receive a confirmation email with your ticket and QR code, and you pay at the farm when you arrive.

What payment methods do you accept?

Cash and debit or credit cards. Card payments include the 13% Value Added Tax (VAT) required by Costa Rican law, so a $30 adult ticket is $33.90 by card.

Can I change or cancel my booking?

Yes, for free. Use the “View or change my booking” button in your confirmation email to change the date, time or number of people, or to cancel, up to 2 hours before your tour.

Do I need to book in advance?

We recommend it, especially in high season (December to April) and for groups. Online booking is open until 1 hour before each tour, and if a time is full the booking page shows you the next available one.

The tour

How long is the chocolate tour and what is included?

About 2 hours. You walk through our family farm, see how cacao becomes chocolate the traditional way, grind cacao on the mill and taste chocolate with tropical fruits, spices and fresh coffee. All tastings are included in the price.

What time does the tour start?

There are four tours every day: 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Please arrive 15 minutes early.

Is the tour in English or Spanish?

Both. Every tour is guided in English or Spanish, and you choose your language when you book.

Is the chocolate tour good for kids and families?

Yes, families are welcome. Children under 6 are free and kids 6 to 11 pay $15. Kids love grinding cacao and tasting the fruits. We have child seats, and service animals are welcome too.

What makes this chocolate tour in La Fortuna different?

It is a real family farm with 96 years of organic Criollo cacao. The family that grows the cacao is the family that guides you, from the tree to the chocolate in your hands.

What should I wear or bring?

Comfortable clothes and shoes are enough; you don’t need boots. We recommend bringing insect repellent if you feel you need it.

Getting here & groups

Where is the farm and how do I get there?

We are in El Tanque, La Fortuna, San Carlos, near Arenal Volcano. Search for Don Olivo Chocolate Tour in Google Maps or Waze. Public transport stops nearby.

Do you offer group or private tours?

Yes. Groups of any size are welcome. For large groups or a private tour, message us on WhatsApp and we will prepare your visit.

Can I combine the chocolate tour with a sloth tour?

Yes. Many guests join our chocolate tour in the morning and visit Mundo de Perezosos, a sloth and wildlife sanctuary nearby, in the afternoon. It makes a full day in La Fortuna.

Questions before you visit?

Plan your chocolate tour with us

Ask us about dates, groups, accessibility or how to get here, and the family will answer you by email or WhatsApp. The tour is $30 per person, paid on site.

  • About 2 hours
  • Up to 15 travelers
  • Tours in English and Spanish
  • Strollers and service animals welcome
  • Child seats available
  • Public transport nearby
Prefer to chat?Message us on WhatsApp at +506 6110-3556

Ask us anything

Fields with * are required

What is it about?
0 / 600

Your details are only used to answer your message.

Two-toed sloth resting on a branch in the rainforest near La Fortuna
Don Olivo recommends

After chocolate, go see the sloths

Looking for more to do in La Fortuna? We recommend a visit to our neighbors at Mundo de Perezosos, where you can discover sloths and the wildlife of Costa Rica in their natural habitat.

Get in touch

Connect with Don Olivo

Questions, feedback or planning your next chocolate adventure? Write to us and our team will get back to you shortly.

Send us a message

Our team will get back to you shortly.