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6 BEST Chocolate Tours in La Fortuna +Our Top Choice

By Author Costa Rica Travel Life

Posted on Last updated: March 17, 2024

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Sweet treats and vacations just go together and luckily if you’re staying in La Fortuna , you can have both! We love tasting our way through the countries we visit, so while living in Costa Rica, a chocolate tour (or three!) was an absolute must for us.

Who knew we could love Costa Rica more? Well after indulging our sweet tooth on some of the chocolate tours in La Fortuna , we definitely did! These tours let you try tasty chocolate all while embracing the local culture and meeting the people behind these delicious creations. That’s a win-win in our books!

La Fortuna is one of the places in Costa Rica that has some of the best chocolate tours in the country and honestly, the world. Cacao plants are difficult to grow and require “Goldilocks” growing conditions that are just right and happen to be found in this part of Costa Rica.

Chocolate plays a significant role in Costa Rica’s culture and visiting chocolate plantations is a great way to get a farm-to-table look at how this treat is made.

While you’re exploring the nearby volcanoes , lush jungles, and waterfalls in this area, taking a break to eat and learn about chocolate is a day well spent! We’ll take you through the very best chocolate tours in La Fortuna to choose from so you can find the one that’s right for your trip.

Our Top Choice for a Chocolate Tour in La Fortuna

If your mouth is watering already and you don’t have time to read through all the options, not to worry! Our top choice is this North Fields Chocolate and Coffee Tour . It combines two of the things Costa Rica is most known for and tasting both local chocolate and freshly brewed coffee is a perfect way to spend a few hours. You’ll get to walk around the fields and then tour individual stations to see (and help with!) the entire process.

The highly-rated experience (it has hundreds of 5-star reviews!) is on a family-run farm and the $43 USD cost includes transport from La Fortuna. You can book tickets for this chocolate tour online here !

About Chocolate in Costa Rica

La Fortuna, Costa Rica has been producing top-quality chocolate for many generations – we’re talking around the 15th century!

The Indigenous people in this area thought of it as a sacred and valuable crop (we can relate!). Cacao was believed to be a gift from the Gods and used for religious rituals, celebrations, and even currency. Today, it is one of Costa Rica’s biggest exports.

Chocolate begins its journey from the cacao plant which looks similar to papaya. Cacao trees are challenging to grow because they need a really specific climate. The trees are only able to naturally grow in a small area along the equator that gets a good amount of rain. Combine this with the need for sun, well-drained and nutrient-rich soil, and protection from wind, and it’s a challenging crop to grow.

During a good chocolate tour, you get to walk through the fields and see cacao trees up close while a guide explains the intricate chocolate-making process. First, the cacao pods are grown and hand-picked selecting only the finest fruit. It’s then fermented and sun-dried. Next, the pods are roasted over a fire before the seeds are cracked and the shells are removed. 

It’s then stone ground before being put through a process called “conching”. This step works to mix and stir the cacao butter to make it less acidic and gritty. This gives it that velvety melt-in-your-mouth texture we all love so much. Then, it’s time to add sugar and other ingredients to enhance the flavor like honey, chili, coconut, milk, and even corn, before it is put into molds.

Touring the farms is a great way to see how local chocolate goes from cacao bean to finished chocolate bar! We’d say to bring along a bag to carry home the extra chocolates you buy, but if you’re anything like us, we doubt you’ll have many leftovers!

What are the Best Chocolate Tours in La Fortuna?

1. north fields chocolate and coffee tour.

Topping our list is this North Fields Chocolate and Coffee Tour that combines not one, but two of our favorite things – chocolate and coffee. We knew coffee was a labor of love but after going on this tour (and helping brew a cup of our own!), we had a whole new appreciation for our morning java.

We like this excursion because it’s at a family-run farm on a beautiful property near La Fortuna. During the tour, you’ll visit 8-10 “tasting stations” where there are samples of chocolate, coffee, and sugar cane. Along the way, your guide explains everything and even got us involved in the process. One of my favorite parts was helping mix the chocolate!

This La Fortuna chocolate tour starts with pick up from your hotel and then a quick 6-minute drive to the farm in the hills. Once you arrive, a guide is ready to meet you and take you through the fields to see the coffee beans and cacao plants and explain the farming methods and cool facts about these crops.

After you return from the fields, there are shaded stations to see the roasting processes and get those tasty samples! With all the info we learned, it gave us a whole new appreciation for what we were eating.

The outing lasts about 2.5 hours and there are multiple start times (8 am, 10 am, 12:30 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm) to choose from so it’s easy to fit into your Costa Rica itinerary . While the chocolate and coffee are the main draw, we did find this tour had a bit of a sightseeing component to it as well! The location of the farm is gorgeous with stunning views. Bring your camera as there are lots of tropical birds hanging around!

The tour is $43 USD per person and kids aged 6-12 receive a discounted rate of $33 USD with anyone 5 and under joining for free. If you are under 20 minutes from La Fortuna, transportation is also included in this price.

This tour is family-friendly and the outdoor location and farming processes are just as fun for kids to learn about as adults. There were a few kids on our tour and they were especially excited to help out with the chocolate making!

For an inside look at the delicious coffee and chocolate Costa Rica is famous for, book a spot on this in-depth tour online here ! 

2. Eden Chocolate Tour

If your heart is set on tasting delicious, organic chocolate this tour by Eden Chocolate is our pick! It takes place at a local organic farm near La Fortuna. We really enjoyed how interactive our time was here – they do a good job of getting you involved in every step of how chocolate is made.

The tour starts with a stroll through the farm fields to see the different parts of the cacao plant and to pick only the freshest fruit. Then we headed back to the ranch for a front-row seat to the entire chocolate-making process.

The best part for us was the end when the samples come out! We tried some of the best dark chocolate I’ve ever had and got to make a tray of our own chocolate bonbons – customized to how we liked. You can even take some of the bonbons home … if you don’t eat it all right away (we didn’t have any leftovers!). There are also a variety of different ingredients you can choose to add to your chocolate bonbons including salt, coconut, and nuts. 

Throughout this tour, we felt really welcomed and learned so much. The guides are incredibly passionate and it’s not hard to get excited about tasting chocolate! Plus, the groups are small with a maximum of 15 people, so you don’t feel rushed or lost in a crowd.

I’d recommend wearing comfy shoes as the farm is quite large and there’s a fair amount of walking. There are traditional tools used to grind the beans and some fun surprises like jumping on a makeshift exercise bike to help!

The farm’s grounds are also beautiful to wander around and full of wildlife . If you haven’t taken a sloth watching tour in La Fortuna yet, you just might be in luck! We saw a few sloths hanging around in the trees here along with iguanas and toucans.

The tour doesn’t include transportation so you’ll have to get yourself the 15-minute drive (7 miles/11 km) to the  Eden Chocolate Plantation location . This is a super easy drive if you’ve rented a car in Costa Rica or a quick taxi ride. You can choose between a few different start times (8 am, 10 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm) with tours lasting about an hour and 45 minutes.

The cost is $33.90 USD per person, but we’ve seen deals when booking on Viator for even cheaper! There’s even a nice little shop selling boho-style souvenirs like cute dream catchers.

So to channel your inner chocolatier and make amazing organic chocolates, book a spot on this tour !

Related Read: If you’re flying into San Jose before your tour, read up on our tips for getting from San Jose to La Fortuna !

3. Rainforest Chocolate Tour from La Fortuna

Calling all chocolate fanatics! This Rainforest Chocolate Tour provides unlimited chocolate to eat. Yup, you read that right – it’s basically like an all-you-can-eat buffet of chocolate! But that’s not all that drew us to book this tour (although it didn’t hurt!).

We also love that this tour dives deep into the origin, history, and cultural importance of chocolate as well as all the components in making it. It made us feel a lot more informed about all that chocolate we were eating! You’ll also learn about, and taste, the traditional cacao drink that has been part of Indigenous traditions for centuries.

Supporting eco-tourism is something we like to do and it was really nice to see how passionate everyone here was about sustainable farming practices and chocolate production. We find that your guide does a lot to set the tone of your experience and our guide was great! All the guides here really go the extra mile to make the experience fun for all ages – there were some very happy kids eating chocolate right off a spoon! 

The entire experience is 1.5 hours as you follow the process of making chocolate from start to finish while sampling delicious treats throughout. You can choose between morning or afternoon start times and there’s no need to rush off either. They have a nice patio with rocking chairs and a tiny store that sells more chocolate (shocker!) so you can pick up a few treats to take back with you.

If you’re looking for a tour in town, this is a good option as the chocolate plantation is located only a 4-minute drive from downtown La Fortuna. The tour costs $30 USD for adults, $22 USD for kids 6-12 years old, and free for 5 and under.

For a tour with unlimited chocolate samples close to La Fortuna, you can reserve your tickets with Viator .

Why We Book Tours with Viator

Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:

• Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
• Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
• Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
• Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
• Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.

Check out the Viator website here ! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here .

4. Don Juan Chocolate and Coffee Tour

If you only have time for one chocolate tour, the Don Juan Chocolate and Coffee Tour has a lot going for it! Not only is it one of the best chocolate tours in La Fortuna, but it also doubles as a coffee tour !

I think the only thing that makes chocolate taste better is pairing it with a fresh cup of coffee! This tour is the best of both worlds taking you into the heart of a plantation that specializes in both chocolate and coffee. Plus, it has some incredible views of Arenal Volcano!

Starting with a good ol’ cup of joe, the guides at Don Juan will teach you how coffee is grown, processed, and turned into the delicious drink you start your day with. From bean to cup, we walked through every step of the process and gained a new appreciation for how much work goes into every cup of coffee. You’ll then get to taste your creation – trust us it will be the best coffee you’ve ever had. 

Once you’ve got your caffeine boost, the chocolate tour begins. Much like with the coffee tour, you’ll get walked through every step of how your chocolate bar is made. Walking through the fields your guide will teach you how to identify the sweetest fruit, help grind the seeds, and make your chocolate bar.

White chocolate, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate are on the menu to taste at the end of this tour. So if you’re not a dark chocolate fan (which is the kind served on most chocolate tours), this is some nice variety for your tastebuds!

Supporting local, small, family-run businesses is our jam so this tour is one we feel great about! Located a short 6-minute drive (1.2 miles/2 km) out of town, this chocolate and coffee tour is ideal if you’re looking for a fun way to spend a few hours in La Fortuna.

Expect the tour to last about two hours with start times in the morning and afternoon to choose from. We went with an earlier tour as coffee just feels like a morning drink to me! It costs $50 USD for adults, $30 USD for kids 7-12 years old, and free for children 6 and under. A really nice extra is that all the pathways are paved with cement, so if you have a stroller, walker, or wheelchair, this is an accessible tour.

With hundreds of 5-star reviews, we aren’t the only ones who loved this tour! Try it out for yourself by booking a spot here .

5. Eden Mocca Chocolate Tour

Okay hear me out, coffee and chocolate are only made better by combining the two into a delicious creamy mocha! This Eden Mocca Chocolate Tour is the full package as you taste organic chocolate and coffee and then combine the two into a steamy mocha drink.

The guides make this tour what it is. They are great at keeping the coffee and chocolate tour upbeat and fun for all ages – don’t be surprised if you find yourself dancing and singing along the way!

The entire experience has lots of hands-on activities as you help brew the coffee, make your own chocolate bonbons, and of course, get a fresh mocha! I think this tour would be a fantastic addition to a honeymoon in Costa Rica as we had a lot of fun as a couple trying all the different samples.

The extras were really what took this experience above and beyond for us – like getting a 50g bag of coffee to bring home with you. We definitely had some nostalgia when we made a cup of coffee back home. Costa Rica’s coffee is my absolute favorite and this blend is so rich and fresh!

The plantation has a beautiful location right along the river . It is the furthest tour away from La Fortuna, so expect about a 45-minute drive. We highly recommend renting a car if you plan to do this one as the tour doesn’t include transportation.

This mocha experience costs $45 USD for adults, $28 USD for children 5-11, and is free for kids 4 and under. It lasts 2 hours and allows you to choose between four start times (8 am, 10 am, 1 pm or 3 pm).

For a mocha in the jungle (not your typical Starbucks order!), book this tour online here .

Related Read: For more tasty treats while you’re in town, these are the top restaurants in La Fortuna you won’t want to miss!

6. Chocolate and La Fortuna Waterfall Adventure

La Fortuna is packed full of Costa Rica bucket list activities and high on our list is visiting La Fortuna Waterfall . So imagine how excited I was for this waterfall and chocolate combo tour – insert happy dance here!

Seeing one of Costa Rica’s beautiful waterfalls AND tasting some delicious organic chocolate is something we can all get behind. This tour combines those two into an epic half-day experience!

The 4-hour tour starts with two hours to spend at a local chocolate plantation. Here, like other chocolate tours, you’ll get the full breakdown of how chocolate is made – the growing of the cacao plant, harvesting and drying, grinding the seeds, and finally molding the chocolate.

We really enjoyed tasting the chocolate drink that the Indigenous people of Costa Rica held so sacred. Not all tours include this. so it’s a nice extra. It’s fascinating to think about how long this drink has been around for!

Once we were happily full of chocolate, it was time for a jungle adventure! This is what really sets this tour apart as you leave the chocolate farm behind and it turns into a La Fortuna Waterfall tour .

You’ll have two hours to spend at La Fortuna Waterfall, which is a nice amount of time, although you may want to go back again. I can’t get enough of this place – it’s gorgeous.

Don’t forget to bring your camera along to snap some photos from the top of the cascade before taking the short trek to the bottom. This is where you’ll find a beautiful pool of water that you can jump into for a refreshing dip. 

The half-day tour costs $107 USD for adults and $85 USD for kids 4-11 years old. Transportation from your hotel in La Fortuna via an air-conditioned vehicle is included in this price. You can choose between a morning or an afternoon start time. We typically enjoy morning tours but the afternoon tours make for a more refreshing waterfall swim. 

This combo tour will have you chasing waterfalls and satisfying your sweet tooth, so don’t miss out on booking a spot here !

Related Read: Only an hour from La Fortuna is another epic waterfall. Rio Celeste Waterfall is an unreal shade of blue you’ll have to see to believe!

Other Things to do While You’re in La Fortuna

With a chocolate tour checked off your itinerary, there are so many other things to do in La Fortuna you won’t want to miss! These are just a few of our top picks:

• Go on a night walk – There are so many daytime activities, which is why we love this night walk and dinner tour . Guides lead you on an easy hike through the rainforest, spotting all the critters that come out after dark. To finish it off, you’ll enjoy a traditional Costa Rican dinner prepared on a wood-burning stove.
• Hot springs – One of the best free activities in La Fortuna is the natural hot springs! The Free Natural Hot Spring River is a public river running through the  Tabacon Hot Springs Resort . It’s only 15 minutes outside La Fortuna and feels amazing after a day of hiking! If you don’t mind paying for a soak, there are tons of other amazing hot springs in La Fortuna to choose from too.  
• Hanging bridges – Make sure to walk among the treetops! The Mistico Hanging Bridges are some of the best around here. There are 14 total bridges here with 6 of them being hanging bridges. It’s a fantastic place to spot wildlife especially if you join this guided tour ! 
• Arenal Volcano – Arenal Volcano is the centerpiece of La Fortuna! You can wander the trails at Arenal Volcano National Park on your own or as part of a hiking tour . For more unique volcano views, take to the sky aboard the Sky Tram , fly by on an ATV ride , or take a leisurely sunset cruise on Lake Arenal .
• Visit a rope swing – El Salto, or “the rope swing,” is a hidden paradise with a swimming hole, more waterfalls, and a local vibe. You can easily walk to El Salto from town and swing into the refreshing waters – or ask the locals where it’s safe to jump!

Related Read: If you love adventure, read our guide to whitewater rafting in La Fortuna !

Where to Stay in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level. 

Renting a Car

Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.

One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.

Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.

Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.

You can  browse cars on Discover Cars here .

Book Shuttles

If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica , or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.

Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)

To get the best price, use the website  Bookaway . They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway! 

You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.

Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!  

The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!

It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.

As if we needed more reasons to love Costa Rica, these La Fortuna chocolate tours added another! While I never turn down buying some chocolate as a treat, it’s totally different to get the ultimate behind-the-scenes tour of where it comes from. Plus the chocolate is so tasty here!

Hopefully, you found a tour that looks good! It may be hard to choose which one … just like it’s hard to pick which chocolate to try first once you arrive! Before your trip, make sure to check out our full blog on Costa Rica . We have lots of tips and ideas to make your vacation the best one yet.

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• Chocolate Tour

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La Fortuna - Costa Rica

Information

Telephones in costa rica: +(506) 2479-0090 +(506) 8474-4007.

La Fortuna Rainforest Chocolate Tour

About this activity.

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• This option has FREE cancellation: book it without any risk!

Experience Highlights

Together with a professional guide , join this rainforest chocolate tour in La Fortuna . This sweet experience will take you through the rainforests of Costa Rica, where you will discover the secrets of local chocolate production. You will have the opportunity to visit a local farm and learn about the whole process.

Of course, you will have a tasting of one of the most acclaimed sweets in the world in its most natural form, which is a different experience. In addition, this is also an educational activity, as you will broaden your knowledge about the history, culture and traditions of chocolate in La Fortuna. This tour will last about 2 hours .

• This rainforest chocolate tour in La Fortuna will delight you if you are a chocolate lover.
• You will be accompanied by an expert guide , who will immerse you in the history and customs of chocolate in Costa Rica.
• You'll visit a local farm where it is grown, produced and processed, and you'll get to taste a little bit of this delicacy.

What’s included

• Chocolate tour in the rainforest in La Fortuna
• Expert guide
• Visit to a local farm

Select participants and date

Step by step.

Don't miss out on this delicious adventure with this chocolate tour in the rainforest of La Fortuna . Besides enjoying the natural beauty of the rainforest, you will have the opportunity to taste chocolate in its purest and most natural form . This tasting will allow you to savour one of the world's most popular sweets and appreciate all its nuances and flavours.

Accompanied by an expert guide , you will explore the lush rainforests of Costa Rica while discovering the secrets of local chocolate production . For approximately 2 hours , you will have the opportunity to visit a local farm and learn about the entire process, from the cultivation of the cacao to the creation of the chocolate.

It is also an educational experience , where you will expand your knowledge about the history, culture and traditions of chocolate in La Fortuna. You will learn about the cultivation techniques, the fermentation of the cocoa beans, the roasting and grinding process , and how the different types of chocolate are created.

Costa Rica has a long tradition in cocoa cultivation and chocolate production. The country is known for its high quality chocolate , which is grown in the tropical regions and has become an important part of its culinary heritage. Costa Rican farmers have perfected sustainable cultivation techniques and preserved traditional production methods to obtain excellent quality cocoa beans .

• A Amira 5 (0 Reviews) I highly recommend this tour to all chocolate and nature lovers.
• A Adrián 4 (0 Reviews) An educational and delightful experience that I would recommend to everyone.
• F Farah 5 (0 Reviews) The chocolate tasting was the highlight of the experience, where we were able to savor the rich and delicious chocolate produced on site.
• R Ricardo 5 (0 Reviews) We were able to actively participate in the elaboration of chocolate and taste different varieties.

Departure and Return

Departure point, other things you should know.

• There will be around 24 people taking part in this activity.
• Activity accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Existing measures against COVID-19 will be applied.

Cancellation Policy

Other activities in la fortuna.

La Fortuna Arenal Volcano, Waterfall and Hot Springs Day Trip

La Fortuna Rafting and Zipline Adventure

Rio Celeste Day Trip from La Fortuna

La Fortuna Sloth Watching Tour

La Fortuna Rappeling Adventure

La Fortuna Arenal Hanging Bridges Tour

La Fortuna Waterfall Tickets

Caño Negro Day Trip from La Fortuna

La Fortuna Mineral Hot Springs Tickets

La Fortuna Arenal Sky Tram and Sky Trek Zipline

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Rainforest Chocolate Tour

• Destinations
• Things to do

With the view of the majestic Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna of San Carlos, enjoy the sweetest rainforest experience and discover the ancient secrets of chocolate.

Considered as “a gift of the Gods”, the cacao tree was very important to the ancient culture. It was not only used as a ceremonial drink, but its seeds were used as currency.

In this 2-hour “hands-on” program, you will have the opportunity to participate in the production process, from the harvesting of the fruit to drying and grinding of the seed. At the end, you'll get to try a drink of the high-quality organic chocolate.

What to Bring

Comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen and a camera.

What's included

Guided tour and chocolate tasting.

Transportation

Many of our tours and activities offer transportation pick up & drop off options from several locations and destinations. Options vary by tour, see “BOOKING REQUEST” for full details.

Traveler Comments

Great tour. Guide was fantastic. We really enjoyed it.

Excelente tour, el guía fue muy profesional y explicaba muy bien. La cata del chocolate y el proceso de elaboración fueron muy interesante y ricos. Ampliamente recomendado

very fun tour. Only there was no transportation back, but it was a short walk to town.

More Comments

Similar things to do

This tour takes you to some of the most interesting sites that surround Arenal Volcano National Park.

Don Juan Tours provides the history of coffee and chocolate while walking you through how the plant is processed.

Learning something new is such a treat, especially on this tour. Discover the history behind two of the world's most common indulgences — coffee and chocolate. You will get to sample both, but more importantly, you will discover the history and production behind these agricultural staples. Whilst leading up to the tour, consider the fact that technically, neither of these crops is crucial to human survival. Yet, two of the world's luxury crops have become necessities. Can you imagine a world without either of them?

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Rainforest Chocolate Tour

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Tour overview

Enjoy the sweetest experience in the tropical forest, discovering the millennial secrets of chocolate: from its discovery and use in the tropical regions of America, to its transformation, into the product we know and love today. Considered as "a gift from the Gods", the cacao tree had great importance for the culture, not only for the ceremonial use of its drink but also for its economic value, to the point of being used its seeds as currency in many regions of Mesoamerica, including Costa Rica.

An entertaining, tasty, and flurry of information about cocoa and chocolate

• Transportation
• Bilingual naturalist guide
• Park entrance
• 08:00 AM Check rates
• 10:00 AM Check rates
• 01:00 PM Check rates
• 03:00 PM Check rates
• • Camera
• • Comfortable clothing
• • Raincoat
• • Comfortable shoes
• • Insect repellent
• • Sunscreen
• Price per person (USD). / Taxes included.
• Children rate: between 5-11 years old.
• Minimum age: 5 years old.
• Minimum persons required: 2.
• The pick-up time will be indicated in the voucher. It depends on the place's location.
• Add $10 per person if the pick-up is at Observatory Lodge, Arenal Lodge, The Springs Resort, or Linda Vista hotel.

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Costa Rica Travel Information

La Fortuna Chocolate Tour: Learn About the Special Cacao

March 13, 2021 By Sammi 2 Comments

Cacao has always played an extremely important part in the Costa Rican indigenous communities’ culture. The beans were used as currency and festivals were held every year to celebrate cacao. It was and still is known as the “drink of Gods” to the indigenous groups.

We did a chocolate tour in La Fortuna and really enjoyed this fun and educational experience. When it comes to things to do in La Fortuna , this is one of the best for kids and adults alike.

Want to book a chocolate tour in La Fortuna? Click here to get our La Fortuna tours discount!

La Fortuna Chocolate Tour

The tour starts off with a little history lesson. Learn the origina of cacao trees and how the indigenous people used cacao back in pre-Colombian Mesoamerican times. Cacao trees grow in tropical climates and need lots of sunlight and moisture which is why they grow so well in tropical climates. Chocolate itself is made from the cacao beans which are found inside the pods that grow on the trees.

After a little history, you’ll move onto the farm where you will see cacao trees and their fruits. If you don’t know anything about chocolate or cacao trees, you will be surprised as to what they look like!

Our guide showed us what ripe cacao pods look like, how they grow the trees and how to tell when they’re ready. Then she gave us a ripe cacao pod so we could see the beans and the flesh.

Making Chocolate on the La Fortuna Chocolate Tour

Then came the fun part where we got to try our hand at making chocolate from the cacao beans. The cacao beans were first toasted over a fire. Then we crushed them in a giant mortar and pestle.

After crushing the beans, they went through something that looked like a pasta maker and out came a thick, chocolatey paste. What’s surprising is that it’s not sweet! You have to add sugar to make it the sweet chocolate we know, otherwise it’s quite bitter. And this is why dark chocolate is not as sweet as milk or white chocolate. White chocolate apparently isn’t “really” chocolate since it has so much sugar and other flavors added to it.

The dark chocolate percentage is is how much of the original cacao is kept. The higher the number, the more bitter it is. That is also why they say dark chocolate is better for you since it doesn’t contain as much sugar and it retains more of the original antioxidants cacao has.

From that paste, the chocolate makers turn it into what we know as chocolate. The beans can also be made into lotions and creams.

Now came the best part of the tour. We got to sample the chocolate and try different flavor combinations. Our guide had different seasonings and toppings and we were allowed to have as many as we wanted which was amazing. We had a blast trying chocolate with honey, powdered sugar, peanuts, cayenne pepper and other flavors. I think I tried at least 10 different samples of chocolate!

Book Your La Fortuna Chocolate Tour!

We work with a tour operator in La Fortuna that runs chocolate tours and you can also combine it with coffee and/or sugar cane. We also have a small discount for this tour which you can get here: La Fortuna tours discount. The discount also applies to other tours like canyoning, ziplining, hiking, etc.

I highly recommend this for families or anyone looking for a food/culture tour. Our guide was super funny, energetic and very informative which made the tour really fun. Everyone in our group loved it!

Read about other fun tours to do in Costa Rica below!

White water rafting Costa Rica – Rio Pacuare

Boating in Playas del Coco

Reader Interactions

Mayuri says

March 4, 2021

Which tour do you recommend? Rainforest chocolate tour or arenal vida campesina 3 in one tour?

March 6, 2021

The arenal vida campesina does offer a bit more (chocolate, coffee and sugar cane). Rainforest is just chocolate so depends on what you’d like to do.

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Small Town, Big Adventures: La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Posted: February 23, 2024 | Last updated: March 12, 2024

Small Town, Big Adventures: Things to Do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

La Fortuna is a popular town in Costa Rica, receiving over a million visitors from around the world each year. Travelers are lured by the hot springs, but it is best known for its jungle adventures and the nearby Arenal Volcano National Park.

If you are an adventurous, thrill-seeking traveler, you can find a variety of unique and fun things to do in La Fortuna. Raft down the white waters of the Balsa River or hike among the volcanic rock of Arenal. You can also find more gentle approaches to submerging yourself into the exotic rainforest of Central America and having encounters with the animals that make it their home.

Here are the ten great things to do in La Fortuna: activities that give an adrenaline rush and calm but exciting outings. Find which one you’d like to add to your next La Fortuna, Costa Rica trip .

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Canyoning in the Jungles of La Fortuna

Perfect for those seeking a unique adventure, canyoning screams “Costa Rica.”  Many canyoning tours will pick you up, drive you to a waterfall, and teach you how to descend the rock amidst the rushing water.

This activity is a straight-up jungle adventure, giving you an experience of a lifetime. You’ll begin on a mini waterfall and work to a larger one, allowing you to feel confident.

Feel the rush of water coming down while you descend into a jungle. This is an incredible Costa Rica experience in La Fortuna.

Rafting on the Balsa River

Another great adventure in La Fortuna is heading to the waters of the Balsa River. Try beginner rapids (classes 2 and 3) or intermediate/advanced rapids (classes 3 and 4) on the Upper Balsa River.  

As a bonus, many tour companies combine rafting with lunch after your adventure. Thrill seekers will love hitting the rapids, relaxing for a swim, and getting a taste of Costa Rica.

Hiking Arenal Volcano National Park

Just a short drive away from the town of La Fortuna is Arenal Volcano National Park. This is one of the main highlights of visiting Costa Rica, and the volcano is featured in many marketing materials for tourists.  So it may look familiar when you get there.

Arenal Volcano is a beautiful site, and sometimes the smoke coming out of the top can be seen. But the volcano hasn’t erupted in more than a decade, and experts think it’ll be a while until it does again.

In the meantime, you can enjoy hiking through this gorgeous, green, dense park to enjoy views of the volcano and lake beyond. Many hikes at Arenal Volcano National Park are around a mile or less. Though short, they take you through the beautiful jungle and lava fields to witness the volcanic marvel. There is a per-person fee to enter the national park, which you can pay at the entrance.

Zip Lining Through the Jungle

When people think about going to Costa Rica, the first thing they often picture is zip-lining through the canopy of the jungle, surrounded by monkeys, sloths, and other rainforest animals.

There are many zip line adventures to choose from in La Fortuna, each allowing you to soar through the trees in the safety of a steel cable and harness. You’ll soar past waterfalls, through jungles, across canyons, and enjoy unique views of Arenal Volcano up high.

Coffee and Chocolate Tour

Costa Rica is well known for its coffee, sugarcane, and cacao production, so most places around the country will present tour options. Taking a coffee and chocolate tour in La Fortuna is a classic activity and perfect for all ages. Learn about these resources' growing process, harvest, and end product.  

Most tours include seeing the plantation, helping create a product, and tasting a bit of sugar, coffee, and chocolate.  

ATV Adventure

Take a wild ride on an ATV through the hills and jungles of La Fortuna. Many tours take you near Arenal Volcano (but not quite inside the park) to give you stunning backdrops to this adrenaline-filled activity.

You’ll have plenty of time to ride and get some thrills, but also time to stop and learn about the area, the history of the Volcano, and the beneficial mud that exists because of it.

Find Sloths on Bogarin Trail

Back in 2000, a woman named Joanne Bogarin decided to try and restore a large amount of farmland in La Fortuna. With the city's continuing development, she wanted to make sure plenty of animals had a home nearby. The barren farmland is now a forest within the city limits of La Fortuna, filled with wildlife that naturally made their way to this new home.

The Bogarin Trail isn’t a hidden gem but a trendy thing to do in La Fortuna. Why do people like the Bogarin Trail? First, it’s accessible, meaning kids, strollers, and wheelchairs will all have an easy time.  The guides are even trained to provide an incredible experience for those who are blind.

Second, this trail provides ample opportunities to see sloths.  While arguably the best place in Costa Rica to see sloths is Manuel Antonio , the Bogarin Trail walks you through a land where you’re almost guaranteed to see one. 

The land has 30 sloths but is also home to dart frogs, coatis, Toucans, and plenty of other exotic birds and wildlife. It’s a great place to experience the unique animals of Costa Rica without having to go far.

You can take a guided or a self-guided hike on the Bogarin Trail, both of which have a fee.  The fee is used to preserve and protect the land for the animals.

As a bonus, you can also head to Bogarin Trail for a night walk. These night walks present a different group of exotic animals that come out once the sun is down and it’s cooler.

Explore Nearby Caves

Many don’t know about the caves within Costa Rica. Some have heard of Barra Honda National Park in the Nicoya Peninsula as the place to see caverns, but you may not be traveling in that direction.

If you are looking for caves near La Fortuna, consider a stop at the Venado Caves. These caves are one of the lesser-known, hidden gems of La Fortuna. The caves were first discovered in 1945 but didn’t really get explored until over 20 years later. Today, you can walk through the ten discovered caverns in these tall, beautiful underground rooms.

The Venado Caves are about 35 kilometers from La Fortuna. What’s cool about them is not just the fact that they are caverns but that you’ll get a lot of the Costa Rica beauty inside. Inside the caves, you’ll admire the beautiful stalactites and stalagmites and enjoy waterfalls falling into underground rivers, bats, insects, and fish. The Venado Caves also have an outdoor swimming pool to take a refreshing dip after exploring. 

Kayak the Peñas Blancas

A short drive from La Fortuna provides access to the Peñas Blancas River. This is an ideal way to spot wildlife along the river.  And in this case, you’ll be on the river.

There are different ways of floating down the river. Families may enjoy a river safari on a raft, but other visitors will love sitting atop the water as you leisurely paddle in a kayak.

The kayak adventure down the river will present plenty of wildlife spotting. Enjoy the monkeys that swing on the branches right about you, birds unique to Costa Rica, exotic lizards, and even crocodiles. Having a guide will make finding the best spots for seeing animals in the river's habitat easy.

SUP Lake Arenal

La Fortuna may not present both beach and jungle , but it is home to an incredible lake, giving you some calm water activity options.

Lake Arenal is a beautiful doormat to the popular Arenal Volcano. If you want a relaxing adventure, rent a stand-up paddleboard, or take a tour , and get out on the water for a day.  

The mountains surrounding the lake are covered in rainforests, and you’ll have stunning views of the Arenal Volcano. This will easily become the most beautiful place you’ve ever gone paddle boarding.  

Just because you’re not in the middle of a jungle doesn’t mean you won’t encounter wildlife. Watch for Blue Herons and Toucans above and Machacha and Rainbow Bass below as you enjoy the water.

Winding Down from Your Adventures

After a day of adventures in La Fortuna, get a truly local experience by stopping at one of the sodas in La Fortuna . These restaurants are delicious, affordable, and true local cuisine.

Relax sore muscles, and a tired body at the beautiful Tabacon Hot Springs.  You can stay as a guest or visit on a day pass. The hot springs here are magazine-worthy, designed with beauty and relaxation in mind.

Top Things to Do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

La Fortuna is a central hub of adventure in Costa Rica. You can stay here for a week and do something new each day. Whether you want some high-adrenaline activities like canyoning down a waterfall or something a little more gentle like strolling down the Bogarin Trail to spot wildlife, you can pack your days with endless, unique opportunities in Costa Rica.  

There are many other things to do in La Fortuna, but these give you a good feel of everything it offers and some unique experiences to make your trip memorable.

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