Cacao, the Black Gold of Bocas del Toro  

Cacao plantations in Bocas del Toro are in the Ngäbe-Buglé region, and they are run by those who are most knowledgeable about this ancient fruit.

Join a tour to see how cacao is processed step by step while enjoying breathtaking scenery. 

You’ll learn about the cacao tree and be let in on ancestral secrets about growing this highly prized fruit that you won’t find in any online tutorial. 

Take part in activities that Indigenous leaders put together and make your own sweet treat, like a true specialized chef. 

Cacao is an ancient plant that has been grown in the Americas since before colonization. The tradition of planting, harvesting, and processing cacao is actively practiced in Panamá. Today, more than 5,000 hectares (12,355 acres) are dedicated to cultivating cacao. 

Fun fact: our delicious cacao beans are exported to destinations recognized for the quality of their chocolate. We supply countries in Europe and Latin America with premium raw material. So here, you’ll have the unique opportunity to try the chocolate that the whole world loves so much right from the source. 

Specialized plantations in Bocas del Toro have decided to produce cacao sustainably, earning international certifications as an organic product. Additionally, many have designed tourist experiences to give you an unfiltered look into how this fruit is transformed into the drink of the gods, alongside the Ngäbe-Buglé Indigenous community.

Get ready to discover the oldest traditions related to cacao. Visit plantations and learn about rituals and processes, and discover what this fruit meant to our ancestors.

Enjoy a shared tourist experience. First, you’ll walk between the trees as the guide explains the benefits of this food of the gods. You’ll see and understand how the harvesting process plays out and then you’ll be part of the moment when the cacao fruit is opened, dried, ground, and turned into a delicious chocolate bar, for example. 

After the walk and the workshop on cacao production, led by the Ngäbe-Buglé women, head to the shops and immerse yourself in all the different products. You can buy everything from cocoa butter, oils, soap, and other beauty products to bars with incredible flavor combinations to make drinking chocolate and nibs to make tasty teas. Plus, you’ll also find Ngäbe-Buglé handicrafts so you can take home a souvenir to remind you of this incredible cultural exchange.

You don’t want to miss the experience of visiting a cacao plantation. You’ll make incredible memories while walking through the trees and participating in activities with the Ngäbe-Buglé Indigenous community, and you’ll also be supporting the work of more than 1,500 families who cultivate cacao. You’ll be part of a fascinating cultural exchange.

Don’t miss out on this experience!