Things to do in Manta – The New Chocolate Road

Narwell Tours is excited to introduce its new Chocolate Road tour from Manta, taking travelers from cacao trees to delicious chocolate bars. This unique experience gives insights into Ecuador’s enduring cacao tradition.

The tour begins at a partner farm in Rocafuerte practicing sustainable cacao cultivation. Visitors can witness firsthand the entire chocolate making process, from harvesting ripe pods to roasting beans. A highlight is crafting your own artisanal chocolate to taste on the spot.

Travelers will learn how conservation efforts have helped revive cacao production in Ecuador’s coastal areas using only the purest Nacional genotype found in the region. The soil produces beans renowned worldwide for exceptional quality and flavor.

After visiting the farm, the tour continues to a restored historical building in Manta. The building was once used to store and sell cacao, among other products that helped the city’s growth. Now, the building houses a cafe, a restaurant specializing in local dishes, and an event space. Visitors can enjoy Manta’s signature ceviche dish, as well as a visit to the chocolate factory and coffee shop to taste the delicious chocolate produced by the farm.

By providing both educational and immersive experiences, the Chocolate Road tour offers a one-of-a-kind cultural experience. Visitors come away with a new appreciation for Ecuador’s chocolate heritage, which supports the environment and communities. For those with a sweet tooth, it’s the perfect way to discover the origins of the country’s finest chocolate creations.

In summary, what is included in the Chocolate tour:

• Visit a sustainable cacao farm in Rocafuerte that practices conservation agriculture. Participants will witness the entire chocolate production process from bean to bar.
• Opportunity to harvest ripe cacao pods and participate in roasting the beans.
• Hands-on experience crafting your own artisanal chocolate and ancestral beverage
• Stop in the chocolate factory.
• Stop at a historical building in Manta for lunch.
• Tasting of Ecuador’s signature ceviche dish alongside samples of cacao.
• Snacks provided such as casava bread, tropical fruits, and coconut water during the tour.
• Bottled water and transportation between all sites on the itinerary via private vehicle from the pickup locations in Manta.

Find out more here: The New Chocolate Road.