The purpose of the Chocolate Paths and Road on the Cocoa Coast is to revive the culture of cocoa cultivation, which has marked the region’s history for decades.
The route covers the entire Cocoa Coast in Bahia, passing through four cities: Ilhéus, Itacaré, Uruçuca and Canavieiras.
The Chocolate Road, which runs from Ilhéus to Uruçuca, is 45 kilometres long and is home to cocoa farms and chocolate factories, as well as the rich biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest.
At the century-old Fazenda Capela Velha, tourists can learn about the history of cocoa and the entire cultivation process, from ploughing the fruit to drying the almonds, which are used to make chocolate.
Visitors to the Cocoa Coast will have the opportunity to explore a cocoa farm and follow all the stages of the fruit ‘s transformation until it becomes the final product: chocolate.
In addition to the farms, the itineraries include visits to a chocolate factory, workers’ cooperatives, a chalana ride along the Rio Pardo and a visit to the Sloth Protection Centre.
Famous tourist attractions in Ilhéus, such as the Bataclan, and night tours are also part of the experience.
See the map of the Cocoa Coast
Video about the Chocolate Route
Rota Cacau e Chocolate - Itacaré Bahia Brasil
Como o chocolate é feito - Processo Industrial
Caminhos do Chocolate na Costa do Cacau
Fazendas de Cacau
Chocolate Trails on the Cocoa Coast
1. Chocolate Route I
The Caminhos do Chocolate I Route takes six days and five nights.
- Day 1: Visit to the Jorge Amado Quarter , with lunch in the Historic Centre and dinner at Bataclã.
- Day 2: Visit to the Mãe da Mata Private Natural Heritage Reserve, followed by the Provision Farm, where tourists can see how cocoa is grown. Afterwards, a visit to the Itacaré Chocolate Factory to see how the fruit is produced.
- Day 4: Drive to Itacaré, with cultural presentations and the opportunity to enjoy the town’s lively nightlife.
- Day 5: Visit to Sant’Ana Farm.
- Day 6: Before departure, visitors visit Café Cacau.
2. Chocolate Paths Route II
The Caminhos do Chocolate Route II lasts five days and four nights, with two nights in Ilhéus and two in Itacaré.
- Day 1: Same programme as the Chocolate Route I.
- Day 2: Visit to the Ceplac Farm and Research Centre, the world’s largest cocoa centre. At the same place, tourists visit the Sloth Preservation Centre, an unmissable attraction in Ilhéus.
- Day 3: Tours of Garças Island and Una Eco Park.
- Days 4 and 5: In Itacaré, with visits to the Serra Grande viewpoint, the Tijuípe waterfall and an exciting tree climbing circuit.
Cocoa farms to visit in Ilhéus
1. Fazenda Provisão
The Fazenda Provisão, a producer of fine cocoa, offers tourists the chance to learn about the cocoa production process, including the fermentation of the beans in the cushions and the drying of the seeds in the barges.
You can also visit the preserved 19th century house, which houses various historical objects used by the colonels of the time, and the chapel full of sacred art.
Tourists can also stay in the historic mansion, sleeping in rooms with period furniture, as well as enjoying walks and trails in the region.
📍 Location: Km 27 of the Ilhéus – Uruçuca motorway, 27 km from Jorge Amado – Ilhéus Airport.
2. Riachuelo Farm
This is the farm where Mendoá chocolate is produced. During the visit, tourists follow all the stages of cocoa production in the bean to bar system.
This includes getting to know the plantation in the cabruca system (maintaining the native vegetation in a sustainable way), as well as the process of fermenting and drying the beans. Afterwards, they visit the Mendoá Chocolates factory, where they make tablets and bonbons.
The factory has modern machinery and laboratories, and to enter it you need to wear hygienic caps, clothes and masks, guaranteeing the utmost care in food production.
3. Alegrias Farm
Fazenda Alegrias focuses on the production of high-quality almonds, used in Senô fine chocolate and in products such as cocoa honey, nibs and cocoa jelly.
Tourists can choose between three routes:
- Pau-Brasil Route: Visit to the production system, from the cabruca to the warehouse, with cocoa and chocolate tasting (duration: up to 2 hours).
- Jequitibá Route: Ecological walk through the cabruca, getting to know the farm and tasting cocoa and chocolate (duration: up to 3 hours).
- Gameleira Route: Complete tour of the almond production process, with sensory experiences and tastings of cocoa, cocoa honey and chocolate (duration: up to 4 hours).
Location: BR 415, km 14 – Ilhéus.
4. Santa Ana Farm
Fazenda Santa Ana welcomes groups for rural tourism and produces Morbeck chocolate, made with fine organic cocoa grown without pesticides.
The visit follows the bean to bar system, allowing tourists to follow all the stages of chocolate production. The site also offers day use, including lunch.
📍 Location: Rodovia Itacaré Taboquinhas, km 20 – Itacaré.
5. Vila Rosa Farm
The tour of Fazenda Vila Rosa covers the entire cocoa production process, from the plantation to the chocolate factory.
Visitors take a guided walk through the Atlantic Rainforest, passing by:
- Cocoa plantation
- Drying barge
- Chocolate factory
- Vila Rosa mansion
- Gardens and natural pools, which not only beautify the place, but also provide entertainment.
It is also possible to stay in the historic mansion, which has spacious rooms with queen size beds, including the famous Colonel’s Suite, for a complete experience of the history of cocoa.
At the end of the tour, there is a shop selling cocoa products, from jellies and teas to various types of chocolate. An opportunity to pick up some souvenirs and make the journey home even sweeter!
📍 Location: Rua Pedro Longo, 174 (Pituba) – Itacaré.
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Chocolate Trails and Road on the Cocoa Coast
