When people picture Puerto Rico, they often imagine beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water, and endless sunshine. And while I will never say NO to a beach day, one of my favorite things about living on this island is discovering the experiences that tell a deeper story about Puerto Rico.
From local food to family-owned businesses and cultural traditions, there is so much more to explore beyond the coastline.
During my recent weekend in Fajardo, I discovered one of those experiences: Hacienda Chocolat, a woman-owned cacao farm tucked away in Puerto Rico’s rainforest.
🍫 Ready to experience Hacienda Chocolat for yourself? You can book your chocolate farm tour here!!!
(Affiliate link — if you book through my link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting This Latina Travels and allowing me to continue sharing Puerto Rico guides.)
Where is Hacienda Chocolat?
Hacienda Chocolat is located in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, about an hour’s drive from the San Juan metro area, depending on traffic. It’s tucked away in the foothills of Puerto Rico’s rainforest, making the drive feel like you’re discovering one of the island’s hidden gems.
If you’re staying in San Juan, Luquillo, Río Grande, or the east coast of Puerto Rico, it’s an easy half-day adventure!
How Much Does the Tour Cost?
The guided farm tour costs $44 per person (as of 07/27/2026) and lasts approximately two hours.
I joined the 1:00 PM English tour on a Saturday afternoon.
Considering everything you learn and the opportunity to support a local agricultural business, I thought it was well worth the price!
The Story Behind Hacienda Chocolat
One of my favorite parts of the tour wasn’t the chocolate… it was learning the story behind the farm.
Hacienda Chocolat was established in 2014 by Yadira Vázquez, a woman entrepreneur whose background is actually in radiology, not agriculture. But man her story is one to talk about!
Building a cacao farm from the ground up wasn’t easy.
Through a grant from the Tropical Agriculture Research Station (TARS), the farm received approximately 1,000 cacao trees to begin growing.
Then came Hurricane Maria in 2017. Like so many businesses across Puerto Rico, the farm suffered major damage and had to rebuild almost from scratch!
Just a few years later in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic created another challenge!
Despite everything, Hacienda Chocolat continued investing in Puerto Rico’s agricultural future through agritourism. Today, the property spans approximately 60 acres, with around 20 acres dedicated to cacao trees, alongside other crops like plantains, ginger, and more.
Their story is a beautiful reminder of Puerto Rico’s resilience.
What You’ll Experience During the Tour
The experience begins with a guided walk through the farm. Shout out to our awesome tour guide Jan! Over the course of about 30 minutes, you’ll explore the property while learning about cacao cultivation and the other crops growing alongside it.
You’ll see cacao trees and discover what makes growing chocolate in Puerto Rico so unique. One of my favorite moments happened completely unexpectedly.
It started raining!!!!
Instead of rushing for shelter, our group kept walking through the rainforest. Honestly, it made the experience even more magical…..
There was something incredibly peaceful about hearing the rain fall through the trees while learning about cacao. It felt like nature was inviting us to slow down and be fully present!
After the walking portion, everyone gathers in a beautiful covered space for the tasting experience.
You’ll enjoy:
- Homemade hot chocolate
- A small charcuterie board
- A tasting of fresh cacao
- An explanation of the chocolate-making process, including fermentation and production
You’ll also sample several handcrafted chocolate bars, each with different cacao percentages.
My personal favorite? The award-winning White Coffee Chocolate. NOT pictured below because I ate it too quickly lol but the tastings look like the picture below!
I immediately wanted to take a few bars home!!!!
Is the Tour Difficult?
Not at all… but I definitely recommend wearing comfortable closed-toe shoes.
You’ll spend around 30 minutes walking through the farm, and because it’s located in the rainforest, the trails can become muddy if it rains. I actually think the rain made the experience even better, so don’t let the forecast discourage you. They also have umbrellas if you decide to borrow one!
Is Hacienda Chocolat Worth Visiting?
Absolutely!!!
If you’re looking for experiences beyond the beach, this is one of my favorite agritourism experiences in Puerto Rico.
You’re not only tasting delicious chocolate, you’ll learn about Puerto Rico’s agricultural history, hear an inspiring local business story, and directly support a woman-owned farm that has overcome incredible challenges.
For me, those are the kinds of experiences that make travel meaningful.
Ready to Visit?
If you’re planning a trip to Puerto Rico, I highly recommend adding Hacienda Chocolat to your itinerary.
👉 Book your tour here using my affiliate link here!
Experiences like Hacienda Chocolat are exactly why I love showing people a different side of Puerto Rico.
Yes, the beaches are beautiful (and trust me, I will never say no to a beach day), but the heart of this island is also found in the farmers, entrepreneurs, chefs, and small business owners who continue sharing their stories, traditions, and passion with visitors.
THIS is the Puerto Rico I want more people to experience.
So if you’re planning a trip to Puerto Rico, I hope you add Fajardo to your itinerary and give yourself time to slow down, taste something new, and experience the island beyond the expected.
Since we wanted to make this more than just a quick day trip, we turned our Hacienda Chocolat visit into a little mountain getaway in Fajardo. We stayed at a locally owned Airbnb just about 10 minutes away from the farm, and it was the perfect place to slow down, enjoy the views, and experience a quieter side of the east coast.
You can check out more information about Casa Esmeralada Fajardo HERE!
And of course, no Puerto Rico getaway is complete without good food. If you’re staying in Fajardo or looking for a dinner recommendation, make sure to add La Estación to your list. It’s one of my favorite BBQ spot on the island and the perfect way to end a day exploring the east coast. Reservations are required and they fill up fast!!!
Have you visited Fajardo before? I would love to hear about your experience!
Send me your Puerto Rico adventures at info@thislatinatravels.com and don’t forget to tag me @ThisLatinaTravels so I can follow along on your journey. 🤎
