Chocolate Lovers Dream? We got to eat fresh Cocoa beans straight from the trees, plus grind and make our own chocolate! This might be our most delicious overnight camping spot ever!
Over 17,000 Tons of chocolate are produced each year in the Mexican state of Tabasco, representing 70% of total national production. CACEP, one of the oldest growers in the region, allows RVers like us to stay overnight on the original farm, Hacienda Cacaotera Jesus Maria y Chocolates, for FREE (if you pay for the tour in the morning). This is an amazing opportunity to learn more about chocolate production, from bean to bar (or tree to table)!
After calling ahead, we arrived to Hacienda Cacaotera Jesus Maria in the early evening and were greeted by the night guard at the farm. He helped guide us to park along the side of the main parking area, right next to the trees. It was a relaxing evening listening to the sounds of the jungle, knowing that the next day would be full of deliciousness! The following morning, we walked into the factory store, paid $100mxp/person and were on our way. Best of all, since we were the first ones there, we got a private tour!
The farm is surprisingly compact, spread between two sides of a quiet street near Comalcalco. As we toured, our guide showed us how they grow the cacao trees from seed or clone and grow this delicious crop. It was also interesting to see that many OTHER fruits and plants are grown next to the cacao. Mangos, cinnamon, coffee, and others are grown alongside to help provide shade, and according to our guide they even help affect the flavor of the beans! Watching him crack open a pod, we each pulled a raw bean off and to our surprise the flavor before processing is quite mild. Only after several days of fermentation does the bean begin to truly smell and taste like the chocolate we know and love!
After a demonstration (thanks Liz @Eat See RV for the muscle!) of how chocolate was made before modern machinery, it was onto the samples! We tried so many different kinds and varying levels of sweetness. What’s your favorite?
Our thanks to the team at Hacienda Cacaotera Jesus Maria y Chocolates for the tour and an overnight stay at your beautiful farm!
*REMEMBER MONDAYS @ 6PM ET you can find “MEXICO MONDAY” content from the entire #RVamigos group!* That’s right! Every Monday we’ll all be providing RVing in Mexico style content! We’ll see you each week! To make it even simpler just click the links below to subscribe to each RV Amigo channel and don’t forget to ring the bell!
RV Amigo Channels:
*Newstate Nomads:* https://www.youtube.com/newstatenomads?sub_confirmation=1
*Eat See RV:* https://www.youtube.com/eatseerv?sub_confirmation=1
Watch the RV Amigos playlist from the beginning with all of us! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL65WeD4x2qThJrdpxqIkeechLWGFuxm_J
Want to just watch the #VivaNewstate playlist? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL65WeD4x2qTiiLvx3JOrbfaKp40CHkrtQ
Have thoughts or questions about the #DigitalNomad life, RVing, our travels in Mexico, or anything else? Comment below!
Resources
View/Navion Motorhomes Facebook Group – An incredible source of helpful advice, upgrades, mods, and community of fellow View/Navion owners. When we have a question, this is usually one of the first places to check.
International Travel Links and Resources:
Safetywing Travel, Political and Health Insurance (What we use ourselves worldwide!)– Prices start at $37/month for coverage with a $250 annual deductible. Pick any doctor outside your home country. Seriously.
Gasoapp iOS and Android– Think “Gasbuddy” style app, but created for Mexican gas stations by the Mexican government. Prices do vary greatly between stations here, and the app is free!
US Department of State Travel Advisories – Worldwide –
New (December 2019) Pet Regulations:
You no longer need a pet health certificate to bring cats or dogs into Mexico by car/rv! This does not change any rules required by airlines if you fly into Mexico.
USDA (English) summary of regulations
Mexico (Spanish) to show to anyone who requests a copy of a pet certificate – Hat tip to Qroo.us!
Process your FMM (tourist visa) in advance:
Have Discover Baja do it for you
Apply for FMM yourself
Facebook Groups:
RV Mexico Facebook Group
RVing In Mexico Facebook Group
US Department of State- Mexico Travel Advisory
