We have a fantastic plan for your next family vacation: learn all about chocolate at Hacienda Jesús María in Tabasco.
Cacao is one of Mesoamerica’s many gifts to the world. Among our country’s gastronomic treasures, the cacao plantations in southern Mexico stand out. Many of them, in addition to producing excellent chocolate, are also open to tourists, offering the opportunity to discover the entire process behind one of people’s favorite desserts, from seed to bar. Hacienda Jesús María in Tabasco is a place where the passion for chocolate is a reason for collective celebration, sharing everything about cacao culture.
Hacienda Jesús María has belonged to the same family for over 100 years. Although it has a strong focus on tourism, its main activity is ecosystem conservation and chocolate production at the CACEP chocolate factory—with points of sale in Tabasco, Nuevo León, and Yucatán. The idea is to ensure quality from the very beginning, using organic processes. Of course, they also have a shop where you can sample all their products and even take some home.
It’s easy to see why visiting a cacao plantation can be one of the best family outings in Tabasco. Hacienda Jesús María offers an educational and highly sensory tour that captivates even the youngest visitors. The facilities are also adapted to allow visitors to enjoy the tour regardless of the weather—comfortable shoes are recommended—and even with people with limited mobility. The best part is that pets are welcome here and can accompany you throughout most of the tour, except in the factory and the shop.
Hacienda Jesús María is located just under an hour’s drive from Villahermosa, Tabasco. They are open every day of the year and even have a restaurant where you can have breakfast. The ticket price varies depending on several factors, including the size of the group. However, admission includes a wide range of activities for a truly comprehensive experience. Of course, the tour begins with a visit to the cacao plantations, where you can taste the fresh fruit. You can also visit the farmer’s house and the main house of the hacienda, which offer a deeper understanding of the history and social dynamics of cacao plantations.
The CACEP Chocolate Factory operates Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and if you visit the hacienda during those hours, you’ll see the machines in operation. But if you go on Sunday, don’t worry, you can still enter, even though there won’t be any workers present. The experience continues in a Chontal Mayan kitchen, where you can prepare your own chocolate using traditional techniques. Finally, the visit ends with a tasting of CACEP products. Keep in mind that the tour lasts between one and a half and two hours.
Source: foodandpleasure
