Where to Go: the 9 Best Chocolate Making Workshops in Mexico

1.Bean to Bar Chocolate Workshop in Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 381 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $62Our pick

At ChocoMuseo Puerto Vallarta, a guide such as Rodrigo, Martin, Elias, or Zoar leads you through cacao’s Mexican past, bean roasting, cocoa drinks, tastings, and hands-on chocolate making. You’ll flavor your own bars with toppings, then take them home. The two-hour English workshop suits adults and children age five and older.

“It was fun and educational. Rob was a pleasure and ensured everyone was equally included. The chocolate was delicious and it was interesting to learn about its origins”

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2.Chocolate Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 92 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39Best value

At The Mayan Cacao Company in Cozumel, guides such as Paty, Angel, Eduardo, and Mario lead a hands-on cacao lesson and chocolate workshop. You’ll hear how the Maya used cacao, grind beans with a mortar and pestle, season your mixture, and leave with your own chocolate creation. Samples and store shopping follow.

“Paty was an excellent tour guide… warm and welcoming… she gave us just enough information and was super friendly. Thank you! Bought chocolate to go. 😉”

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3.Make Your Own Chocolate with Oaxacan Tradition Private Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $98

In central Oaxaca, Chimalapa Cacao guides you through cacao tasting, clay-comal roasting, hand peeling, grinding, and chocolate making. Choose your sugar level and regional ingredients, then prepare a traditional drink with a grinder. Guides including Fernanda, Diego, Lupita, and Ruth work with groups of up to four in English.

“She was very intelligent and sweet and kind, and when we come back again, we will absolutely do this class again. Also, the chocolate was absolutely delicious.”

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4.Chocolate Workshop at The Mayan Cacao Company

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 41 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $40

At The Mayan Cacao Company in Cozumel, an English- or Spanish-speaking guide such as Paty, Roberto, or Eduardo leads you through Mayan cacao traditions, a hands-on metate grinding session, and your own handmade chocolate bar. You’ll also sample 13 artisanal chocolates before browsing the boutique.

“I took my two young daughters and had a great time learning about the history of cacao and it's significance for the Mayan people. Making their own chocolate from natural ingredients was definitely the highlight.”

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5.Bean to Bar Chocolate Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 41 reviews · 2 hours · from $62

Spend two hours at ChocoMuseo Puerto Vallarta learning cacao’s story, roasting and grinding beans, preparing three Mexican chocolate drinks, and molding chocolates with your choice of toppings. English-speaking guides such as Rodrigo, Zoar, and Martin lead the small-group workshop. Dietary options include vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free.

“Informative, fun activity in a small group of 10. And you ges to keep the chocolate you make!!!”

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6.Seaside Chocolate Workshop and Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · 2 hours · from $52

Meet Lucia or Wendy at Stingray Beach for a two-hour chocolate workshop with Caribbean views. Learn Aztec and Mayan cocoa traditions, grind beans, make your own chocolate bar, taste chocolate with red wine, and finish with a chocolate martini. English and Spanish tours are available.

“Wendy was an excellent teacher and host! Very knowledgeable and kind. We had so much fun learning how to make chocolate and the accompanying drinks were delicious and well paired. Highly recommend this tour.”

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7.1 Hour Oaxacan Chocolate Making Class with Mole-making and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $40

At Casa Crespo in central Oaxaca, a licensed English-speaking guide leads you through cacao’s role in Mexican communities. You toast and grind beans, shape chocolate bars, prepare a simple chile-and-chocolate mole, and finish with hot chocolate. The 3 p.m. class lasts about an hour and ends where it begins.

“What a fun and educational class this was!! We heated up cocoa beans and made actual chocolate to make hot chocolate and chocolate ice cream . We also learned how to make a simple mole with chocolate and it was all hands on with the instructor guiding us . At the end of the class we were served our mole sauce over chicken and the chocolate ice cream for dessert . Dinner was served on a rooftop patio with twinkling lights . It was a phenomenal experience and we 100% recommend taking this class !!!”

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8.Private Make Your Own Chocolate Experience in Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 40 minutes (approx.) · from $50

Meet your chef at Puerto Mágico in Puerto Vallarta for a private 40-minute chocolate workshop. Learn cacao’s role in Mexico, see how cocoa becomes chocolate, practice tempering, choose toppings, and take home your own bar. Guides may include Diego, Rosa, Analí, Heidi, or Mario.

“Rosa was an absolute pleasure. She showed me everything that is needed to make good chocolate. I even got to put a little Dennis spin on the ingredients!”

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9.Cancún: Chocolate Making Class and Tasting with Chef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $109

Meet a local English-speaking chef in Cancún for a small-group chocolate class limited to six people. Roast and taste cacao, learn Mayan traditions, prepare a spicy cocoa drink and dessert, then make three craft chocolate bars to take home. Hosts have included Axel Flores, Christy, Michelle, Vanessa, Andrea, and Mando.

“This was a wonderful class. We learned a lot, enjoyed the hands on processes roasting beans and making chocolates, and the energy and passion from the hosts is a delight. I highly recommend this class!”

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