I have visited the chocolate factory several times, and they always surprise me with the delicious chocolate i get to taste with my clients during the process. The history that is shared here is very interesting to be heard and you cannot leave Matagalpa without tasting this chocolate!
You must do the tour which tells a wonderful family story. The 2 ladies who started making Chocolate with them in the beginning are still there. See first hand the full process. La piece de resistance, the tasting....you'll buy plenty to take home! It's cheaper here than in the store, available around Nicaragua.
My spanish is pretty good so I ended up organising my own tour of the Castillo de Cacao (I didn't go with one of the tour operators). I admit it's a little hard to find.... but what a fantastic tour once you get there. The two women who work at the Castillo de Cacao are amazing and give you a really incredible explanation of how this very small chocolate factory originated and how it has developed.Purchase your chocolate there for a great discount - yes it's very different to Australian chocolate at least - but yummy all the same. Favourite = Ronbons!
I like chocolate. Well, I mean I love chocolate, but it should rather be a small amount of great chocolate than a great amount of cheap chocolate. This place makes a very good chocolate. Not Neuhaus style, but definitely far better than your average chocolate.But the thing here is actually not the chocolate, but the fact that you get to see the full production cycle from beans to chocolate bar.It is a small place, with around 4-5 people in the production line, but that is only perfect. Everything is done with care, and they explained very well to us every step in the process.Go here if you like chocolate, and go here if you are interested in basic production lines.
I went on a tour with a few friends and enjoyed every part. The information provided was extremely interesting and everyone seemed happy to have us and answer any and all questions. We were given a detailed description of how everything is completed. Our tour ended with samples of chocolate and coffee. It was a wonderful experience and it should not be missed on your trip to Matagalpa!
The tour is approx. 30 min and costs 7$ per person. You don't get much, but you get to see how local hand made chocolate is made. You can buy and taste chocolate made there. A nice trip from Matagalpa.
Open on Mondays, however, no chocolate being made that day. If you want to see it being made, go any day but Monday.
Just got back from Nicaragua. Second time there. This time stopped in the Castillo del cacao. Definitely worth your time. Lots of interesting info and it smells like heaven! Then at the end you can taste and buy Chocolate! Hello it's chocolate! Go check it out
the tour too pricy ,Jose was great he knew well the subject .i love the explanation of the hard work to make chocolate. the women very friendly , the lunch and pinolillo delisioso . what i like the most the cocoa trees been in front of me .
Yes, we enjoyed the tour. Our tour leader hadn't practiced her English for some time, but with our encouragement, she did just fine. We learned a lot and enjoyed the samples and bought some chocolate--sugar free.