Oaxaca Artisanal Chocolate Experience

Learn the history of the famous “Oaxaca Chocolate”, in this immersive workshop and tasting

Itinerary for making your own Oaxaca Chocolate

Immerse yourself in a sensory journey that connects you to the ancestral roots of Oaxaca, Mexico, where chocolate is not just a treat but a pivotal element of the region’s rich heritage. In this indulgent tour, you’ll explore the integral role chocolate has played in Mesoamerican culture and civilizations, embodying more than just a culinary delight but a profound cultural symbol.

Upon arrival at our chocolate workshop, you are greeted by the warm, enticing aroma of cacao that permeates the air, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience. As you navigate through the fascinating history of cacao, you’ll delve into its Mesoamerican origins and how it spread globally. You’ll discover the revered status of cacao throughout the centuries, understanding its significant influence on various cultures and gastronomies.

The adventure then takes a hands-on turn as you engage in the chocolate-making process. Equipped with traditional kitchen utensils and raw cacao beans, you’ll start by toasting the beans, unlocking their rich aroma and deep flavors. Experience the thrill of transformation as the beans turn into a dark, crunchy delight.

Next, you’ll peel and shell the cacao beans, carefully extracting the cacao nibs – the heart of our delicious creation. The tactile experience of feeling the smooth nibs and their bitter taste full of potential is truly mesmerizing. The journey continues with grinding the cacao nibs. Using a unique tool designed by cacao masters Areli and Edigardo, you’ll grind the nibs into a thick, smooth paste, releasing the natural oils essential for your chocolate’s texture and flavor.

Our expert chocolatiers will guide you in adding optional ingredients like sugar, cinnamon, or other spices, allowing you to personalize your chocolate. Then, pour your mixture into molds, shaping it and eagerly anticipating its solidification.

While your chocolate sets, enjoy a tasting session of various chocolates prepared at our chocolatería. Experience an array of flavors and textures, from creamy milk chocolate to intense dark chocolate with fruity and spicy notes.

The experience culminates in learning how to prepare an authentic hot chocolate drink. Following a traditional recipe, you’ll blend chocolate with aromatic ingredients to create a comforting and flavor-rich cup, the perfect conclusion to your chocolate immersion.

The moment you’ve been waiting for arrives as you pack your personalized chocolate creations, ready to share with loved ones or savor yourself, knowing you’ve mastered the art of chocolate making.

To complete this delightful experience, we’ll enjoy a traditional Oaxacan meal, allowing you to further indulge in the local flavors before heading back to the city center, where we part ways. This chocolate workshop offers an exciting journey from the origins of cacao to the creation of your own chocolate, leaving you with a memorable experience and a newfound appreciation for the wonderful world of chocolate.

For anyone who likes to eat, and appreciates good food and beautiful cultures – we know you will leave satisfied on all fronts with this special artisanal experience!

Please note: There is not a Dress Code! You will be visiting some food vendors who are a bit more traditional, so dressing respectfully is appreciated. You don’t need to dress to impress – you will be getting your hands dirty (literally). It is recommended just to bring modest, comfortable clothes, and that you don’t mind getting a bit dirty (food spillage happens to the best of us). A more detailed list of suggested clothing attire can be found below.

What to bring to the Oaxaca Artisanal Chocolate Experience?

Though this could vary seasonally, this is the basic list of what we suggest you bring with you. Keep in mind that your transport is private and secure, so you can leave some items in the vehicle when not needed:
– Jeans or long pants (this is most customary in Mexico, though shorts/dress are fine if you are most comfortable in that).
– Sneakers/comfortable shoes.
– Umbrella (for the rainy season, May-Nov)
– Sunblock.
– Hat/cap.
– Covid Mask.
– Cash or credit card. The chocolate producers do accept credit cards if you want to buy any chocolate after your experience. There is no pressure to buy anything. Unlike other tour companies, the producers we work with will always get paid fairly for their time, regardless if you buy additional food or not.

What is included with the Oaxaca Chocolate Experience?

Your ancestral experience includes:
– information provided before your experience to educate you and properly prepare you
– a specially trained and licensed English-speaking guide who will facilitate your experience
– translations and demonstrations with the local chocolate producers
– chocolate tastings, and chocolate bars (made by you) to bring home
– tlayudas and agua del dia (Alcoholic beverages are not included with the meals)

What is not included during your Oaxaca Chocolate Experience?

– Travel Insurance (Compulsory)
– International flights
– Transportation (outside of itinerary)
– Accommodation in Oaxaca
– Alcoholic beverages
– Gratuities and tips
– Spending money if you wish to purchase additional chocolate, souvenirs, or items.

Need a place to stay in Oaxaca?

We’ve made finding accommodation a little easier. Below, you’ll find an interactive map to help you compare hotels and short-term stays in and around Oaxaca City. Just plug in your travel dates and the number of guests, and explore your options. You’ll be able to see listings from trusted platforms like Booking.com, Hotels.com, VRBO, and others, complete with reviews, prices, and availability. We’ve also placed a marker on the map showing the center of Oaxaca City — the closer your stay is to that point, the closer you’ll be to many of the cultural experiences and historic sites Oaxaca has to offer.

Please double-check the currency displayed, as it may vary depending on your device settings or the website you’re viewing.

Supporting Local Projects with our TRiP Foundation

For every TRiP that you go on with WSE Travel, we will donate 2% of the total sales price to an environmental or community-based project in the country you’re visiting. We want to ensure that every guest we help, in turn, helps support and preserve the destination we’re experiencing together as a direct result. We live by an ethos to Travel Responsibly & Impact Positively (TRiP).

For more information on the projects supported by this experience, please visit our Mexico TRIP projects.

Cancellation & Rebooking Policy

All tours, services, and experiences booked through WSE Travel are bound to our Terms and Conditions, which were modeled after most other travel services such as flights, hotels, and other tour operators.

At Where Sidewalks End, your reservation is more than a transaction — it’s a direct contract with local professionals who rely on this work as a primary source of income. As such, we are obligated to honor the livelihoods of our local partners — including guides, Ajarns (masters), and drivers — who dedicate their time exclusively to your experience.

In many of the destinations where we operate, labor protections and fair wage commitments are upheld by local laws — and we are both ethically and contractually required to adhere to them. Once a booking is confirmed, the service providers committed to your experience are financially compensated for reserving their time — even in the event of cancellation. This ensures fair and dignified treatment for all involved in delivering your experience.

If You Need to Cancel or Reschedule

All bookings are subject to the following terms:

More than 14 Days’ Notice

Your payment will be placed into a Lifetime Deposit (Safety Deposit Box). This can be:

• Used for a future date
• Transferred to a friend or family member

Refunds are not available unless WSE Travel cancels your booking due to reasons beyond your control.

7–14 Days’ Notice

A 50% rebooking fee will apply. This helps offset the compensation obligations to your dedicated team of local guides and service providers, who have reserved their day exclusively for your private tour and may not be able to secure alternate work with us or others on short notice.

Less than 7 Days’ Notice

The full cost of the tour is retained to pay the locals contracted in full. As this is a private experience, your local team’s time is fully dedicated to your session. A new team will be hired for any future rebooking.

These policies are a compassionate extension of our official Terms & Conditions, designed to support both our guests and the ethical standards of responsible tourism.

Travel Insurance or Liability Waiver Required

Because life can be unpredictable — and because we are required to uphold our commitments to local partners — all guests must either:

• Provide proof of comprehensive travel insurance, or
• Sign a Liability Waiver Form at the start of their trip

We highly recommend SafetyWing Nomad Insurance — trusted by global travelers for its flexible, affordable coverage and very competitive rates.

Travel insurance can help protect you from financial losses related to:

• Illness
• Missed flights
• Emergency cancellations
• Non-refundable bookings

If you choose to travel without Travel Insurance, you will be required to fill out a Liability Waiver Form at the beginning of your trip. 

Thank You for Traveling Responsibly

We deeply appreciate your understanding and support of ethical tourism. Your booking directly sustains local communities and helps preserve cultural traditions in a meaningful and lasting way.

If you have any questions or need help rescheduling, please contact us — we’re always happy to assist.