The purpose of the Cocoa Trails and Road on the Cocoa Coast is to revive the cocoa culture that has marked the region’s history for decades.
The route covers the entire Cocoa Coast in Bahia, passing through four cities: Ilhéus, Itacaré, Uruçuca and Canavieiras.
The Chocolate Road, which runs from Ilhéus to Uruçuca, is 45 kilometres long and is home to cocoa farms and chocolate factories, as well as the rich biodiversity of the Atlantic Rainforest.
At the century-old Fazenda Capela Velha, tourists can learn about the history of cocoa and the entire cultivation process, from ploughing the fruit to drying the almonds, which are used to make chocolate.
Visitors to the Cocoa Coast have the opportunity to explore a cocoa farm and follow all the stages of the fruit’s transformation into the final product: chocolate.
In addition to the farms, the itineraries include visits to a chocolate factory, worker cooperatives, a chalana ride along the Rio Pardo and a visit to the Sloth Protection Centre.
Famous tourist attractions in Ilhéus such as the Bataclan and Night Tours are also part of the experience.
View the map of the Cocoa Coast
Watch a video about the Chocolate Route
Rota Cacau e Chocolate - Itacaré Bahia Brasil
Como o chocolate é feito - Processo Industrial
Caminhos do Chocolate na Costa do Cacau03:36
Fazendas de Cacau16:00
Chocolate trails on the Cocoa Coast
1. Chocolate Route I
The Caminhos do Chocolate I Route takes six days and five nights.
- Day 1: Visit of the Jorge Amado Quarter, with lunch in the historic centre and dinner in Bataclã.
- Day 2: Visit to the Mãe da Mata Private Natural Heritage Reserve, followed by the Provision Farm, where tourists can see how cocoa is grown. Then a visit to the Itacaré Chocolate Factory to see how the fruit is made.
- Day 4: Drive to Itacaré, with cultural presentations and a chance to enjoy the town’s lively nightlife.
- Day 5: Visit the Sant’Ana Farm.
- Day 6: Before departure, visit the Café Cacau.
2. Chocolate Trails Route II
The Caminhos do Chocolate Route II takes five days and four nights, with two nights in Ilhéus and two nights in Itacaré.
- Day 1: Same programme as the Chocolate Route I.
- Day 2: Visit the Ceplac Farm and Research Centre, the world’s largest cocoa centre. Also visit the Sloth Preservation Centre, a must-see attraction in Ilhéus.
- Day 3: Excursions to Garças Island and Una Eco Park.
- Days 4 and 5: In Itacaré, with visits to the Serra Grande viewpoint, the Tijuípe waterfall and an exciting tree-climbing circuit.
Cocoa farms to visit in Ilhéus
1. Fazenda Provisão
The Fazenda Provisão, a producer of fine cocoa, offers tourists the chance to learn about the cocoa production process, including the fermentation of the beans in the pods and the drying of the seeds in the barges.
You can also visit the preserved 19th century house, which houses various historical objects used by the colonels of the time, and the chapel full of sacred art.
Tourists can also stay in the historic manor house, sleeping in rooms with period furniture, and enjoy the walks and trails in the area.
📍 Location: Km 27 of the Ilhéus – Uruçuca Highway, 27 km from the Jorge Amado – Ilhéus Airport.
2. Riachuelo Farm
This is where the Mendoá chocolate is made. During the visit, tourists follow all the stages of cocoa production in the bean to bar system.
This includes learning about the cabruca system of planting (the sustainable preservation of native vegetation) and the fermentation and drying of the beans. You will then visit the Mendoá Chocolates Factory, where chocolate bars and pralines are made.
The factory has modern machinery and laboratories, and to enter it you must wear hygienic caps, clothing and masks, guaranteeing the utmost care in food production.
3. Fazenda Alegrias
Fazenda Alegrias focuses on the production of high-quality almonds, which are used in Senô fine chocolate and in products such as cocoa honey, nibs and cocoa jelly.
Tourists can choose between three tourist routes:
- Pau-Brasil Route: Visit to the production system, from the cabruca to the warehouse, with cocoa and chocolate tasting (Duration: up to 2 hours).
- Jequitibá Route: Ecological walk through the cabruca, visiting the farm and tasting cocoa and chocolate (Length: up to 3 hours).
- Gameleira Route: Complete tour of the almond production process, with sensory experiences and tasting of cocoa, cocoa honey and chocolate (Length: up to 4 hours).
Location: BR 415, km 14 – Ilhéus.
4. Santa Ana Farm
Fazenda Santa Ana welcomes groups for rural tourism and produces Morbeck chocolate made from fine organic cocoa grown without pesticides.
The visit follows the bean-to-bar system, allowing tourists to follow all the stages of chocolate production. The site also offers day use, including lunch.
📍 Location: Rodovia Itacaré Taboquinhas, km 20 – Itacaré.
5. Vila Rosa Farm
The tour of the Fazenda Vila Rosa covers the entire cocoa production process, from the plantation to the chocolate factory.
Visitors can take a guided walk through the Atlantic Rainforest along the way:
- Cocoa plantation
- Drying barge
- Chocolate Factory
- Vila Rosa Mansion
- Gardens and natural pools that not only add to the beauty of the place, but also guarantee fun.
It is also possible to stay in the historic mansion, which has spacious rooms with queen-size beds, including the famous Colonel’s Suite, for a complete experience of the history of cocoa.
At the end of the tour there is a shop selling cocoa products, from jellies and teas to various types of chocolate. A chance to pick up some souvenirs and make the journey home even sweeter!
📍 Location: Rua Pedro Longo, 174 (Pituba) – Itacaré.
Bahia.ws is the largest tourist guide in Bahia and Salvador.
Chocolate Trails and Road of the Cocoa Coast
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