Lubaantun Maya Temple and Chocolate Farm
Experience the living legacy of the Maya as you explore an ancient ceremonial city and visit a modern Maya family preserving centuries-old traditions.
Chocolate Making at Eladio’s Cacao Farm
Your day begins with a visit to one of Belize’s most authentic family-owned cacao farms, where Eladio Pop and his family have welcomed visitors from around the world for more than 25 years.
What was once a traditional milpa (slash-and-burn) farm has been transformed into a thriving 30-acre rainforest garden. Cacao trees grow beneath a canopy of tropical fruit trees, medicinal plants, herbs, and flowering plants, creating a rich ecosystem that supports both wildlife and sustainable farming.
As you stroll through the farm with your guide, you’ll discover how organic cacao is grown and harvested while learning about the many fruits, spices, and medicinal plants that have sustained Maya communities for generations. Along the way, you’ll taste fresh cacao pulp straight from the pod along with seasonal tropical fruits picked from the farm.
The highlight of your visit is a hands-on chocolate-making demonstration using traditional Maya techniques. Watch cacao beans being roasted, peeled, ground, and transformed into rich, handcrafted chocolate. Sample freshly prepared chocolate drinks and experience the remarkable difference that fresh, locally grown cacao makes.
Before leaving, enjoy a delicious homemade Maya lunch prepared by Eladio’s family—a warm Belizean welcome that guests consistently describe as one of the highlights of their visit.
More than a farm tour, this is an opportunity to meet a remarkable Belizean family whose passion for sustainable farming, hospitality, and preserving Maya traditions has created one of southern Belize’s most memorable experiences.
Explore the Ancient Lubaantun Maya Temple
After lunch, continue to the remarkable Lubaantun Maya archaeological site, whose name means “Place of the Fallen Stones.” Once an important ceremonial and trading center, Lubaantun is the largest Maya site in southern Belize and is unlike any other ancient city in the country.
Built between AD 700 and 900, the temples and plazas were constructed without the use of mortar, demonstrating the extraordinary stone-working skills of the Maya. The site is also unusual because it contains no carved stone monuments (stelae), and its architecture differs noticeably from other Maya cities throughout Belize.
Archaeologists have uncovered obsidian blades, grinding stones, pottery, shells, beads, and turquoise, revealing that Lubaantun was both a thriving agricultural community and an important regional trading center.
Lubaantun is perhaps best known as the site where the famous—and controversial—Crystal Skull was reportedly discovered in 1924. Whether legend or archaeological mystery, the Crystal Skull has helped make Lubaantun one of Belize’s most intriguing Maya sites.
Tour Details
- Departure: 6:00 AM from Placencia
- Return: Approximately 5:00 PM
- Duration: Full day
- Includes: Transportation, professional guide, farm tour, traditional chocolate-making demonstration, Maya lunch, and entrance fees.
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
- Long pants
- Lightweight long-sleeved shirt
- Hat
- Camera
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Reusable water bottle
Why Choose This Tour?
This tour offers a perfect blend of culture, history, and authentic local experiences. Meet a Belizean cacao farmer, discover how chocolate has been made since Maya times, enjoy a traditional homemade lunch, and explore one of Belize’s most fascinating ancient cities—all in a single unforgettable day.
Whether you’re interested in archaeology, sustainable farming, or simply experiencing the real Belize beyond the coast, this tour delivers a memorable adventure for visitors of all ages.
