Lubaantun Maya Temple and Chocolate Farm
About Lubaantun Maya Temple
Indulge in the sweet art of chocolate making at Eladio’s farm and visit the ancient Lubaantun Maya Temple in the afternoon. Furthermore, this unique full-day experience combines cacao culture with Mayan history.
After a short walk from the road to Eladio’s, your guide will lead you through the farm. Additionally, it is a truly ecological experience. When Eladio took over the farm from his parents, he stopped the slash and burn milpa farming. Moreover, he replaced it with a diverse farm where many varieties of flora live in concert with his cacao trees. Here, you will learn about cacao beans and various fruits of Belize. Furthermore, Eladio will walk you through the process of growing cacao plants. You will also taste the sweet fruit of the cacao seed.
Chocolate Making at Eladio’s Farm
After the farm tour, an experienced chocolate maker will present the roasting process. Additionally, you will see how cacao beans are turned into chocolate. Moreover, you can enjoy sampling chocolate drinks during the demonstration. After a traditional Mayan lunch on the farm, you will head to the Lubaantun Maya Temple historical site.Lubaantun (Place of the Fallen Stones) is the largest Mayan ceremonial site in the southern part of Belize. This ruin is unique in that it was built without mortar (hence fallen stones), has no stelas and different architecture than other Maya cities, and is where the controversial crystal skull was found. The builders showed great skill in splitting and fitting stonework to erect these significant structures without mortar. Archaeologists say that the artefacts found (obsidian blades, grinding stones, beads, shells, turquoise, and potter shards indicate that Lubaantun was a farming and trading center. The origin if the crystal skull remains a mystery and apparently there is a second one in a museum in France.
Leave at 6 am and return around 5 pm.
Wear sturdy shoes, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a hat. Bring a camera, insect repellent, sunscreen, and plenty of water.
