Cacao Road Excursion: plantations, processes, tasting and culture
- 7–8 hours
- 4 languages
- Private tour
- Mobile ticket
Highlights
Your journey will begin in the north of the island with short stops at iconic plantations and the famous Blue Lagoon for sightseeing or a swim. You'll visit a cocoa plantation to discover how fresh beans are transformed into dry beans, ready for chocolate production. For lunch, you can choose a spot in the Neves area—ask your guide for the best options. If time is short, lunch can be enjoyed in the capital on the way back. You'll also stop at the Diogo Vaz Chocolate Boutique, where you'll enjoy one warm chocolate drink OR one pastry per person. Afterwards, we'll kindly drive you back to your hotel or the port. Note 1: The guided visit to a cocoa plantation will take place either at Francisco Cabral plantation, Diogo Vaz, or CECAB Cooperative, depending on availability. Note 2 (for cruise ship travelers): Due to the shortage of competent English-speaking guides when cruise ships are in São Tomé, we may merge different travelers together in the same vehicle.
Inclusions
What's included
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Visit of Cocoa Transformation Processes
What's not
- Alcoholic Beverages
- You may chose between : traditional food at Roça Monte Forte, Giant crabs at Santola, or excellent food at Mucumbli Ecoldge.. tell us in advance if you want to prebook.
Itinerary
Cocoa Transformation Processes - visit of a plantation You will discover how the fresh gum is transformed into dried beans, the first step prior to making chocolate. According to the season and availability of cocoa producer, we may do this visit either at Roça Francisco Cabral, or CECAB Cooperative or at Roça Diogo Vaz
Visit to Agostinho Neto plantation, where we will take a walk through the former largest cocoa plantation, with its paved road, ancient train tracks, former hospital, and community. If the weather is good, we may see Cabras island from the hospital viewpoint.
Stop at Blue Lagoon for a swim, sightseeing, or a short hike to the top of the hill to see the lighthouse and take photographs.
Stop at the famous tunnel of Santa Catarina, a geological curiosity, for a memorable picture!
In the afternoon, we will stop at the famous Diogo Vaz Chocolate Shop located in the capital. There you may taste their local production and buy souvenirs (coffee, chocolate and more...). One drink per person is included in the tour price.
Cancellation
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Reviews
5.0
- 51
- 40
- 30
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 1 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Pickup
- Pickup is included for everyone.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- São Tomé Paradise Tours
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in São Tomé Island
- Its from-price is close to the median of the 14 day trips we list in São Tomé Island.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 10 of 14.
About São Tomé Island
São Tomé is the larger of the two islands of São Tomé and Príncipe, an equatorial volcanic island of rainforest, old cocoa plantations and quiet beaches.
São Tomé lies just north of the equator in the Gulf of Guinea, off the coast of central Africa, a green volcanic island about 50 kilometres long that rises to the Pico de São Tomé, 2,024 metres high. Portuguese navigators found it uninhabited around 1470, and it grew rich on sugar and later on cocoa. The capital stands on the north-east coast, with the fort of São Sebastião, built in 1566, which houses the national museum, a cathedral and a lively market.
Top-ranked sights in São Tomé Island: Pico Cão Grande, Praia das Sete Ondas, Boca do Inferno.
