Visit a local farming community and gain insight into their crops, traditions, and ancestral cooking techniques that have been passed down through generations. Depending on the season, you may have the opportunity to see and learn about a variety of local crops, including cacao, mangoes, pineapples, sugar cane, rice, oranges, grapefruit, and other tropical fruits cultivated in the region. Discover how agriculture plays an essential role in the daily lives of local families and in the economy of Ecuador’s coastal countryside. At the end of the experience, take part in an authentic chocolate-making demonstration. Roast cacao beans, learn about the traditional process used to transform cacao into chocolate, and discover how flavor, aroma, and texture develop during each stage of production. This hands-on experience offers a deeper appreciation for Ecuador’s world-famous cacao and the people who preserve this important tradition.