We will visit the village of Huatulco, founded in 1539. On the main square by the 18th-century church, your guide will give insight into local history and help you understand the traditions and culture.

Our next step is at the little village of Benito Juarez, where they grow three varieties of coffee and cocoa. First, we learn how to make tostadas (dry tortillas), assorted with flavors like coconuts, carrot, cocoa, nopal, and oats. Enjoy hot chocolate and bread baked in a wood oven. During the 16th century, the port of Guatulco (where the cruise ship is docked) was an important point for exporting cocoa to Spain and Spanish colonies throughout South America.

We start with a ten-minute hike along a clear stream to arrive at a cocoa plantation, where you will discover the cocoa pod and its beans, and learn about how it can be a remarkable medicinal plant to control blood pressure. Following the path, take pictures of the red ‘torch flowers’ and the pine trees, until you arrive to the coffee trees.

Then kick back and watch how they process, wash, toast, and grind the coffee according to traditional and artisan processes. This is the time to enjoy a cup of local organic coffee. On the way back, we will pass by plantations of different citrus fruits, including orange, lime, lemon, soursop, mandarin, and mamey.

We finish this informative day with a brunch including ‘sopes’, chorizo, tasajo (beefsteak), fruit juice, coffee, and chocolate.

Your air-conditioned transfer will now take you back to the pier.