If you consider yourself a chocoholic, Puerto Vallarta Walking Tours has the perfect new walking tour for you to experience. This tour, which has been appropriately dubbed the Chocolate Walk, has been created specifically for individuals who cannot get enough chocolate in their lives! Not only will get you a closer look at the culture and history of Puerto Vallarta, you will also hear about the origins and history of chocolate in Mexico as well as the rest of the world. This enchanting small group tour, which wanders through the charming cobblestones streets in town, may just end up being the highlight of your vacation!
Chocolate: an inside look
You will be given a behind-the-scenes look at three of the most impressive chocolatiers in Puerto Vallarta while on the Chocolate Walk. You will also be taken inside two production kitchens to get an up-close look at how their confections are made. You will surely be tempted by the delicious smells that are awaiting you, and thankfully you will be able to sample a range of sweets while you are there. You may find that some of the chocolates may be too good to leave behind, which is why you will have a chance to purchase your favorites at each shop.
History of all sorts
Puerto Vallarta was once nothing more than a sleepy fishing village, but today it is a large city that continues to grow. As you make your way from one shop to the next by walking through town, you will learn more about the unique history of Puerto Vallarta. You will also hear more about the intriguing origins and evolution of chocolate throughout the years. It is quite extraordinary to think that chocolate began as a ceremonial beverage that some of the indigenous groups in Mexico drank, yet ended up in Europe where its popularity exploded and today people around the world are still enjoying it!
Chocolate’s background in Mexico
In Mexico, chocolate can be traced back as far as 4,000 years ago. Around that time, several indigenous peoples including the Aztecs and the Mayans uncovered how incredible the beans from the cacao tree were. It was believed by both of these groups that cacao beans were a mystical product. For this reason, they were used in ceremonies and rituals that had to do with significant milestones such as marriage, birth and death. The Mayans usually used the beans medicinally, while an ancient ceremonial drink the Aztecs consumed featured the beans. Etymologists believe that our modern word chocolate is derived from the name of the Aztec’s beverage, which they called “xocoatl”.
Ancient drinks in modern times
The tour ends on a high note when you take a mini-class that allows you to try your hand at roasting and grinding cacao beans to brew your own version of the ancient Aztec beverage. You will be able to see if you think the drink that the Spanish Conquistadors fell in love with is as amazing as they thought it was. No tour would be complete without some shopping, which is why you can shop to your heart’s content from a range of goodies such as body lotions and soaps made with locally sourced chocolate, mouthwatering candies and so much more.
Tours are held on Wednesdays at 10am and Fridays at 2pm. If you would like further information or want to book a tour online, see the website: PuertoVallartaWalkingTours.com.
It is easy to see why chocolate lovers are going crazy for this new Puerto Vallarta tour, which gives you a taste of the local sweets as well as a lively history the city!
