Available year-round by request.

The Maya peoples of the Yucatán Peninsula so revered chocolate that they planted sacred cacao orchards hidden deep inside cenotes – limestone sinkholes. Once more, Yucatán has become a haven of chocolate and a mecca for chocolate cognoscenti. In this 3-day, 4-night all-inclusive workshop dedicated to cacao and chocolate, you’ll connect with the ancient Mayas’ taste for this “Food of the Gods”, while your every chocolate wish is fulfilled! Luxury upgrades available.

CLASS DETAILS

DAY 0: ARRIVAL DAY
Arrive Mérida International Airport; transfer airport/hotel

WORKSHOP DAYS:

DAY 1: Continental breakfast at hotel. Transfer hotel/Los Dos
Chef Mario Canul will greet you at Los Dos and invite you into his kitchen where he will present an overview of Yucatán’s unique ingredients and culinary heritage – all with an emphasis on chocolate. Next, follow him on a tour of Mérida’s colorful central market where we’ll pick up a quick snack. Back in the Los Dos kitchen, we’ll start learning all about chocolate – beginning with how the ancient Mayas roasted and ground the cacao beans into a rich, black paste. We’ll then prepare a full meal together.

DAY 2: Continental breakfast at hotel; pick up in lobby
Today is a romantic and exotic excursion into the heart of Maya Yucatán – and an early center of chocolate production and trade. First, an English-speaking guide will drive you to the spectacular Maya city of Uxmal – considered the most beautiful of the Maya archaeological zones. Afterward, visit the charming chocolate museum, Eco-Museo del Cacao, where you will receive an overview of the true history of chocolate and its importance in the Maya way of life. As you stroll through the grounds you will see hundreds of cacao trees and other native plants like allspice and achiote. Next, you’ll visit a local Maya family in Santa Elena where you will experience life as it has been lived in the peninsula for hundreds of years. Enjoy lunch at the 5-star Hacienda Temozón, part of the Luxury Collection owned by Starwood, where you will enjoy updated classics of Yucatecan fare. Return to Mérida and your hotel. At night, enjoy dinner at a restaurant featuring the best in regional “fusion” cuisine.

DAY 3: Continental breakfast at hotel; pick up in lobby
This morning begins with more indulgences. First, enjoy a tipple at the region’s oldest distillery – Hacienda Vista Alegre. There, you will see how they make Xtabentún, the famous honey-anise liqueur, as well as their award winning Caribbean rums. Next, it’s a stop at Ki’Xocolatl – the fabulous chocolate enterprise run by Belgian master chocolatier, Mathieu Brees. It is his genius that gave birth to Plantación Tikul near Uxmal, and the high-grade Criollo cacao beans being grown there will wind up in his exquisite chocolates. Yield to temptation by the beautiful molded bonbons. Around mid-day you’ll return to Los Dos for another afternoon of cooking and more chocolate indulgence! Dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 4: DEPARTURE DAY
Check out; transfer hotel/Mérida International Airport

YOUR HOTEL
Enjoy a tranquil getaway in the heart of Mérida at the charming Casa Lecanda. Rather than the public ambience of a hotel, Casa Lecanda is more like a luxurious private home, assuring an emphasis on service. With just seven rooms, this luxury boutique property will allow you to enjoy privacy and calm just steps from Mérida’s grand mansion-lined boulevard, Paseo de Montejo, and an easy stroll to the city’s ancient main square and Calle 60 – the principal shopping district. (Pending availability)

LUXURY UPGRADE
This exclusive package will truly pamper you. A champagne-and-chocolate welcome will launch your luxury getaway. The accommodation upgrade is in one of the spacious Garden Suites at Casa Lecanda, featuring an en suite spa tub. Finally, indulge yourself with your choice from a menu of soothing treatments at Hacienda Xcanatún – a restored hacienda and spa in a tropical oasis north of town. One of their special treatments is La Caricia de Chocolate (“Chocolate Caress”) – featuring exfoliation, wrap/moisturization and massage, all employing natural cacao-derived products.

PRICE INCLUDES
The basic package includes four nights’ accommodation in a standard room based on double occupancy. Luxury upgrade includes four nights’ accommodation in a Garden Suite based on double occupancy. Both packages include continental breakfast each morning of your stay; two meals at Los Dos; wine/beer service during the main meal at Los Dos; two additional evening meals; one alcoholic beverage at all other meals; workbook including all recipes we prepare in class; complimentary Los Dos apron; all transfers, excursions and entry fees. Luxury upgrade also includes champagne-and-chocolate welcome and the spa treatment of your choice for two people at Hacienda Xcanatún.

PRICE EXCLUDES
Air fare between departure point and Mexico (Mérida, Yucatán); service tips at hotel; service tip at spa; service tips at evening meals. Service tips to Los Dos staff on cooking days are not included and are at the discretion of the visitor; pesos or US dollars are welcome.

NOTES
Rates based on two-person minimum, double occupancy. Single supplements available. Available as a Standard Package or as a Luxury Package. The Luxury Package features the same itinerary as the Standard Package but includes an accommodation upgrade and other upgrades noted above. Package subject to minimum enrollments. Prices are subject to change in January of each year when new tariffs are posted by third party service providers. Specific itinerary details are subject to change according to third party service providers. All terms subject to standard POLICIES which will be forwarded at the time of your booking. All prices in U.S. dollars. All classes at Los Dos must be booked at least 72 hours in advance. All bookings must be completed via e-mail; unfortunately, we cannot accommodate phone bookings or drop-ins