Why Doesn’t Cacao Fruit Taste Like Chocolate?
Fresh cacao fruit tastes nothing like a chocolate bar. So where does chocolate flavour come from? A look at how fermentation, drying and roasting transform a tropical fruit into something we recognise as chocolate.
Cocktails in Puerto Viejo: Tropical Fruit, Cacao & Caribbean Flavours
Rum, tropical fruit, cacao, ginger, hibiscus and mezcal. A look at the flavours finding their way into cocktails at Cacao Huasi in Puerto Viejo.
A Different Kind of Date Night in Puerto Viejo
Birthdays, anniversaries or simply a night out together. Start with sunset, try a chocolate pairing, have a cocktail and stay for dinner at Cacao Huasi.
A New Space for Art in Puerto Viejo: De la Tierra al Mar at Cacao Huasi
Cacao Huasi is opening its walls to local art. Discover De la Tierra al Mar, a month-long exhibition bringing together 15 artists from Limón, Puerto Viejo and Talamanca, and our growing idea of Cacao Huasi as an informal art and cultural space in Puerto Viejo.
Where to Watch the Sunset in Puerto Viejo: Drinks, Dinner & the Best Views
Where are the best places to watch the sunset in Puerto Viejo? A local guide to quiet beaches, sunset drinks, dinner and some of our favourite views as afternoon turns into evening.
Are Old Cacao Trees Really the Problem?
The idea that old cacao trees must be replaced has become widely accepted. But is the problem really the age of the tree—or the way we manage cacao forests? Recent research and centuries-old trees suggest a more nuanced story.
Chocolate Is the Record of Everything That Happened to the Tree
Every piece of chocolate tells the story of the cacao tree that produced it. From sunlight and rainfall to fermentation and roasting, each stage leaves its mark. Learn how chocolate becomes a record of everything that happened to cacao long before it reached your hands.
CCN-51: What Do We Ask a Cacao Tree to Be?
CCN-51 has been praised for its productivity and criticised for its flavour. But perhaps the more interesting question is what we actually need a cacao tree to do.
Qué hacer en Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica: playas, naturaleza, cacao y vida local
Una guía local para descubrir qué hacer en Puerto Viejo: playas, naturaleza, cacao, vida silvestre, comida, maridajes y planes para disfrutar el Caribe sin correr.
Sustainability Isn't the Problem. The System Is.
For more than twenty years, sustainability has shaped conversations around coffee and chocolate. Yet many farmers still struggle to earn a stable living. What if the challenge isn't sustainability itself, but the system we've built around it?
New Research Reveals Hidden Diversity in Peruvian Cacao
A new genetic study has identified four previously unrecognised cacao lineages in Peru, expanding our understanding of one of the world's richest centres of cacao diversity. Here's what the discovery means for farmers, chocolate makers and the future of cacao.
What’s On in Puerto Viejo? A Guide to Weekly Events, Music & Nightlife
From trivia and karaoke to bingo, live music, cinema, cumbia and community gatherings, here's our regularly updated guide to what's happening each week in Puerto Viejo.
Things to Do in Puerto Viejo at Night: A Local Guide to Evenings
Puerto Viejo evenings can mean sunset light over the Caribbean, dinner, cocktails, live music, chocolate pairings or dancing late into the night. A local guide to what to do in Puerto Viejo after the beach.
Four New Cacao Varieties Have Been Discovered in Peru. Here's Why That Matters
Researchers in Peru have identified four previously unrecognised cacao lineages, but the real story isn't the discovery itself. It's what it reveals about the extraordinary diversity of cacao and why protecting that diversity matters for the future of chocolate.
Three days in Puerto Viejo
Wondering how to spend three days in Puerto Viejo? This relaxed itinerary helps you experience the Caribbean coast at its own pace, with beaches, wildlife, local food, cacao, and plenty of time to simply enjoy where you are.
The Five Things That Surprise Almost Everyone At A Chocolate Class
Most people arrive expecting to learn how chocolate is made. They leave with a completely different way of seeing it. Here are the five moments that surprise almost everyone.
Why Our Hot Chocolate Tastes Different
What makes a truly memorable cup of hot chocolate? Discover how our bean-to-bar chocolate becomes everything from a traditional chocolate de olla to a bold 100% cacao drink, an espresso, an affogato, and more.
Learning Spanish in Puerto Viejo
Thinking about learning Spanish during your time in Puerto Viejo? This local guide introduces language schools, independent tutors, and simple ways to practice Spanish naturally while exploring Costa Rica's Caribbean coast.
Why we taste chocolate every day
Chocolate makers don't taste chocolate because they're hungry. They taste because every stage of the bean-to-bar process reveals something new.
The Best Beaches in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica: A Local's Guide
From black volcanic sand and beginner surf breaks to calm turquoise bays perfect for swimming, every beach around Puerto Viejo has its own personality. Here's how to choose the one that's right for you.