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From rich chocolate tastings to hands-on workshops, all things cacao and chocolate will be on display April 10–11, 2026, at Isla Río Cuale for the Puerto Vallarta Cacao and Chocolate Festival.
Running from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., the event features a diverse program including gastronomic tastings, traditional drinks, workshops, conferences, and cacao-derived products such as cosmetics and handicrafts.
During a recent press conference, Alejandra Cornejo, director of Economic Promotion and Tourism, emphasized that the festival has established itself as a vital space for safeguarding the historical and cultural heritage of cacao. She noted that it “allows these traditions to be shared with those who are unfamiliar with them, as well as with visitors from other cultures.”
Festival founder, Alberta Snelli, described the gathering as a community space for sharing ancestral knowledge and practices surrounding cacao. She also highlighted the festival’s educational focus, which includes a drawing contest for primary schools; student illustrations of cacao trees will be displayed in an on-site gallery. Additionally, the public can participate in sensory experiences and hands-on workshops, such as artisanal chocolate making.
The event is free to the public and will feature approximately 20 producers and artisans from the states of Jalisco and Nayarit. For more information and the full schedule of events, visit the official website at festivaldelcacaovallarta.com.
Friday, April 10
| Time | Activity | Description |
| 10:30 am | Opening: Planting of the Community Altar | A ceremonial start guided by a traditional elder to honor the earth, cacao, and the energies of the gathering. |
| 12 pm | Maya Yokot’an Worldview & Cacao | A deep conversation on cacao as a spiritual and social pillar: family, medicine, and economy. |
| 3:30 p.m. | Class: Knowing Cacao from its Origin | A journey through the plant, seed, flower, and fruit, including different varieties and transformation processes. |
| 6 p.m. | CINEFORO: Documentary on Cacao Culture | Film screening and dialogue with interviewees and special guest Dr. Laura Aguilar. |
Saturday, April 11
| Time | Activity | Description |
| 09:30 a.m. | Daily Opening | Doors open for the second day of activities. |
| 10 a.m. | Practical Workshop: Artisanal Chocolate Making* | An experiential learning session on creating chocolate from the bean to the bar. |
| 1 p.m. | Conference: Economy, Power, Agroforestry, & Resilience | An analysis of power dynamics in the sector and agroforestry as a sustainable alternative. |
| 3 p.m. | Nutrition & Wellbeing: Cacao in Modern Diets | A talk on nutritional benefits, health impact, and its role in conscious eating. |
| 5:30 p.m. | Multi-sensory Cacao Workshop* | An immersive journey to connect with the essence of cacao through aroma, texture, and flavor. |
| 7 p.m. | Closing Party | Live music, local market (mercadito), and community gathering. |
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