This was a great chocolate farm tour, really interesting. Our tour guide, Phil, was very friendly and engaging with the tour group. The bulk of the tour is conducted from an open air tour vehicle and it is fascinating to learn about the history of the farm and how it came to be, and the different types of cacao plants. The drying room where the cacao seeds are fermented and dried was hot but smelled amazing, like a chocolate cloud. The tour includes chocolate tasting and lots of information about the process of making the chocolate. There is very little walking on this tour, which might be good for someone with mobility issues. read more

Gorgeous property and great tour. Kawika knows a lot about a lot of things. Everyone is super friendly. Worth a drive from anywhere on the island. read more

Lavaloha - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Lavaloha is a must do whether you're on the Kona or Hilo side! A Big Island Staple! Staying on the Kona side, we did a day trip to Hilo and would've regretted not going on this tour as it was so informative, adventurous, and just overall, genuine fun (for the entire family)! A MUST DO! read more

Lavaloha - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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What a awesome experience!!! Chocolate- from fruit to bar, you learn the process and learn about the trees that make the fruit! We had an amazing tour guide Leigh who worked on the farm and was very knowledgeable. I highly recommend for all ages!! read more

Excellent tour of the chocolate farm. I learned a lot about how chocolate grows and moves from tree to bar. We got to try the raw fruit, and sampled various flavors of chocolate. Delicious! read more

Lavaloha - Inside a cacao pod - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Awesome service! We wanted to go on a tour but found out they were booked:(. Because of COVID, they had private tour bookings so make sure to book 3-7 days before. Staff there are so friendly. KO went out of his way to explain the harvesting and processing of the cacao plant as well as all the other types of plants they grow on the farm. He even adopted a baby wild pig which is now part of the family. They even gave out free plants and my sister bought a milkweed plant that had THREE caterpillars on them! Definitely recommend!!! read more

What a fabulous tour! We had such a great tour guide- very knowledgeable. We were put in an 8 seater golf like cart and we're driven all around the farm. I learned soooo much about chocolate! I highly recommend this tour! All handicapped will do great on this tour. read more

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We booked this tour because we had seen it on Facebook multiple times. we had family in from out of town and thought this would be a great experience...and they did not disappoint! the farm was so clean, the workers were all friendly and our tour guid, Phil a.k.a "White Chocolate" (we hope it catches on Phil), was amazing! his knowledge of the farm, chocolate and his amazing sense of humor were much appreciated. the tasting was fabulous, the mini bus was comfy and well appointed for those crazy Hilo weather changes. I would recommend this tour 1000%! they support local vendors which is also so amazing. thank you for a beautiful day read more

Awesome tour, excellent guide! We had the riding tour and learned a lot about the chocolate process and got to taste a lot of the products! 10-15 minutes from Hilo town. We would recommend it for anyone! read more

Lavaloha - Cacao Tree Pod - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

My husband and I took a trip to Hilo and went on this tour. We were not disappointed. We did not know what to expect but we were pleasantly surprised. Our guide Jeremy had so much passion for this beautiful farm and the chocolate. He is smart as well as fun and oozes aloha. He is a true local and knows his stuff! The grounds are gorgeous and the views are spectacular. Learning about the cacao plant and tasting the chocolate in such a beautiful place made it an exceptionally fun day. They have big plans for this property and I'm so happy to be in at the beginning of what will be an even greater cacao farm and so much more! Jeremy was energetic talking about its potential and I can't wait to see how it evolves. Melissa in the gift shop was wonderful too. She was very sweet and fun to hang out with. They have guidelines to keep guests safe from Covid so we felt comfortable knowing we were safe. We ate the most delicious chocolate on the way home and we look forward to a return visit. read more

Get place. The chocolate is fabulous and the tour is really good too. Everyone is very friendly

This was an awesome tour! Derek was informative and knowledgeable and just great to be around! We had an incredible time. Being able to taste the cocoa through every step of the process was great! Delicious! read more

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We had a great 1.5-hour tour, and since they're a small business who are steadily (and savvily) building their brand awareness, we were the only two people on the tour! It was awesome. Our guide took us through the farm on a golf cart and occasionally also by foot, showing us the all-natural, pesticide-free cacao growth process step by step. We got to sample the cacao fruit, cocoa nibs, cacao liqueur, and all of their chocolate products, while also seeing their beautiful property (complete with natural rivers, waterfalls, wild boar, and plant nurseries). It sounds like the main investors in Lavaloha are both humble and involved in making their farm a great place to visit for future generations, allocating funds to projects like creating waterfall access (with emphasis on ecosystem conservation) and other exciting goals that will keep this place accessible to the public, so that everyone can enjoy the place and its products even more for years to come. The staff was very pleasant, friendly, and knowledgeable. We hope to return someday to see how everything has expanded! read more

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Had an amazing tour with my mom. We were able to walk all over the farm, taste the cacao plant. Lots of samples, super nice people and AMAZING grounds and views. Just a stunning property. I would highly recommend. read more

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Excellent private tour. Our guide Derek let us try the product at all stages, which was really special. My wife and I agree that the dark chocolate was the best we've ever had in our lives! We bought lots of gift chocolate for all our friends. read more

We went on a tour here, and the tour guide (I forgot her name...) gave a great tour of the farm and the entire chocolate making process. We were introduced to their Cacao farm, and she cracked open a fresh Cacao fruit during the tour and let us try the fresh fruit directly. We were later taken to where the cacaos are fermented, and we got to try some fresh Cacao nibs too. Last but not least, we got a sample for most of their chocolates, and I have to say their dark chocolates are one of the best ones I've ever had! Their milk chocolate with vanilla was excellent as well! Highly recommend everyone to go on this tour! read more

We had no idea that Cacao Trees grew in Hawaii. The tour of the farm proved not only that they do, but how they are grown, the beans harvested and turned into fabulous single farm chocolate. It was just like a winery tour! Our guide, Justine was AMAZING. She also works on the farm. She was not only knowledgeable about the Cacao Trees and the processing, but was so willing to answer our questions. We tasted for comparisons and chewed the beans right from the pods. I HIGHLY suggest this as a day well spent while on the Big Island. OH - and the gift shop is great too, with lots of local items to bring home!! read more

We were visiting from Massachusetts and both my husband and I had the best tour we have ever had in our lives.What an amazing Establishment/Operation We were greeted by Phil who was charismatic and welcoming. Then had a little stroll in their garden and got to feed the Resident ducks Huey and Guey (perhaps the name was Louie) As we gathered with another family on the Golf cart we were introduced to a Remarkable Bright Tour guide named PJ. He absolutely facilitated an informative and interactive 10 star tour. Not only does PJ have exceptional Guest Relation and Hospitality skills, he was well versed and knowledgeable to the Production aspects of Agriculture. It's rare to find a Human that can be so versatile in this Industry .This personable, polished young man made out experience. After touring the beautiful Orchard, asking numerous questions, we sampled several decadent chocolate variations that were made on sight. We were bid farewell by PJ after attempting to recruit him to come work for us if he ever was to pursue on a career on the East coast. We manage an Apple Orchard in the Berkshires. If visiting the Big Island, visit this Unique Orchard for a Memory that will last a lifetime. We learned so much about Chocolate and the Hawaii read more

When we travel, we love to have fun while learning, and so visiting this cocoa farm hit the mark. Jess was our tour guide and you cannot find a more entertaining, talented, knowledgeable tour guide. We rode in a top-notch golf cart that seated approximately 10 people thru the farm. We learned a lot about how to grow cocoa and even tasted the cocoa seeds and pulp. It tasted better than I ever imagined. Then to the roasting area for the beans and it smelled like brownies were baking. We were able to taste a variety of chocolate from dark to white. It reminded me of the how we tasted bourbon in Kentucky! The landscape was so incredibly beautiful; it looked out of Hilo and the ocean. It was breathtaking. Thank you Jess! Even though you want to work in the kitchen, you met your calling as a tour guide. Your enthusiasm for the chocolate also makes you a fantastic ambassador for Lavaloha. read more

Awesome tour of this beautiful chocolate farm! Definitely worth your time and money to enjoy a great time and some great chocolate and learn lots Our tour guide, Jess, was so insightful and friendly. Delicious chocolate! read more

Such a fun and interesting tour! See the entire process of high quality chocolate making from the orchard to the bar and taste along the way. Our guide was knowledgeable and we learned so much! Fun and delicious way to spend a morning. read more

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We found this place because Facebook stalked us, lol. I'm so glad we did!!! It was an hour and a half drive from our hotel in Waikoloa Village but worth the trip. We were early for our tour yet we were immediately met and shown around the welcome center. They allowed us to tour tour their botanical garden whilst we waited. Let me tell you... such a beautiful spot. I loved the foliage and the water. A lovely spot out of a lava tube. Well done!! Now, onto the tour. Our guide was Lexie. Let me tell you she was knowledgeable, energetic and hilarious. We learned so much about how chocolate is made. She was an outstanding tour guide. We were driven in a "bus" style golf cart. So comfy! Has sides to protect from rain as needed, she was prepared with umbrellas and towels if needed. We saw the trees, learned about how they grow, how they are harvested, fermented, dried and then prepared. Woah! I learned so much!! The chocolate samples were given in the chocolate lounge. It was so bougie!! the samples were yummy. The staff in the store was friendly. The lanai has a beautiful view. I recommend a visit to this farm. It is worth the trip. read more

Best worth for the buck kind of chocolate / cacao farm tour here on the Big Island. $40 per adult (13+) and $10 for children (aged 3-12). Totally easy to book even at the last minute, which we found to be super difficult everywhere else on the Big Island (we usually like to go with the flow vs. plan ahead). This was also perfect for our family as my husband is an information seeker while we all love the taste and flavor of chocolate. This tour gave us the full breakdown of how chocolate is made from the farms trees to actual bars sold on the retail shelves. The tastings were amazing as well! We wish there were larger sample sizes, but all in all, this was one of the best experiences we had while on the Big Island in Hilo if traveling with small kids and wanting to tackle the drive to this side of the island. What was significantly awesome for our young kids was not only the chocolate, but also Carol's Garden, a part of the farm next to the parking lot and across the way from the gift shop entrance, where we were able to venture to with no time pressure and allow the kids to feed the ducks. Our tour guide (Lexi) was amazing- mahalo nui! read more

It was an amazing experience and learning opportunity about sustainability and the growth of cacao to the production of chocolate. The tour was very enjoyable, and our tour guide was very knowledgeable and welcoming to us. It was fun to be able to taste test some cacao, see the fermentation/drying process as well as being able to taste the chocolate made from the cacao. The view from the main area was also beautiful and an overall wonderful experience. read more

An amazing tour. Derrick was kind, enthusiastic, and interesting. Beautiful landscape. Chocolate was amazing. We ended up buying many different types of chocolate because we just couldn't decide. Great place to relax too. read more

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I was looking forward to visiting the Lavaloha Chocolate Farm, but the tour was a real blast and it far exceeded my expectations. Plentiful samples greet you before the tour. My favorite was the milk chocolate sea salt. Guides were funny, friendly and super informative. I got the impression they genuinely love what they are doing on the farm. It's a new business, so I encourage everyone to support them. The tour will be a highlight of your trip and help support local business. read more

Lavaloha - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

My husband and I had a wonderful time at Lavaloha. Our tour guide Derek was warm and friendly, knowledgeable and fun. We learned a ton about chocolate production and got to taste many samples. The gift shop is also fantastic and the view from the lanai is unbeatable. We would recommend this tour to many people. read more

Lavaloha - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

This was an amazing tour with a very knowledgeable guide, Deus. I had a lot of questions and he answered them all. This tour was one of the highlights of our time on the Big Island, totally worth it. read more

We took the tour with Leigh with our 2 and 4 year olds. There was one other group in our tour. It was fantastic. I've been to two chocolate factories before, but still learned a ton. The tour was relaxing, with many samples. This is the perfect tour if you have kids who won't sit still on a golf cart for long. It was flexible enough to let the kids stretch their legs when they get restless. read more

What a hidden treasure! Had a window of time before flying home and heard of the Lavaloha Chocolate Farm. It was a highlight in an already fabulous trip to Hilo! Phil kept us entertained and educated on all things chocolate. So happy it worked out! read more

Lavaloha was closed however one of the partners Curtis who farms coffee gave us a personal grout and shared so much about the process and the island. We purchased freshly roasted coffee. This was by far one the best experience my family had had. Next time hopefully we will enjoy some fresh chocolate and coffee read more

My family and I visited Lavaloha as the last stop on our Big Island vacation and we can confidently say that it was one of the best moments throughout our entire trip! We went on the private chocolate tour led by Derrick and we were blown away with the amount of passion he had for the cacao farm. Engaging us with fun stories and detailed explanations of the chocolate making process, my family had a delightful time at this hidden gem. Recommend 100%! read more

Lavaloha - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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We had a personal tour of the farm, processing and tasting. Such a great way to support a local business venture! The chocolate was even more delicious after seeing the process. This farm is mostly off grid and self sustaining! Great tour, great chocolate and great views! read more

Lavaloha - View from Lavahola!! - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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We really appreciate chocolate now after learning about the process to make it! Phil was so informative and entertaining during our tour. Lavaloha not only makes impressive chocolate, but is committed to a sustainability and supporting their community. We loved the family vibe of this place and highly recommend a visit. read more

I could have given this 5 stars based on our Tour Guide.... but I knock it down as it was kinda expensive. I received an AD on Facebook about the tour but it didn't mention a price. Once I got there and they told me how much it was to take the tour, I paid but mentioned they could have had the cost on the AD.... I was told, "you could have gone to our website and saw the price" for that kind of Comment that cost a star... They do give you samples (small pieces) of their chocolate. I really liked the Salted Chocolate so I purchased some, but it came with only a few bites for $14. Other than the guy who mentioned about should have looked online for the prices, the rest of the staff were friendly and courteous. read more

We really enjoyed our tour and would highly recommend it for locals as well as visitors. Everyone was very friendly, and our guide Jessica was super knowledgeable. We live about 30 minutes away and still felt like it was a real getaway with its sweeping ocean views. This will definitely be high on the list of places we recommend to others. read more

Lavaloha - Across from the Visitor's Center is a collapsed lava tube they've turned in to a lush garden, complete with a small stream - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Just a 5 minute or so drive up through the farm lands is the tour. Very nice greeting and tour guide. Very organized and clean. Take the walking tour as it's very educational on all the aspects of the tree. This farm is more than coffee and cocoa trees. read more

Awesome tour of this chocolate farm, and great chocolate! Worth the money for the tour, and there were plenty of samples! We bought a lot of chocolate from their gift shop afterwards to take home with us! read more

Great staff, Great chocolate, Great tour! ended up buying a bunch of their chocolate to take home as gifts.

Lavaloha offered a great tour of their chocolate farm! The tour guide was very knowledgable. We also got to try not only fresh chocolate samples, but fresh out of the pod cacao beans. You should definitely take the tour while you are in Hilo. read more

Lavaloha - Cacao pod! - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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