When you think of Costa Rica souvenirs, coffee often comes to mind first. But just as rich in tradition and taste is cacao, the plant that gave birth to chocolate. Long before coffee, cacao was the heart of Mesoamerican culture, used as food, medicine, and even currency. Today, Costa Rica produces some of the world’s finest craft chocolate, making it a must-buy gift or treat for yourself.
If you are traveling through Guanacaste or anywhere else in the country, here’s your guide to the best chocolate souvenirs to bring home.
Pure Dark Chocolate Bars
The simplest and most elegant souvenir is a bar of high-quality dark chocolate. Look for bars with 70 percent or more cacao to experience the true depth of flavor. Each origin and roast offers something unique, from fruity brightness to nutty richness.
At Blue Valley Chocolate, our award-winning Maleku bar is a favorite. It captures the spirit of the rainforest and the wisdom of Indigenous traditions. It’s the perfect way to share Costa Rica’s essence with loved ones back home.
Drinking Chocolate
Costa Rica’s cacao is traditionally consumed as a hot drink. Drinking chocolate makes a wonderful souvenir because it connects you directly with history. Pure cacao paste or powder can be whisked into water or milk and flavored with cinnamon, chili, or honey.
Visitors love taking home our ceremonial cacao bricks, which can be melted and prepared just as the Maleku people have done for centuries.
Chocolate with Local Flavors
One of the joys of Costa Rican chocolate is how it pairs with local ingredients. Keep an eye out for bars infused with tropical fruits like pineapple or passionfruit, or spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, or chili. These flavors bring together the richness of cacao with the vibrancy of the land.
Our favorites include honey-cacao nib clusters and chili-infused dark chocolate, both of which highlight Guanacaste’s agricultural heritage.
Cacao Nibs
For something less sweet and more adventurous, cacao nibs are an excellent choice. These roasted fragments of cacao beans are crunchy, nutty, and packed with antioxidants. They can be sprinkled over oatmeal, blended into smoothies, or enjoyed as a healthy snack.
They’re lightweight, easy to pack, and give the recipient a taste of pure cacao in its rawest form.
Chocolate Body Care Products
Cacao is not just for eating. Its natural butter and antioxidants make it ideal for skincare. In Costa Rica, you’ll find artisanal soaps, scrubs, and lotions made with cacao butter. These products bring the tropical spa experience home and make unique souvenirs that go beyond food.
Chocolate Experiences
Sometimes the best souvenir isn’t something you carry but something you remember. Booking a cacao tour in Guanacaste lets you walk the farm, see pods growing on trees, taste fresh pulp, and watch beans transform into chocolate. The experience becomes a story you can share forever.
At Blue Valley Chocolate, we also offer international shipping, so you can restock your favorites after the trip or send a Costa Rican gift to someone abroad.
Tips for Buying Chocolate Souvenirs in Costa Rica
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Buy from local producers: Support small farms and artisanal makers rather than mass-market brands.
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Check the cacao percentage: The higher the percentage, the more intense the flavor and health benefits.
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Mind the heat: If traveling long distances, ask vendors to package chocolate carefully to avoid melting.
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Taste before you buy: Many shops and farms offer samples. Take advantage of this to discover your favorite.
Costa Rica’s chocolate is more than a souvenir. It is a piece of history, a taste of the rainforest, and a reflection of culture. Whether you choose a bar of dark chocolate, a pouch of cacao nibs, or a bundle of drinking cacao.
At Blue Valley Chocolate, we’re proud to share that story with every visitor. Come taste for yourself, and let chocolate be the souvenir that keeps Costa Rica close to your heart.
