Mayan Monkey Mijas: The Fun Chocolate Factory near Malaga
Do you love chocolate? Then, Mayan Monkey Mijas is the perfect plan.
Mayan Monkey Mijas is located in Mijas, specifically in Mijas Pueblo, which is in the mountainside part of the town.
It’s a great day trip from Malaga, Fuengirola or Marbella, and whether you’re travelling with a friend or family, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
If you’re thinking of visiting Mayan Monkey Mijas but aren’t sure if it’s worth it, I’m going to share my experience below.
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Whose Mayan Monkey Mijas Chocolate Factory for?
This activity is perfect for all ages! Before our turn, there was a group of old ladies having lots of fun making their chocolate bars. And I can see kids having lots of fun doing one of the workshops at Mayan Monkey Mijas.
In fact, they mention that all of their workshops are perfect for kids over 3 years old, and it’s a good idea to celebrate a kid’s birthday or take a day out with the family.
They have a wide range of workshops to choose from. You can create chocolate bars, bonbons, dragons, donkeys and butterflies made of chocolate.
My experience at Mayan Monkey Mijas
I’ve been to Mijas Pueblo many times; after all, it’s one of my favourite small towns near Malaga. Plus, it’s very close to my family’s house.
I had heard of Mayan Monkey Mijas before, but I hadn’t been, and I was very curious about their chocolate.
One of the things that caught my attention is the fact that their chocolate is organic and sustainable.
That means they don’t add any preservatives, and there is no child labour involved in producing chocolate.
The chocolate factory is located in Mijas’ main square, and not only do they have amazing chocolate, but they also have ice cream. You can buy delicious chocolate bars, books about chocolate and monkey toys!
Yes, there’s a link between monkeys and chocolate, which also explains the factory’s name.
If you go to the end of the shop, you’ll find a ramp on the right-hand side. When you go through there, you’ll find the chocolate factory, which you can see through the glass door.
And I love that they have a tiny door, just like you’d see in a fairytale film, and only Oompa Loompas can walk through.
Next to the factory is the museum. We waited for 5 minutes for our chocolate expert to start the experience. We booked “Taller Express”, their introductory workshop, which is 15 to 20 minutes and 19,95 euros per person.
First, we went to the museum, where we saw impressive machines that produce chocolate and the packages.
The chocolate expert gave us a small plate with different types of chocolate. She told us to try a specific chocolate while she was sharing an interesting fact about it.
It was fun and interactive and made us think about each chocolate’s ingredients. My favourite was the white chocolate made with lime and coconut. I was surprised by the combination of flavours. They really worked!
After the guided museum visit and chocolate tasting, we went to the factory, where we had the opportunity to create three chocolate bars.
There were many toppings to choose from: pistachios, almonds, candied fruits, shredded coconut, pumpkin seeds, essential oils, matcha tea, and the list goes on.
We made one white chocolate and two milk chocolate bars. When we finished, we walked through the tiny door and were told that our chocolate bars would be ready in 15/20 minutes.
We decided to go for a wander and came back later. My partner had a chocolate ice cream, which was pure chocolate (no preservatives), and he loved it.
Interesting facts about the chocolate at Mayan Monkey Mijas
These are some of the interesting things I learned during the guided visit to the museum:
- Their chocolates, ice creams and cakes are made in-house. Everything is organic, and there aren’t hidden ingredients.
- Monkeys are essential for the creation of chocolate. Basically, we wouldn’t have chocolate if it weren’t for the monkeys. The Mayan monkeys get cacao pods from the tree, eat the fruit, and spit out the beans. This process helps the growth of more cacao trees in South America.
- Cacao beans were seen as something luxurious by the Aztecs, as only royals used to eat them.
- Spaniards didn’t bring cacao beans from South America until 1544. However, it’s said that Christoper Columbus discovered cacao beans earlier but didn’t know their value.
Conclusion about Mayan Monkey Mijas
So is it worth visiting Mayan Monkey Mijas? My short answer is yes. I loved learning about chocolate and tasting flavours I hadn’t tried before. The staff was very friendly too.
The workshops are fun, and you’re guaranteed to eat high-quality and sustainable chocolate.
Do you have any questions? Drop a comment below or join my Malaga and Costa del Sol Facebook Group, and I’ll be happy to answer them.
Cristina x
Save this Mijas Pueblo chocolate factory on Pinterest for later
Things to do before visiting Malaga
- Book cheap flights to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport with Skyscanner.
- Looking for accommodation in Malaga and its surroundings? Take a look at Booking.com
- Check out tours and activities in Malaga with Get Your Guide.
- Book a free walking tour in Malaga with GuruWalk.
- Travelling around Costa del Sol? Check and compare car rentals with Discover Cars.
- Buy travel insurance for your trip. This is a must for any trip!
