The white village of Mijas has a hidden secret which for the last few years has been delighting chocolate lovers from all over the world… We’re referring to Mayan Monkey Mijas, a fabulous chocolate factory where you can take part in workshops to make your own sweet creations!
The sign above the entrance to this delightful chocolate factory and museum says it all, “Happiness Laboratory”.
Located in the village’s main ‘Plaza Virgen de la Peña’ Mayan Monkey isn’t your ordinary chocolate factory. From the minute you walk in you are greeted by friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff who are on hand to help you with all your chocolate-related queries or needs. They’ll tell you stories about the chocolate’s origins and offer you samples to try. And trust us, the place has an impressive collection of exotic chocolate treats which will make you think you’re in Chocolate Heaven!
And it’s not just the chocolate that is amazing at Mayan Monkey, their homemade ice cream is to die for! The impressive selection of exciting flavours makes for a tough choice, although it is made a little easier by being allowed to taste samples beforehand :-).
Helpings are more than generous (see photo) and you also get a choice of hot chocolate sauces to pour over your ice-cream treat. As a finishing touch, yummy shards of chocolate are ploughed into your scoops of, what some have described to be, the best ice cream in the world!
A visit to Mayan Monkey Mijas is a voyage of discovery and an educational experience where you’ll learn weird and wonderful facts about the fascinating world of chocolate.
We highly recommend you take part in one of their express workshops which are available 7 days a week. For just 19.95€ per person, you get the chance to make your own chocolate bars. Choose from three types of chocolate – dark, white or milk – and 54 different toppings and ingredients; after leaving your creations to cool and set for approximately 30 minutes, you can then take home beautifully wrapped and ready to devour. Let’s face it, chances are they won’t even make it back home 😉
If you have kids under the age of 10, the ‘Weekend Wonder’ Workshop is the perfect choice. Available at 10:30am on Saturday and Sunday, this hour-long chocolate-making experience is great value for money!
If you fancy a step up from the ‘Express Workshops’, you can choose the ‘Bonbons & Bars’ workshop where you’ll get to make chocolate bars and bonbons!
Those looking for a more in-depth chocolate-making experience might wish to take part in Mayan Monkey’s special hour-long workshops. Apart from learning to make the chocolate bar of your dreams, you’ll get a fascinating introduction to the history and origins of ‘Chocolate’ as well as the art of chocolate tempering.
As with the express tours, you’ll get hands-on experience by making three of your very own chocolate bars and learn to design, paint, mould, vibrate and de-mould. All this whilst sampling some of the most delicious chocolates from around the world.
Spaces for these workshops are limited due to their popularity (amongst kids and adults) so you need to book in advance. We recommend you visit the Mayan Monkey Mijas website where you can book your favourite workshop directly.
So if you’re looking to treat your kids or loved ones to a special day out and fancy trying something a little different… Mayan Monkey Mijas is the place to go!
Quick Tip: make sure you go on an empty stomach! 🙂
How to get to Mayan Monkey Mijas
Follow road signs to Mijas village. Once you get to the village we recommend you park in the main multi-story car park.
The Mayan Monkey Factory is located in the ‘Plaza Virgen de la Peña’, very near to the car park. (See map below)
Looking for accommodation on the Costa del Sol? Be sure to check out the Sunset Beach Club hotel website… Located on the seafront in Benalmádena, we offer comfortable apartment-style accommodation and fantastic facilities for a fun-packed holiday.
