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Mayan Monkey Mijas Chocolate FactoryThe 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, the world’s smallest chocolate factory! 

The sign above the entrance to this delightful chocolate factory and museum says it all, “Happiness Laboratory”.

Located in the village’s ‘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 cocoa powder and chocolate treats which will make you think you’re in Chocolate Heaven!

Mayan Monkey’s success has led to the recent opening of a second shop/café where visitors can enjoy all their chocolate treats as well as other mouth-watering goodies. Located in the town’s popular ‘Plaza de la Constitución’ it’s a great place to relax and take in the sights and sounds of Mijas.

And it’s not just the chocolate that is amazing at Mayan Monkey, apparently their home-made 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 before-hand :-).

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!

Icecream at Mayan Monkey Mijas

Yummy icecream with hot chocolate sauce and shards

A visit to Mayan Monkey Mijas is really 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 from 11am to 7pm. You’ll be taken on a quick tour of their chocolate factory (10 to 15 minutes) and shown how chocolate, in its rawest form, is taken through a delicate process to turn it into the tastiest of treats. For just 11.70€ per person, you get the chance to make your own chocolate bars. Choose from three types of chocolate – dark, white or milk – and hundreds or toppings; after leaving your creations to cool and set for approximately 40 minutes, you can then take home beautifully wrapped and ready to devour. Chances are they won’t even make it back home 😉

Chocolate Making workshop in the factory

Chocolate making workshop

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, mold, vibrate and demold. 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. The price is for the workshop is 25€per person and can be run in various languages including English, Spanish, Catalan, French, German and Italian. It really makes for a great birthday or anniversary gift!

Chocolate bars at Mayan Monkey Mijas

3 bars of chocolate made at one of the workshops

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 which is only 1€ for the whole day!

The Mayan Monkey Factory is located in the ‘Plaza Virgen de la Peña’, very near to the car park. (See map below)

The Mayan Monkey Café/Shop is located in the towns popular ‘Plaza de la Contitución’ near the tourist office and the Mijas bullring. (See map)

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.