Medellin: Colombian Rum and Chocolate Experience | BOOK NOW!

This experience is interesting because it turns two local obsessions, Colombian rum and cacao, into a guided tasting you can actually follow in about 2 hours. Instead of wandering and hoping you pick the right flight, you get structured pairings and explanations in a real chocolate-focused setting in Laureles.

I especially like the way the tasting is built around 10 rum samples matched with different artisanal chocolates. I also like that you do more than sip, you get small rituals like an ancestral cacao shot and a hands-on chocolate treatment that makes the whole thing feel like a mini workshop.

One drawback to consider: it’s heavy on sugar and alcohol in a short window. If you’re sensitive to either, plan smart and eat beforehand.

Key Highlights You Can Actually Plan Around

• 10 Colombian rums, each paired with a specific chocolate style
• Laureles location at Colombian Cacao Experience, Cra. 80B #35A-28 (near public transit)
• An ancestral cacao shot included as part of the route through the space
• Chocolate exfoliation for your hands, a fun close-to-the-sink tactile moment
• Small group size, with a maximum of 20 people
• Host-led guidance, with Dion specifically called out as an amazing, friendly guide

Why This Rum and Chocolate Tasting Works in Medellín

Medellín has no shortage of food and drink tours. Most are either generic, or they focus on one thing and stop there. This one is different because it’s genuinely a pairing experience. You’re not just tasting rum, you’re tasting how cacao changes what rum tastes like, and how different textures in chocolate can steer your palate.

The setting matters too. You start in a dedicated chocolate space in Laureles, at Colombian Cacao Experience. Laureles is a good base neighborhood for evenings because you can pair the tour with dinner, a relaxed walk, or another local stop afterward. And since it’s near public transportation, you’re not forced into a complicated route to get there.

The vibe is part of the value. In the reviews, people kept praising the organization, communication, and the host, with Dion repeatedly mentioned for being fun and informative. When a tasting is smooth, you relax and actually enjoy the flavors instead of worrying about timing or where you should stand.

Laid-Back Start at the Cacao House in Laureles

You meet at Colombian Cacao Experience in Laureles, at Cra. 80B #35A-28. The good news is that it ends back at the same meeting point, so you don’t need a second plan for the way out. It’s also close to public transportation, which helps a lot if you’re hopping between neighborhoods.

Inside, you’ll move through multiple areas within the cacao house. That matters for two reasons. First, it keeps the experience from feeling like one long table read. Second, it signals that this is more than a simple pour-and-go tasting. You’re guided through different parts of the space as the tasting changes, and that makes the tour feel intentional.

One practical note. This is a nighttime-friendly activity for couples, groups of friends, and curious solo travelers. The maximum group size is 20, which typically keeps things social but not chaotic. If you hate big crowds, this is a safer bet than a party-sized tasting.

The Main Event: 10 Colombian Rums Paired With Chocolate

The heart of the experience is the pairing. You taste 10 Colombian rums, and each one is matched with different types, flavors, and textures of artisanal chocolate. That pairing style is the real reason this tour feels worth doing, even if you’re not a hardcore rum person.

Here’s what you should pay attention to as you go:

You’ll likely notice how chocolate sweetness can soften the burn of alcohol. You’ll also notice how different chocolate styles can shift your perception of the rum. Darker chocolates often feel more bitter or cocoa-forward, which can change how spicy or oaky the rum comes across. Lighter chocolates and add-ons can make the rum taste rounder or more aromatic.

This is also where the guide earns their spot. Dion is mentioned as a standout for explaining the tastings and creating a fun atmosphere. With that kind of guidance, you get a real sense of what you’re tasting and why the pairing is happening, not just what it tastes like.

As you taste, don’t rush. The goal is to compare. Take a sip, then take a small bite of chocolate, then reset your palate before the next rum. A lot of the enjoyment comes from noticing small changes, not from chasing a single perfect flavor.

Also, a few rum names show up as favorites in the feedback, including Hechicera and Parce 6. Even if the lineup changes, it’s a good sign that the selection tends to include rums people are excited about, not random tourist bottles.

What the Ancestral Cacao Shot Adds (and Why It’s Not Just a Gimmick)

Before the rum-and-chocolate rhythm fully takes over, you’ll get an ancestral cacao shot. This isn’t presented as a random extra. It fits the overall idea of cacao being the foundation, not the afterthought.

Why I think this part is valuable for you: cacao shots tend to reset your palate and anchor the experience in local ingredients. You taste something that feels closer to cacao itself, before you start layering chocolate textures and rum flavors. It helps the rest of the tasting make more sense.

It also adds variety. If all you did was chocolate plus rum, it could blur together. The cacao shot creates a distinct “first chapter,” so the later pairings feel like a progression.

Chocolate Exfoliation for Your Hands, Yes, Really

You also get chocolate exfoliation, which means your hands get a chocolate-based treatment designed to soften them. It’s a small moment, but it’s one of the details that makes this feel playful instead of purely instructional.

This is the kind of activity detail you’ll either love or ignore. If you enjoy hands-on touches, you’ll probably end up remembering it later, especially because most tastings are only about the tongue.

Just plan for the practical part: you’ll be handling chocolate, so your hands will get messy in the most fun way. Wear something you don’t mind lightly smelling like cocoa afterward.

Timing and Flow: How It Fits Into a Medellín Night

The tour runs about 2 hours. That’s long enough to do a full pairing sequence, and short enough that you can still eat after without feeling like you missed your evening.

Because the experience includes sugar and alcohol, you should pace yourself. One review strongly encouraged eating a snack before, and that advice is spot on. If you arrive hungry, you’ll feel every sweet and every sip harder than you want to.

My suggestion:

• Eat something light before you go, especially if you’re planning dinner right afterward.
• Bring water for between tastings, even if water is provided, because it helps you reset.
• If you’re with friends, do small, slow bites instead of big jumps. The pairings are designed for comparison.

If you’re the type who likes to do one major activity and then wander, this is a good choice. Laureles is easy to explore after, and the tour ends right back where you started.

Small Group Size, Big Difference in Quality

Maximum 20 travelers. That number matters more than it sounds.

In a small group, it’s easier to:

• hear the explanations without strain
• get your questions answered
• keep your own tasting pace
• avoid the “everyone shoves, no one learns” problem

You also feel more like you’re in a local hands-on session rather than a quick ticket line. That matches what people praised, including organization and communication, plus the host energy.

And because it’s in one place, you don’t waste time relocating between stops. In a city where logistics can eat your day, a well-run 2-hour activity is real value.

Price and Value: Is $56.55 Worth It?

At $56.55 per person for about 2 hours, you’re paying for more than “tasting something.” You’re paying for:

• 10 rum samples (a lot for a short tasting)
• guided pairings with multiple chocolate types
• included elements like an ancestral cacao shot and chocolate exfoliation
• a small-group experience with a max of 20

Is it expensive? It’s not cheap. But it stacks up well when you compare it to other alcohol-related experiences that either serve far fewer samples or skip the structured pairing element.

The value comes from the pairing format. If you just wanted rum, you’d go find a bar. If you just wanted chocolate, you’d do a dessert-focused stop. You’re getting both with a system, plus extra included experiences that push it beyond basic tasting.

If you’re traveling as a couple or with friends, this can also be a solid “shared splurge.” Everyone gets something to do, and you get a built-in conversation starter.

Who Should Book This Tour, and Who Might Skip It

This is a great fit if you:

• love food and drink that’s explained in plain language
• enjoy trying multiple samples instead of one big plate
• want an activity that feels local, not touristy
• like cacao as an ingredient and want context

It’s also a smart choice if you’re in Medellín for a short time and want one night activity that’s easy to fit into your schedule.

You might reconsider if you:

• don’t drink alcohol at all and are worried about the tasting format
• have a low tolerance for sweet drinks and alcohol in a short time
• dislike hands-on experiences, since the tour includes chocolate exfoliation

Should You Book This Tour?

If you’re deciding between this and a more generic food or drink stop, I’d lean toward booking. The big reason is the structure: 10 rum tastings paired with chocolate, plus extra included moments like the ancestral cacao shot and the chocolate hand exfoliation. That combination creates a clear arc, not a random sampler tray.

Book it if you want a fun, guided night in Laureles with a host like Dion who clearly knows how to keep the energy high and the pacing comfortable. Skip it only if you know sweet plus alcohol in 2 hours is not your thing, and you would rather choose a lighter tasting plan.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Medellín rum and chocolate experience?

It runs for about 2 hours.

What does the tour include?

You’ll taste 10 Colombian rums paired with artisanal chocolates. The experience also includes an ancestral cacao shot and a chocolate exfoliation for your hands, with time spent exploring multiple areas within the Cacao House.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Colombian Cacao Experience, Cra. 80B #35A-28, Laureles – Estadio, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How much does it cost?

The price is $56.55 per person.

How many people are in a group?

The maximum group size is 20 travelers.

Is confirmation provided after booking?

Yes, confirmation is received at the time of booking.

Is the meeting point accessible by public transportation?

Yes, it is near public transportation.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount you paid is not refunded.