up in the hill eco lodge logo

Permaculture & Chocolate Farm,
Coffee Shop, Natural Products, and Eco Lodge
in Bocas del Toro, Panama

up in the hill logo strip

"Good Things Come in Trees"

      Welcome to Up in the Hill! We are a family-owned organic chocolate farm and eco lodge located on Isla Bastimentos in Bocas del Toro, Panama. We started our farm in 2002, and since then we have grown into a fully functioning permaculture farm, producing cacao, chocolate, coconut oil, fruits, herbs and coffee, to name a few. With the production of our farm’s natural resources came the making of our own line of 100% natural body products and also our delicious farm to table coffee shop menu. 

      Our top rated permaculture & organic chocolate farm tour is a great way to learn about a wide range of plants, animals and trees here on the island, as well as how to process cacao and coffee. If you want to experience the farm for longer then a stay at our eco lodge is a great way to become fully immersed. We have created everything here from the trees on our farm, and the best part is – we continue to do so!

a labor of love

Our Bocas del Toro Chocolate Farm

We started our permaculture and chocolate farm on Isla Bastimentos in 2002. It’s been a labour of love that has come together slowly but surely over the years! Our draw to nature, the sea and the desire of a simple but full life for ourselves and our children is the driving force behind Up in the Hill. Today, our farm is filled with tropical fruit trees, cacao, and hundreds of endangered hardwoods that we have planted over the years!

learn permaculture and cacao

Our Bocas del Toro Chocolate Tour

Our tour covers a bit of everything, so there really is something in it for everyone! Farmer, foodie, nature lover, photographer as well as children of all ages enjoy and learn a thing or two about life in the jungle. We will guide you through our farm and show you how we grow cacao and turn it into chocolate, as well as explain how we use permaculture to grow all of the fruits, trees, and other plants throughout our farm!

A Unique Eco Lodge in Panama

experience our sustainable island lifestyle

We offer two, fully-equipped jungle cabins here at our farm and eco lodge in Panama, set on the highest point of Isla Bastimentos with sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea. Both cabins are handmade with wood from our farm and offer guests a unique opportunity to unwind and harmonize with the Panamanian rainforest. 

At Up in the Hill Eco Lodge, monkeys and birds are your only neighbors, and a good 20 minute hike takes you to the beautiful and secluded Wizard Beach. You’ll also love the cool ocean breezes that whip through our farm each afternoon!

Coffee, Chocolate, & Homemade, Organic Treats!

stop by our coffee shop for a one-of-a-kind experience

The Coffee Shop

Our coffee shop offers a simple but fresh-from-the-garden menu: teas and juices harvested to order, coffee and cacao hand-picked and processed on-site, fresh coconut milk made daily, as well as cakes and treats. Some of our favorite specialties include our famous chocolate brownie, hot chocolate-coconut milk, and a spicy homemade ginger kombucha.

Pure Tree Natural Body Products

Pure Tree products are ‘food for your skin’. Subtle smells and healing properties straight from the garden go into each bottle and jar. Simple, effective and great for all skin types, these products are 100% natural with no chemicals or preservatives.

"BEST. TOUR. EVER.'' Our Reviews...

Amazing experience. Don’t miss this one ! One of the coolest experiences in bocas… do it ! The jungle hike was great, the family that owns and runs it are fantastic, what they have done for permaculture is fascinating. It was interesting and engaging. The lunch at the end was incredible, I didn’t want it to end! Even my 15 year old niece thought it was awesome !
jtorrone
jtorrone
2023-12-26
Amazing!! Es war ein großartiges Erlebnis mit interessanten Informationen zu Flora und Fauna und einer tollen Verköstigung von regionalen, eigenen Produkten. Sehr inspirierend und authentisch!! ❤️
Tina S
Tina S
2023-12-22
Best Farm to Table Experience in Panamá My friend and I travelled from Canada to Panamá and one of the things we were most excited for was this tour. It didn’t disappoint us. It was certainly the highlight of my trip. I learned so much from Javier, who is clearly thrilled to teach others about his passions. We met other travellers and when the tour was over we all got to share food that was sourced directly from his farm. I’d recommend this over and over!
Sydney H
Sydney H
2023-09-15
Celebrating Birthday Amazing educational, physical challenge, suga cane, veggie, fruit, trees, insects, eating good food
Helen H
Helen H
2023-08-20
A must add to your visit This is definitely a must. It was a complete immersive experience . I'm not an outside person, but I definitely enjoyed walking through and learning about the different plants and the way chocolate is made. We got to eat healthy plants and at the end got to snack on everything he grows there. His passion for his world showed. The brownies are hands down one of my favorite. Some advice: (1) bring a poncho (2) bring rain boots (3) take the walking stick. You are in the rainforest so you want to be prepared.
Hannah D
Hannah D
2023-07-25
a must see when in bocas! Unforgettable experience this was my favorite experience in bocas del toro. It’s clear this farm is a labor of love. I learned so much about permaculture and the meal afterwards as soo delicious and fresh. Javier was extremely hospitable, knowledgeable, and just passionate about the farm he and his family built from scratch! If I return, I will come back. I have a much greater appreciation for nature. We came to learn about chocolate but learned sooo much more.
Leah R
Leah R
2023-07-25
The highlight of our trip. Educational and Wonderful We have traveled most of the caribbean, been to China, Thailand, Central and South America and this tour is on our top 3 favorites of all time. It was extremely educational and the hosts had a great sense of humor. The "snacks" were anything but. They were gourmet and fresh. The brownie was single handled the best brownie we have ever experienced. When we return to Bocas we will be repeating it again!
Lars S
Lars S
2023-04-02
Superbe visite! À ajouter dans votre itinéraire! Super visite d’une ferme de permaculture biologique avec dîner délicieux et frais à la fin. Nous avons adoré l’endroit!!
Érika M
Érika M
2023-03-20

Experience the Rainforest at Our Panama Eco Lodge!

Immerse yourself in the Panamanian rainforest with a few nights at our top rated eco lodge. 

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