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...

Wow! Wow! This place is insane. We got the know Up the Hill via via because it’s not really advertised much in bocas town. But is so worth it!! Javier gave a tour trough there eco garden and explained about every flower, plant and tree. At the end you can taste many of plants, fruits, coffee and chocolate you’ve seen during a very nice lunch. We loved everything about it!! Many thanks to Up The Hill!
Alinde B
Alinde B
2022-02-14
Wunderbarer Ausflug Ein Highlight auf der Isla Bastimentos! Super Tour und sehr interessant. Haben viel über die Pflanzen, Früchte etc. erzählt bekommen. Das Essen nach der Tour war ein Traum. Definitiv ein Muss wenn man mehrere Tage hier auf Bocas ist.
MatthiasNoti
MatthiasNoti
2022-02-02
An experience not to be missed! What an incredible way to learn about sustainable organic farming. The place is a beautiful lush forest literally up in the hill on bastimentos island. Javier is so passionate about his work on the farm and is full of information about everything he grows there. He is very nice and funny too. At the end of the tour, you get to sample and taste a lot of different local products all grown and prepared at the farm and all very delicious. A really cool experience not to be missed.
MMG07
MMG07
2021-09-13
Beautiful place and fun tour Fantastic tour! We loved learning about permaculture, sustainability, and walking around the property. Javier and Jeanette have such a beautiful thing there. We went on this tour Jan 2021 and they are open! Just contact them ahead of time. The food they prepared was amazing as well. This was one of the highlights of our trip to Bocas.You have to be ready for a decent hike, and it can be slippery and muddy so come wearing tennis shoes and be prepared for a fun few hours! You don't need to be in amazing shape or anything but able to walk uphill a bit. We brought our 2 year old son, and he did great! Kids are welcome there.
Naomi M
Naomi M
2021-01-22
Amazing few hours on the farm Amazing few hours spend on the farm! Loved the tour, food and my skin loooves the organic coconut oil !!! Don’t even get me started on the brownies!!!! Up on the Hill should be a must stop if you’re happen to be on Bastimentos!
Petra V
Petra V
2021-01-14
Unique and unforgettable experience This place is special and you should make it a must-do if you're in Bocas del Toro. Javier gave our group of four an incredible tour of their one-of-a-kind farm with an enormous variety of flora and fauna unlike anything I've ever seen. He and his wife started this place in 2002 and it's really remarkable what they've built. They are clearly very proud and passionate about their work, and their knowledge and enthusiasm shines through in the tour, gift shop, and the delicious (included) meal served following the tour.If you want a fun, affordable tour that doesn't feel the least bit "touristy", this is it. Highly recommended.
Doc
Doc
2020-12-28
Fantastic farm tour in a beautiful tropical jungle setting The tour of this quaint but flourishing organic farm was definitely a highlight of our recent trip to Panama. We learned so much about the flora and fauna of the island, particularly about harvesting coffee and cacao, and especially self-sustainability. We saw several red tree frogs while out on the farm. The hike from the boat drop-off spot up to the farm was just enough of a workout to build up the anticipation of the tour. Following the tour, our hosts prepared a lovely and delicious meal consisting of a variety of fresh produce grown directly on the farm (my favorites were probably the papaya with mint, sweet bananas with shaved cacao, and fried yucca with hot chili pepper sauce). The hosts - a husband and wife team - were fully accommodating both while scheduling the tour and during the actual visit itself (their adorable dogs tagged along for the tour as well), and it was impressive to see how the hard work that they've put into the farm has very much paid off. If you're planning on staying in the Bocas del Toro area of Panama, I would highly recommend getting some sturdy shoes, water, and plenty of bug repellant and paying this place a visit.
KP C
KP C
2020-12-23
Best. Tour. Ever. Both the tour and "snack time" were absolutely amazing. You do need to be in half-way decent shape to get all the way to the highest point on Isla Bastimentos -- so wear your hiking boots or shoes and bring water. Amazing tour (starting at 10:30 -- make a reservation) and gift shop. What a beautiful and inspiring place. Some of the best, freshest organic food on the planet. I cannot recommend this highly enough. Wow. Wow. Just wow.
Small-Island-Nation
Small-Island-Nation
2020-12-15
Kakao ist klasse Auf dem umWeg zum wizard Beach ergab sich eine kleine Wanderung mit Zwischenstopp auf der Kakao Farm. Eine Führung auf der Farm ist möglich und der Kakao ist eine willkommene geschmackssensation.
Wolf Coaching
Wolf Coaching
2020-03-19
A Farm Like No Other A diversely expansive organic farm?!? What else needs to be said? With just a short hike, you are blessed with the grandeur of a farm expertly integrating permaculture and self sustainability. While walking through nature’s pantry, your guide introduces your palette to new flavors and textures by pointing out edible leaves, roots and flowers around you. His expertise allows you to taste a faux-garlic plant, turmeric and sweet leaves to name a few. After the tour of the farm, a lavish spread of soup, fresh bread, and fruits and vegetables from the farm is served. It was a refreshing end to a tiring day.The brownie was the best thing I have ever eaten in my life. I dream about this brownie and will not forget it.
Rational Consumer
Rational Consumer
2020-03-14

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