Nestled unassumingly between two volcanoes, Volcán Concepción and Volcán Maderas, on the infinity shaped inside of Ometepe, Nicaragua, El Pital Ometepe, aka The Chocolate Paradise, thrives, sprawling within the abundance of wildlife. Much like its name suggests, El Pital visually looks like a naturally occurring paradise, think The Promised Land or Garden of Eden except there's chocolate - a lot of chocolate.

El Pital is multipurpose, a getaway, hostel, vegan cafe/ cacao, raw chocolate factory, and cacao farm all in one. Workshops are offered daily, varying from yoga to meditations. Meals are all plant-based and vegan. In addition, tours are given around the farm. Visitors are taught about the history of the cacao plant medicine and learn the process of how chocolate is made. Please read our interview with one of the partners of El Pital Ometepe - The Chocolate Paradise, Justin Waxman, to learn more.

Where are you based?
We are located on the magical island of Ometepe in Nicaragua, between two volcanoes, right in front of the beach of Lake Nicaragua.

What attracted you to Nicaragua, and particularly to Ometepe Island?
To put it simply, I heard Ometepe had beautiful nature and good vibes. Found that and then so much more. This place is pure magic.

A lot of Americans fear that Nicaragua isn’t safe to travel to. Do you agree with this and if not, what would you like to tell them to ease their concerns?
I disagree wholeheartedly. Nicaragua is very safe and inviting for everyone. The locals here are incredibly kind-hearted and warm. Especially on Ometepe, known as an Oasis of peace, it has always been a place to live very close to nature in a more holistic and conscious way. I recommend that travelers come visit and feel welcomed by the local people and the beautiful natural elements.

Can you tell us about El Pital? And what inspired it?
El Pital was inspired by a vision to live a natural life. To create a raw vegan chocolate paradise. Fed by spring water, with natural food forestry, and to create good vibes and a positive impact in the local community in a sustainable and ethical way.

What's the origin behind the name?
Pital is the historical name of the land that we’re located on, deriving from a plant that grows out in this beach called Pital which the locals used to make hats.

El Pital is located inside a lush tropical jungle full of wildlife and immersive natural beauty. Why is it important that we experience the raw elements of nature?
In my personal opinion, being constantly within nature is a pillar to living a life of happiness. Being so immersed in the natural world is healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually. As well, is growing food abundance and creating a welcoming environment for all living beings to exist and thrive.

El Pital, aka "The Chocolate Paradise" is a raw organic vegan chocolate factory. What made you decide to take this approach?
The owner’s father was an ice-cream maker, and he grew up with an addictive sweet tooth. As he grew older, he came into awareness about raw veganism and superfoods. As he traveled around the world, he learned about indigenous cultures and medicines - especially Cacao as a medicine. So he wanted to take an approach to bring these elements together with nature to make healthy chocolates and sweet desserts using raw organic fruits.

Can you tell us a little bit about what goes into your farming, and why it is so important?
Here at El Pital we focus on building a diverse food forest, growing over 40 different types of fruits, as well as many different types of edible leaves, vegetables, herbs, and natural medicines. Diversity is key to having a healthy food forest.

What makes your chocolate special and different?
We make raw tree-to-bar chocolate from the harvest to the final bars. The cacao is harvested from cacao trees all around the island at perfect ripeness, and brought down to the farm on its first day to start fermenting. Here on the farm we do every step from fermenting the Cacao, sun drying, aging, winnowing, stone-grinding, and crystallizing to ensure top quality Cacao with as deliciously unique a taste as possible. We mainly use criollo Cacao varieties to create craft flavors and to protect the diversity of the rarer species. In a couple more years, our own Cacao forest that we planted within the last few years will begin to produce our own Cacao pods.

The chocolate industry is pretty dark across the globe. Can you tell us a little bit about it, and how what you are doing is differently?
The industrial chocolate and global chocolate industry is estimated to be worth 100 billion USD per year. That industry is mostly built on the poverty, and in some cases, slavery, of the farmers, especially in Western Africa. Here at El Pital, we work directly with local growers on the island to support the local economy and get fresh, directly sourced Cacao fruits from the trees nearby. Tree to bar craft raw chocolate is one answer to help the spread of awareness and to address poverty within our local community directly. We believe that conscious consumers that understand our product and resonate with the vision will be attracted to come here and try it for themselves.

Where would you like to see the chocolate industry go?
Craft, Raw, Ethical, Pleasureable, and Guilt-Free. In addition to your chocolate being vegan, your whole menu is entirely plant based and vegan, and sourced from your farm.

Why is this so important?
This is important for health reasons and sustainability reasons. One of our philosophies is that the whole foods plant-based diet is the healthiest diet for the human body. Therefore, we strive to make Chocolates, Smoothies, Brownies, and Vegan Ice-creams, typically seen as desserts, that are healthy and delicious. Growing many of the fruits and vegetables here on the farm for the Vegan Cafe and Restaurant provides daily and seasonal fresh organic produce.

As an eco-conscious business within the hospitality industry, what are some changes that you would like to see within this industry to further promote an eco-friendly business/ lifestyle?
Zero Waste/Leave No Trace is a big one. Making our own soaps from cítrus peels and ash, reusing plastic bottles that people leave behind. Not using any single-use plastics to begin with are all elements of how we can make a small difference. Our straws for drinks are made from organic papaya branches.

What's next for El Pital?
Who knows? This place wears many hats, so to speak. The space is holding its first retreats this summer, including Yoga Teacher Training. The Chocolate is currently only sold here on the island, but we’re looking at ways to get it more out into the world. Every day is a new and exciting adventure and we’ll see how it all unfolds.

What is your motto in life?
Magic is Real.

Please list any websites and social media you would like Jejune to promote:
www.thechocolateparadise.com
Instagram @pitalchocolateparadise
Facebook: El Pital Ometepe