A guided visit to the cocoa farm of the Merta Abadi farmers' group in Banjar Adnyasari, Ekasari village, Melaya, costs about Rp50,000 per person including the process explanation and a cup of hot chocolate, according to budayabali.com (July 2026). Jadesta, the Tourism Ministry's village portal, lists prices "from Rp10,000". The gap is wide, so confirm by WhatsApp before you drive out (checked October 2026).
What do you actually do there?
Visitors see the seedling nursery, walk through the cocoa garden, watch beans being fermented and sun-dried, then drink chocolate made by the village women's farming group. A balidalamberita report (April 2025) mentions picking cocoa pods and making chocolate the traditional way. Packs of processed chocolate sell as souvenirs for around Rp20,000.
Why cocoa in Ekasari?
Ekasari was declared a self-sufficient cocoa village in 2022 (NusaBali, 28 September 2022), and the Merta Abadi garden hosted a field visit for delegates of the IICC 2023 international cocoa conference. The same village has the Palasari Catholic church and dam, so you can combine both: see our Palasari article.
What are the opening hours and do I need to book?
Budayabali says it opens daily, but no source publishes exact hours. Farmers run the tours, so message ahead so someone is there to guide you. Mornings are more comfortable while the garden is still shaded.
How far is it and how do I get there?
Ekasari sits north of the Denpasar-Gilimanuk road, roughly 20-30 minutes from Negara or Gilimanuk, turning off toward Palasari. From Denpasar allow about 3 hours each way. Public transport to the village is limited, so bring your own vehicle or hire a car with driver.
What are the downsides?
Facilities are basic. Budayabali (2026) notes the farmers still lack capital and marketing, so do not expect a polished chocolate attraction like Desa Cokelat CAU in Tabanan. If you only want a quick photo, it is too far from south Bali; it makes more sense as a stop on the way to Gilimanuk or Pemuteran.
Location and contact
- Location: Banjar Adnyasari, Ekasari village, Melaya district, Jembrana. View on Google Maps
- Booking: the operator's WhatsApp listed on the Jadesta "Agrowisata Kakao" attraction page (bali.jadesta.com).
- Price: Rp10,000-50,000 per person depending on the package; foreigner and child rates are not published.
- Instagram: no verified official account yet, search Instagram.
One last tip: cocoa is not harvested year-round, so if picking pods yourself is the point, ask whether ripe fruit is on the trees.
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