Lopinot Historic Complex
A restored cocoa estate in a Northern Range valley, the home of parang music at Christmas.
Updated 2 September 2026
Charles Joseph Lopinot, a French planter who left Haiti during the revolution, established a cocoa estate in this Northern Range valley in 1806, and the restored estate house, the cocoa drying house and his grave are the core of the site. The valley's community descends partly from Venezuelan cocoa workers, and it is one of the strongholds of parang, the Spanish-language Christmas music sung to cuatro and box bass, performed here through December.
The main sights
- The estate house - the restored planter's house from the 1806 cocoa estate.
- The cocoa house - the sliding-roof drying house used for the beans.
- The parang tradition - Spanish-language Christmas music sung in the valley.
- The valley setting - a Northern Range valley with the river running through it.
When to go
January to May is driest for the roads. December is parang season and the valley fills with music and visitors. Weekends are busier than weekdays.
What to expect
The estate house is small and the visit is short outside parang season. The valley road is narrow and winding. Facilities are limited to a few local eating places.
Nearby
Arouca is south, and Mount St Benedict is west.
What to pack for Lopinot Historic Complex
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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