The era of 900 AD saw the start of the decline of the Mayan culture which had almost entirely disappeared by 1300. Only the Yucatan region in Mexico remained a last testimony to the rich culture of the once-glorious kingdom until the 14th and 15th century. It was entirely based on the old Mayan culture and habits: cocoa still played a very important role, not least as currency. In fact, the remaining Mayan cities still paid their taxes in cocoa beans to the Maya dynasty. However, after the Mayan culture had completely vanished, cocoa became more popular.

After the Toltecs, the Aztecs established their first communities in Mexico around 1300. By declaring themselves as the descendants of the Toltecs and through clever politics they empowered themselves to conquer an immense territory that covered a large part of the former Mayan territory. The ancient Toltec habits and religion played a key role in the Aztec culture. The Aztecs also worshipped the Toltec king Quetzalcoatl which again makes a link between the Aztecs and cocoa.