Taste of Ecuador: Fish Market, Forest trail, Local Food & Crafts
Description
Our most complete day tour in Manta. Immerse yourself in the culture, nature, and history of Manta and Montecristi. Visit the engine of the local economy, the Fish Market, and the boatyard. Explore the lush rainforest of Pacoche and spot howler monkeys in their natural habitat. Pacoche offers a glimpse into the vibrant diversity of Ecuador's tropical forests and coastal landscape. We'll treat you to a bowl of Tonga, a traditional Manabí stew slow-cooked in banana leaves, rich with local spices and the flavors that have defined coastal Ecuadorian cooking for generations. Learn about Ecuador's history of revolution in Montecristi, considered the birthplace of "Panama hats" or Ecuadorian Toquilla Straw Hat. This picturesque town is also home to hat ateliers, where you can learn about the final process of hat making. Treat yourself to an authentic Panama hat or intricate handwoven crafts as coveted souvenirs of your Ecuador adventure.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your journey begins with a convenient pick-up from Manta, followed by a panoramic drive along downtown Manta, a bustling coastal road that leads to the engine of the local economy, the fish Market.
Venture into the humid forest of Pacoche Reserve, home to howler monkeys and a kaleidoscope of tropical life.
Experience the delectable cuisine of the Ecuadorian coast at an authentic, locally-owned restaurant situated right on the beach.
Mesmerize with the amazing view of hidden beaches and the majestic Pacific Ocean at the lookout of San Lorenzo.
The charming town of Montecristi offers an unforgettable experience for tourists seeking a taste of authentic Ecuadorian culture. Known for its world-renowned Panama hats, Montecristi is a must-visit destination for those interested in traditional craftsmanship and artisanal techniques. Here, we will learn about the revolutionary spirit of the Ecuadorian people in the Mausoleum of Ciudad Alfaro and visit a Panama Hat atelier to see the processes of hat making.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Due to uneven surfaces, the second half of the trail at the rain-forest is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using walkers or wheelchair
- A moderate amount of walking is involved (Depending on your physical shape, you could choose to do the complete trail or just half trail that is more suitable for seniors)
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
Reviews(26)
This review is for a cruise port excursion for a small group visiting fish market, jabancillo museum, lunch, monkey forest and panama hat making. Our contact at Narwell was Gabriel, who throughout the booking for different couples within the group was always professional and caring. A day or two before docking, gabriel made contact to say our stop at the archeological site had to be cancelled (due to safety reasons / bad weather). However we would still go to the museum. Each of the guests were fine about this. On the day of the tour, narwell were there to meet and greet us all. Our guide was brilliant and caring. He and the driver understood we were a group of older people - some on walking sticks - and made sure throughout our tour everyone was well looked after. The museum - small but very educational. The monkey forest - yes we saw monkeys and the worlds second smallest frog! Panama hat making - that was fun to watch Lunch - in a semi jungle setting, everyone enjoyed the local selection. Fish Market. Ecuadoreans are proud of their fishing tradition. We all loved seeing fresh from the sea The whole day was a delight, and everyone in the group (12-13 of us) were pleased we had booked with Narwell Tours. Would we recommend them? Yes without question yes yes!
Thank you for this wonderful review. It was a pleasure looking after your group, and we're especially glad our guide and driver were attentive to everyone's needs throughout the day!
Tony was a most kind and wonderful guide through the touristic highlights of Manta. He loves his city and we loved every stop. Highly recommended. First we enjoyed the exciting fish market, then a walk in the woods where we met small creatures. Then a walk up to a lighthouse for exciting views. Delicious ceviche lunch on a great beach. Then a terrific presentation on Panama Hats and the complicated process of production. Every stop was a fun adventure.
Tony just joined our team, and we are also loving his enthusiasm and dedication. Thanks for sharing your experience, and we hope the other ports were fantastic.
The tour was great. We went to fish market, wildlife refugee, hiked a little bit to a mountain and had great view of the coastline. Both of our tour guides were great, pleasant.
Thank you for your review! We are glad to hear you enjoyed the excursion! :)
This tour provided a wide array of experiences. We visited a fish market, a wildlife preserve in a cloud forest, had excellent ceviche at a restaurant on the beach, and checked out an interesting lighthouse. We also bought Panama hats at Montecristi and toured Ciudad Alfaro. A most interesting day. Anna our tour guide was excellent. She was well-spoken, knowledgeable and most kind.
Thank you, Velda! We're happy to hear you enjoyed the diverse experiences that our tour, Taste of Ecuador, offers, and that Anna made your day so memorable. Your kind words mean a lot!
We really enjoyed this tour. So nice to have this experience with a smaller group, our tour guide Anna was wonderful. She explained everything very well and took time to make sure everyone was comfortable. I would definitely recommend this tour!
Excellent all around. the guides were very good. The tour was as described. The jungle tour was amazing. Everything was done well/on time and comfortable.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the jungle tour and had a smooth, memorable experience with our guides. It means a lot to us!
Our tour guide Caori was very friendly, knowledgeable and speak fluent English. She introduce the culture, economy, history and the difference of each region to us. We tried the fresh seafood in the fish market, learn about the rain forest and saw how the Panama hat was hand made.
We really enjoyed the fish market and visiting Montecristi. The boat construction was fascinating. I recommend starting early.
We are so glad to read this thank you!
Highly recommend this professional company. Correspondence was very efficient pre cruise. From pick-up to drop off we had a wonderful day. Guide and driver were fantastic. Although we didn't see any monkeys, it wasn't for a lack of trying, but it's nature, nothing is guaranteed. BUT...seeing the tiniest frog, think a fingernail, and a snake that had caught a larger frog, to watching whales playing just offshore, definitely made up for it!
Hi Paul, it's awesome to hear that you had a great time with us, even though you didn't get to see any monkeys. Wildlife sightings can be unpredictable, but I'm really glad that our guide and driver went the extra mile to create opportunities for you. It sounds like you still had some incredible wildlife encounters. Your feedback means a lot to us and helps us keep delivering great experiences. Thanks so much for choosing our company!
Perfect day with Gabby is a credit to the company. We had a great experience she is a true professional. Excellent driver helpful and polite
Hello Sandra, we are glad you enjoyed your trip with us. We have passed along your review to Gabby. She's definitely one of our most passionate guides.
