What makes this private experience truly unique is the combination of Ecuador’s most authentic elements in a single journey near Guayaquil. Unlike standard tours that focus on only one activity, this experience blends nature, wildlife, cacao culture, and traditional Ecuadorian cuisine into one immersive day. You will explore a protected natural reserve where howler monkeys and native wildlife live freely, visit a traditional cacao farm to learn the full chocolate-making process from bean to bar, and take part in a hands-on culinary experience where cacao becomes the central ingredient in local dishes. This is not just a sightseeing tour it is a private, interactive journey that connects you with Ecuador’s landscapes, traditions, and flavors in an authentic and meaningful way. Designed for travelers seeking a deeper cultural connection, this experience brings together the best of nature, cacao heritage, and local gastronomy in one unforgettable day.
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 9.
Discover the fascinating journey of cacao at a traditional cacao farm near Guayaquil. Begin your experience in the nursery, where young cacao plants are carefully cultivated and prepared before being transplanted into the fields. Walk through lush cacao plantations and learn how cacao trees grow alongside natural shade plants such as plantains, creating a sustainable and balanced ecosystem. Along the way, your guide will explain how cacao is nurtured from seed to mature tree, highlighting traditional and sustainable farming practices used in Ecuador. This immersive experience allows visitors to connect with the origins of chocolate while exploring beautiful rural landscapes and understanding the importance of cacao in Ecuador’s agricultural heritage.
This is more than a meal it is a culinary experience where Ecuadorian cacao takes center stage. Discover the authentic flavors of local cuisine through a carefully crafted menu that highlights the versatility of fine national cacao. Enjoy dishes such as fish prepared in a rich cacao sauce, Ecuadorian style ceviche with a unique twist, and a traditional cacao bolón that reflects local culinary heritage. To complete the experience, savor a cup of handcrafted hot chocolate made with premium Ecuadorian cacao. Beyond tasting, this experience offers insight into the cultural importance of cacao in Ecuadorian gastronomy, connecting food, tradition, and history in every dish.
Walk the Canoa Trail located within the Cerro Blanco Protected Forest near Guayaquil, where you will begin a guided hike through one of Ecuador’s most important tropical dry forests. During the experience, travelers will walk along natural forest trails surrounded by towering trees and native vegetation while learning about the local ecosystem from a knowledgeable guide. As you explore the forest, you will observe diverse wildlife including native and endemic bird species, insects, and other forest animals, with the possibility of spotting howler monkeys in their natural habitat. This guided walk offers a peaceful and immersive connection with nature, allowing visitors to experience the biodiversity and tranquility of Cerro Blanco at a relaxed pace suitable for beginners and families.
We pickup the travelers in all the hotels in Guayaquil and in the Aeropuerto Internacional José Joaquín de Olmedo.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Excurgo comparison of 139 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Howler Monkey Trail and Cacao Farm Experience from Guayaquil lasts about 7 hours. The itinerary has 3 stops.
Prices start at $165 per person for this Guayaquil experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 5 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 9:15 AM, and 9:30 AM.
Children aged 8–10 pay from $110, adults from $165.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Yes, pickup is offered. We pickup the travelers in all the hotels in Guayaquil and in the Aeropuerto Internacional José Joaquín de Olmedo. Pickup points include Tryp By Wyndham Guayaquil Airport, Holiday Inn Guayaquil Airport by IHG.
The experience is available in EN, ES.
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 6 travellers can book together.
Children must be accompanied by an adult this activity is recommended for children of 16 years
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 28 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Yamil Saman Cabrera.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Yamil is the best guide ever. I spent one day in Guayaquil with my parents and I can say that we will never forget this beautiful and very special day thanks to Yamil and Daniel. We saw a lot of animals and experienced the most delicious equadorian lunch. Everything was truly perfect. We are very thankful for this beautiful experience.
My dad and I had such a great time on this tour! We were lucky enough to see a howler monkey just 10 feet away that we got to watch for many minutes as he sat and munched on leaves. The cacao farm tour was very informative and we enjoyed participating in grinding the beans and enjoying some yummy snacks. Getting to visit our guides’ home and making ceviche was really fun and we enjoyed a delicious meal there. Our guides were so informative and so kind, I highly recommend this tour!
This tour exceeded our expectations. Yamil and Daniel provided an excellent and memorable experience. Each part of the tour was well planned and organized. Both guides were knowledgeable and friendly. We loved each moment of it and the food part of it was intimate and special. We even received certificates of our experience and they shared pictures of our tour with us.
We had the most AMAZiNG time with Yamil and Daniel on this tour. They took us on a wonderful hike in a protected area where they identified many birds, plants, and trees. We found 4 howler monkeys (which we would not have spotted without their help). We loved the visit to the historical park and seeing so many different animals. Yamil provided an authentic cacao cooking class and we also made ceviche. Then we had the best lunch we have had while in Guayaquil. We felt safe the entire time. The tour was private - we were the only people. Definitely with every penny we paid!
The nature trip was different than what we expected, and what we mostly paid for; but we did accept the change in itinerary so it was fair. Yamil was a polite gentleman and it was so nice to see his energy blossom at the cacao plantation. The trip to the cacao plantation was truly fascinating and a rare treat. The guide from the farm was incredibly interesting and was an encyclopedia of the entire process from planting to chocolate making. Yamil surprised us with a home cooked meal at his house after the day trip, using one of his grandmothers recipes of sea bass with cacao, which was truly delicious. Daniel was an interesting character, but he truly did have a vast knowledge of the wildlife and patterns of climate and nature. Thank you for the great trip, Yamil!
The guides were friendly, fun, and knew every detail of the tour inside out. I learned a lot about the dry forest fauna and the cacao production process, all while walking along trails surrounded by nature. The scenery is beautiful, you can take amazing photos, and it really is a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Plus, chocolate is delicious, and knowing its history makes it even more interesting. It's an activity I highly recommend to those who enjoy being outdoors, learning new things, and learning more about Ecuador's culture and biodiversity.
Great walk through the mangroves to see howler monkeys sleeping in the trees and many spider species. The cocoa farm was so interesting to see the whole process of fruit, to bean, to chocolate. Yamil and all his colleagues were fantastic and very passionate about what they do. We got to try some local snacks, cocoa juice and chocolate and pick and try the seed right from the fruit itself. Thanks Yamil.
Yamil was an excellent tour guide and was very knowledgeable about the city. Very friendly and accommodating! It was an amazing tour. I highly recommend Yamil as a tour guide!
A totally wonderful experience that exceeded our expectations. The trail was in a wildlife preserve and we saw not only howler monkeys (which isn't guaranteed in the wet season) but also other animals. The trip to the cacao farm was not possible because of flooding on roads to the farm but Yamil gave us a super alternative of cacao history (cacao museum), cacao artisan workshop, cacao botany, and cacao Ecuadorian cuisine. We also learned about Guayaquil history and architecture. Yamil was an amazing and attentive host. I cannot imagine a better day in Guayaquil.
This is an unforgettable experience. Jamil is an amazing guide who is passionate about his work and allows his guests to feel comfortable and special through conversation. We hiked through Cerro Blanco Forest and saw several different types of flora and fauna - including Mantle Howler Monkeys. Jamil walked us through a Cacao Museum in Old Downtown. In lieu of visiting his Grandfather’s cacao farm which was affected by the rainy season, Jamil invited us to a classic Ecuadorean lunch that made us feel at home away from home. Not only is Jamil a brilliant conversationalist (in his second language no less!), he is a talented guide who loves sharing his passion with his guests. I cannot say enough good things and highly recommend this excursion to all who have the opportunity to visit Guayaquil. I wish Jamil and his family health and good luck in years to come and am grateful for the unique experience he created for my mom and me.
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howler Monkey Trail and Cacao Farm Experience from Guayaquil | 7 hours | 4.9 (28) | $165 | |
 Full Day Churute Howler Monkeys and Chocolate Tour | 7 hours | 4.9 (55) | $276 | View |
 Cuenca to Guayaquil one-way tour with Cajas Park and a Cacao Farm visit | 6–8 hours | 4.9 (56) | $74 | View |
 Half Day Guayaquil City and Cacao Farm Tour | 6 hours | 5.0 (25) | $165 | View |
 Cacao Farm Excursion Day Trip from Guayaquil | 5 hours | 4.8 (32) | $206 | View |
 Guayaquil Historical Tour Ecuadorian Cooking and Cacao Experience | 6 hours | 4.9 (42) | $97 | View |
 Half-day Chocolate Workshop - Cacao Farm | 5 hours | 4.5 (2) | $170 | View |