NEW: Coastal Tour

This incredible Coastal tour of Ecuador will give travellers a complete view of the Coast of Ecuador, visiting archeological ruins, nature reserves, a cacao plantation, the town where Panama Hats are made, Isla de la Plata and so much more, while on our Coast of Ecuador tours!

Day 1: Early flight to Manta. Visit Montecristi, a town renowned for the production of Panama hats, the best quality of which is named montecristi superfino after it.

Day 2: After breakfast we leave Manta and start driving south along the Ruta del Sol, also called the Ruta del Spondylus. Our fist stop will be at the forest of Marino y Costero Pacoche, a protected forest, wildlife, and coastal marine refuge. The Pacoche forest is one of the last remnants of semi-tropical dry forest along the coast of Ecuador. One hundred and fifty two species of birds have been recorded, along with countless species of butterflies, insects, and reptiles. It is a haven for plant lovers, with over three hundred and seventy four species of plants. After our walk in the Pacoche Forest we continue to drive south till we arrive at the small town of Pile, a small town, where master weavers of the Panama Hat still live. The centuries old skill of hat is considered as a national treasure, the master weavers have begun to receive national/ international recognition, resulting in initiatives to promote the art.

Day 3: Tour Isla of Plata and Whales (June to September). Breakfast. Boat ride to Isla de la Plata, a 2-hour journey. From June to September we offer unique viewing of the Humpback whales off the coast of Machalilla accompanied by a naturalist guide. Hundreds of whales come up from the Antarctic to breed in the tropical waters of the Ecuadorian coast. On the islands one sees a multitude of sea birds: Blue Footed Boobies, Frigate birds, Pelicans and Petrels. After disembarking, during our Isla de la Plata Ecuador tours we’ll walk from Drake Bay to Playa Escondida, possibly seeing Albatross and Sea Lions on the way. Picnic lunch en route. Snorkeling to see the coral marine life. Return to lodge late afternoon.

Day 4: Morning visit to Agua Blanca Archeological Community, which was established as part of the pre-Colombian Manteña culture over 1,200 years ago, and is the only surviving indigenous group in this region. The Manteña people moved along the coast to find the spondylus a giant oyster-like shellfish, whose shell was used as currency. They were expert navigators, and traveled as far as Mexico on large balsa wood rafts.

At the visitor centre and archaeological museum, visitors will learn about the local culture and history of the people before taking a tour around Agua Blanca. Afternoon visit to the Salango community which has deep ancestral roots that represent about 5000 years of History and Culture. Salango is located on the shores of the Pacific, in southern Manabi Province, in the buffer zone of the Machalilla National Park. The community seeks to consolidate its development process with the promotion of one of the main features the community-based ecotourism, taking advantage of the natural and cultural resource that are related to the ancient heritage of those who settled in this sector.

Amongst its natural attractions is the island of Salango, home to beautiful species of seabirds like blue-footed boobies, frigates, pelicans among others; just off the island’s pristine beach is the marine sanctuary, a site with schools of tropical fish and coral reefs, ideal for diving. Here you will be able to choose from different activities offered like Kayaking, snorkeling or diving, hiking or visit the archeological museum.

Note: the activities at Salango are seasonal we will have to check at the time of booking which ones are available. 

Day 5: After breakfast we leave the Puerto Lopez area and head south along the coast. Today we will visit the town of Barcelona where you will be able to see how they harvest and process the “Paja Toquilla” (material used in the manufacture of the Panama Hats) after this visit we continue to the small community of Dos Mangas, a village with around about 950 inhabitants, known for its farming and handicrafts. Here we will hike into the dry tropical rainforest. On the trail you will see a lush forest with incredible plant diversity, and a big part of the trail is surrounded by secondary forest thanks to intense reforestation of native species. Because the characteristics of the forest, this area serves as an ecological niche and habitat for a wide variety local fauna. During the tour you can see several waterfalls, (only during rainy season), the main waterfall can reach 20 meters high. 

Day 6: Early departure to Puerto el Morro, here we will board a small boat that will take us around the mangroves and look for dolphins as an option we could also visit the Isla de los Pajaros a small island where hundreds of Frigates live.

Our last visit of the day will be the Hacienda el Castillo (45 min drive from Puerto el Morro) where a specialized tour guide will receive you with their typical cocoa juice and some fried plantains with cheese from the region. After you enjoy the view, the route begins. There, you will be able to appreciate the entire process of the cocoa crop, from its seed until the final product “Chocolate”. During the route, the visitors will be able to appreciate each of the process’s steps, the sowing, the plantation, the harvest, the fermentation and the drying, arriving to our chocolate factory where they will be able to savor this delicious product.

Note: Optional change the visit to el Morro for the Archeological Museum of La Libertad or the fish Market

Day 7: Time permitting depending the flight schedule AM Guayaquil City Tour and PM intl. Flight or connection to the Galapagos or connect with one of our extensions

• Location:Combined Cultural and Nature Tours, Nature and Wildlife Tours, Special Interest Tours
• Duration:7 days / 6 nights
• Start / End: Quito / Guayaquil (or can start and end in Quito)
• Activities: Nature walks, wildlife viewing, whale watching, cultural experiences
• Highlights: Montecristi where Panama hats are made, Marino Costero Pacoche protected area, tour of Isla de la Plata, whale watching, Agua Blanca archeological community, visit to Salango community, visit to the town where they process paja toquilla to make Panama hats, visit to a cacao plantation, boat ride to spot dolphins
• Season: All year, but whale watching is from June to September
• Included: Accommodation, bilingual guide, all visits and activities in itinerary, meals mentioned in itinerary
• Not Included:Meals not mentioned in itinerary, entrance fees to National Parks and museums, drinks, tips, personal expenses. Air tickets.
• Prices: Please contact us for pricing