Bucay Cloud Forest & Waterfalls Private Tour from Guayaquil

Summary

Hike lush trails see waterfalls meet locals in Bucay mountains

You’ll start your day leaving Guayaquil behind for Bucay’s cloud forest, hiking muddy trails with a local guide who knows every bird call. Taste fresh sugarcane juice at a working trapiche before cooling off under three wild waterfalls — including Isabela, the tallest in Bucay. Lunch is simple and local. You’ll come home damp and happy.

What’s the experience like?

We were already winding up the road out of Guayaquil before I’d really woken up, the city noise fading behind us. Our guide, Andrés, had this habit of pointing out every bird he spotted — even when I couldn’t see them through the mist. The drive to Bucay took about two hours, but it felt shorter with all his stories about growing up near these mountains. When we finally stepped out at the top (4,200 feet — my ears popped), the air was thick and green-smelling, almost sweet. I kept thinking it would rain but it never did, just that cloud forest dampness clinging to everything.

The first stop was this old sugarcane press — a trapiche — run by a local family. The guy running it let me try turning the crank (harder than it looks), and we tasted fresh cane juice right there. It was grassy and cold, not as sugary as I expected. Li laughed when I tried to say “trapiche” in Spanish — probably butchered it. After that we started hiking; the trail was muddy in places but not too tough if you’ve got decent shoes. Andrés kept stopping to show us weird plants or point out birds — he swore one was a toucan but honestly I only saw a flash of yellow and black.

The waterfalls came one after another: Las Mellizas first (I still hear that roar), then Chorrera del Amor where someone had tied red ribbons on a branch for luck. The last one, Isabela, is huge — 295 feet high — and standing under it felt like getting pounded by cold drums. We all yelled just to hear our voices bounce off the rocks. My shirt stuck to my back for ages after that but nobody cared; everyone was grinning like kids.

Lunch was at a small place back near Bucay town — rice, grilled chicken, plantains, some kind of spicy sauce that made my nose run (in a good way). We talked about how different this forest is from anything near Guayaquil; Andrés said most people don’t realize how close wild places like this are until they visit. On the drive back I kept thinking about that moment under Isabela waterfall — loud water everywhere, nothing else mattered for a second.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cloud forest hike and waterfalls visit

• Depart Guayaquil at 8am
• Drive to Bucay city (2 hours)
• Explore local farm and trapiche
• Drive up to 4200 ft mountain top
• Hike natural trails in cloud forest
• Visit and shower under Las Mellizas waterfall
• Visit Chorrera del Amor waterfall
• Visit and shower under Isabela waterfall
• Enjoy traditional local lunch
• Return to Guayaquil by 6pm

Top questions

How long does the Bucay Cloud Forest & Waterfalls tour take?

The private tour lasts around 9-10 hours including transport from Guayaquil.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip from Guayaquil?

Yes, private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off in Guayaquil is included.

How many waterfalls do you visit on this tour?

You’ll visit three waterfalls: Las Mellizas, Chorrera del Amor, and Isabela (the tallest in Bucay).

Is lunch provided during the Bucay waterfalls tour?

Yes, a traditional local lunch is included after visiting the waterfalls.

What is a trapiche experience on this tour?

You’ll visit a traditional sugarcane press (trapiche) operated by locals and taste fresh cane juice.

Do you need to be very fit for this hike?

A moderate level of fitness is recommended as trails can be muddy or uneven in places.

Are children allowed on this private cloud forest tour?

Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult throughout the tour.

Can you swim or shower under the waterfalls?

You can take a refreshing shower under each waterfall during your visit if you wish.

What’s included

Your day includes private hotel pickup and drop-off from Guayaquil, guided hikes through Bucay’s cloud forest with stops at three waterfalls (Las Mellizas, Chorrera del Amor, Isabela), hands-on time at a traditional trapiche tasting fresh sugarcane juice, plus a local lunch before heading back in the evening.