Cerro Blanco Birdwatching Tour: 240+ Bird Species

Five hours spotting over 240 bird species in Ecuador's largest remaining dry forest

A half-day birdwatching tour in Cerro Blanco, a private nature reserve near Guayaquil, takes you through tropical dry forest on one of four marked trails, each suited to different fitness levels. A professional multilingual guide leads the way. Hotel pickup and reserve entry are included. You choose the trail when you book (from the gentle Buena Vista walk to the steep Higueron climb), so the experience fits your stamina and how much time you want to spend on the mountain.

The experience

Cerro Blanco sits 16 kilometers from Guayaquil on the road to the coast, a 6,078-hectare reserve that holds the largest remaining stretch of tropical dry forest in the region. More than 240 bird species live here, along with 54 species of mammals, 22 reptiles and 8 amphibians. The forest is home to globally threatened species like jaguars, saffron flycatchers and the Guayaquil parrot. Twenty percent of the plant species are endemic to the Tumbesian region of southwestern Ecuador: found nowhere else on earth.

Four trails crisscross the reserve, each with its own rhythm and reward. The Buena Vista Trail starts with gentle mountain slopes and rocky paths through native forest, passing giant ceiba trees and opening onto landscape views. The Canoa Trail strings together several viewpoints through towering trees that keep the air cool, with stone steps in many sections and a seasonal stream as its centerpiece. The Higueron Trail climbs to 350 meters above sea level and demands considerable physical effort. It's recommended to start no later than 9:30 a.m. because of the altitude and weather. The Howler Monkey Trail continues from Higueron to the summit, where marked paths offer views across the eastern forest. Your guide speaks English or Spanish and adjusts the pace to the group. Children as young as four can join the easier trails, while the steeper climbs suit people over 16 in good condition.

The tour runs five hours and includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Guayaquil, reserve entry, and a professional guide. Bring a hat, sunblock and comfortable walking shoes. The reserve operates in all weather, so dress for rain if the forecast calls for it. The trails are marked and maintained, but the terrain varies sharply: stone steps, rocky paths, and elevation gain on the harder routes mean you should choose based on your own experience and fitness, not on what sounds interesting.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Guayaquil.
• reserve entry.
• a professional guide in English or Spanish.
• transportation to the trailhead.

Options for this experience

6 options

Buena Vista TrailGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00Duration: 2 hours; Distance: 1 km; Duration: 1.5 hours; Difficulty: Easy. Pickup is included.

Canoa TrailGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 17 Oct 2027Duration: 3 hours; Distance: 1.5 km; Duration: 1 to 2 hours; Difficulty: Medium to Low. Includes pickup.

Higueron TrailGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 17 Oct 2027Duration: 4 hours; Distance: 3.6 km; Duration: 2 to 3 hours; Difficulty: Medium to High. Pickup is included.

See 3 more options

Half Day BirdwatchingGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 17 Oct 2027Duration: 4 hours, 4 hours. Pickup is included.

Howler Monkey TrailGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 17 Oct 2027Duration: 5 hours; Distance: 6.5 km; Duration: 4 to 5 hours; Difficulty: High. Includes pickup.

Full Day BirdwatchingGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 17 Oct 2027Duration: 6 hours. Includes pickup.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 34 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Perfect Destiny

Is this one for you?Choose the Buena Vista or Canoa trail if you want a steady walk through the forest without steep climbing. Pick the Higueron or Howler Monkey trail if you're over 16, in good physical condition and want the challenge of altitude and the views from the summit.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What birds will I actually see on the birdwatching tour in Cerro Blanco?

More than 240 bird species have been recorded in the reserve, including globally threatened species like the saffron flycatcher and the Guayaquil parrot. The exact birds you spot depend on the season, the time of day and which trail you walk. Your guide will point out what appears as you move through the forest.

Which trail should I choose if I'm not an experienced hiker?

The Buena Vista Trail and Canoa Trail suit the general public, including children and older adults without mountain hiking experience. Both have gentle to moderate terrain with native forest vegetation and viewpoints. The Higueron and Howler Monkey trails require people over 16 in good physical condition and experience with mountain trekking.

How long is the tour and what time does it start?

The half-day tour runs five hours total. Your guide will arrange pickup from your Guayaquil hotel. The exact start time depends on where you're staying and which trail you've chosen, but the Higueron Trail specifically recommends a start no later than 9:30 a.m. because of the altitude and weather.

What's included in the price, and what should I bring?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, reserve entry and a professional multilingual guide are all included. Bring a hat, sunblock and comfortable walking shoes. The reserve operates in all weather, so pack rain gear if needed. Food and drinks are not included, so bring water and snacks for the trail.

Is Cerro Blanco really the largest dry forest left near Guayaquil?

Yes, Cerro Blanco is the largest lung and best-preserved remaining extension of tropical dry forest in Guayaquil, spanning 6,078 hectares in the Chongón Colonche mountain range. The forest holds 20% of plant species that are endemic to the Tumbesian region of southwestern Ecuador, found nowhere else.