Churute Mangroves Reserve tour: Birds, monkeys & chocolate

Howler monkeys echo across the canopy while you paddle through mangrove channels in a fishing canoe.

A full-day private tour from Guayaquil combines two distinct environments: a guided hike and canoe trip through Churute Mangroves Reserve to spot native birds, capuchin and howler monkeys, followed by lunch and chocolate preparation at a working farm. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with a bilingual guide, transfers between sites, and a three-course meal. The tour spans roughly seven to eight hours and suits travelers with moderate fitness who want both wildlife and hands-on farm experience in one day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore mangroves and chocolate farm

• Walk howler monkey trail
• Navigate mangrove areas by canoe
• Enjoy three-course lunch
• Prepare artisanal chocolate
• Taste tropical fruits and learn processes

The experience

If you're staying in Guayaquil without a car, this tour handles the logistics: hotel pickup starts the day, and a bilingual guide meets you at the reserve offices to register before heading out. The morning splits into two parts. First comes an hour-and-a-half hike up and down Pancho Diablo hill, where a local guide leads you through native forest to find capuchin and howler monkeys: the sounds they make carry through the canopy and echo off the hillside. Then you board a fishing canoe, one of twelve passengers per boat, all wearing mandatory life jackets. The canoe navigates the mangrove estuary where tropical birds and red crabs are visible from the water. Both activities together take roughly four hours.

After the reserve, you transfer to Hacienda Cacaoymango, a family farm growing coffee, vanilla, rice and around fifty tropical fruits. A welcome drink arrives on arrival. Chef Jamil prepares a three-course lunch (starter, main course and dessert), while you're on the property. Then comes the hands-on part: you move into Alberto's chocolate workshop and make chocolate from cacao beans, decorating the finished pieces with dehydrated fruits you choose yourself. Between the lunch and the chocolate work, you taste the fruits grown on the land and learn how each one is processed.

Hydrating drinks come throughout the day. The tour ends with a transfer back to your hotel. Babies and small children can participate in all activities. Strollers are welcome on the reserve grounds.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Guayaquil accommodation.
• bilingual guide (English or Spanish) for the full day.
• transfers between the reserve and the farm.
• canoe trip through the mangrove estuary with mandatory life jacket.
• guided hike on Pancho Diablo hill.
• three-course lunch at the hacienda (starter, main course and dessert).
• welcome drink upon arrival at the farm.
• hands-on chocolate preparation in the workshop.
• tastings of tropical fruits grown on the property.
• hydrating drinks throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 69 years) · Senior (70 to 90 years) · Youth (8 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Ecuador Farm Tours

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup means you don't need to arrange your own transport to the reserve or navigate between sites. The guide handles all transfers. This works well if you're staying in Guayaquil without a rental car and want a full day combining wildlife and farm activities without the logistics.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 17 years); Child (3 to 7 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What birds and animals will I actually see on the Churute Mangroves hike and canoe?

The hike on Pancho Diablo hill is where you spot capuchin and howler monkeys among native flora and fauna. The canoe trip through the mangrove estuary is where tropical birds and red crabs are visible from the water. The guide is local and will point out what's present that day, though wildlife sightings depend on the season and time of day.

How difficult is the hike, and what's the terrain like?

The Pancho Diablo hill walk takes approximately an hour and a half, going up and down, and requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries. The path is through native forest with natural terrain.

Is the canoe ride safe, and what if I'm not a strong swimmer?

The fishing canoes hold up to twelve passengers and are equipped with life jackets that are mandatory for all passengers. You don't need to swim. The canoe does the work, and the life jacket keeps you secure.

What exactly do I do in the chocolate workshop, and is it messy?

You prepare chocolate from cacao beans in Alberto's workshop and decorate the finished pieces with dehydrated fruits of your choice. It's a hands-on activity, so wear clothes you don't mind getting a little dirty, though the process is not heavily messy.

How much time is spent at the farm, and what's included in the lunch?

The afternoon at Hacienda Cacaoymango includes a three-course lunch (starter, main course and dessert) prepared by chef Jamil, a welcome drink upon arrival, the chocolate-making workshop, and time to taste and learn about the tropical fruits grown on the property. The farm portion fills the second half of the day after you leave the reserve.

Does the tour operate in rain, and what should I bring?

The tour runs in typical weather conditions. Bring sun protection, insect repellent, and water shoes or sandals that can get wet during the canoe portion. The reserve is a tropical environment, so light rain is possible year-round.