Guayaquil cooking class with cacao museum and historical tour

Cook Ecuadorian seafood in a family kitchen, then taste the cacao behind it

A private six-hour guided experience in Guayaquil that combines a walking tour of the Historical Park, Las Peñas, and Cerro Santa Ana with a hands-on cooking class at Villa 97, where you prepare traditional dishes like fish in cacao sauce and homemade hot chocolate using family recipes. The guide speaks English, Spanish, or Italian. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Not suitable for pregnant travelers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guayaquil history, culture, and cooking

• Visit Guayaquil Historical Park
• Walk through Las Peñas neighborhood
• Ascend Cerro Santa Ana viewpoint
• Explore Guayaquil Cocoa Museum
• Attend Ecuadorian cooking class at Villa 97

The experience

The day starts at Guayaquil's Historical Park, where you walk through recreated colonial buildings and spot native wildlife: tropical birds, monkeys, and other species that live in Ecuador's coastal region. From there, your guide leads you into Las Peñas, the oldest neighborhood in the city, where wooden houses line cobblestone streets and local art galleries occupy restored facades. You climb the steps of Cerro Santa Ana to a viewpoint overlooking the Guayas River and the city below.

Next comes the Cacao Museum and a visit to a working chocolate factory, where traditional machines show how cacao beans transform into chocolate. Your guide explains why Ecuadorian cacao is prized worldwide for its aroma and quality, and you learn how cacao shaped the region's economy and culture. This connects directly to what comes next: understanding why cacao appears in so many local dishes.

The cooking class happens at Villa 97, the family home of Yamil, in the afternoon. You prepare classic Ecuadorian coastal dishes (fish in cacao sauce, traditional chicken stew) using recipes passed down through generations. You also make homemade hot chocolate from local cacao and taste artisanal desserts. The class is as much about hospitality and local food culture as it is about technique. You eat what you cook, and the meal is included.

What’s included

• Your private guide in English, Spanish, or Italian.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• private air-conditioned transportation.
• lunch and the ingredients for the cooking class.
• coffee and tea.
• bottled water.
• a map of Guayaquil.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private 3-hour Guayaquil tourGuide in Spanish · 09:00 and 10:00Express cultural tour: Discover the history, cocoa heritage, and gastronomy of Guayaquil in a lively 3-hour experience. Private guided tour with driver: A personalized and flexible experience with a dedicated guide and driver. Duration: 3 hours. Chocolate and snacks prepared for you (served in place of lunch). Guayaquil Express Tour: A flexible itinerary where you choose Parque Histórico or Plaza Lagos, or visit Barrio Las Peñas and the Museo del Cacao. Pickup is included.

Last-Minute OffersGuide in English, Spanish or Italian · 09:00Guayaquil Cultural & Culinary: A guided walk through Historic Park, Las Peñas, Santa Ana Hill, and the Cacao Museum. Private tour: A private or small-group experience lasting 5 hours. Food and drinks: Chocolate tasting, a prepared seafood dish, and hot chocolate. Guayaquil Cultural & Culinary: Includes a professional bilingual guide, entry fees to Historic Park and the Cacao Museum, a chocolate tasting, and hands-on Ecuadorian cooking. Pickup is included.

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 timesWednesday to SundayDepartures at 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 75 years) · Child (10 to 12 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Yamil Saman Cabrera

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want context on Guayaquil's cacao heritage and local food culture before hands-on cooking, rather than sightseeing alone.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

In Spanish, at 09:00 and 10:00. In English and Italian, at 09:00.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 12 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife will I see at the Historical Park?

The Historical Park is home to native tropical birds, monkeys, and other species found in Ecuador's coastal region. You'll observe them while walking through the park's natural landscapes and recreated historical buildings.

Do I need cooking experience to join the class at Villa 97?

No. The cooking class at Villa 97 is designed for travelers of all skill levels and focuses on learning traditional Ecuadorian recipes and techniques in a family setting, not on prior experience.

What's included in the price?

The experience includes your private guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, private air-conditioned transportation, lunch, coffee or tea, a map of Guayaquil, and bottled water throughout the day.

How long does the cooking class last?

The entire experience runs six hours, with the cooking class and meal taking place in the afternoon portion after you've toured the Historical Park, Las Peñas, Cerro Santa Ana, and the cacao museum.