Howler Monkeys & Cacao Farm Tour: Nature, Food, Learning

Walk a tropical forest, taste cacao at every stage, and eat what you learned to make

This private tour from Guayaquil combines a guided hike through Cerro Blanco Protected Forest, where howler monkeys inhabit the canopy, with a full day on a traditional cacao farm and a hands-on meal where cacao is the main ingredient. Hotel pickup is included. The guide speaks English or Spanish. The experience runs seven hours and suits travelers with moderate fitness who want to move beyond standard sightseeing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore nature, cacao, and cuisine

• Hike Canoa Trail in Cerro Blanco Forest
• Visit traditional cacao farm nursery
• Walk through cacao plantations
• Learn cacao farming and chocolate process
• Enjoy Ecuadorian cacao culinary experience

The experience

The day starts at a working cacao farm near Guayaquil, where you walk through the nursery to see young plants before they're transplanted into the fields. The guide explains how cacao trees grow alongside natural shade plants like plantains. A sustainable system that keeps the ecosystem balanced. You'll see the full cycle from seed to mature tree, learning the traditional and sustainable practices Ecuador is known for. This is not a demonstration. You're moving through the actual landscape where the chocolate you'll eat later begins.

After the farm comes the Canoa Trail, a guided walk through Cerro Blanco Protected Forest. The trail winds through one of Ecuador's most important tropical dry forests, surrounded by towering trees and native vegetation. A knowledgeable guide points out the local ecosystem as you walk at a relaxed pace suitable for families and beginners. The forest is home to native and endemic bird species, insects, and other animals. Howler monkeys are a real possibility here, though not guaranteed. The walk offers a quiet, immersive connection with the biodiversity of the region.

Lunch ties the day together: a carefully crafted menu where Ecuadorian cacao takes center stage. You'll eat fish prepared in a rich cacao sauce, ceviche with a local twist, and a traditional cacao bolón that reflects local culinary heritage. A cup of handcrafted hot chocolate made with premium Ecuadorian cacao completes the meal. This is more than tasting. It's insight into how cacao shapes Ecuadorian gastronomy and culture. Hotel pickup and transportation to both sites are included. Snacks and drinks round out the day.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and transportation to the cacao farm and Cerro Blanco Protected Forest.
• lunch featuring Ecuadorian cacao in fish sauce, ceviche, and traditional cacao bolón.
• handcrafted hot chocolate made with premium Ecuadorian cacao.
• snacks and drinks throughout the day.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.

Options for this experience

5 options

Cacao Cooking and Forest WalkUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00 and 09:30Forest walk and cacao cooking: a shorter version of the full tour, with a guided forest walk and an authentic Ecuadorian cooking experience using cacao. Private nature and culinary: a private half-day experience from Guayaquil combining a guided forest walk with an authentic Ecuadorian cacao cooking class. Lasts 4 hours: an express half-day tour from Guayaquil with a guided forest walk and a cacao-based cooking experience. Ecuadorian lunch with cacao: prepare and enjoy an authentic Ecuadorian meal with cacao in various recipes, plus a traditional hot cacao drink. Forest trail and cacao kitchen: guided forest walk to watch wildlife and native plants, followed by an authentic cacao cooking experience. Private transportation: round-trip private transport from Guayaquil with hotel pickup and drop-off included. Pickup is included.

Bosque y Parque HistóricoUp to 6 per booking · Guide in Spanish · 09:00 and 09:15Bosque y Parque Histórico: A private half-day experience with a guided walk through a protected area, followed by a visit to Parque Histórico Bosque y Parque Histórico: guided walk through a protected forest area, then a visit to Parque Histórico Guayaquil. Lasts 4 hours. Traditional gastronomy: enjoy typical flavors of Ecuadorian cuisine and refreshing drinks during the experience. Bosque y Parque Histórico: a private half-day experience with a guided protected-area walk, followed by Parque Histórico. Private transportation: round-trip private transport from Guayaquil included. Pickup is included.

Forest and Historic Park TourUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 08:30Nature and culture escape: a well-balanced mix of ecology, history and local traditions. Exclusive tour: a more intimate experience exploring nature trails, tropical wildlife and cultural areas of Guayaquil. Lasts 4 hours. Homemade lunch: traditional homemade Ecuadorian food, including seco de pollo (Ecuadorian chicken stew), ceviche and handmade chocolate. Eco and cultural journey: discover the biodiversity of Cerro Blanco Forest and the traditions of the Historic Park in a single experience. Pickup is included.

See 2 more options

Last Minute Special OfferUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 08:30, 09:00 and 09:15Visit to an ecological reserve and cacao farm. Private, personalized tour lasting about 7 to 8 hours. Traditional Ecuadorian lunch with cacao served as appetizer, main course, dessert and hot chocolate. Special last-minute offer: ecological reserve (howler monkeys, birds, reptiles), cacao farm (process and tasting) and a hands-on cooking class. Private vehicle with hotel pickup in Guayaquil included.

Cacao Farm with Howler MonkeysUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 08:30Howler Monkeys & Cacao Farm: the most complete private experience, combining howler monkeys, cacao culture and Ecuadorian traditions. Premium private experience: an exclusive private journey for travelers seeking Ecuador's most authentic nature and culture. Lasts 6 hours. Traditional lunch and chocolate: traditional Ecuadorian lunch with a chocolate tasting made from fine aroma cacao. Howler monkeys and cacao route: hotel pickup, Cerro Blanco, howler monkeys and a cacao farm. Private transportation: private air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup and drop-off. 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 timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 09:00, 09:15 and 09:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Youth (11 to 12 years) · Child (8 to 10 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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 yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Yamil Saman Cabrera

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to move beyond a standard tour and spend a full day learning how cacao grows and tastes in its own landscape. The combination of farm, forest, and food means you're doing something different at each stop rather than watching one thing for hours. The seven-hour commitment and moderate fitness requirement suit travelers who are comfortable walking and want to be active, not passive.

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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: Youth (11 to 12 years); Child (8 to 10 years). Children under 8 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 exactly happens at the cacao farm, and do I get to make chocolate myself?

The cacao farm walk takes you through the nursery where young plants are cultivated, then into the plantations where cacao grows alongside natural shade plants like plantains. Your guide explains the full cycle from seed to mature tree and the sustainable practices used in Ecuador. You don't make chocolate from scratch, but lunch is a hands-on culinary experience where cacao is the central ingredient in the dishes you eat: fish in cacao sauce, ceviche with a local twist, and a traditional cacao bolón.

Will I definitely see howler monkeys on the Canoa Trail?

The Canoa Trail in Cerro Blanco Protected Forest is home to howler monkeys, native and endemic bird species, insects, and other forest animals. Spotting them is a real possibility during the guided hike, though not guaranteed. The walk itself focuses on the tropical dry forest ecosystem and the biodiversity of the region at a relaxed pace.

How long is the hike, and is it difficult?

The Canoa Trail is a guided walk through the forest at a relaxed pace suitable for beginners and families. The full experience runs seven hours from pickup to return, but the hike itself is designed to be accessible. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The walk is not strenuous, but it does involve walking through natural forest terrain.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

Hotel pickup and transportation to both the cacao farm and Cerro Blanco are included, along with lunch, snacks, and drinks throughout the day. Your guide speaks English or Spanish. Bring comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and water. The forest can be warm and humid. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase separately.