Manta fish market, rain forest & lunch tour: See howler monkeys

Watch fishermen unload the catch, then hike to the lighthouse and eat where the monkeys are.

A five- to six-hour tour from Manta starting at the fish market, moving through the boatyard and a Toquilla hat workshop, then into Pacoche rain forest to see howler monkeys, finishing with a lighthouse walk and local ceviche lunch. The rain forest section includes 1,300 meters of strenuous trail. Running shoes and long sleeves are essential. Pickup is included. A live guide speaks English or Spanish.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore market, crafts, rainforest, and lunch

• Visit fish market and watch fish arrival
• See fishing boats being built at boatyard
• Watch Toquilla hat weaving by artist Modesto
• Visit First Lady's school hat museum
• Walk trail to lighthouse and ocean view
• Explore Pacoche rainforest and see howler monkeys
• Enjoy local cuisine lunch in rainforest restaurant

The experience

The tour opens at the fish market in San Lorenzo, where you watch the daily catch being brought ashore and learn which fish the local restaurants buy. From there you move to the boatyard to see how fishing boats are built, then stop at a small workshop where you can watch a Toquilla hat being woven by hand and buy one if you want. These first stops set the rhythm: you are watching people work, not watching from a distance.

The rain forest section in Pacoche is where the day shifts. A walk through the forest brings you to the lighthouse perched on the cliff, with an open view of the ocean below. Howler monkeys live in the canopy here. The operator notes they are present, though sightings depend on the day. The trail itself is the real work: 1,300 meters of it is strenuous, which is why running shoes matter and why the operator flags this for anyone with heart or walking problems. The museum in Pacoche, housed in the First Lady's school, holds Toquilla hats and artifacts from the 1800s and early 1900s.

Lunch is ceviche or another local dish wrapped in a plantain leaf, eaten at a restaurant inside the rain forest. Bottled water is provided throughout. The vehicle is air-conditioned and pickup is included. The whole day runs five to six hours. December and May bring rain, so timing matters if weather is a concern.

What’s included

• Pickup from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• visits to the fish market, boatyard, and Toquilla hat workshop.
• a walk through Pacoche rain forest to the lighthouse.
• entry to the First Lady's school museum.
• local ceviche or plantain-wrapped lunch.
• bottled water.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.

Options for this experience

2 options

Option for more than one participantGuide in English or Spanish · 08:30Local lunch, with pickup included in an SUV or small bus

The rainforest, its surroundings and lunch.Guide in English or Spanish · 08:30Pickup 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 dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 55 years) · Senior (56 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 50

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.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. 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 Manta SOS

Is this one for you?The strenuous rain forest trail makes this tour best for travelers with moderate fitness who can handle a steep walk in humid conditions. If you prefer easier terrain or have mobility concerns, ask about alternatives before booking. Book the group option if you want to share costs, or choose the private version if you prefer to set your own pace through the market and forest stops.

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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 (12 to 17 years); Child (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 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 is the strenuous part of this tour, and what should I wear?

The 1,300-meter trail through Pacoche rain forest to the lighthouse is the strenuous section. Wear running shoes or boots, long pants, long sleeves, and bring mosquito repellent. Do not wear sandals. The operator recommends this tour only for travelers with at least moderate physical fitness.

What happens at the fish market, and can I buy anything there?

At the San Lorenzo fish market, you watch fishermen bring in the daily catch and learn which species the local restaurants buy. You can see the stalls and the seafood for sale, but the main purpose is to observe how the market works and interact with the people who work there.