Manta rainforest & Panama Hat tour: Wildlife, culture, food
Walk the rainforest at your own speed, then eat where locals do
A six-hour shore tour from Manta that moves between three distinct stops: the working fish market and wooden shipyard on the coast, a two-hour rainforest walk in Pacoche National Park where a local guide points out birds and monkeys, and the Panama Hat workshops of Montecristi before a traditional meal back in town. The rainforest section offers a choice: turn back at the halfway point if the terrain gets steep, or continue across rocky ground and stream beds. Available as a shared cruise-ship group or a private tour with a guide and driver who adjust the itinerary to your interests.
Compare the 3 alternatives
Manta day tour: Fish Market, rainforest & Panama hat atelierEvery day · All ages★ 4.46 (28)7h–8hEN · ESUS$ 109View ›
Chocolate & Coffee Farm Tour in Manta: Rainforest to FactoryEvery day · All ages★ 4.71 (38)5h–6hEN · DE · FR · ESUS$ 115View ›
Pacoche Rainforest Hike: Private Trail with Local GuideEvery day · First departure 08:00, last 11:00 · From age 6★ 5.00 (6)5h–6hEN · DE · FR · ESUS$ 170View ›
Montecristi & Rain Forest Tour: Panama Hats & MonkeysEvery day · 08:30★ 4.41 (29)5h–6hEN · DE · FR · ESUS$ 85View › Compare more experiences like this »
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore wildlife, culture, and cuisine
- Visit historic fish market and shipyard
- Walk in Pacoche rainforest with guide
- See sea turtles and enjoy beachfront meal
- Eat traditional meal in Pacoche
- Tour Panama hat makers in Montecristi
The experience
The day starts at the fish market in Manta, where wooden trawlers in various stages of construction sit on the beach. This is the backbone of the local economy, and the scale of the boats being built by hand gives a sense of how the work has continued unchanged for generations. From there, the bus heads inland to Pacoche National Park, where the rainforest sits in its own humid microclimate. A local resident joins your guide to help spot the birds, monkeys and other wildlife that live in the green abundance. The walk takes two hours total.
The first hour follows mostly level terrain with some steps fitted with bamboo railings. The second hour is more demanding: rocky ground, local deer tracks, and small streams that will likely wet your feet. If that does not appeal, you can turn back at the midpoint and wait on the bus at the finish. After the rainforest, the tour stops in a small beachfront town famous as a sea turtle breeding ground. During winter months, you can often see hatchlings make their way to the surf. A traditional meal happens here, and the guide recommends trying the Tongas, a local dish that looks strange but tastes good.
The final stop is Montecristi, the town where Panama Hats originated. Your guide walks you through the hat makers' workshops and stores, and you'll see traditional wooden architecture in the central plaza next to the cathedral. The tour includes bottled water, all fees and taxes, an air-conditioned vehicle, and attraction tickets. If you book the private option, the guide and driver stay at your disposal for the full day and will make extra stops (a local brewery, a shop to stock up on something), based on what interests you.
What’s included
- Bottled water.
- air-conditioned vehicle.
- live guide.
- all fees and taxes.
- attraction tickets.
- a traditional beachfront meal in Pacoche.
Options for this experience
2 optionsYou pick the guide language when booking.
Before you book
Prices and times updated today
Operated by Manta Tour Guides
Is this one for you?Book the shared tour if you're arriving on a cruise ship and want a set schedule that fits your port time. Choose the private option if you'd rather adjust the pace, add stops, or skip the second hour of rainforest hiking without holding up a group.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish, French and German.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.
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 rainforest walk actually like in Pacoche?
The walk is two hours long. The first hour is easy, mostly level ground with some steps and bamboo railings. The second hour crosses rocky terrain and small streams where your feet will likely get wet. You can turn back at the halfway point if you prefer, and the bus will pick you up at the finish.
Can I see sea turtles on this tour?
Pacoche is a breeding ground for sea turtles, and during the winter months you can often see eggs hatch and baby turtles heading toward the surf. They return to breed about 40 years later.
What's included in the price?
The tour includes bottled water, all fees and taxes, an air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide, and attraction tickets. Lunch is a traditional meal at a beachfront restaurant in Pacoche, and you'll eat where locals do.
What's the difference between the shared and private tour options?
The shared tour is for cruise-ship day groups on a set itinerary. The private tour gives you a guide and driver for the full day who tailor the stops and pace to your interests and energy level. They can add extra stops like a local brewery or make detours as you wish.
How long does the whole tour take?
The tour runs six hours total, with start times adjusted to ship arrival for cruise passengers. The rainforest walk itself is two hours. The rest of the time covers the fish market, the coastal town, and Montecristi.
Manta rainforest & Panama Hat tour: Wildlife, culture, food
6h · EN · ES · FR · DE · at your hotel
from US$ 110 per person
4.1968 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider