Pacoche Rainforest Hike: Private Trail with Local Guide

A local resident guides you through his own rainforest land, not a marked tourist trail.

This is a private rainforest hike near Manta on a trail owned and led by a local resident born in the forest, with a stop at a cliffside lighthouse overlooking the Pacific. The tour runs five to six hours and includes an air-conditioned vehicle for pickup and transport, bottled water and snacks. The guide speaks English, Spanish, French or German. You choose the pace and can add stops: lunch at a local restaurant is arranged separately.

Step-by-step itinerary

Rainforest hike and coastal views

• Walk private rainforest trail with guide
• Visit cliffside lighthouse for ocean views
• Have lunch at Pacoche or Santa Marianita

The experience

San Lorenzo is the rainforest the operator takes his own family to, and the trail is not one the tour buses use. A local resident who grew up on this land leads the walk, pointing out birds, howler monkeys, insects and fish as you move through the forest. The trail itself is steep and long enough that the operator only takes clients who are comfortable with active hiking. This is not a gentle stroll, and the payoff is solitude and wildlife you would not see on a crowded path.

After the rainforest walk, the route climbs to a cliffside lighthouse with views across the Pacific coast. During whale season, roughly June through September, breaching whales are visible from the vantage point. Lunch follows at a restaurant of your choice: either deeper in the Pacoche rainforest or at Santa Marianita beach, where seafood restaurants line the shore and you can watch kite surfers on the water.

The schedule is yours to shape. You can linger on the trail, skip the lighthouse, swap the beach for the forest, or ask the guide to add stops along the way. The vehicle is air-conditioned and waits for you. Pickup is included from your hotel. Bring sturdy shoes and expect to sweat. The rainforest is humid and the trail climbs.

What’s included

• Bottled water and snacks throughout the hike.
• air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup and drop-off.
• live guide in English, Spanish, French or German.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 37 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 effortPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Manta Tour Guides

Is this one for you?Five to six hours means you can fit this into a morning or afternoon and still have time for other plans in Manta. The schedule is flexible enough to add or skip stops along the way, so you shape the day around what interests you most.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and German.

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 actually see on the Pacoche rainforest trail?

Birds, howler monkeys, insects and fish are guaranteed on the private trail. The operator describes it as full of wildlife because it is off the main tourist paths, so the animals are less disturbed.

Is the lighthouse stop included in the hike, or do I choose it?

The lighthouse is optional. After the rainforest walk, you can visit the cliffside lighthouse for Pacific views, or skip it and go straight to lunch. The choice is yours.

When do whales appear from the lighthouse?

Whales breach and are visible from the lighthouse during whale season, roughly June through September. Outside that window, the views are of the coast and ocean.

How difficult is the rainforest trail?

The trail is a long, active hike through steep forest. The operator only takes clients with at least a moderate level of physical fitness and does not recommend it for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Does the tour price include lunch?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. You choose a restaurant (either in the Pacoche rainforest or at Santa Marianita beach), and pay separately for your meal.