Churute Mangrove Ecological Reserve and Cocoa Farm

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

Mobile ticket

Visit one of the most important sites of this huge ecological reserve, watch the incredible amount of exotical birds that inhabit the site and learn the types of planting of cocoa, a bit of history of the estate, will walk through the plantations and elaborate homemade chocolate while enjoy a traditional lunch.

Additional Info

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Dress code is sporty and confortable shoes

May be operated by a multi-lingual guide

A mosquito repellent its recommended

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Bilingual guide

Boat tour through the mangroves

Lunch at the Cocoa Ranch

Transfer in / out

Drinks

Gratuities

What To Expect

Reserva Ecologica Manglares Churute

Near Guayaquil we will visit the Churute Mangroves Ecological Reserve. It is one of the most important sites of the reserve due to the amount of freshwater birds that inhabit the site. We make a tour by canoe for 40 minutes in which we visualize the formation of the largest in the Pacific coast of South America estuary. Then we will walk the path of the Howlers. It is 1.4 kilometers walking through the tropical dry forest and you can see monkeys and birds native to the area. The tour is average. Mangroves are considered as an important Ramsar site located in the canton Naranjal, Guayas province 40 kilometers from the city of Guayaquil.

4 hours•Admission Included

Naranjal

After the visit to Mangroves Churute we headed to a cocoa plantation Hacienda. Learn the types of planting, a bit of history of the estate, will walk through the plantations and elaborate homemade chocolate with the same seed that you collect. After the tour expect a traditional ecuadorian lunch made with ingredients from the farm. Later you will go back to Guayaquil.

3 hours•Admission Not Applicable

Options

Churute Mangrove Ecological Reserve and Cocoa Farm

Pickup included

Reviews

4.63

30 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Be sure to eat mucilage! Bring binoculars for birds.
Les A,
Apr 9, 2025
- Viator
5.00
The boat trip through the mangroves was pleasant, and seeing the birds was great. So so many shades of green. Note that it is a small motorboat (what I'd call a panga, not a kayaka). The tour of the cacao farm was utterly fabulous and not to be missed. I learned so much and got to taste so many amazing things. Lunch was also pleasant-- though note that Ecuadorans tend to eat a later lunch than Americans do. Our guide was very informative and good company.
Disappointed.
Bonnie M,
May 26, 2024
- Viator
3.00
Our guide was great but the experience lacked a little, we weren’t able to find the howling monkeys and the cocoa plantation was nothing like the photos on Viator, definitely not where we were! All in all it was interesting but would not recommend for an all day tour.
We'd really recommend this excursion, it's so tranquille doing the boat trip and watching all the birds and wildlife!
Ulrike R,
Aug 28, 2023
- Viator
5.00
Great experience! The boat trip through the mangroves was fantastic. As well as the monkey watching. A really special day however the stay at the kakao farm was rather short. Thanks again to the tour guide who made this trip unforgettable!
DON'T MISS THIS TRIP !!!!
Lisa P,
Aug 4, 2023
- Viator
5.00
This was a wonderful trip. It was so needed to get out of the city and travel into the real Ecuador. The boat trip was so relaxing and the birds were beautiful. You really get an understand on how hard these crabbers work to bring in a living for their families. Then off to an easy walk in the forest ( do wear closed shoes) and searching for the howler monkey's high in the tree's. We were lucky to get pretty close to one howler. But their voices carry everywhere. Then off to see how chocolate is grown and again, the locals who are involved. It is such a wonderful experience. Every guide was excellent and I just cannot recommend it enough. Also, the lunch was delicious. Lisa RN.
Rain Did Not Spoil Our Adventure!!
Francis C,
Jul 15, 2023
- Viator
5.00
Jaime was great!! We were a little unlucky because it rained for the excursion. But we still got to see many birds in the river and saw and heard the monkeys howl!! Jaime was great at stopping along the way and pointing out interesting things about nature, history and the lands we were on. That made it extra special. Six stars to Jaime!!!!