Rainforest Wildlife, Panama Hat makers, Traditional Cuisine. SHORE TOUR

Name: Rainforest Wildlife, Panama Hat makers, Traditional Cuisine. SHORE TOUR
Price: 110 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.07 (55 reviews)

Overview

Available languages

German

English

French

Spanish

6 hours

Mobile ticket

As UK exats we know what you're looking for. We always put you first, but the quality of our tour locations are a very close second.

This tour is a favorite for the more active clients. We spend a day enjoying local wildlife, culture, food and drink. The rainforest section can include light and easy walking for up to 1 hour, then a much more active hike for the second hour if desired.

The standard price option is for cruise ship day group tours. If you would prefer a private tour or are not travelling on a cruise ship, please select the private tour option at the moment of booking.

For the private tour, guide and driver will be at your complete disposition for the day and will tailor the activities to your interests and energy levels. So, if you want to swing by a store and stock up on something, they will make it happen. We can also better the tour by making some extra stops, like at a local brewery for example.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Specialized infant seats are available

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

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

What To Expect

This tour will take us along the main coast road in Manta to the historic fish market, the base of the local economy as well as the Traditional wooden shipyard right on the beach. The daily life of the fishermen has not much changed in generations and the massive wooden skeletons of the fishing trawlers being built are truly impressive.

30 minutes • Admission Included

Pacoche Wildlife Refuge

Start times will adjust to Ship arrival. The first stop is a trip to the green abundance of the Pacoche rainforest. Secluded in the humid microclimate this national park houses an immense variety of birds, monkeys and all sorts of local wildlife. Your guide will team up with a local resident here to help highlight all the interesting sights and sounds. The walk is 2 hours long, with the first hour being very easy mostly level terrain with some steps with bamboo railing. The second half is a little more demanding as we traverse some rocky terrain and local dear tracks along and across small streams. Feet will likely get wet here. Less adventurous types can turn back at the halfway point and meet us and the finish point on the bus.

1 hour • Admission Included

What‘s Included

Attraction tickets

Bottled water

All Fees and Taxes

Air-conditioned vehicle

Guide

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Options

SHARED TOUR - CRUISESHIP DAY

Pickup included

PRIVATE TOUR - JUST FOR YOU

CUSTOMIZED FLEXIBLE ACTIVITIES: Guide at your complete disposition for the day and will tailor the activities to your interests and energy levels.
Tailored to your interests: We can also better the tour by making some extra stops, like at a local brewery for example.
PRIVATE SEDAN, SUV OR MINIBUS: You will have a modern sedan, SUV or minibus with a licensed driver as well as a separate guide.
Pickup included

Reviews

4.07

55 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Chris and the driver were excellent. Had a wonderful time visiting Paoche, fish market,local lunch at beach, Montecristi
Jehangir M,,Dec 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great 8 hours with Chris. He did not rush us anywhere. We went to several shops in Monticristi for Panamá hats , highly recommended
We had a full, fun day on this tour.
753cheryln,,Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great tour with Juan. It was much more than just visiting the rainforest. First we went to the fish market, toured the city of Manta, hiked in the rainforest, visited the town of Montecristi and saw how Panama hats are made, then went back to Manta for lunch. It was a full and every enjoyable day thanks to our very personable guide, Juan.
Manta Equador tour
gkgreen,,Apr 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a wonderful tour in Equador! Juan was our guide. We were on Holland Americas Oosterdam and were just there for the day. Juan took us to the local fish market, traditional hat maker, rain forest and a great spot for lunch on the beach. The restaurant was especially good and tucked away. Not a touristy spot! Highly recommended this tour with Juan as guide
Could have been better
Patricia D,,Apr 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Through no fault of his own , our tour was late to get started due to 2 ships in port and limited shuttle bus service. We actually started our tour 1 hour late. Because of this we ended up cutting out places we were supposed to go to at the end of tour, which included lunch. We were on the tour all day with no meal (guide did supply a snack of plantain chips and bottled water, which was our only food on an all day tour we spent too much time at some spots, making it hard to get all activities in. I don’t blame this on the tour guide, he was actually very knowledgeable and filled us with interesting facts. His name was Christian. We don’t get back to dock with 1/2 hour before all aboard so no time to do anything on our own. Didn’t get to peruse the foods of Ecuador or any souvenirs. Again, I don’t fully blame the tour guide but he could have readjusted priorities due to our very late start
Worst Viator trip ever
Farah S,,Apr 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00
This excursion failed on many levels. 1. The van was not air conditioned leaving us in stiffling heat. 2. The tour description did not match what we did. It was supposed to be a rainforest hike for 2 hours, indicating an easy first hour and more difficult the 2nd hour. We only got about 20-30 minutes and the hike had many stairs on a steep slope. 3. The guide did not seem to know the itinerary, taking us first to the Panama hats for more than 1.5 hours, then lunch for another 1.5 hours, then rainforest for 20-30 minutes. All other listed things did not happen. 4. The driver did not know where he was going, having to ask directions from locals extending the time in the blazing hot van at least an hour. 5. It was not safely run in that individuals that could not navigate the rainforest hike were simply left behind to find their way back to the van.
Unprofessional, disappointing, unsafe, not as advertised
Steve B,,Mar 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00
After 40+ cruises and innumerable tours over the years, this tour is one of the least professional and certainly the biggest disappointment. The itinerary was reversed, leaving the focus of the tour, the rainforest, until the end instead of at the beginning. Too much time spent at Montecristi , the Panama hat shop, and the lunch, to allow the specified length of time at the rainforest, the highlight of the tour. Instead of 2 hours in the tour description, we had only 20 minutes. Any longer would have jeopardized our return time to board the ship. The description given for this tour of the rainforest walk was completely inaccurate. It described the first of the 2 hours as a flat, easy walk, and the 2nd hour as more strenuous, with the stipulation that those choosing not to do the 2nd part could return to the bus on their own. NO PART of the walk was flat and easy. Some of the group walked less than 90 yards and had to return because of the difficulty level. We would not have booked this tour if the description had been accurate. The guides at the rainforest did not speak English, making it impossible for the group to know what to look for or to understand what they were seeing. The driver got lost en route to lunch and made wrong turns, further delaying the progress. He stopped to ask directions from locals. Both driver and tour guide had no idea where we were or how to get to the rainforest and again stopped several times to ask locals for directions. The entire group became apprehensive, very nervous, and concerned where we might end up. The tour guide promised repeatedly that it was “just 5 more minutes.” When the group requested to forget about the rainforest and return directly to the ship, again the guide said we were almost there, just 5 more minutes. After 35-40 minutes we stumbled upon the rain forest entrance. On the way back to the ship, the driver put the group at risk by driving too fast and passing vehicles on curves in an effort to return on time. The tour guide gave no narrative on the rainforest, the focus of the tour, and very little on the other stops. And without a microphone, it was difficult for the entire group to hear. He stood and faced forward most of the time he was speaking, so all was we saw was his back. Sent from my iPhone
Highly recommend
276sonjak,,Mar 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Tony was an excellent guide. Very conscientious. Very enjoyable. We did serval things on our tour. The fish market, the Panama hat making tour, the rain forest and a chocolate factory. A full day of adventures.
A hot mess.
cding8,,Mar 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00
The air conditioning in the van was woefully underpowered on a sweltering hot day. The driver took got lost, played annoying music videos and took wrong turns which shortened the rainforest visit and jeopardized a timely return back to the ship.
A must do in Manta
Rob S,,Mar 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
I really enjoyed all the stops along our journey. The fish market was something I will never forget. Learning how the Panama hats are made and watching the demonstration was amazing. Lunch at the cozy outdoor restaurant overlooking was a pleasant surprise. The only negative was not seeing any monkeys on our hike in the forest.
Huge Disappointment
Melissa C,,Mar 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00
This tour did not deliver as advertised! Less than 30 minutes was spent in Pacoche Wildlife Refuge. This should have been the 1st stop. The driver was lost several times and was texting while driving. The air conditioning in the van was not cool and the check engine light kept coming on. Too much time was spent at the restaurant and the Panama hat store. The guide was not as knowledgeable as I hoped he would be. This was the worst Viator experience I have ever had. I am requesting a full refund!