Howler Monkey Trail and Cacao Farm Experience from Guayaquil

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Discover the fascinating journey of cacao at a traditional cacao farm near Guayaquil. Begin your experience in the nursery, where young cacao plants are carefully cultivated and prepared before being transplanted into the fields. Walk through lush cacao plantations and learn how cacao trees grow alongside natural shade plants such as plantains, creating a sustainable and balanced ecosystem. Along the way, your guide will explain how cacao is nurtured from seed to mature tree, highlighting traditional and sustainable farming practices used in Ecuador. This immersive experience allows visitors to connect with the origins of chocolate while exploring beautiful rural landscapes and understanding the importance of cacao in Ecuador’s agricultural heritage.

   2 hAdmission included

2. This is more than a meal it is a culinary experience where Ecuadorian cacao takes center stage. Discover the authentic flavors of local cuisine through a carefully crafted menu that highlights the versatility of fine national cacao. Enjoy dishes such as fish prepared in a rich cacao sauce, Ecuadorian style ceviche with a unique twist, and a traditional cacao bolón that reflects local culinary heritage. To complete the experience, savor a cup of handcrafted hot chocolate made with premium Ecuadorian cacao. Beyond tasting, this experience offers insight into the cultural importance of cacao in Ecuadorian gastronomy, connecting food, tradition, and history in every dish.

   1 hAdmission included

3. Walk the Canoa Trail located within the Cerro Blanco Protected Forest near Guayaquil, where you will begin a guided hike through one of Ecuador’s most important tropical dry forests. During the experience, travelers will walk along natural forest trails surrounded by towering trees and native vegetation while learning about the local ecosystem from a knowledgeable guide. As you explore the forest, you will observe diverse wildlife including native and endemic bird species, insects, and other forest animals, with the possibility of spotting howler monkeys in their natural habitat. This guided walk offers a peaceful and immersive connection with nature, allowing visitors to experience the biodiversity and tranquility of Cerro Blanco at a relaxed pace suitable for beginners and families.

   2 hAdmission included

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 28 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Must do in Guayaquil ❤️

  Yamil is the best guide ever. I spent one day in Guayaquil with my parents and I can say that we will never forget this beautiful and very special day thanks to Yamil and Daniel. We saw a lot of animals and experienced the most delicious equadorian lunch. Everything was truly perfect. We are very thankful for this beautiful experience.

  insidezermattAugust 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5A fantastic day with terrific guides

  My dad and I had such a great time on this tour! We were lucky enough to see a howler monkey just 10 feet away that we got to watch for many minutes as he sat and munched on leaves. The cacao farm tour was very informative and we enjoyed participating in grinding the beans and enjoying some yummy snacks. Getting to visit our guides’ home and making ceviche was really fun and we enjoyed a delicious meal there. Our guides were so informative and so kind, I highly recommend this tour!

  Lesley_SJuly 2026via Viator

• 5Nature, chocolate and culinary experience

  This tour exceeded our expectations. Yamil and Daniel provided an excellent and memorable experience. Each part of the tour was well planned and organized. Both guides were knowledgeable and friendly. We loved each moment of it and the food part of it was intimate and special. We even received certificates of our experience and they shared pictures of our tour with us.

  N3115PWbelenmJuly 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Wonderful Experience!

  We had the most AMAZiNG time with Yamil and Daniel on this tour. They took us on a wonderful hike in a protected area where they identified many birds, plants, and trees. We found 4 howler monkeys (which we would not have spotted without their help). We loved the visit to the historical park and seeing so many different animals. Yamil provided an authentic cacao cooking class and we also made ceviche. Then we had the best lunch we have had while in Guayaquil. We felt safe the entire time. The tour was private - we were the only people. Definitely with every penny we paid!

  Seaside600970July 2026via Tripadvisor

• 4A trip to remember

  The nature trip was different than what we expected, and what we mostly paid for; but we did accept the change in itinerary so it was fair. Yamil was a polite gentleman and it was so nice to see his energy blossom at the cacao plantation. The trip to the cacao plantation was truly fascinating and a rare treat. The guide from the farm was incredibly interesting and was an encyclopedia of the entire process from planting to chocolate making. Yamil surprised us with a home cooked meal at his house after the day trip, using one of his grandmothers recipes of sea bass with cacao, which was truly delicious. Daniel was an interesting character, but he truly did have a vast knowledge of the wildlife and patterns of climate and nature. Thank you for the great trip, Yamil!

  662drakedAugust 2025via Tripadvisor

• 5Great experience

  Great walk through the mangroves to see howler monkeys sleeping in the trees and many spider species. The cocoa farm was so interesting to see the whole process of fruit, to bean, to chocolate. Yamil and all his colleagues were fantastic and very passionate about what they do. We got to try some local snacks, cocoa juice and chocolate and pick and try the seed right from the fruit itself. Thanks Yamil.

  5adi3June 2025via Tripadvisor

Know before you go

How it compares in Guayaquil

• Its from-price is close to the median of the 141 experiences we list in Guayaquil.
• It is longer than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 16 of 141.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Guayaquil

Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city and main port, a hot, humid river city with a landscaped waterfront and a hillside of coloured houses.

Guayaquil sits on the estuary of the Guayas River on the Pacific side of Ecuador. The Malecón 2000, a long riverside promenade, runs past gardens, museums, a clock tower and a viewing wheel. At the northern end, the Las Peñas quarter climbs Cerro Santa Ana, its coloured wooden houses lining a stairway of more than 400 steps that ends at a lighthouse and chapel.

Top-ranked sights in Guayaquil: Seminario Park (Parque de las Iguanas), Malecon 2000, Guayaquil Historical Park (Parque Histórico).

See all 141 experiences in Guayaquil