Recently Viewed
Wildlife Reserve and Cocoa Farm Tour: Nature and Chocolate
5.0
23 Ratings
Guayaquil
Embark on a thrilling day trip from Guayaquil to explore the Howler Monkey Trail and indulge in a fascinating Cacao Farm experience. Discover diverse wildlife, lush vegetation, and learn about the chocolate production process.
Embark on a thrilling day trip from Guayaquil to explore the Howler Monkey Trail and indulge in a fascinating Cacao Farm experience. Discover diverse wildlife, lush vegetation, and learn about the chocolate production process.
Duration:
7 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco - The Canoa Trail, situated in the Cerro Blanco Protected Forest in Guayaquil, Ecuador, provides a remarkable adventure for nature enthusiasts. Spanning 1.2 km, this trail of low-to-medium difficulty showcases stunning views of natural scenery, majestic trees that offer a cool climate, and a creek named Canoa. It is…
- Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco - The Canoa Trail, situated in the Cerro Blanco Protected Forest in Guayaquil, Ecuador, provides a remarkable adventure for nature enthusiasts. Spanning 1.2 km, this trail of low-to-medium difficulty showcases stunning views of natural scenery, majestic trees that offer a cool climate, and a creek named Canoa. It is perfect for families, children, and those new to hiking. Along the path, visitors might encounter birds like the green macaw and other native species, as well as tarantulas and, with a bit of luck, howler monkeys in their natural environment. The trail also features an amphitheater, ideal for taking a break and enjoying outdoor activities.
- Ingreso Hacienda El Castillo - The journey starts in the greenhouse, where the finest Don Homero cacao plants are nurtured. Productive trees are meticulously chosen to germinate seeds, and after six weeks, a graft is performed using top-quality branches. The young plants are then acclimatized in the greenhouse before being transplanted. In the field, cacao is planted alongside plantains, which offer natural shade. After approximately 18 months, the cacao trees start bearing fruit, while the plantains are gradually removed. Through sustainable farming practices such as natural fertilization, irrigation management, annual pruning, and weed control, productivity is maximized. This process not only guarantees premium-quality cacao but also creates beautiful landscapes that visitors can explore while learning about the transformation from cacao to chocolate.
What's Included
- Hotel pickup
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Lunch
- Snacks
- Drinks
- Hotel pickup
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Lunch
- Snacks
- Drinks
What's Not Included
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Food and drinks
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Food and drinks
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Additional Information
The day begins at 7:30 a.m. with a convenient pickup from your hotel. The first stop is a protected reserve, home to howler monkeys, exotic birds, amphibians, and reptiles, all nestled within the tropical dry forest. Following this, the tour proceeds to a cacao farm where chocolate is crafted right where the cacao is cultivated. This tour is unique…
The day begins at 7:30 a.m. with a convenient pickup from your hotel. The first stop is a protected reserve, home to howler monkeys, exotic birds, amphibians, and reptiles, all nestled within the tropical dry forest. Following this, the tour proceeds to a cacao farm where chocolate is crafted right where the cacao is cultivated. This tour is unique because it offers an interactive experience. Participants will learn the entire cacao process, from bean to bar, taste cacao-based products, and prepare a traditional Ecuadorian dish featuring cacao as the main ingredient. This journey beautifully combines nature, culture, and flavor in an authentic, personal, and educational manner. It’s more than just a tour; it’s a day to fully immerse in the sensory delights of Ecuador.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- this activity is recommended for children of 16 years
Location
Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco
Guayaquil - Salinas Km 16
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(23 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Janicen51040
Apr 4, 2025
Guayaquil - Yamil was an excellent tour guide and was very knowledgeable about the city. Very friendly and accommodating! It was an amazing tour. I highly recommend Yamil as a tour guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marshabm9853ij
Mar 9, 2025
Exceeded expectations: amazing day in Guayaquil - A totally wonderful experience that exceeded our expectations. The trail was in a wildlife preserve and we saw not only howler monkeys (which isn't guaranteed in the wet season) but also other animals. The trip to the cacao farm was not possible because of flooding on roads to the farm but Yamil gave us a super alternative of cacao history (cacao museum), cacao artisan workshop, cacao botany, and cacao Ecuadorian cuisine. We also learned about Guayaquil history and architecture. Yamil was an amazing and attentive host. I cannot imagine a better day in Guayaquil.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michaelbk5865io
Mar 9, 2025
Special Day in Guayaquil - This is an unforgettable experience. Jamil is an amazing guide who is passionate about his work and allows his guests to feel comfortable and special through conversation. We hiked through Cerro Blanco Forest and saw several different types of flora and fauna - including Mantle Howler Monkeys. Jamil walked us through a Cacao Museum in Old Downtown. In lieu of visiting his Grandfather’s cacao farm which was affected by the rainy season, Jamil invited us to a classic Ecuadorean lunch that made us feel at home away from home. Not only is Jamil a brilliant conversationalist (in his second language no less!), he is a talented guide who loves sharing his passion with his guests. I cannot say enough good things and highly recommend this excursion to all who have the opportunity to visit Guayaquil. I wish Jamil and his family health and good luck in years to come and am grateful for the unique experience he created for my mom and me.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mdamico815
Oct 24, 2024
Learning all about Guayaquil and cacao farming! - Simone and Yamil were incredible guides for my son and I as we had a day to explore Guayaquil. Simone was so knowledgeable about the cacao and gave a great tour of the farm. My son is Autistic and I am helping him to explore new places, I wasn’t sure how the howling monkey trek was going to do for him but Yamil and Simone got him geared up with mosquito nets and spray and we walked for over 30 min searching for howling monkeys. You could hear them and Yamil had a great call to them, but none would come out. Simone could not have us leave without seeing at least one and sure enough, right by the car the monkeys were jumping from the tree tops! It was amazing!
The food at the cacao farm was incredible and we got to help make chocolate bars and hot chocolate. I learned so much from both guides and we had such a great time. Highly recommend and make sure to bring bug spray, hat, long sleeves and an appetite!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ann
Jul 30, 2024
Monkeys and chocolate - I could not have picked a better tour. Excellent guides and I was provided with so many facts of Equador.
We stopped for white pineapple and then corn muffins that were fresh out of the oven.
Next we went to the Mountain in search of howler monkeys and guides were so knowledgeable on how to find. The walking path was good and forest so beautiful.
Then we went to the cocoa farm and had the most delicious lunch. Chocolate activit was next and we actually picked a cocoa pod and I was able to record the entire experience.
What an incredible day and I now have two friends in Equador
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elizabeth_p
Jul 30, 2024
Monkeys and chocolate - I had the most pleasurable day. We stopped and had white pineapple and bananas and then stopped again for corn muffins.
The hike to see the howler monkeys was very beautiful and my guides were so knowledgeable in how to find them.
Then it was off to the cocoa farm where we had the most delicious lunch before starting our chocolate making activity,
It was so amazing and we picked cocoa pods from the tree and made hot chocolate
I now have two new friends from Equador and my day was perfect
Review provided by Viator
Joey
Mar 15, 2024
Amazing day trip from Guayaquil! - What an incredible day trip from Guayaquil! We initially were worried that there would not be enough to do with 3 days in Guayaquil and we were wrong. We took this day trip to get out of the city for the day and experience nature so close by. Simon and Yamil were the best hosts we could ask for. Even better that Simón was a fellow Canadian for 12 years. We started early with a punctual pick up at our hotel and headed out of the city to Cerro Blanco National Park to see the howling monkeys. We picked up a ranger at the gate who led us on a great adventure into the forest. High along the River bed we found the monkeys. They were as interested in us as we were with them.
Once returning back to the car (well supplied with cold water and beer after our trek), we made our way to the cacao farm. Full functioning with no other tourists, we were treated to a delicious shrimp ceviche lunch with fried plantains and juice from the cacao seed. Beautiful setting amongst the groves of fruit, nut and cacao trees. After a guided walk through the groves with lots of fruit tastings we made our way back to the city. It was absolutely perfect and Yamil and Simon shared all of their knowledge with us along the way. We would highly recommend this tour!
Guayaquil is not what we had anticipated at all. We were initially worried about being in this big city but it has so much to offer, is safe and has lots to do. It was the perfect way to end our trip to Ecuador.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anitach7396qj
Mar 7, 2024
How beautiful you are Guayaquil - Let me share my experience in Guayaquil, which gave me a completely new insight into this city and its surroundings. During this adventure, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the world of agriculture and cocoa, from its cultivation to the creation of a valuable chocolate bar. Additionally, I explored the nearby forests, feeling connected to the fauna and flora of the region. I can't forget the exciting encounter with the wonderful howler monkeys. All of this in a single day was truly out of this world 🙌🏽🫶🏽
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cristiangb3092fi
Mar 4, 2024
Guayaquil, a safe haven to discover various places of history and nature, agriculture, country people, and the sea. - Guayaquil, a safe haven to discover various places of history and nature, agriculture, country people, it is wonderful to know step by step every detail that makes passing through this wonderful city a mandatory step.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Coha1959
Mar 4, 2024
Recommended excursions - We had wonderful trips with Viasam Tours. Through Yamil we gained a lot of interesting knowledge and unforgettable impressions about the culture, agriculture and crafts of Ecuador. Thanks for that!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
