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Nature & wildlife · Guayaquil

Top 6 nature & wildlife things to do in Guayaquil

Wildlife, forests, gardens, and the green pockets of Guayaquil that make it bearable in monsoon and beautiful by November. Day trips and short drives where the landscape is the point.

  1. Mangroves and cacao experience near Guayaquil, Guayaquil1

    1. Mangroves and cacao experience near Guayaquil

    5.0· 26 reviews· 8 hours

    Six hours of guided exploration — canoe ride through mangroves, chocolate-making at a cacao farm, and sampling fresh fruit from the trees.

    I had a fantastic experience with Eddie on a private tour that included the mangroves and chocolate making. He is friendly and knowledgeable, and communication was top-notch. Both he and the driver were very accommodating. I appreciated that he supports local families through these activities, such as partnering with a local business for the chocolate making and using a local guide for the mangrove tour.agingerwithsoul
  2. Guayaquil night tour with drinks at FrutaBar, Guayaquil2

    2. Guayaquil night tour with drinks at FrutaBar

    5.0· 2 reviews· 4 hours

    Three hours exploring Guayaquil’s highlights, including sights and drinks at FrutaBar to relax after the tour.

    I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable Guayaquil turned out to be. Initially just a stop before heading to the Galápagos Islands, the city was beautifully presented by my guide, Tony. He was knowledgeable, professional, and punctual. Although I had concerns about safety in Guayaquil, Tony’s itinerary made me feel secure. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting for a short time, just like I did. Thank you, Tony.Eric_R
  3. Private one-way transfer from Guayaquil to Cuenca with Cajas Park stop, Guayaquil3

    3. Private one-way transfer from Guayaquil to Cuenca with Cajas Park stop

    4.9· 49 reviews

    Approximately six hours — private transport from Guayaquil to Cuenca with a visit to Cajas National Park and a cacao farm along the way.

    The service was excellent, extremely dependable, and always on time. They provided everything we required. We've used them twice already and will definitely choose them again. I highly recommend them.HuntsDesk
  1. Howler monkey reserve and cacao farm tour from Guayaquil, Guayaquil4

    4. Howler monkey reserve and cacao farm tour from Guayaquil

    4.9· 24 reviews· 7 hours

    Eight-hour private tour featuring a natural reserve, a cacao farm visit, and a hands-on culinary experience with local dishes incorporating cacao.

    This was an exceptional day trip from Guayaquil. Initially, we were concerned about spending three days in the city, but this excursion allowed us to immerse ourselves in nature nearby. Our guides, Simon and Yamil, made it even more enjoyable—especially since Simon is a fellow Canadian. The day began with an on-time pickup from our hotel, and we headed to Cerro Blanco National Park to see the howler monkeys. A ranger joined us, guiding us on an exciting adventure through the forest where we spotted the monkeys, intrigued by our presence. After our hike, we returned to a car stocked with cold drinks and beer, then traveled to a cacao farm, where we enjoyed a delightful lunch of shrimp ceviche with fried plantains and fresh cacao juice, all in a stunning setting among the fruit, nut, and cacao trees. We experienced a guided walk through the groves with ample fruit tastings before heading back to the city. The tour was flawless, with Yamil and Simon sharing their extensive knowledge throughout. We wholeheartedly recommend this tour. Guayaquil exceeded our expectations. We had concerns about being in such a large city, but it proved safe, vibrant, and full of activities. This trip was a perfect finale for our visit to Ecuador.Joey and Christ... W
  2. Churute Forest monkeys and chocolate-making tour from Guayaquil, Guayaquil5

    5. Churute Forest monkeys and chocolate-making tour from Guayaquil

    4.9· 55 reviews· 7 hours

    Eight hours by road — forest hike to watch howler monkeys, followed by a hands-on chocolate-making experience and a traditional Ecuadorian lunch outdoors.

    I booked this incredible experience primarily for the nature aspect but found the tour of the cacao farm equally captivating. It was outstanding. Our English-speaking guide, Simon, who is from the area, possesses deep knowledge of the local environment and its people. The walk through the dry forest, complemented by the sounds of howler monkeys, was enriched by Simon’s insights into the connections between various plants and animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. His tour provided a fascinating overview of cacao production, covering everything from planting and grafting to processing, along with making our own hot drink and chocolate bar, guided by Don Alberto. There’s also a small shop where you can purchase cacao souvenirs to take home. The tour company, Viasam, was fantastic. They reached out to confirm my dietary needs as a vegetarian and provided a delicious lunch featuring Ecuadorian ingredients, many sourced from the farm. They were flexible enough to adapt the itinerary to help me explore as much of the Guayaquil area as possible during my short stay.lindaoZ6514LW
  3. Private day tour to the Shuar community and cloud forest from Guayaquil, Guayaquil6

    6. Private day tour to the Shuar community and cloud forest from Guayaquil

    4.6· 5 reviews

    A full-day private tour with round-trip transport — visit three waterfalls, learn about the Shuar community, and enjoy a traditional Ecuadorian lunch.

    This was a fantastic introduction to the lives of some incredible people. I'm eager to learn more. Using a blow dart gun was a highlight of the experience.william_a

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