Top 5 cultural & heritage things to do in Manta

1. Private shore tour: cacao, coffee and rainforest experience in Manta

Six to seven hours exploring coastal Ecuador — visit a rainforest coffee farm, enjoy local cuisine, and learn about cacao from artisans.

2. Cultural tour of Montecristi and Panama hats from Manta

Six to seven hours — explore Montecristi's markets, meet Panama hat artisans, and relax at a beachfront village with ocean views and local cuisine.

3. Manta Shore Tour: Panama Hat Making, Artisan Goods, and Local Cuisine

Light activity tour around Manta, exploring Panama hat making, artisan goods, and local beachfront cuisine, suitable for all mobility levels.

“We arranged a private tour for four in Manta, hoping to spend the entire day exploring during our 10-hour port stop. Unfortunately, delays in disembarking led to us losing about 1.5 hours of our tour. There was also some confusion regarding the itinerary; Shaskia, our guide, had a different plan than we had discussed, which meant we missed seeing the Panama hat factory. However, she adjusted quickly, and despite not visiting everything we wanted, the tour was enjoyable. Shaskia was knowledgeable and friendly, which helped smooth over the issues. I highly recommend her as a guide. The Panama hat site was impressive, and the chocolate factory included a booze tasting that turned out to be a delightful add-on. The restaurant she recommended for our seafood lunch was wonderful, but we had to eat in a hurry because of the ship's delay. I would consider booking with Manta again, ensuring that we confirm an itinerary beforehand.”— B4991SBmicheller

4. Cultural highlights of Manta — local markets and Montecristi hats

Approximately four hours exploring Manta's markets, fishing industry, and artisan workshops, with insights into local culture and cuisine.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our experience learning about Manta and the warmth of its people. The demonstrations exceeded our expectations and were greatly appreciated. The meal we had at the end offered delicious food with a wonderful view of our ship and the harbor. Everyone involved was professional and helpful, even assisting with language translation. Overall, we were very pleased with everything.”— cherylkZ9337YL

5. Cultural and nature tour of Montecristi and Pacoche Rain Forest

Five to six hours exploring Montecristi and Pacoche Rain Forest with a local guide, observing wildlife and visiting hat-making workshops.

“The tour offers much more than a series of typical routes and repetitive facts. Fernando, our guide, was passionate about his work, showcasing his punctuality, friendliness, and knowledge throughout our personalized experience. We explored the coast, a seafood market, a shipyard, the rainforest, and visited hat and chocolate factories. Highlights included witnessing a freshly caught cherna, observing carpenters polishing a wooden boat skeleton, spotting a group of shy howler monkeys in the jungle, watching a demonstration of Panama hut construction, and enjoying pure chocolate at a craft factory. In just a few hours, the thoughtful interactions made for a truly introspective journey that transcended the usual tourist experience.”— liuvanh