Top 10 water & beach things to do in Manta

1. Private transfer from Manta Cruise Port to Guayaquil Airport

Direct transfer from Manta to Guayaquil Airport, with door-to-door service and professional drivers. Enjoy the convenience of a private vehicle.“,

2. Private car transfer from Manta Cruise Port to Guayaquil hotels

Direct private car transfer from Manta Cruise Port to Guayaquil hotels, with a professional driver meeting you at the port.

3. 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.

4. Cocoa farm experience in Rocafuerte

Four hours at a cocoa plantation near Manta — from bean collection to crafting your own chocolate bar, with a focus on high-quality Ecuadorian cocoa.

“The tour was both entertaining and educational, showcasing the contrasting landscapes of the countryside and town. Learning about the chocolate-making process from cacao bean to finished bar was fascinating. Our insightful guide, Fernando, shared the area's history and culture, with a focus on cacao production. The lunch was exceptional, especially the tonga, and we enjoyed a traditional hot cacao drink along with a delightful hot chocolate. A definitive 5-star experience.”— Judy_R

5. Cacao and coffee tour in Manta

Half-day private tour — explore cacao and coffee production with tastings at an agricultural institute and a coffee plantation in the Pacoche Forest.

“I had a wonderful experience with this tour. The chocolates were fascinating and delightful, and there were many stops along the way with insightful tips. The Panama hats truly stood out. I highly recommend this tour.”— Happiness37741291618

6. 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

7. Chocolate and coffee farm tour near Manta

Three hours of walking and tasting — explore a coffee farm and sample local gourmet chocolates with scenic views, ideal for small groups up to 12 travelers.

“We spent a fantastic day with Pedro. He greeted us at the cruise terminal holding a sign with our family name, making him easy to spot. We received a note a few days before asking us to arrive by 8:15, but we were 2-3 minutes late due to needing to take a bus down the pier. However, Pedro was already there waiting for us. Our van accommodated eight people despite holding twelve, which made for a comfortable journey. We began by learning about Panama hats, followed by a visit to a chocolate factory, lunch, and a coffee plantation. All the stops were enjoyable. At the Panama hat store, no one spoke English, so Pedro interpreted for us, which was the only downside. The chocolate factory was a highlight since we learned the traditional chocolate-making method and got to sample plenty. Lunch included various local options such as bolon and pastillito, alongside traditional meals like ham and cheese sandwiches or fries, catering to everyone's taste. We concluded the day at the coffee plantation, which was both fascinating and informative. Pedro was very kind, and since my son was the only child in the group, he received plenty of special attention, which delighted us.”— Cathryn G

8. 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

9. Rainforest excursion with local market visit and lunch

Six hours exploring Manta’s rainforest and local culture — from the fish market to a scenic lighthouse, including lunch at a rainforest restaurant.

“Our experience exploring Manta and its surroundings with our guide Dennis was wonderful. The meetup at the cruise terminal was punctual. We particularly enjoyed visiting the local fish market to see the day's fresh catch. The locals were friendly, which made us feel safe. Lunch at a nearby restaurant was also pleasant. We would gladly choose Manta SOS again on our next visit.”— nhiemn2018

10. Wildlife and local culture tour near Manta

Full-day tour featuring wildlife observation, Panama hat makers, and traditional cuisine, with options for easy or more challenging hikes.

“Our guide in Manta, Maria, was fantastic. She greeted us at the port terminal and first took us to the Rainforest Preserve. The guide there was very knowledgeable, and both he and Maria adjusted the pace to suit us. Maria explained each location we would visit and let us choose where to have lunch. In Monticristi, she arranged for us to see a Panama Hat making demonstration without any hard sales tactics. As we drove, Maria shared a wealth of information about the local history and culture. She even provided us with some Ecuadorian snacks and a souvenir from our trip.”— mlhowie