Chocolate & Coffee farm Cruiseship Tour in Manta

We will start the day with a visit to a secluded and tranquil coffee farm located right in the middle of the Pacoche Rainforest. The views, pure air and peace are worth the trip alone for me, but we have much more for you. The Ecuadorian Coffee bean, while not as famous as the Columbian variety, is known for its fruity undertones and is a booming business, as more and more coffee lovers discover them. We will take you through the cultivation, harvest and production with an interactive exhibition. We are fortunate enough to have one of only 2 beachfront drying beds in the world at this farm. This gives the coffee beans a delicious seaside flavor that can´t be replicated. After touring the scenic farm and seeing the bean process you can try out some great coffee. Take a moment to relax in the time-honored local hammocks and explore the fruit-filled garden. Odds are you will see hummingbirds as well as quite often you can hear or even see howler Monkeys.

Faro San Lorenzo

After working up a healthy appetite, we will take some time to relax in the traditional Restaurant found amongst the jungle canopy. Watch as the food is prepared in the traditional manner with fresh seafood and plantain dishes being a particular speciality here. This style of cooking produces some intense woodsmoke flavors mixed with the ancestral knowledge of herbs and spices. You will be able to choose from a large range of local countryside or seafood dishes. While you wait for the meal we highly recommend walking through the shaded garden paths. The owners have planted a lot of beautiful flowers so the hummingbirds are always present.

Next, we will travel to the home of the famous Panama Hats, Montecristi. Sheltered at the feet of the Landmark Mountain is the town that birthed these sombreros many generations ago. Once in the small town center, your guide will show you the Panama hat makers workshops and stores as well as a huge variety of local artisan goods. We can also see some of the last examples of the traditional wooden architecture in the central plaza next to the cathedral.