- Resumen
- Resumen del viaje
- El viaje incluye
- El viaje excluye
- Galería
- Sostenibilidad y recomendaciones
Discover southern Manabí through a rural communities experience, rich biodiversity, living culture, and genuine hospitality. This circuit is designed for travelers seeking meaningful experiences, real human connection, and direct contact with nature and local traditions.
You will travel in a small group (minimum 6, maximum 8 guests), with private transportation and a bilingual national guide, exploring lesser-visited territories where communities open their doors to share their way of life, ancestral knowledge, and traditional cuisine.
This is not a conventional tour — it is a cultural and natural immersion.
Itinerario ejemplo
Itinerarios
Day 0
Arrival in Ecuador – Guayaquil
Day 0 – Arrival in Ecuador – Guayaquil
Arrival in Guayaquil.
Optional overnight stay at hotel. Transfer from the airport to a nearby hotel for rest.
Preparation for the adventure into rural Manabí.
Day 1
Rural Communities and Hidden Waterfalls
Meet your bilingual national guide after breakfast and depart by private vehicle into the interior of Manabí (approx. 2.5 hours). The landscape gradually shifts into agricultural lands and green hills.
In Paján, enjoy an interpretive walk through the town and its emblematic monuments reflecting local identity.
Continue to the rural community of San Francisco de Paján, where your direct community tourism experience begins.
Experiences of the day:
- Participatory workshop with local women artisans weaving “mocora” palm fiber
- Guided hike through humid forest
- Swim at “María de Oro” waterfall
- Flora and fauna observation
- Cultural evening with traditional dance presentations
Overnight in community lodging.
Díay 2
Living Culture, Women Entrepreneurs & Community Stay
After breakfast, depart for a full immersion day in the rural heart of southern Manabí:
- Morning interpretive visit of Jipijapa’s town center, including the central park, historic houses, local memory, and the iconic Corn Monument — symbol of the region’s agricultural identity.
- Visit the community microenterprise Xipimujer, where guests learn about artisanal production processes and enjoy a tasting of traditional Manabí specialties prepared by rural women.
Continue to the community of Chade for participatory experiences:
- Visit to traditional ancestral wells
- Preparation of corn tortillas in a wood and clay oven
- Direct exchange with local women entrepreneurs
- Traditional lunch at the community restaurant
In the afternoon, travel to Pisloy community, crossing the river along a scenic humid forest route ideal for photography.
Arrival and installation in the community cave-style cabin.
Closing activities:
- Visit to coffee plantation
- Demonstration of traditional roasting and grinding
- Traditional dinner
- Cultural gathering with the community tourism committee: storytelling, local legends, and open dialogue with visitors
Overnight in Pisloy community lodging.
Day 3
Biodiversity Trails & Toquilla Straw Artisans
After breakfast, hike along the ecological community trail “El Golosito” with a specialized local guide. Interpretation of humid forest biodiversity and birdwatching. Traditional “tonga” lunch served along the route.
Private transfer to the artisan community of Pile, internationally recognized for its fine toquilla straw hats (also known globally as “Panama hats” or “Jipijapa hats”).
Experiences of the day:
- Traditional rural cuisine
- Full demonstration of the Jipijapa hat crafting process
- Meeting master artisans
- Direct purchase without intermediaries
Continue to the Pacific coast. Arrival in Ayampe, a tranquil beach town surrounded by nature and white-sand beaches.
Hotel check-in. Dinner at local restaurant. Free evening.
Day 4
Marine Turtle Conservation & Manteña Ancestral Culture
After breakfast in Ayampe, departure by private van toward the southern coastal area of Machalilla National Park, one of Ecuador’s most biodiverse coastal territories.
First stop: Las Tunas community, where local organizations protect sea turtle nesting sites.
Community technical talk covering:
- Nesting cycles
- Environmental threats
- Protection and release protocols
- Local family participation in conservation
Continue to Salango community:
- Visit to sea turtle rescue and management center
- Interpretation of local marine species
- Guided visit to archaeological museum featuring Manteña–Huancavilca culture artifacts
- Historical context of the ancient maritime chiefdom
Transfer to Agua Blanca ancestral community:
- Lunch at community restaurant
- Guided archaeological site tour
- Explanation of ancient structures and territorial organization
- Bath in sulfur-rich mineral lagoon (therapeutic properties)
- Optional relaxing treatments and massages with palo santo essence and sulfur mud
Return to Ayampe. Dinner and free evening.
Day 5
Panoramic Trails & Protected Virgin Beaches
After breakfast, departure to a hiking area within Machalilla National Park.
Guided hike (2–3 hours) along the “El Sombrerito ecotourism trail” (low to moderate level, with optional rope-assisted descents):
- Dramatic cliffs and 360° Pacific Ocean viewpoints
- Natural rock formations and tidal pools
- Interpretation of endemic flora (palo santo, muyuyo, carob trees) and wildlife including blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and pelicans
- Moderate elevation changes and rocky sections (soft adventure level)
- Landscape photography and birdwatching
Transfer to Machalilla area for lunch.
Afternoon entry to protected beach sector Los Frailes Beach, considered one of Ecuador’s most scenic beaches.
Activities:
- Beach time in bay area
- Environmental interpretation of the protected area
- Free time for swimming and relaxation
Return to Ayampe. Dinner and free evening.
Day 6
Marine Reserve & Oceanic Bird Interpretation
After breakfast, transfer to Puerto López pier.
Boat excursion to Isla de la Plata, a protected island reserve often referred to as the “Little Galápagos” due to its high concentration of seabirds.
Island program:
- Coastal interpretive navigation (seasonal humpback whale observation)
- Official guided trail within protected area
- Observation of frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, and other oceanic birds
- Explanation of reproductive behaviors and ecosystem dynamics
- Authorized snorkeling time
- Snack onboard
Return to mainland in the afternoon.
Free time in Puerto López for seaside walk, artisan shopping, or coffee.
Evening farewell barbecue dinner. Overnight.
Day 7
Historical Heritage & Return
After breakfast, departure by private van to Guayaquil.
Stop at Parque Histórico Guayaquil:
- Historical productive systems (cacao, coffee, timber)
- Rescued coastal wildlife area
- Interpretation of regional historical development
Lunch en route.
Continuation to:
- Hotel check-in in Guayaquil, or
- Direct airport transfer according to flight schedule.
Accommodation (6 nights)
- 1 night in San Francisco de Paján rural community
- 1 night in Pisloy rural community (wooden and bamboo cabin)
- 4 nights in hotel in Ayampe
- Optional nights in Guayaquil before/after circuit (with breakfast and airport transfers)
Meals
- 6 breakfasts
- 6 lunches
- 5 dinners
- 1 farewell barbecue
(Based on local and community cuisine. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated with prior notice.)
Experiences & Activities
- All participatory workshops and community demonstrations
- Entrance fees to protected areas, community centers, and archaeological sites
- Guided visits in rural communities and local enterprises
Transportation
- Private land transportation throughout
- Operational transfers between communities and sites
Professional Guiding
- Bilingual national guide throughout the circuit
- Local community guides on trails, workshops, and heritage sites
Operational Support
- Continuous route coordination
- Pre-trip and on-trip assistance
Social Contribution Included
- USD 100 per traveler allocated to social, cultural, and infrastructure projects of the Jipijapa Wankavilka Community Tourism Network, directly strengthening host communities.
- International flights
- Mandatory travel and health insurance
- Optional pre- and post-circuit nights in Guayaquil
- Visas and immigration procedures
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities not listed
- Beverages outside included menu
Nuestra operadora de Turismo comunitario Wankatours pertenece a la red de Turismo comunitario Jipijapa Wankavilka, misma que brinda asesoramiento gratuito para el desarrollo de comunidades rurales y emprendimientos con modelo de gestión comunitaria, beneficiando por ahora a 8 comunidades de los cantones Jipijapa y Paján (1200 habitantes) con capacitaciones, alianzas con diferentes instituciones, gestión de proyectos, entre otros.
De cada tour vendido se aporta con $40/pax a proyectos de carácter social, cultural, infraestructura… que permiten mejorar la calidad de vida de los habitantes y así mismo, mejorar la experiencia para los visitantes.
En su visita además dejará plantado un árbol, al que podrá poner un nombre personalizado (será como tu bebé en Ecuador, te enviaremos fotos de su desarrollo) y con el que compensaras en parte la huella de carbono de la actividad turística.
En los tours organizados por Wankatours se pretende revalorizar el patrimonio cultural y natural de las comunidades con modelo de gestión comunitaria, muchas de ellas en zonas rurales, donde ven al turismo como una oportunidad para mejorar sus condiciones de vida al dar valor a sus actividades cotidianas, conocimientos ancestrales y cuidar su entorno. Es así que grupos étnicos de Manteños Huancavilkas, montuvios e indígenas (hombres, mujeres, jóvenes y ancianos) son protagonistas activos en nuestros tours.
Para disfrutar mucho más del viaje es importante que se utilice la ropa adecuada.
El litoral o Costa: la temperatura es cálida la mayoría del tiempo, especialmente si el nivel de humedad es alto. Durante el día la temperatura alcanzara su nivel más alto al medio día, las noches son más frescas. Se puede esperar lluvias durante el día y la noche, también radiación solar fuerte.
Rangos de temperatura : Máxima 32°C Mínima 20°C
Estaciones :
Seca : De junio a octubre Lluviosa : De diciembre a mayo
Altitud :
Manabí : 2 m.s.n.m a 700 m.s.n.m
Guayas: 3 m.s.n.m a 519 m.s.n.m
Además, se recomienda el uso de bloqueador solar, ropa cómoda para la realización de actividades, poncho de agua, repelente… y llenar el formulario de pasajero indicando si padece alguna enfermedad o alergia, hábitos alimenticios (vegano, vegetariano…) u otra información que desee tengamos en cuenta para hacer de su experiencia de viaje mucho más agradable.
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