Recently Viewed
Manta Cultural Experience: Learn Local History, Customs, Cuisine and Montecristi Hat Weaving
4.8
36 Ratings
Manta
Immerse yourself in the Manta Cultural Experience and discover the rich history, customs, cuisine, and Montecristi hat weaving. Get a glimpse into the daily lives of locals and explore the fascinating traditions of this vibrant city.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Plage de Tarqui - We will start by visiting the fish market, where we’ll learn how fishermen bring their catch to our coast and table. Next, we’ll head to the boat factory to see the construction of fishing boats.
- Plage de Tarqui - Boatyard, where you’ll have the chance to observe the building of fishing boats.
- Tagua Store - We’ll visit a Tagua Factory to learn how tagua nuts, also known as vegetable ivory, are processed into pieces that will be carved into beautiful buttons or figures.
- Montecristi - Hat weaving demonstration: We’ll watch an artisan weave, iron, shape, and press a hat, explaining the entire process from start to finish.
- Museo Ciudad Alfaro - We’ll visit Ciudad Alfaro, a complex built to honor our former president Eloy Alfaro, who, despite his wealth, fought against inequality in 1895. This is also where our most recent constitution was signed in 2008.
Afterward, we’ll visit a shop to see how Montecristi hats are woven, with time to shop and explore downtown.
- Manta - Chocolate factory: During this visit, we’ll learn about high-quality chocolate bars, taste various products, and have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs.
What's Included
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- All fees and taxes included
- Entry to all attractions
- Plenty of bottled water
Additional Information
Best prices, high quality! This tour offers a glimpse into the daily life of locals, covering our education system, history, customs, culture, and cuisine. You’ll discover how we build our fishing boats, and fishermen might invite you to pose with a big tuna at the fish market. We’ll visit a factory where “tagua” buttons are made—many of which are exported, so you might be wearing one right now. The tour also includes a visit to a chocolate bar factory and a demonstration of how Montecristi hats are woven, showcasing the craftsmanship involved. We’ll explain the process in an artisan’s shop before heading to the Ciudad Alfaro museum, rich in art and history. On the way back, don’t miss the chance to photograph the weaving woman statue at the roundabout.
- In case you are bringing a wheelchair, you need to notify this to us, otherwise we won’t be responsible of not being able to take you on the tour.
- If you require a guide that speaks another language other than English or Spanish, you will have to choose the option “Other languages”
Location
Terminal Portuaria De Manta
Inside the terminal, we will be next to the exit door or standing at the entrance door.
WI-FI available in the terminal.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(36 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Ian_w
Mar 31, 2024
An excellent time - A really good time without any problems at all. All the visits were very interesting and informative. Seeing the Panama hats being made was excellent.
Review provided by Viator
Elaine_b
Mar 29, 2024
Great Day - Very enjoyable great guide Fernando would recommend to anyone prompt pick up at the cruise terminal. all areas we visited were good
Review provided by Viator
Peter_y
Dec 19, 2023
An enjoyable day trip - The tour guide was very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. Throughly enjoyed the trip. I will not hesitate to recommend this tour to anyone who is interested in visiting Antigua.
Review provided by Viator
713terir
Dec 17, 2023
Great day with Jimmy! - I'm so happy that we chose this tour company. We exchanged many, many emails because I had so many questions. They were always quick to reply and were extremely professional. We had a great tour guide named Jimmy and a wonderful driver named Javier. They both made sure that we had a fantastic day. They even found us a fabulous fish restaurant on the beach and we were able to get massages there. All in all, it is one of my best experiences ever.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susan_r
Dec 12, 2023
Wonderful tour in Manta and Montecristi - Chris was a great tour guide. He is a native English speaker but also fluent in Spanish so was adept at translating when we had questions. Our driver was also excellent and very helpful. The highlight was the fabulous demonstration of all the steps in constructing the beautiful, although misnamed, “Panama” hats! Thank you for a great day in Manta and Montecristi.
Review provided by Viator
Uiten2017
Nov 27, 2023
Everything fitted - Robin gave us very good information about the craftsmanship. It was very exciting. Especially the explanations about the Panama hat
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mark_s
Nov 25, 2023
Excellent Tour - Victor, our tour guide, was phenomenal. He was very knowledgeable and never rushed us along. Manta is an interesting place. What a fantastic experience at the fish market.
Review provided by Viator
Priscilla_h
Mar 28, 2024
Very interesting view of unique Ecuadorian skills - A very educational tour . The hat factory demonstration is fascinating and the chocolate factory and button making from a type of seed are very interesting . The only reason I don’t give five stars is the fish market was mildly interesting culture/wise but long time spent there seemed unnecessary, and the first bathroom break was a little too long for a hot day when we needed to drink a lot. The guide did adjust and make an extra stop for this when asked, so I am sure they can adjust the schedule better in the future. The guide was great and accommodating. truly watched out for the group . We had some long driving periods when a little Ecuadorian history would have been welcomed.
Review provided by Viator
Leonid_k
Dec 11, 2023
New experience with Ecuador life and history - Very interesting demostrations of button factory production and Modesta hats. The guide should have more control of time people spend in specific locations on the tour, otherise a lot of time is wasted. Otherwise highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Jack_s
Dec 16, 2023
Not so much to see as I had stopped - I've downgraded the tour a little because I felt there wasn't that much to see and I found both towns, Manta and Montecristo somewhat disappointing. The guide was fine and helpful and the excursion ran smoothly.
Review provided by Viator
More activities from this operator
