Manta Cultural Experience: Learn Local History, Customs, Cuisine and Montecristi Hat Weaving

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: 24 hours
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…
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…

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
4.6
(48 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Robertpmosley
Feb 20, 2025
Perfect Tour in Manta and Montechristi - Brilliant private 1-day tour in Manta. 100% recommended. fee was exceptional and the whole day was organised perfectly. We saw the fish market, then the amazing button factory, and then onwards to Montecristi to Modesto Hats which was incredible. We are now button-nerds and owners of an amazing Panamá hat each. This was a private tour for just myself and my wife, and everything was faultless and really enjoyable. Thank you to Fer.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Becky_c
Jan 22, 2025
We were shown how the hats were made. It was very interesting. Sales help was patient while tried many hats. Highly rec. - There are two other factory tours included. Plus much more. About half the cost of the same ship excursion.
Review provided by Viator
John_j
Jan 18, 2025
Exceeded expectations!!! - This was an excellent tour! Much better than expected. The guide was Juan Carlos. The stops were just as advertised. The fishing industry experience included an explanation and actual viewing of boat building and repair, and a walk through the fish market, as fish were processed and cleaned. The tagua factory experience was fascinating from start to finish—with an opportunity to purchase some beautiful handmade items! We then enjoyed a full demonstration of how “Panama” (actually Montecristi) hats are made. Following that, we went to an exhibition honoring the beloved Ecuadorian President Alfaro, capped off by a chocolate factory store stop. The tour was professionally done—started on time and finished as promised. As a personal touch, Juan Carlos purchased and shared some of his favorite Ecuador-made snacks. We couldn’t have asked for a better tour!
Review provided by Viator
Steven_r
Dec 18, 2024
Top Quality Artisinal Melange - This tour is a top-notch melange of Manta's unique and rustic artisinal industries: boat yard, fish market, button factory, chocolate factory, and a funky but cool memorial museum for the FDR of Ecuador, Eloy Alfero. Our guide Humberto kept us smiling the whole time.
Review provided by Viator
Eileen_b
Dec 4, 2024
Don’t miss this one for sure❤️ - This was a fun tour. The guide was great as he spoke slowly so we could understand him. He explained the reason that they are called Panama hats and not Manta hats. It seems Teddy Roosevelt was coming to Panama for a visit and the president of Panama ask that a Manta hat be made for him. President Roosevelt thanked him for his Panama hat and that is what they have been called ever since. Don’t miss this tour and a great price compared to the ships tour.
Review provided by Viator
Markus
Nov 20, 2024
Economy in Manta - We really had a great time, super interesting to get to know more about this region. Thanks to Fernando and his family. See the different production processes was very interesting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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
Dan_r
Jan 24, 2025
Well Done, A Little Cramped and Distracted - Everything was punctual and efficient. We were two couples, a little cramped in the tour guide’s private car. But he was pleasant and well informed and quite clear in English. Sometimes he got distracted by personal phone calls. The hat factory was very clear and its hats in Montecristi seemed superior.
Review provided by Viator
Gayle_s
Jan 15, 2025
Shop at Museo Ciudad Alfaro - The guide & the tour were good. One disappointment: I thought we were going to a huge market so I paid almost no attention to the vendors at the Museo Ciudad Alfaro. There was no other “market” so check out the vendors at Alfaro. My husband bought a $50 hat at the demo place that he could have gotten for $20 at Alfaro.
Review provided by Viator
Nyvaaz
Dec 18, 2024
Great Guide in a Working Town - Manta is not a pretty town, but it is interesting to see local activities involving boat building and repairs, fishing and fish market. The visit to the hat factory and museum/ mausoleum in Montecristi were the highlights. The guide and driver were excellent, but there were too many shopping stops disguised as places of interest.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 14 guests
1 Adult
April 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today