Manta City Tour and the Artisans of Ecuador

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Tour Times: 9:00 AM, 13:00 PM

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Pickup and Dropoff at the Cruise Port Included

4 hours (approx.) Private Tour Moderate

Overview

Learn about the costeño way of life and the ancient cultures of the coast - Machalilla, Chorrera and Valdivia - by visiting the small but charming ethnographic museum Cancebi. The oldest signs of human settlement in South America were found along the coastline, south of Manta.

After a 10 km drive, you will arrive to the small village that specializes in the production of sisal rugs and bags. El Chorillo is particularly interesting because it is not a tourist spot so the people who live there are willing to share with the visitors their skills.

Next up is Montecristi, below an imposing hill. This colonial town was founded in 1628, when many of the inhabitants of Manta fled inland to avoid the frequent pirate plundering to which the port was subjected. Montecristi is renowned as the center of the Panama hat industry (contrary to popular belief, they are not made in Panama!). Visit some of the artisans here, and watch as they use "paja toquilla," a special straw obtained from certain palms of the Ecuadorian coast, to knit these special hats. Of course, there will be time for shopping if you would like a souvenir! Also visit the towns main square to see the statue of Eloy Alfaro, the famous President of Ecuador who was born here in the early 1900s.

Upon returning to Manta, you will make a stop at the Tagua button factory (closed on weekends). "Vegetable Ivory" is the name used for the Tagua nut, found in the rain forest in parts of Colombia and Ecuador. Although it is soft at first, when dried out it becomes as hard as ivory and can be carved as such. Seeing the process of peeling, cutting, and then making buttons, sculptures and souvenirs with this vegetable ivory is particularly interesting.

Vegetable Ivory is appreciated by humanitarians and environmentalists alike, as its use stimulates the economies of South America as well as prevents the killing of elephants for use of their tusks.

What's Included

Roundtrip transportation from the cruise ship pier
English-speaking guide
Entrance fees
Bottled water
Manta Museum
Montecristi
Tagua Factory
Chorillo

Considerations

Food
Beverages
Gratuities/Tips

Special Instructions

Tagua button factory is closed on weekends.
If you will be bringing a wheelchair or scooter please contact Venture Ashore prior to placing your order. Our vehicles do not have ramps for wheelchairs. Guests will need to be able to use stairs to get on/off vehicle.

Sightseeing/City Tour Archaeological/Cultural Wildlife/Nature Skip The Line

Tour Times: 9:00 AM, 13:00 PM

Hassle-free

Cancellation

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup and Dropoff at the Cruise Port Included

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Manta City Tour and the Artisans of Ecuador

Overview

What's Included

Considerations

Special Instructions

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