Manabí

CULTURE

Museums and culture:

Manabí is a land of living history and deep-rooted traditions. In Portoviejo, tour its historic center and visit the imposing Metropolitan Cathedral and the Museum and Historical Archive that houses art and local memory. Manta offers you culture In Montecristi, visit the Regional Museum of the Central Bank, the Cathedral of La Dolorosa and the Malecón Escénico. In Montecristi, visit the Civic Center Ciudad Alfaro, tour the museum, mausoleum and exhibition on Eloy Alfaro and the Liberal Revolution. Also, discover ancestral treasures in the museums of Agua Blanca and Salango, where the legacy of ancient cultures survives.

NATURE

Puerto López and Puerto Cayo: Whale Watching

On the coast of Manabí, Puerto López offers one of the most amazing experiences in the Pacific, humpback whale watching. From June to September, these giants of the sea come to its waters to mate and give birth, and you can see them up close on exciting boat tours from this lively fishing port. A few kilometers away, Puerto Cayo offers a quieter and more exclusive alternative to live this experience, with fewer visitors, serene beaches and a perfect environment to connect with the nature in its purest state.

Machalilla National Park: Exploration and birdwatching trails

Machalilla National Park, on the southern coast of Manabí, invites you to discover one of the most diverse ecosystems in Ecuador. Walk its trails through tropical dry forests, natural viewpoints and pre-Hispanic archaeological sites. Here, birdwatching is the protagonist: you can observe hummingbirds, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies and many endemic species. Explore the community of Agua Blanca, walk to Los Frailes beach or kayak among mangroves. Machalilla combines nature, culture and adventure in one unforgettable place for ecotourism lovers.

Most amazing beaches. Water that creates and connects

Manabí awaits you with some of the most attractive beaches in Ecuador. In Puerto Lopez, enjoy a perfect bay to swim, relax and depart to Isla de la Plata. Los Frailes, within the Machalilla Park, offers a protected environment and spectacular scenery. In Manta, El Murciélago beach combines golden sand with urban life and good gastronomy. For lovers of surf and tranquility, Canoa and Santa Marianita are ideal. Each beach has its own charm, follow the tour through the beaches of Puerto Cayo, Punta Bikini, Bellavista, San Lorenzo, San Clemente, and Cojimíes, among many other wonderful beaches of this province that will give you unforgettable experiences.

ANCESTRAL COMMUNITIES AND RURALITY

Manabí keeps alive the heritage of ancestral communities who continue to transmit their knowledge and customs through generations. In the community of Agua Blanca, within Machalilla Park, you can learn about the worldview of the descendants of the Manteño culture, explore archaeological sites and participate in traditional rituals. In Salango, former seat of an indigenous chiefdom, its museum and link to the sea reveal a millenary history. These communities invite you to live the past in the present, with hospitality, identity and authentic cultural richness.

Holidays:

Manabí celebrates its most representative festivities with strength and tradition. Between June and July, several towns in the province pay tribute to St. Peter and St. Paul, patron saints of fishermen, with religious ceremonies, maritime processions and celebrations that bring together entire communities on the Manabí coast. In November, Montecristi hosts the multitudinous Feast of the Virgin of Monserrate, where faith is experienced in processions, masses and cultural events. During February or March, the Carnival fills the beaches of Crucita and Manta with music, comparsas and joy, attracting thousands of visitors. In May, Manta stands out with the World Tuna Festival, a festival that unites fishing identity, local gastronomy and nautical activities, positioning the city as the Tuna Capital of the World.

GASTRONOMY

The province of Manabí was recognized by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism in 2023 as a World Gastronomic Region for its traditional cuisine, local products and diversity..

Get ready for an explosion of flavor with the most emblematic dishes of Manabí. Start with the ceviche Jipijapa, an intense and refreshing delight made with shrimp, fish or any seafood, lemon, onion, cilantro and its emblematic ingredient which is the peanut. Try the irresistible viche manabita, a thick soup of fish, seafood, yucca, green and corn, enhanced with peanuts. Enjoy the corviche, crunchy and tasty, made with grated green, peanuts and fish. And don't miss the tonga manabita, a jewel wrapped in banana leaf with rice, meat and ripe banana. Not to be missed handmade sweets of Rocafuerte, currincho, a sugar cane liquor, and chucula, a traditional banana drink. In Manabí, each flavor tells a living story of tradition and passion for cooking.

Cacao up: Flavors of origin and tradition

In Manabí, Arriba cocoa with denomination of origin is much more than a product, it is part of the soul of its land. Grown in ideal climates and rich soils, this cocoa is distinguished by its floral aroma and fine flavor, internationally recognized for its quality. Visiting cocoa farms in the province is a sensory experience, you can tour plantations, learn about the artisanal process and taste chocolates with local identity. Manabí invites you to discover the true origin of Ecuadorian cocoa, where tradition and flavor come together in each bean.

CRAFTS

The handicrafts of Manabí reflect the creativity and cultural heritage of its people. In towns like Jipijapa, Rocafuerte or Pile, you can find hand-modeled pottery, natural fiber weavings, fine basketry and carved woodwork. Each piece is made with ancestral techniques passed down through generations. Visiting their workshops is a way to get to know the Manabí identity and take home an authentic souvenir made with dedication and local pride.

Toquilla straw hats: hats made of natural Andean fibers

In Manabí, the toquilla straw hat is a symbol of identity and craftsmanship. Woven by hand with natural fibers, its elaboration requires patience, precision and knowledge inherited by generations. In towns like Pile or Montecristi, you can get a close-up look at this art, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Each hat reflects elegance, tradition and quality, making it a unique piece, also manufactured in Azuay, Cañar, Santa Elena and Guayas.