Manta: Pacoche Wildlife Refuge & Lighthouse Trail｜Ecuador

Begin your journey with a scenic drive from Manta to Pacoche. As you leave the coast and climb into the hills, the landscape shifts dramatically, especially during the mid-year dry season, when the vegetation transforms from dusty gray scrubland to a vivid green forest canopy.

Arrive at the refuge entrance, which sits 300 meters above sea level, and enjoy the views before you even step out of the vehicle. Follow your nature guide on a 1 to 1.5-hour walk along the forest trail, weaving through the dense canopy and rich tropical undergrowth.

The trail follows a dry river creek bed, where the forest is at its most lush and the wildlife most active. Howler monkeys are the refuge's most emblematic residents — their calls carry through the trees and are often heard before they are seen.

Admire the flora, which tells a story of remarkable resilience: towering ceibo trees, bromeliads, and coastal species found nowhere else in the world. The second half of the trail involves steeper terrain and is recommended for travelers with a reasonable level of fitness.

After the forest trail, continue to Cape San Lorenzo, a protected stretch of coastline and one of the most scenic viewpoints on Ecuador's Pacific coast. The lighthouse path winds up the hillside to covered viewpoints with panoramic views of the ocean, the refuge's beaches, and the rocky cliffs below.

Seabirds circle the cliffs throughout the year, and between June and September, humpback whales are occasionally spotted offshore. Below the cape lies a protected beach, a crucial nesting site for endangered sea turtle species, accessible on foot from the viewpoint.

Finish your excursion with an optional stop at a family-owned coastal restaurant near the refuge, where you can sit down to fresh seafood and local Manabí dishes with unobstructed ocean views.