Highlights of Montecristi And Manta

Embark on a drive through the main town of Manta for a drive along the scenic seaside promenade and through the suburbs of Manta to charming Montecristi, home of the famous Toquilla hat. This beautiful little town is the highlight of the tour. Montecristi still retains the atmosphere and faded elegance of its Spanish heritage Once in Montecristi, you'll head towards a weaving demo where your guide will explain in detail, the process of how these famous hats are made and, why they were named as Cultural Patrimony by the UNESCO a few years ago. 

Afterwards, enjoy some free time to walk around the central square which holds a cornucopia of artisan stalls selling straw baskets, jewellery, colourful handicrafts and the famed Toquilla hats. Before returning to Manta, you'll visit the Tagua exhibition, made by local artisans, where the Tagua nut is processed. The Tagua nut is an ivory like palm nut found in the tropical rainforests of the coastal and Amazonian lowlands of Ecuador. Although first used as buttons, the Tagua is today fashioned into jewellery and figurines by skilled craftsmen into a variety of small, reasonable priced sculptures.