Ecotourism & Nature Guides

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Discovering Pacoche: Howler Monkeys, Coastal Wildlife & Indigenous Rain Forests

Located just 26 kilometers from Manta, this strictly protected tropical wildlife refuge serves as a lush sanctuary for exotic biodiversity and ancient microclimates.

A Semi-Dry Coastal Rainforest Just 26 km Outside Manta

Stepping into the Pacoche Wildlife Refuge (Refugio de Vida Silvestre Pacoche) feels like entering an entirely different world, despite being located a short 26 km drive from the sunny docks of Manta. Spanning over 13,000 hectares of protected land (combining coastal marine territory and inland forests), this reserve stands as an invaluable green bastion deeply committed to the strict conservation of endemic fauna and pristine native flora.

What makes Pacoche truly extraordinary is its unique coastal microclimate. Surrounded by arid plains, the elevation of the Pacoche hills captures the morning marine mists coming off the Pacific Ocean. This creates a perpetual, cool garúa (fine drizzle) that keeps the forest constantly humid, lush, and filled with towering bamboo thickets, ancient trees, and local agricultural crops like wild cacao plants that have grown here naturally for centuries.

The Sound of the Forest: Howler Monkeys and Elite Birdwatching

The undisputed stars of the reserve are the **Manta Howler Monkeys** (Alouatta palliata). As you walk down the damp, shaded pathways accompanied by an experienced local naturalist, the deep, guttural roars of these incredible primates echo through the canopy above. Watching entire families of howler monkeys, including mothers carrying their small babies, navigate the treetops is an unforgettable encounter with pure, untouched wildlife.

Beyond the mammals, Pacoche has quickly earned an international reputation as an **elite paradise for birdwatching**. Because the refuge acts as an isolated ecological island, it provides safe nesting grounds for over **200 distinct bird species**. Enthusiasts can spot the dazzling plumage of the endemic Esmeraldas Woodstar hummingbird, the elegant Long-wattled Umbrellabird, colorful toucanets, motmots, and various species of parrots flying through the high forest leaves.

A Rich Safe-Haven for Land Reptiles and Coastal Nesting Turtles

The strict conservation regulations inside Pacoche ensure that land reptiles also thrive in abundance. Visitors frequently spot striking **native iguanas** camouflaged perfectly against the thick mossy logs or basking in the sun along the warmer borders where the jungle meets the ocean air. Lizards, snakes, and tiny colorful frogs make up the low-canopy wildlife, demonstrating the healthy state of this rich ecosystem.

Furthermore, the protective reach of the refuge extends right down onto the sandy shores. The beaches connected to the Pacoche marine reserve are world-famous nesting zones for **Olive Ridley and Green sea turtles**. Every single year, conservationists work around the clock to safeguard the delicate nests laid along the cliffs and shoreline, ensuring thousands of tiny turtle hatchlings can safely make their initial journey back into the vast Pacific Ocean waters.

Important Visitor Guidelines for Eco-Tours

Because Pacoche is a dedicated protected ecological zone, keeping human impact to an absolute minimum is vital for the long-term protection of the native monkeys and nesting turtles. Please review these simple rules before arriving:

• Always Hire a Guide: Wandering the trails without a certified park naturalist is strictly prohibited to prevent trail degradation and avoid getting lost.
• Silence is Golden: Keep talking volumes low. Loud noises can stress the monkeys and alter the singing habits of rare bird species.
• Pack Light & Carry Out Trash: Ensure you bring adequate water, bug spray, and comfortable walking boots, but absolutely no plastics or food containers may be left behind.
• Zero Wildlife Contact: Flash photography and feeding any land animal or marine turtle is severely restricted by national environmental laws.