CRUISE SHORE EXCURSIONS
Shore Tours from Manta Port
Shore tours from Manta Port connect you with Ecuador’s coastal culture, local landscapes and carefully coordinated overland journeys towards Guayaquil, Quito and the Galápagos Islands. Each experience is planned around your cruise schedule, with comfortable transport, local assistance and carefully managed timings for a smooth day ashore or a longer journey beyond the port
Direct Port Pick-Up
Return to Ship Guaranteed
Local Operator Since 2007
Cruise-Timed Departures
FROM MANTA PORT
Explore Ecuador with Shore Tours from Manta Port
Shore tours from Manta Port offer cruise passengers a convenient gateway to Ecuador’s Pacific coast, local culture and some of the country’s most distinctive destinations. Depending on the time available, experiences may include Manta and its surroundings, Montecristi, coastal viewpoints, local traditions and carefully coordinated overland journeys towards Guayaquil, Quito and the Galápagos Islands. Each itinerary is planned around your ship’s arrival and all-aboard time, with comfortable transport, local assistance and carefully managed logistics throughout your time ashore.
From coastal culture and local traditions to longer journeys towards Guayaquil, Quito and the Galápagos Islands, our shore tours from Manta Port offer carefully planned ways to experience Ecuador with cruise-focused logistics and a return programme coordinated around your ship’s schedule.
Need Help Planning Your Shore Excursion?
Our local team can help you choose the most suitable experience based on your ship’s schedule, interests and available time in port.
FEATURED SHORE EXCURSIONS
Discover Manta & Beyond from Manta Port
Shore tours from Manta Port are carefully planned around your cruise itinerary, combining Ecuadorian culture, coastal landscapes, local traditions and selected overland experiences with comfortable transport and cruise-focused timings.
MANTA PORT · ECUADOR COAST
Manta & Montecristi Cultural Highlights
MANTA PORT · ECUADOR COAST
Pacoche Rainforest & Wildlife Walk
5–6 HOURS · SMALL GROUP
MANTA PORT · ECUADOR COAST
Galapagos Islands Overland Adventure
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS · SMALL GROUP
FROM SHIP TO SHORE
How Your Shore Excursion Works
Shore tours from Manta Port are carefully coordinated around your cruise schedule, with direct pick-up inside the port, comfortable transport and carefully managed timings for a smooth experience ashore. Whether you are exploring Manta and Montecristi or beginning a longer overland journey, every programme is planned around your ship’s arrival and available time in port.
01
Your Ship Arrives
We monitor your ship’s arrival and adjust the meeting time when necessary.
02
Meet Our Team
Meet your JD Adventure Travel representative directly inside Manta Port, close to the cruise terminal.
03
Explore
Enjoy your excursion with comfortable transport, local assistance and an English-speaking guide.
04
Return to Your Ship
Your return is carefully planned around your ship’s all-aboard time, with sufficient margin to get you back comfortably.
MANTA PORT INFORMATION
Meeting Your Guide at Manta Port
Shore excursion departures from Manta Port are carefully coordinated around your cruise ship’s arrival time. For our shore tours from Manta Port, authorised vehicles are permitted to enter the port and collect guests directly inside the terminal area, allowing for a smooth and convenient start to your excursion.
Your JD Adventure Travel representative will be waiting at the confirmed meeting point inside the port, and your excursion will begin once your party is ready. We monitor your ship’s arrival and adjust the meeting time when necessary so the departure remains coordinated with the actual docking schedule.
Good to know: Direct port pick-up is included for our Manta Port shore excursions. Before arrival, we will send you clear meeting instructions with the exact collection point and departure time so you know exactly where to meet our team.
PRIVATE SHORE EXCURSIONS
Prefer a More Personalised Experience?
Private shore tours from Manta Port can be tailored to your interests, preferred pace and cruise schedule, with direct port pick-up, private transport and a dedicated local guide. Whether you prefer a relaxed cultural visit around Manta and Montecristi or a more customised experience along Ecuador’s coast, we can adapt the itinerary around the time available in port.
EXPLORE OUR OTHER CRUISE PORTS
More Cruise Destinations
Continue your journey with carefully planned shore excursions from other cruise ports we operate across Peru. Discover historic cities, archaeological sites, coastal wildlife and some of South America’s most remarkable landscapes, all with cruise-focused planning and careful attention to your ship’s schedule.
DON’T SEE YOUR PORT?
Planning a Shore Excursion Elsewhere in South America?
If your cruise itinerary includes another port in South America, our team can help arrange private shore excursions and tailor-made services in selected destinations across Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and beyond. Share your ship, port and travel date with us, and we’ll review the available options and help plan an experience around your time ashore.
CHILE
ARGENTINA
BRAZIL
SAN MARTIN PORT FAQs
Everything You Need to Know Before Going Ashore
Find answers to the most common questions about direct port pick-up, cruise schedules, private tours, longer overland journeys, cancellations and returning to your ship on time.
What happens if my ship arrives late?
Our shore excursions from Manta Port are planned with flexibility in mind, so a delayed arrival does not necessarily mean that you will miss your excursion. If your cruise ship reaches Manta later than originally scheduled, our operations team will review the updated arrival and all-aboard times and adjust the programme accordingly. Depending on the time available, we may modify the departure time, change the order of visits or shorten selected stops while preserving the main highlights of your excursion wherever operational conditions allow.
As we coordinate our services around the actual movement of your cruise ship, our team will remain informed of any significant schedule changes and adapt the day as necessary. Our priority is to make the best possible use of your time ashore while ensuring that the itinerary remains realistic, comfortable and carefully planned around your revised return time to the ship.
Will you return us to the ship on time?
Yes. Your return to the ship is guaranteed according to the programme you have booked. For our one-day shore excursions from Manta Port, the itinerary is carefully planned around your ship’s all-aboard time, and your return to Manta Port is guaranteed. We build appropriate time margins into the programme and, if necessary, may adjust the pace, order of visits or length of selected stops to protect your return time.
For longer overland programmes, the guaranteed return may take place at the next scheduled cruise port rather than back in Manta. For example, guests joining our Galápagos overland experience from Manta are scheduled to rejoin their cruise at Callao Port in Peru, according to the confirmed itinerary. Flights, transfers, accommodation and onward logistics are coordinated as part of the complete programme.
In summary, whether you are joining a day excursion or a multi-day overland journey, your return to the appropriate cruise port is guaranteed as specified in your confirmed itinerary.
Where will we meet you at Manta Port?
Your JD Adventure Travel representative will meet you directly inside Manta Port, at the designated cruise passenger collection area close to the terminal. As our service includes direct port pick-up, you will not need to leave the port or arrange any additional transport to reach an external meeting point.
Before your arrival, we will send you clear meeting instructions confirming the exact collection point, meeting time and the details you will need to identify our representative. Our team will also monitor your ship’s arrival so, if there is any change to the docking schedule, we can adjust the meeting time accordingly.
Once you meet our representative, you will be assisted directly to your vehicle and your shore excursion or overland programme will begin from the port.
Will you pick us up inside Manta Port?
Yes. Our shore excursions from Manta Port include direct pick-up inside the port, allowing you to meet our team without having to take an external shuttle or travel to a meeting point outside the terminal area. Once your ship has docked and passengers are permitted to disembark, our representative will be waiting at the confirmed collection point inside the port.
Before your arrival, we will provide clear instructions with the exact meeting location, scheduled pick-up time and details to help you identify our representative easily. If your ship’s arrival time changes, our operations team will adjust the collection time accordingly so that your excursion remains properly coordinated with the actual cruise schedule.
After meeting our team, you will be assisted directly to your vehicle and can begin your shore excursion or overland programme without unnecessary transfers or delays.
Are your shore excursions private or shared?
We offer both private and small-group shore excursions from Manta Port, depending on the experience you choose. Private tours include dedicated transport and a local guide exclusively for your party, giving you greater flexibility with the pace of the day, the order of visits and the amount of time spent at each location.
Our small-group excursions are also designed specifically for cruise passengers and are kept to manageable numbers to provide a more comfortable and personalised experience than a large coach tour. Departure and return times are carefully coordinated around the cruise schedule, and the group remains together throughout the programme.
For longer journeys, including selected overland programmes, the service arrangement will be clearly explained before booking and may include a combination of private transfers, guided services and pre-arranged transport. The exact service type is always confirmed in your itinerary so you know what to expect before travelling.
What happens if my cruise ship cannot dock at San Martin Port?
If your cruise ship is unable to call at Manta Port because of weather conditions, operational restrictions, changes to the cruise itinerary or another circumstance beyond your control, please contact us as soon as the change is confirmed. Our team will review your booking and the services affected by the missed port call.
Depending on the type of excursion or programme booked, we will then apply the relevant cancellation and refund conditions confirmed with your reservation. Where practical, we may also be able to reorganise the service for another suitable date or adapt the arrangements if your cruise itinerary is changed to a different port.
For multi-day overland programmes, we will review the complete revised cruise schedule before making any changes, as flights, accommodation, transfers and onward arrangements may already have been confirmed. Our priority is to provide the most practical solution available and to keep you clearly informed of any changes affecting your journey.
Can you arrange a private excursion specifically for my cruise ship?
Yes. We can arrange private shore excursions from Manta Port specifically around your cruise ship’s arrival time, all-aboard time, interests and preferred pace. Once we know your ship, travel date, number of passengers and the type of experience you are looking for, our team can recommend the most suitable itinerary based on the time available in port.
Depending on your schedule, a private programme may include Manta, Montecristi, coastal viewpoints, local cultural experiences or other selected destinations in the surrounding region. We can also adjust the pace for couples, families or small private groups who prefer a more relaxed day, additional time at certain stops or a more personalised route.
For guests continuing on a longer overland journey, we can also coordinate private transfers and the necessary logistics beyond Manta. Every confirmed itinerary is planned around your cruise schedule, with clear meeting arrangements, direct port pick-up and carefully managed timings throughout the programme.
Can I visit Machu Picchu from Manta Port?
Yes. It is possible to visit Machu Picchu from Manta Port, and we have specially designed overland programmes for cruise passengers who want to combine their time in Ecuador with one of Peru’s most important destinations.
These programmes are carefully coordinated around the cruise itinerary and may include transfers from Manta Port, flights to Peru, domestic connections to Cusco, accommodation, train services and the visit to Machu Picchu before rejoining the ship at the next suitable cruise port. The exact route depends on your ship’s schedule, the number of days available between ports and current flight and rail connections.
We offer pre-arranged itineraries specifically created for this type of journey, including options that combine Manta, Cusco and Machu Picchu as part of a multi-day overland experience. Before confirming the booking, our team reviews your complete cruise schedule and organises each stage of the programme to ensure the journey is practical, well coordinated and compatible with the port where you are scheduled to rejoin your ship.
Can I visit the Galápagos Islands from Manta Port?
Yes. It is possible to visit the Galápagos Islands from Manta Port, and we offer specially designed multi-day programmes for cruise passengers who have sufficient time between scheduled ports. These journeys allow you to leave your cruise in Manta, continue independently with our organised services and rejoin your ship at the next suitable port included in the confirmed itinerary.
Depending on the programme, arrangements may include direct pick-up from Manta Port, domestic flights within Ecuador, private transfers, accommodation, guided activities and the necessary logistics for visiting the Galápagos Islands. We can also arrange longer overland experiences combining Galápagos and Machu Picchu before continuing to the port where your cruise is scheduled to arrive next.
Because these programmes involve flights and several coordinated services, we review your complete cruise itinerary before confirming the journey. Our team plans each stage carefully around available connections, travel times and your ship’s schedule, with your return to the designated cruise port included as part of the confirmed programme.
What happens if a flight delay affects my return to the ship?
For multi-day programmes from Manta Port involving domestic or international flights, our team carefully plans each connection with appropriate time margins and coordinates the itinerary around your cruise schedule as closely as possible. Flights, private transfers, accommodation, rail services and other arrangements are organised as part of the complete programme, with particular attention given to the port where you are scheduled to rejoin your ship.
If a flight is delayed, cancelled or significantly disrupted, our operations team will immediately review the available alternatives and coordinate with the airline, transport providers and other suppliers involved in your journey. Depending on the circumstances, this may include changing a flight, adjusting transfer times, modifying part of the itinerary or reorganising other services in order to protect the overall programme.
For longer journeys such as Machu Picchu, the Galápagos Islands or combined overland experiences, every stage is planned around the confirmed cruise itinerary and the designated rejoining port. As flight disruptions can occasionally occur for reasons beyond our control, we strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering delays, cancellations, missed connections and other unexpected travel interruptions.
