Selected parts of Ecuador’s coast provide some stunning highlights and great places to relax, including the Machalilla National park. The weather is warm throughout the year - and between June and the end of September you can spot humpback whales.
You fly in to historic Manta and then head off to experience many attractions: see what the local fisherman have caught at sea as they land their catches, head to South America’s only dry tropical forest and investigate the cultures which existed before the Spanish arrived.
Machalilla
Few backpackers spend much time in Manta, but generally prefer to head south to the coastal area of Machalilla. Passing through Portoviejo and Jipijapa the vegetation is unique, a dry tropical forest with bizarre shaped kapok trees.
Puerto López
Puerto López is a small fishing town of around 10,000 people. It has a very ramshackle appearance at first sight, but it's quite charming and grows on you. If you go down to the beach early (7am) you will see an amazing range of Pacific fish, of all shapes and sizes, including hammerhead sharks. Then buy your freshly cooked fish from the beach markets!
Agua Blanca
At Agua Blanca, the ancient capital city of Salangóme, there is a good archaeological museum. There is also a guided trail around the reasonably well preserved and extensive site, where you can see a complex of terraces and platforms with adobe and stone walls.
San Sebastian
Approximately 10km beyond Agua Blanca, further inland, after hiking through the dry forest you reach the humid tropical forest of San Sebastián. This is great for seeing orchids, birds and monkeys. You will need at least a couple of days to appreciate this part of the park. Talk to the guards at Agua Blanca, they can arrange accommodation and horses. Take all supplies with you.
San Salango
The port of Salango, 10km to the south of Puerto López has an excellent small museum with information on the intrepid sailors of prehispanic times. It contains artefacts from many of the different cultures that have inhabited coastal Ecuador from the Valdivia to the present day. There is a decent restaurant here, Delfín Magico and you can walk along the beaches.
The Humpback Whale
The humpback whale is a regular visitor to the Ecuadorian coast. The waters off the province of Manabí, now protected by the national Park of Machalilla, are breeding grounds for this magnificent whale. There are frequent sightings from June to September.
Alándaluz
Some 15km from Puerto Lopez to the south is Alándaluz, an ecological hotel with beautiful cabins, a private beach, great seafood and vegetarian cuisine. It is a bit expensive for the budget traveller but you could always stay here and eat out in one of the nearby villages. The hotel also organises tours to Machalilla National Park including the Isla de la Plata, dry forest, Agua Blanca and Montecristi.
Example itinerary – day 1
Transfer to airport, flight to Manta. Arrive in Manta and drive to Puerto Lopez. Free morning/afternoon.
Day 2
Visit beach Los Frailes and/or Cerro Blanco. Overnight in hosteria.
Los Frailes is a series of gorgeous beaches and cliffs that you walk to along a 4km track, through dry tropical forest. It is one of the most beautiful parts of the park, just 10km north of Puerto López. Take a pick-up or any north bound bus and ask to be dropped off at Los Frailes.
Day 3
Day trip to Isla de la Plata. Return in the afternoon to the Hosteria
La Isla de la Plata lies 37km off the coast, around 1.5 hours by boat. It has colonies of three sorts of boobies, blue-footed, red-footed and masked, and you will see numerous other seabirds, such as pelicans, terns and frigate birds. There are sea lions on the island and you are likely to see dolphins, rays and whales (from June to September).
Take plenty of water and sun protection with you as it can be very hot and dry on the island. On most tours you will spend 2-4 hours walking on the island.
Day 4
Option to drive to Guayaquil and overnight there, or drive to Manta and flight to Quito and transfer to your hotel.
What’s included
Domestic flight Quito-Manta-Quito, private transport from Manta airport to Hosteria in Puerto Lopez, 3 nights’ hosteria including, breakfast, daytrip to Isla de la Plata, entrance fee for Parque Machalilla, transfer in Quito on day of departure to Manta.
What’s not included
International flights, insurance, tips, personal items, lunch, dinner and beverages, extra trips other than mentioned
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