Ecuador is an amazing place to visit because of the diversity of ecology, topography and culture that is squeezed into a country of relatively diminutive size. From the modern urbanity of Guayaquil to the cobblestone streets of historic Quito – from the lofty peaks of the Andes Mountains to the misty Amazonian rainforest – an Ecuador tour offers a little something for everyone.
One of the less heralded destinations in this equatorial paradise is the western coastline where a variety of unique destinations lure travelers with a diverse, exotic charm.
The almost 1000 coastal expanse that stretches from the Columbian border in the north to the Peruvian boundary in the south is characterized by pristine and all-but-deserted beaches, warm waters ideal for swimming and surfing, bountiful fishing opportunities, luxury vacation accommodations, unique mangrove swamps and exotic wildlife sanctuaries.
Here’s a list of four destinations along the Ecuadorian coastline that are of particular interest to travelers with a yen for a variety of tropical, coastal adventures:
Manta
Once a thriving port city characterized primarily by the fishing and shipping industries, the coastal metropolis of Manta has gradually evolved into a tourist Mecca that relies on its decadent resorts and lively nightlife as the main driver of the economy. A large boardwalk that stretches along the city’s largest beach buzzes with activity day and night, and the shorefront area is a multicultural melting pot full of international tourists enjoying the myriad of food, beverage and shopping options. After dusk, Manta is transformed into a reveler’s wonderland, with bars and discotheques full of beautiful people looking to dance and party the night away.
Montañita
There was a time not too long ago when Montañita Beach was known as a simple fishing village, completely off-the-radar for tourists. In time, it became a best-kept-secret among the surfing community and slowly the word got out that Montañita is not only one of the best surfing beaches in Ecuador, but on the entire continent. By now, Montañita is a veritable must-see destination for surfers worldwide, and pretty fair place to visit even if catching a wave isn’t your cup of tea. Like Manta, Montañita is a great place to visit if your travel itinerary is heavy on the nightlife; it’s one of the best places to party in Ecuador.
Machalilla Park
There’s plenty more to the Ecuadorian coastline than wild parties. If you prefer exotic animals and wildlife to party animals, take a trek to Parque Nacional Machalilla (Machalilla National Park) which is so large and diverse that you might need a week or more to take in all the sites. The park encompasses many of the diverse ecosystems characteristic of Ecuador including the dry tropical forests to the vaporous cloud forests, each with their distinct flora and fauna. A number of archeological sites dating back over 1500 years also draw geology and anthropology buffs to the park.
Puyango Petrified Forest
If you weren’t sufficiently captivated by the geological and ecological splendors of Machalilla, there’s plenty more to see on the Ecuador coast. Head south to the Puyango where you will find the petrified forests that contain some of the world’s most incredible bio-fossils, some of which are estimated to be 500 million years old! The forest was once its own sea, which we know because many of the oldest fossils are marine in nature, but some of the more recent fossils (and by recent I mean only 100 million years old) are of the arboreal variety, trees that have been preserved for eons and now are showcased as one of the world’s oldest and most impressive collection of fossilized wood in the western hemisphere.  Â
Charlie Bennett is an aspiring travel writer who has spent over a year total touring South America. Â His writing now appears courtesy of Ecuador Travel specialists GAdvenutres.com
