Rich Pickings on Ecuador’s Coast
Posted on November 12th, 2011
I took this sunset photo from in front of our beachfront hotel in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador
Over the last decade, weâve explored much of Ecuadorâs Pacific Coastâand one place we always enjoy revisiting is Puerto Lopez. Itâs about halfway down the coast, midway between the larger cities of Salinas to the south and Manta to the north, right off the Ruta del Sol highway.
Puerto Lopez is a small fishing village on a crescent-shaped bay that reminds us of what Puerto Vallarta, must have looked like about 70 years agoâlong before the rest of the world discovered it and turned it into the jet-setting beach resort it is today.
Just like Puerto Vallarta, the bay where Puerto Lopez is located is rimmed by tall jungle-covered cliffs and ridges. From the top of one of these hillsides, the view of the little townâespecially at sunsetâis breathtaking.
The beach view isnât bad either. Above is a sunset photo I took from in front of our beachfront hotel, the Hosteria Mandala (private cabins start at $44/double).
Puerto Lopez has lots of attributes that make it special (although glitz, glamor, and a raging nightlife arenât among them).
Just north of Puerto Lopez is Los Frailes beach, part of Machalilla National Park. You can enjoy a laid back day on the beach or do a bit of hiking if you like. (Be sure to bring supplies, as there are no bars, restaurants, or tourist vendors here.) Go first to Playita Negraâa black-sand beachâthen on to La Tortuguita beach and a mirador (lookout point) over the beaches and back to Los Frailes.
Just a few miles offshore from Puerto Lopez is Isla de la Plataâalso part of Machalilla Park and often referred to as the â since it doesnât cost much at all to get here and on the island you have an opportunity to see a diversity of wildlife, including several species of boobies (the Blue-footed, Red-footed, and Nazca) in particular.
In the coral-reefed waters surrounding the island you can snorkel and often spy sea lions, dolphins and other marine life. Migrating humpback whales can also be spotted here from June to September. Youâll find plenty of tour operators in Puerto Lopez who will take you on a day-trip to the island for $30 or $40.
My favorite thing to do in Puerto Lopez, though, is to watch the fishermen unloading the catch of the day each morning and matching wits with the frigates who want a little piece of the action.
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