Ecotourism Ecuador South America
Vacation in Puerto Lopez Machalilla National Park Manabi Province
Flights into Ecuador, especially on South American airlines, remain fairly inexpensive – even in the face of rising oil prices. Prices in general are low in Ecuador as compared to the rest of the world, and the official currency is the U.S. Dollar, so price comparisons are easy. Travelers can reach Puerto Lopez, on Ecuador’s coast in the Manabi Province, by bus from Guayaquil, with one-way fares as little as $3.50 per person. Once in Puerto Lopez, tourists can find accommodation at any number of hostels and hotels, many of them along the Malecón, or Boardwalk.
Ecuador's Machalilla National Park
Once you’ve settled in, it’s time to take advantage of the spectacular nature in the surrounding area. Between June and September, Puerto Lopez is home to crowds of whale-watchers, as humpbacks and killer whales make their way south. But outside of those months, eco-tourists are close to the natural beauty of the Machalilla National Park and its many attractions. This part of Ecuador is home to three separate ecosystems, all within a very small area. The tropical ecosystem consists of the beautiful beaches and coastline, dotted with sand and palm trees, as well as spectacular rocks and cliffs. The forests make up the other two ecosystems, which are considered to be “dry” forest and “wet” forest – and both have different types of vegetation and animals.
You can purchase a five-day ticket for the Machalilla National Park in Puerto Lopez for about $20 – simply ask anyone where the park office is located. The main attractions in the Machalilla National Park are reachable by bike, bus or moto-taxi, which is a primary form of public transportation. Most moto-taxi trips should cost between $4 and $8 and provide you with a slower but sometimes bone-jarring mode of transportation.
Agua Blanca and Playa de los Frailes
The first site you’ll want to visit is the settlement and hiking trails at Agua Blanca. Visitors are charged an additional $3 to enter Agua Blanca, but this also includes a personal, local guide who will take you and your group through the museum and hiking trails. Highlights of the hike include the archeological ruins of the Monteño civilization, a visit (and a dip if you so choose) to a natural sulfur spring and pool, and the mirador, or lookout, which sits high above the settlement and provides a spectacular view. Playa de Los Frailes is another must-see, which is a stretch of deserted beach with breathtaking scenery and hiking trails into the surrounding dry forest. There is also a lookout at the end of one of the trails, where tired hikers are treated to a cool breeze and an endless view over the Pacific Ocean.
Isla de la Plata
Finally, the Isla de la Plata is the crowning glory of the Machalilla National Park. Only a few tour operators go to the island, which is one and a half hours by boat each way. You’ll find the tour operators in Puerto Lopez, chiefly on the Calle Principal, or main street. The island, known as the “poor man’s Galapagos” is home to sea lions, blue-footed boobies, albatrosses, and a myriad of other marine and avian species. Official guides know quite a bit about the flora and fauna, and can take you on your choice of a one hour and thirty minute hike or a three-hour hike. Be sure to pack water, a camera, and a pair of binoculars for this trip of a lifetime. Nightlife in Puerto Lopez is confined to a few restaurants and bars, but since the fish is caught right across the street and the alcohol is made from sugar cane, it’s definitely worth a try. For an inexpensive eco-vacation, check out Puerto Lopez, Ecuador.
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