How to get there

 

From Montañita | The bus only takes an hour and you can flag it down just about anywhere on the Main Street, just look for the green Manglaralto bus. They are every hour on the hour and cost $2.50 (£2). To return to Montanita repeat the process in Puerto López.

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From Guayaquil | You can get a direct bus to and from Puerto López's Terminal Terrestre. A bus to Guayaquil costs $6 (£4.90) and takes 4 hours. 

 

 

Where to stay 

 

There aren’t too many budget options in Puerto López to stay. You can find upmarket digs along the beach front like Victor Hugo and Hosteria Itapoa; both well out of our price range.

 

Hostel Quentin | For budget options there are Hostel Maxima and Hostel Quentin, the latter is where we stayed. This hostel was really nice and only a thirty second walk to the beach, the bars and the restaurants. The rooms were large and clean and cost £25 a night. The owner German Quentin cant do enough for you. 

 

 

What to do 

 

Visit Isla De La Plata 

Isla De La Plata is the main attraction and from July to September it is Humpback Whale season. One of the few places in the world that you're guaranteed a sighting. On your way to the island you can stop and watch these amazing mammals - two tours for the price of one. The Island is known as the poor man’s Galapagos and if like us, you can’t afford the Galapagos this is a good alternative. With a huge array of sea life and birds including the Blue Footed Booby. Vendors line the promenade, take your pick. We would recommend Machalilla Tours who are also another good dive. You can contact them online for up to date prices.  

 

Top Tip: Take a boat trip to Isla De La Plata and see the Humpbacks enroute instead of buying the standard Whalewatching tour. 

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Learn to Dive

For a little extra (and minimum number of 4) you can include the island visit on your diving course. 

There are three dive shops in Puerto Lopez and we chose Exploramar and were very happy with them. My open water dive course cost $420 (£344) which included everything. Paul paid $140 (£115) for a fun five day which included two dives but again it was on Isla De La Plata and that’s what you pay the premium for. The marine life was incredible and we got to see several Giant Manta Rays. We were just outside of whale season but if you dive when they are there then you can hear them underwater and see them if you are lucky. 

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Beach Bum at Los Frailes

Located in Machalilla National Park, Los Frailes is around 10 minutes from Puerto López town. You will need to get a Tuk Tuk for $1 (£0.80) to the Terminal Terrestre and then hop on any bus heading towards Manta, just double check they go past the National park entrance. The bus costs $0.50 (£0.40) and will drop you right at the entrance. It is free, you just need to register your details once you’re there. There are three options to take to get to the beach:

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1. Get a Tuk Tuk straight from the entrance to the beach for a couple of dollars.

2. Walk the road to the beach which will take about half an hour.

3. Take the scenic (and our recommended route) past two other beaches and several viewpoints.

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The walk is around two miles long and goes through a dry wooded landscape before getting to the first beach Playa Prieta. A little while later you will get to Playa Tortuguita and after a short walk along the sand you get back onto the path to Los Frailes. The path is clear and easy to follow but it’s hot so take plenty of water and some head cover. 

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Once there you can rent an umbrella for $4 (£3.30) at the car park and there’s also toilets, showers and a snack stall selling ice cream but not much else. The beach is huge so you shouldn't have trouble finding a quiet spot. You'll have to carry and pitch the umbrella yourself. The wind is strong so bury it deep and at an angle.

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