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Overview
Manta is located on the Ecuadorian Pacific coastline, in the sunny province of Manabi. While not as quiet and unspoiled as its southern neighbors such as Puerto Lopez and Montanita, it is a good place for those who enjoy beach with an urban backdrop. The city has a couple of good beaches. Playa Murcielago is found on the western side of the city and Playa Tarqui is found on the eastern side. The western side tends to be more high-end than the east. The River Manta more or less divides the city into these two areas.
As one of Ecuador’s most important port towns (second only to Guayaquil), Manta has a large number of facilities for the traveler and is well used to dealing with foreign visitors. There are accommodations of all kinds to suit all budget ranges from luxury downward, and there are no end of good seafood restaurants here. There is also a hopping nightlife. For those who enjoy heading out at night, be mindful that Manta is a large port town and the usual safety precautions apply. Tarqui in particular should not be wandered around at night.
A tourist destination in its own right, Manta is also an excellent jumping off point for those intending to visit the Machalilla National Park. This coastal park covers approximately 136,000 acres and has both dry tropical forest and beach area to enjoy. The wildlife of the park is not so different from that found in the Galapagos Islands, and visitors often go to Isla de la Plata, which is considered by some to be the “Poor Man’s Galapagos,” due to its low price to visit when compared with a Galapagos Islands tour. Here it is possible to see sea lions, iguanas and blue footed boobies. A seasonal highlight, from July to September, is whale watching.
Manta is a good place for those who enjoy beach with an urban backdrop...
Highlights
Manta’s beaches – Manta has some spectacular golden beaches that should not be missed. Two of these are Playa Murcielago and Playa Tarqui. This town is popular with Ecuadorian tourists, so it is a good place to people watch and observe how Ecuadorians enjoy the beach. Get on your swimwear, grab a cold drink and hit the sand!
Malecon Escenico – in Manta there is a malecon (boardwalk) that is called Malecon Escenico—“scenic boardwalk”. Visitors to Manta can take a stroll along this pier to take in the scenery of Manta—with its port, towering beach front buildings and attractive beaches. This is also good place to sit back with a cold drink and a delicious sea food meal.
Machalilla National Park wildlife – the Machalilla National park has interesting coastal wildlife to observe, and has been dubbed the “Poor Man’s Galapagos” for this reason. Here it is possible to take in much of the same wildlife that can be found in the Islas, by taking a boat trip out to Isla de la Plata. Here there are sea lions and iguanas, and it is also possible to view the Blue Footed Booby.
Playa de los Frailes – this beach is often thought to be the most beautiful beach on the Ecuadorian coast. It has red colored cliffs that are heavily forested and which serve as a backdrop to the pretty beach with its clear waters. Because it is so clear, the beach is excellent for snorkeling. The beach is part of the Machalilla National Park. Visitors to the Pacific coast should not miss this prize.
Isla de la Plata – several miles out from the coastline of the Machalilla National Park, and an important part of it, Isla de la Plata is an excellent place to spend a day. There are pristine beaches and great opportunities to spot and photograph the diverse wildlife that can be found here.
Whale Watching – from July to September, the humpback whale visits the coastal waters of Ecuador to find a mate and rear its young. These giant beasts can be observed on whale watching tours that can be taken from several points along the coast line. The whales rise out of the water, and drop back with a flip of their gigantic tail. They “sing” a special eerie song to attract a partner.
Getting there
Visitors to Manta can travel by airplane from Quito. Flights cost approximately $70 one way. The journey takes around 40 minutes. TAME and other airlines offer daily flights to Manta. This is the easiest way to get to Manta for those who want to save time.
Getting there by bus takes longer. The journey by road can take from eight to ten hours. For those taking a bus, the journey will start from Quitumbe bus terminal in the south of Quito. To get to Quitumbe, they need to take a taxi directly to the terminal, a journey of half an hour at a cost of $10 or so, or alternatively take the Trolebus to its final stop and alighting for the terminal. The cost of this route is $0.25. This journey on the Trole will take approximately one hour, or in a taxi, about half an hour, depending on from where in Quito the person is traveling.
From Quitumbe, travelers can take the bus to Manta. The journey will cost from $8 to $10 depending on the bus company chosen for the trip. It is better to travel in the day time.
Travel from Guayaquil is a bit shorter at around four hours. Taking this journey you can travel along the Ecuadorian coastline, passing through Santa Elena, Montañita, Olon, and other cities where the beach awaits you. The journey costs around $5 and you can take buses from Guayaquil’s new and safe bus terminal.
The cost of entering the park and visiting Isla de la Plata is $20. The cost is less for Ecuadorians, and also is less if just visiting the park ($15).
