Machalilla
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Port
Manta, Ecuador
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$149.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 8 - 9 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Traveling along the road known as the Route to the Sun, you will pass the New Town residential areas where wealthy Ecuadorian seafood exporters live. Head out into the countryside to see the landscape change from dry and barren to lush and bountiful.
Playa Los Frailes is one of the most beautiful beaches along the whole South American Pacific coastline. You will have free time to swim and relax here.
Visit the small archaeological museum site at Agua Blanca, where more than 40 families live and are dedicated to preserving their culture. Learn about the burials in ancient times. A 1.5-hour optional walk allows you to observe colorful birds and unique flora. Fig, laurel and palo santo trees are commonly seen here. The residents offer wonderful artisan jewelry made from local shells and the tagua nut (vegetable ivory) for purchase.
Enjoy a delicious, poolside buffet lunch at a charming hotel.
On your way to Machalilla National Park, you will catch a glimpse of quaint fishing villages with bamboo homes typical of the region and the magical figures of the bottle-shaped kapok trees, characteristic of the tropical dry forest. The park was created in 1979 to protect approximately 30 miles of beach, 100,000 acres of tropical dry and cloud forest, and 50,000 acres of ocean, including two offshore islands. The seabed here is home to the only coral formations found on the Ecuadorian mainland coast.
Notes:
Bring a towel from the ship. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable sunscreen. Bring bottled water. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Minimum height is 2 feet. Minimum age is 2 years.