Somewhere in the west coast of Ecuador lies Montanita. Also known as surfers and parties paradise of the country. Not really ‘on the way’ to other destinations, but do take a few hour diversion and decide yourself if it’s worth the interest. With a few days to spare I’ve decided to give it a go, since I haven’t seen a beach for a month or so now, what’s to lose? And with an overnight bus from Banos to Santa Elena, here I am, all ready to dip my feet into salty waters again. From the first look, bus let me off on the main road. And still being early Saturday morning, as expected, everything is closed, or just closing down from the night before. Deja vu. So I’ve started to walk around trying to find a place to stay, soon to find out that most hostels are asking for $10/bed, too much I thought and decided not to give up. And so after knocking on every single hostel door I found a decent private room for $6/night.
Town has a decent set up, which makes everything close and easy to find. Beach is always within minutes no matter where you’re staying and has to offer everything from surfing lessons, to massages and fresh ceviche. Great food selection and even better entertainment. Quiet by day and crazy at night, Montanita left a very positive impression on me. Try to get here on a weekend, that way you’ll see the wild side of the spectrum.
Mancora, on the other hand is much more quieter. And from the first look seems to be very boring plus quite dull. As we arrived five in the morning, tuk took took us to the nearest hostel, costing us $10/pp, but being extremely tired, you can’t really debate trying to find cheaper at this dark hour. Four hours later, with a little extra sleep down the road, we’re checking out and moving to a hostel just across the road (Las Cabanitas Lodge) charging just 10 soles/night ($3). Sadly, we still get charged $10 for those 4hours of uncomfortable sleep. Shame people are so greedy and unprofessional these days. but I really like this new place; a bit further from the main beach, but close enough to little deserted one, and just minutes from the market, where all the glorious stuff lives. In the market, you can find everything dirt cheap and fresh. Since when you can get half kilo of tuna for a pound?! Addicted to glorious organic food, I’ve rubbed my bum on Mancoras sand for 7days! Unfortunately, waves are not as good for surfing here as it was in Montanita, beaches are not as stretchy sandy white, but other advantages weight the disadvantages. You won’t get such crazy nights out in Mancora but you can enjoy peace and tranquility at it’s best. Also for a difference of being a beach bum everyday, go visit turtles outside of Mancora. Tour agencies sell this attraction for 70soles but if you want to save money, take a collectivo from EPPO bus station for 2soles to Organos and there change it to another minibus (3soles) to Nuro. Most of minibuses have little turtle signs on the back window. Entrance to the turtle port cost 5soles. To go back to Mancora, backtrack the journey. Congratulations, you’ve just saved 55soles!
came straight at me!
Where and how much?
Banos to Santa Elena overnight bus leaving at 10pm $16
Santa Elena- Montanita collectivo 2h $1.8
Room at old mans hostel with no name $6/night
Montanita- Guayaquil $6
Guayaquil- Montana overnight bus leaving 9pm $15
Las Cabanitas Lodge bed in 4bed dorm 10 soles ($3).
See you soon with a news from how I got on in Amazon;)
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