What happens in Montañita, stays in Montañita
It is early in the morning, the sun has barely risen, and you can already see how some surfers take the opportunity to catch the first waves of the day.
The day has only just begun Montanita , yes, but next to the beach there is also the occasional latecomer-party lover, who has been perhaps a little late -or early?- and who is struggling to return to their hotel to sleep after a night on a spree
These are, in short, the two most popular versions of this little Ecuadorian coastal town . A corner that, for four decades, has experienced an absolute revolution: from being an unexplored paradise, enjoyed only by the families of the fishermen who inhabited it -and by some surf enthusiast who already knew how to recognize the potential of the area, everything is said-, Montañita has come to be considered one of the fashionable destinations in South America.
Today backpackers from all corners of the world populate its beachfront cabins, its hostels, its surf schools and its streets full of bars and nightclubs. Because Montañita is the cradle of surfing in Ecuador , yes, but also the place to join the day with the night as many times as you want.
Montañita, the cradle of surfing in Ecuador
LET'S LOCATE...
But before we continue, let's see, where are we? We are in the province of Santa Elena, in the southwest of Ecuador and only 200 kilometers from Guayaquil , the second largest city in the country.
This is an enclave outlined by extensive fine white sand beaches ideal for enjoying the Pacific . Some waters that beat strongly against the coast giving shape to a coastline that, daily, is full of colored surfboards waiting for the perfect wave.
Although on its shore there are also boards. Dozens of them. All well nailed in the sand at the doors of the multiple surf schools that are sprinkled in front of the sea. Many occupy charming wooden huts on the beachfront.
Along with them, it is not difficult to run into a group of intrepid young people who receive from their monitors the first instructions on what it is like to ride the waves.
One of the businesses dedicated to these tasks is **Balsa Surf Camp**, a space full of charm where you can find the most immersive experience: its founders, César and Julie -he is Ecuadorian, she is French- made their love story emerge this beautiful project.
Small restaurants and street stalls in Montañita
Together with a whole family of workers, they are in charge of serve, host, feed, pamper and teach all those adventure-seeking surfer apprentices through your hotel and your surf school. They even have professional surf photographers!
Another company is ** Montañita Surf & Dive **, with which, in addition to surfing, you can also explore the deep sea thanks to its diving courses.
And to all this, what does Montañita have that is so loved by surfers? The point is that, thanks to its breakers, on its coastline you can enjoy good waves practically all year round . It was chosen for a reason in 1988 to host the first International Surfing Championship from Ecuador. More than 20 years later, in 2013, it was the turn of the ISA World Masters Championship.
This, added to other great milestones and events, has managed to place Montañita among the 11 best destinations in the world for surfing . A list in which it shares space with enclaves such as the Gold Coast of Australia, Arica in Chile or Santos in Brazil. There goes that.
Balsa Surf Camp, surf school in Montañita
And while the beach, with its colorful umbrellas and bathers, remains lively during the sunny hours, the laid-back vibe rules the rest of the community : a handful of unpaved streets but full of life and shops make up the heart of the community, which has just 5,000 inhabitants.
Reggae music accompanies you during a walk through small craft shops, hostels with a lot of vibes and small restaurants and street stalls in which to delight, why not, with a ceviche as God intended . Quinoa soup -no matter how hot it is- is always a good option, as well as seafood.
Of course, the gastronomic offer of Montañita is as wide as the world is wide: if you prefer Italian, Peruvian or North American cuisine , here you will also find. Tiki Lombo It's a guaranteed hit, and ** Pigro ** serves up some scrumptious pizzas.
A great place to marvel at Ecuadorian flavors is Surf Food Restaurant , a humble place, very bare, with few tables and chairs and without any paraphernalia, but with something basic: the taste of its local dishes is TOP.
Tiki Lombo, a guaranteed success in Montañita
AND AS NIGHT FALLS...
The night confuses Montañita quite a bit, we are not going to deny it, so here is some advice: if your idea of a trip does not include revelry nights until the wee hours of the morning, it is better to stay in one of the small hotels scattered around the beach area –the ** Hostal Kundalini and its waterfront cabins are the real deal** - and avoid the nerve center of the community. A wonderful sunset with the sound of the sea in the background will be your alternative.
Now, if your plan includes exploring the nightlife to the rhythm of reggaeton or electronic music, no more talk: set off to discover the infinity of joints that populate the famous "street of cocktails" . And do it without hesitation: as soon as the sun goes down, the area transforms into a huge party.
That's when the labels of the clubs come to life and every corner of every joint is filled with young people eager to live the night as if it were the last of their lives. Even the street stalls break out serving cocktails and cold beer for as little as $1.
The shots conquer the bar of the bars and, between drink and drink, rare is the one who does not take over the popular phrase that decorates some other facade: “What happens in Montañita, stays in Montañita” . Not much more to say...
Live concerts, popular DJs playing, commercial music… The night usually ends, for those with more endurance, at the mythical **Alcatraz or at the famous Lost Beach Club**, already with the dawn lights peeking out.
THREE PLANS BEYOND MONTAÑITA
But whoever travels to Montañita in search of surfing and partying soon discovers that the environment in which he finds himself includes an infinite number of alternative proposals: a nature reserve, a community of ancestral roots or an island full of the most exotic fauna These are just some of the possible plans.
Silver Island It is sometimes called the "Galapago of the poor". And it is true that it does not have the wide variety of species that populates the authentic one, but, to the surprise of more than one, the famous blue-footed boobies also live here . And they are so photogenic…! Its real treasure, however, is found at the bottom of the sea: a snorkel set will serve to find out what wonders it hides.
And speaking of wonders, the Machalilla National Park , within which is the Isla de la Plata, is located just one hour from Montañita and is one of the largest protected areas in all of Ecuador . So that you understand what we mean, we translate its greatness into figures: 81 species of mammals, 270 of birds and 143 fish make up its faunal diversity, no less.
Machalilla National Park, one of the largest protected areas
To enjoy a day discovering its attractions is to go from wooded landscape to that of the scrubland, to its beautiful beaches -Los Frailes is simply spectacular- or its numerous islands, always finding reasons to be surprised.
The latest proposal is in White water, a community tourism project that helps to know and participate in the heritage of the Manta culture through the more than 86 families involved.
It's time to interact, ask and discover a most fascinating world full of traditions and ancient rites . Here everyone is passionate about transmitting, with pride, the essence that governs their lives since time immemorial.
Of course: you have to pay an entrance to enter the community , but it is worth visiting its museum and bathing in its mud pool. They say it has healing properties.
Sunset in Montanita, Ecuador