Hi, with five days in Ecuador at the end of a long trip, looking for the prettiest jungly beach to just reeelax but also easy to meet people as I'll be on my own, then back to Quito for departure. Solo 30something hippie professional? Might like to snorkel or raft, do not surf but like surf, do not like huge resorts but do like some easygoing nightlife, sandy roads, my own bathroom. It seems Canoa or Mompiche might be best, any opinions on those or any others? Considered Puerto Lopez/Isla de la Plata but may be too far. Beaches I have liked before include: Caye Caulker, Nha Trang, Mui Ne, Kahuku area, quiet parts of Goa, Thanks!!!
1
snowflakes100
I see that no one has answered your question yet so I will tell you what I know.
I have not been to Mompiche, but only to Canoa and Puerto Lopez. It was the end of June when I visited Canoa, and it was not weekend, so it was very quiet. Unfortunately I broke my wrist and didn’t see very much of Canoa. If I had stayed longer I would have liked to do tandem paragliding.
A very nice excursion to do if you stay in Canoa is to Isla Corazon. There you have one of the largest Frigatebird colonies in South America, and it is interesting to see even if you are not a birder.
Puerto Lopez is larger than Canoa and besides walking on the beach or drink juice at one of the beach bars there are nice excursions you can do from there, to Isla de La Plata and Machalilla National Park.
I have written reviews about these places and have photos here:
Canoa: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/3fbdb/184c01/
Isla Corazon: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/3fbdb/22ac3d/
Puerto Lopaz: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/3fbdb/183a5e/
2
thiida
Thank you! It's hard to tell from the searches which is the more impressive setting. What did you think? Any other suggestions?
3
snowflakes100
The beaches in Canoa and Puerto Lopez are not among the most beautiful in the world, but they are okay and nice places to relax in a few days.
I don't know what time of the year you are visiting, but if it is during whale season I would go to Puerto Lopez. When I went on a daytrip to Isla de La Plata we saw lots of jumping whales on the way back. It was really impressive!
Nicer than the beach in Puerto Lopez is Playa Los Frailes in Machalilla National Park. You can't stay there, but it is a good daytrip from Puerto Lopez, and there is a nice trail to walk there (and also a dirt road).
Playa Los Frailes and Machalilla National Park: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/3fbdb/183dde/
Isla de La Plata: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/3fbdb/183b1a/
4
thiida
OK, would you consider it worthwhile in March? Otherwise I am considering Mancora, Las Pocitas, or Punta Sal in Peru.
5
cigarboy
a nice combo for us was staying in Olon to completely relax on a gorgeous long strip of beach with the odd ice cream wagon and beer cart jingling by, do a little boogie boarding then heading to the Ko San Road vibe of Montanita to watch some pro surfing, good eats and party till the sun comes up if you want to, retreating to the quiet of Olon less than a 10 minute taxi ride away. Montanita on its own can be to unrelaxing and not it's intention.
6
thiida
Great, hadn't seen anything about Olon so can check on that. Montanita did not sound the way for me :)
7
cigarboy
yes its a party town but you can take it or leave it, catch it early in the day. Puerto Lopez was ok and the beach in the park is beautiful. The coast in general can't compare to SE Asia beaches
8
thiida
Thanks! If you had to pick, which one would you base yourself in if you were on your own? Did you get to Peru beaches?
9
cigarboy
if we went again we would still use Olon as a base, nice and quiet and mostly empty beach. We are heading to Peru/Bolivia in a few weeks so haven't done any beaching there yet. An awesome beach spot in Colombia is north of Cartegena, Taganga and Tyrona National Park if your ever up that way.... ..enjoy
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