Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ally breezy, with the rain season ending in April. January is when you could catch the an-
nual Manta Film Festival and June to September is prime whale-watching time, however,
unlike other Ecuadorian coastal cities, there's plenty to do in Manta year round.
Cupped by a crescent blue bay, most attractions in town revolve around water sports. El
Murciélago is Manta's most popular beach, with a host of hotels and eateries lining its
Malecón
(seaside promenade) and sailors, swimmers and divers indulging in its waters.
The nearby beach of San Marianita, while comparatively quieter, has also become a popu-
lar spot for kitesurfing. Surfers will recognize San Mateo beach as the place to catch
Ecuador's longest wave, while the exclusive Barbasquillo beach resort offers its
Manteño
brand of luxurious peace on the waterfront. At night, partygoers flood the twinkling
streets en masse in search of
coco-locos
(rum and coconut juice) and booming salsa clubs.
For a different kind of culture, the nearby provincial town of Montecristi is well worth a
visit, especially if you're trying to get down to the 'Panama hat' mystery, or why Monte-
cristi somehow became eclipsed by the Central American nation as the producers of the
iconic
sombreros.
Montecristi boasts the best quality of these hats; just make sure to ask
for
Montecristi superfino.
Mompiche
About 3 hours north of Manta on a scenic drive along the Spondylus Route is Mompiche,
a mellow fishing village with a burgeoning backpacking and expat culture. Travelers take
to Mompiche right away, where time moves at a snail's pace and tranquility comes with
the streaming sound of waves. Surfing culture is huge in Mompiche and enthusiasts flock
to town from December to April during the high season when the surf is best. Horseback
riding through the lush palm forests that bind Mompiche is also popular and highly re-
commended. To get there, a few buses leave from the Esmeraldas terminal daily, just
double-check that they'll leave you off
in
Mompiche instead of just the entrance to town,
because if there are no taxis around, you'll have to walk uphill for 40 minutes to reach the
village.
Food
•
Malecón Escénico and Malecón Tarqui
$
These two beachfront promenades are lined with colorful food stalls stuffed with tradi-
tional seafood dishes and the locals who love them. Plates are cheap, fresh, delicious and
the cheery cooks are always up to talking to travelers.
