Western Slopes to the Pacific Coast - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 263

N44 and Isla Seymour, Casilla 17-12-257, Quito, /fax [phone] or

2-2242-417, fax [phone], www.ecociencia.org.

Comparable eco-travel opportunities exist with the privately owned
Steve's Lodge and FUNDEAL's Verdes Tropicos Choco Lodge
(See Where to Stay , pages 268-69).

Cayapas-Mataje Ecological Reserve
From San Lorenzo near the Colombian border, excursions into the
ecologically rich mangrove forests of the Cayapas-Mataje are a great
way to explore the coastal marine environment. Included in most
tours are boating, swimming, visiting a couple of archeological sites
from the pre-Columbian La Tolita culture and just hanging out on the
beach. In San Lorenzo, contact Jaime Burgos Echegaray at the
restaurant La Estancia, for trips into the reserve and visits to indige-
nous communities farther into the Cotacachi-Cayapas region.
Coopseturi , /fax [phone], office on the boat dock, also offers day-

long excursions to the reserve.

South of Esmeraldas
Playa Escondida
About 1½ hours southwest of Esmeraldas is Playa Escondida, a re-
mote stretch of isolated beach that is well off the beaten path. Formed
by the Río Malpelo, this “hidden beach” and half-moon bay offers a
getaway that is far removed from the normal resort-style develop-
ment along the coast. Now operated as a 24-acre private ecological
refuge, Playa Escondida offers hiking, camping and swimming in a
very relaxing environment. Rustic but comfortable accommodations
abut the beach, an area of secondary forest and a small, tranquil bay.
Its Canadian owner has created a model of ecological tourism, com-
plete with native-style accommodations and composting latrines.
Permaculture and reintroduced turtle release efforts complement the
comforts of an open-air restaurant, with fresh seafood caught daily
and a wide variety of dishes with fresh organic veggies from their gar-
den. The facilities can accommodate up to 30 people. Overall, it is a
wonderful setting. For information,

9-733-368 or 9-551-128,
[e-mail], www.intergate.ca/playaescondida.

From Esmeraldas, travel southeast along the main coastal road to
the small fishing village of Tonchingue. The turnoff to Playa
Escondida is amile beyond Tonchigue at Km10 via Tonchigue-Punta
Galera. Take a bus from Esmeraldas (or Muisne in the south) to
Tonchingue and catch a truck (local ranchera ) toward Punta Galera
for about $8-10. Camping is available for $5.