"Ruta del Sol" is the name of the route that covers Ecuador's coastal area from Puerto Cayo in the northern province of Manabi to the Peninsula of Santa Elena in the south. When putting together an Ecuador travel plan, many people think only of the cities (Quito and Guayaquil), the Galapagos, and perhaps the Amazon. However, the Ecuador coast functions as a complement to adventure tour and as a destination in itself. Lined with endless kilometers of beautiful beaches, excellent surfing spots, and laidback towns, the coast is the perfect place for those seeking to relax.
The coast is roughly bisected at the equator, straddling the line between the northern and southern hemispheres. On the north coast, the city of Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas is the transport hub and access point to the provinces of Esmeraldas and Manabi. Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas and the surrounding areas are also worth a visit, with landscapes ranging from cloud forests to jungles. "Los Tsachila" refers to an ethnic group, also known as "Colorados" or "Reds" because they use achiote to dye their hair and paint their faces. In addition to their red hair, the Tsachila also have distinctive language, healing traditions, and shamanic traditions. Ecuador tours can be arranged to these very interesting communities.
In the north, the province of Esmeralda runs up to the border with Colombia. Mache-Chindul Ecological Reserve and the Cayapas Mataje Reserve are just 2 of the areas designated to protect Ecuador's natural landscape, including the largest mangrove forest in the world. The town of Montecristi in the Manabi province is renowned for its production of Panama hats. Puerto Lopez boasts a whale-watching center. Also in Manabi province is Santa Marianita. Known as Playa Bonita, this is the place to go to enjoy long and wide beaches, sun, and fun.
However, the biggest destination in Manabi province is Montanita, a top Ecuador travel destination for surfing. This beach town is renowned for its nightlife drawing international travelers as well as Ecuadorians seeking a getaway. Hotels and restaurants line the main streets and are available for any budget. La Punta, the break that draws surfers like a magnet, is not so great for swimming, but there are suitable beaches within walking distance. Other water sports include windsurfing, scuba diving, and waterskiing. Between December and May, Montanita is hosts to surfing competitions. Nearby attractions are Machalilla National Park, Los Frailes beach, and Puerto Lopez for whale watching.
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