South Coast Travel Guide

Hello everybody,

Montanita used to be a small village at the South Coast of Ecuador. Since a couple of years it has become more and more popular with international travellers as well as Soutamerican artesanos and travellers.

The village is know for its outdoor sport possibilities; surfing (international championships), kite surfing, diving, horse riding and so on. There is few you cannot do but lots you will find attractive!

Small hostals made from wood invite the traveller to chill on their hammocks on the balconies or enjoy a cocktail while waiting for delicious seafood. And still, Montanita maintained an Ecuadorian village...

One special tip is to visit Montanita for New Year's Eve!! The whole village is 'lleno' of people, everybody joined together for a party that lasts all night long. Every bar and every disco is open, usually without entrance you can choose between different music styles: from dance to chill-out Bob Marley by some guy playing guitar at the fire on the beach! At 12.00: Follow the mass and go down to the beach! Traditionally all who know how, surf into the new year!

If you go there and you enjoy it: Tell me!! My thoughts never left that place :D

I have lived here for almost ten years, so I will never forget how amazing it is there! Still miss it! The people there are very kind and inviting, but I recommend you NOT going by yourself at night on the street, it can and does get criminal especially downtown! If you want some "downtime" to unwind, go to the beach called Salinas (not Playas!), it is about a 2 hour drive but so worth it. Also, go to Quito and visit the equator! If you're going to Quito be sure to drive by the Devil incarved in the mountains on your way there! Don't forget, Quito is a lot colder! Always divide/put your money on different places of your boby (so you always have some cash if something were to happen) and always look out for your belongings!

Montanita is an amazing little town. Lots to do, nice beach, STRONG waves for advanced surfers, and a nightlife the likes of which most would never dare venture into.

There are many ways to enjoy the food, beach, sports and nightlife in a safe, relaxing manner. But for those who choose to live on the more wild side, it is might be important to note that this city runs on drugs. Every kind of drug you can imagine, can probably be found in this town.

Living expenses are super cheap there, but somehow everyone I went with still ended up broke... I hope that gives everyone an idea of just how hard you can party in this town.

And as they say in Vegas: what happens in Montanita, stays in Montanita.