If you’re looking for something to do in Atacames other than drink and lay on the beach, then head to Marco’s restaurant on the Malecón and ask to speak with the owner bearing the same name. This outgoing, and genuinely friendly man owns an ecological retreat just outside the town, and any visitor looking to escape the thumping streets and packed restaurants will find a few hours spent strolling the grounds a fulfilling experience. If you aren’t Ecuadorian, don’t have a car or lack insider’s advice on what to see and do in Atacames, you might end up missing out on this unique experience all together. So whether or not you’re hungry, take our advice and head down to Marco’s and speak with this local gem. He can tell you all about his real love, Marco’s Pic-Nic, and will probably offer to take you there himself.

Part guide, part stranger-turned-friend, Marco will arrange a guided tour of the grounds, which include over thirty species of native and non-native plants. An easy stone-lined trail winds through trees, past handmade seats perfect for catching one’s breath, and occasionally bumping into the shores of a much-cleaner Río Verde. This is the perfect opportunity to see the source of all the exotic (and sometimes downright strange) fruit you’ve tasted or seen in markets around Ecuador. From avocado to pineapple, cacao, to papaya, Marco’s Pic-Nic is practically a museum of natural fruit. All buildings and wooden structures on the site, which include a bar, dance floor, and greeting house, are handmade from local trees that have died or been blown down by wind—Marco has never cut down a tree.

If you’re in the mood to camp, there are excellent spots in a clearing beneath the canopy of tropical fruit. Just ask and you may find yourself being whisked away in Marco’s car, heading towards a typical local Pueblito, La Union de Atacames. This is where many of the street vendors in Atacames live, and even a glimpse from the window of a car is enough to provide a whole different perspective on Atacames. The area is a masterful blend of local resources tailored for the traveler. Entrance is $2.50 (the same to camp) and the restaurant here has the same menu as Marco’s restaurant in Atacames. A true find.

Location:
Atacames, Ecuador

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