Portete Beach

Location:
Mompiche, Ecuador

Beach

By Laura Granfortuna

Portete is a virtually untouched and uninhabited beach that sits hidden a ways behind the main shore. Access is via a long dirt road and brief canoe ride. It’s about an hour on foot, 10 or 15 minutes by car. If you’re walking, bring a water bottle, plenty of sunscreen and maybe a few snacks. If you’d rather go the easy route, you can rent a 4x4, or, preferably, bum a ride from a pickup truck along the way. At the end of the road, you’ll hand 50 cents to a boatman who will ferry you across the river. You can try to swim it, but the current is very strong and becomes outright dangerous the closer it comes to the sea. Above the river you’ll notice the twisted, rusty remnants of a metal bridge that was abandoned midway through construction. The lack of direct access by car is probably what has kept Portete so pristine.

After being dropped on the opposite shore, you will walk past a handful of little houses, through a copse of palms and come out onto an immense stretch of white sand beach and crystal clear water. Palm groves border the beach as far as the eye can see, acquiescing to green hills on your right and stunning rock formations etched out by the sea.

If you come to Portete, please respect and preserve it’s natural beauty. There are no trash cans; please take all your trash away with you.

Facing the ocean on the main shore, go to the far left end of the beach. In the tree line behind you, shortly before reaching the rocks, will be a couple of small posts indicating the beginning of the road to Portete. Go straight until you reach the end of the road.

Getting There
Facing the ocean, go to the far left end of the beach. In the tree line behind you, shortly before reaching the rocks, will be a couple of small posts indicating the beginning of the road to Potete. Go straight until you reach the end of the road.

Travel Tips: It's a good idea to bring water, sunscreen, snacks, and any other beach gear you might desire.

Price Description: $1 per person - $0.50 across the river and $0.50 back.

Relative price: Very cheap

If you don't have the time or energy to go all the way to Potete, take a right turn into Playa Negra.  It's about 15 minutes walking. You'll pass a big turn off on the left a few minutes before you get there.