Montañita

The lively beach town of Montañita is known for its plethora of parties, surfers and hippies. About three and a half hours north of Guayaquil along the Ruta del Sol, Montañita is one of the few Ecuadorian beach towns with a great selection of international restaurants and hostels for all budgets. Central Montañita is about ten minutes south (walking) of the best surfing spot, La Punta. There are hostels and restaurants in both places. La Punta tends to be much more quiet at night when parties are raging in the center of town. Likewise, the town becomes ghostlike until the sun is high in the sky while surfers are tearing up the waves at La Punta.

Prices skyrocket from December to August, when the weather is the best as well as on national holidays, when Guayaquileños flee the city en masse. From September to November prices drop, but so does the temperature, as the sun is a rare sight.

There is only a limited possibility to get cash in Montañita, so bring plenty with you. There is just one, recently installed Banco Boliviano cash machine. Only a few hotels and even fewer restaurants accept credit cards. If you are desperate, and the ATM in Montañita won't work with your card, the closest ATM is in Salinas, about two hours away by bus. Puerto López, one hour to the north, has a Banco del Pichincha, but no ATM. A few places will accept travelers' checks.

Another resource is Montañita Express, located on the corner of Guido Chiriboga y Calle Cuatro. Montañita Express has Western Union services, cashes travelers' checks, provides a money exchange, international calling, and internet for $1.50/hour.