We just visited Isla de Jameli near Machala, in El Oro province of Ecuador. We were on a 2 week road trip around Ecuador. We were told that this is the southern most beach in Ecuador.

We took the boat across to the island from Puerto Bolivar for $2.40/person each way. It starts @ 7:30 am and then 9:00 am and each hour, returning from the island about every hour as well.

It was an interesting ride over and through mangroves to get to the dock on the island. We got off and walked about a block to the west side of the island where the beach was.

You can easily do this as a day trip/part day trip. If you want to stay over on the island, you can take a backpack, duffel or small suitcase on the boat over, but expect to throw it on the front of the boat as there is not a lot of room where the passengers sit for luggage.

We had a hard time finding information on the island, so here are some numbers to call.

Places to stay...all are beach front...we didn't see them inside:

Las Iguanas: 07-293-2408
09-929-7926
Nilsson's/NCH: 07-292-1133
09-410-9876
Hotel Maria Sol: 07-293-1482
07-293-7461
(This place was for sale and looked kind of run down)

There are quite a few restaurants and little stores available. There were tents and canopy's set up on the beach.

It looked like Ecuador Turismo is trying to educate people and encourage people to keep littering down on the island. That seemed to be a problem everywhere, which is so unfortunate given how beautiful it is!

We stayed in Puerto Bolivar about a block from the boat launch area in a great newer hostal. The rooms were clean and roomy. There is an open upper level, a restaurant and a secure parking lot. Would highly recommend this place is you're just going over to the island for the day.