THE PACIFIC COAST

Ecuador’s Pacific coast lies between the foot of the Western Cordillera of the Andes to the Pacific Ocean, ranging from 20 to 180 Km. (12.5 to 112.5 miles) in width. It is most important for agricultural products, with bananas being king, as Ecuador is the biggest producer and exporter of this fruit. There are also African palm plantations from which oil is extracted, other tropical crops such as pineapples, papayas, mangos, rice, coffee and cocoa. Shrimp farms are found along the coast. GUAYAQUIL Here the vibe is Caribbean. Guayaquil’s new ravishing waterfront is right next to Santa Ana Hill, its oldest neighborhood, and iguanas roam freely at Bolivar Park in the heart of downtown. Guayaquil is Ecuador’s natural port, and its largest city with a population of two million. It is also the country’s financial and commercial center. Founded in 1547, this tropical city lies on the banks of the Guayas River, twelve miles inland from the Gulf of Guayaquil. The people of Guayaquil are outgoing and open, they enjoy their city and are fiercely proud of their heritage. It is not surprising to hear the drama of Guayas, a brave indigenous leader, who in his desperation to avoid falling into the hands of the Spanish conquerors, decided to kill his wife, Quil, before drowning himself in the waters of the river. Their names were joined; a city was baptized. Guayaquil is a tropical city, with temperatures ranging between 21°C and 30°C (70° to 90° F) all year. Guayaquil, in the last years it has become a very appealing tourist destination, and is very close to many beaches, such as Playas, Salinas, Punta Carnero, Ancon, Anconcito, Ballenita, Punta Blanca, Ayangue, Ballenita, Manglaralto, Montañita, Olón.

MACHALILLA NATIONAL PARK

Machalilla National Park, located along Ecuador’s central coast between Manta and Salinas, contains one of the largest tropical dry forests remaining in the world. Its unique vegetation gradually changes, as the park descends in elevation and cloud forest species begin to emerge. Finally, you will discover a tropical rain forest. Such great diversity within a small area is due to the park’s location at the juncture of the cold Humboldt current flowing north and the warm El Niño current flowing south. Machalilla’s unique and varied geography, along with the rich cultural heritage of the region, are making of it one of Ecuador’s most popular new vacation destinations. The 135,900 acre (55,000 hectare) park, established in 1979, is the only National Park in Ecuador with three areas: continental, islands and marine. The main islands include La Plata and Salango. The Tropical Dry Forest, with the kapok trees that change their appearance with the seasons, alternately covered with pink flowers or dotted with fluffy, cotton-like balls of fiber, dominate the unique ecosystems. Included in Machalilla National Park is Isla de la Plata, a sanctuary for marine birds such as red footed, blue-footed and masked boobies, who share the steep cliffs with frigate birds, albatrosses, red-billed tropic birds and other seagoing birds. Humpback whales migrating north along the Channel of La Plata can be easily observed from the end of June until October. Machalilla offers a great wealth of cultural attractions. Hiking or driving through the park will bring you to remnants of such ancient cultures as the Manteño, which dates back to 1700 BP. Adventurous and skillful Manteño navigators traded the treasured spondilus princeps shell up and down the Pacific coast from what is now Chile to the Mayan territory in southern Mexico.

Send us a Message

ENQUIRE NOW

We will be happy to answer your questions or comments.

G T TOURS OFFICES:

Plantation, Florida  
13494 NW 7th Street
Plantation, Florida 33325

Miami, Florida 
9930 SW 142 Street
Miami, Florida 33176

Toll Free USA & Canada:
(800) 666 8687
Local Number: 
(305) 436 0933 
Fax:     
(305 436 0843

Send us a Message

ENQUIRE NOW

We will be happy to answer your questions or comments.

G T TOURS OFFICES:

Plantation, Florida  
13494 NW 7th Street
Plantation, Florida 33325

Miami, Florida 
9930 SW 142 Street
Miami, Florida 33176

Toll Free USA & Canada:
(800) 666 8687
Local Number: 
(305) 436 0933 
Fax:     
(305 436 0843

Send us a Message

ENQUIRE NOW

We will be happy to answer your questions or comments.

G T TOURS OFFICES:

Plantation, Florida  
13494 NW 7th Street
Plantation, Florida 33325

Miami, Florida 
9930 SW 142 Street
Miami, Florida 33176

Toll Free USA & Canada:
(800) 666 8687
Local Number: 
(305) 436 0933 
Fax:     
(305 436 0843

Send us a Message

ENQUIRE NOW

We will be happy to answer your questions or comments.

G T TOURS OFFICES:

Plantation, Florida  
13494 NW 7th Street
Plantation, Florida 33325

Miami, Florida 
9930 SW 142 Street
Miami, Florida 33176

Toll Free USA & Canada:
(800) 666 8687
Local Number: 
(305) 436 0933 
Fax:     
(305 436 0843