The Cayapas-Mataje Ecological Reserve, in the province of Esmeraldas, is noteworthy for its exuberant vegetation. The Majagual Forest is the Reserve’s principle attraction and is home to the tallest mangroves in the world, some of which reach over 60 meters in height. It has five trails that can hiked with ease. Giant crabs, parrots, and herons, among other species, all dwell in the area. The climate is humid and tropical.

Another zone in the same provincial area is the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve, which shares its territories with the province of Imbabura. At over 204,420 hectares in size, the Reserve’s coastal Pacific region enjoys a tropical climate. Some of its attractions include the beaches of El Salto de Bravo, very close to the junction of the Lachas and Santiago Rivers. The vegetation includes various species of ferns, trees, lianas, and herbs. In Mache-Chindul, another reserve located between Esmeraldas and Manabi, has a variety of microclimates within its borders. In some sectors there is constant moderate rainfall. This territory constitutes one of the last remnants of humid tropical forest in western Ecuador. The most frequently spotted animal species here are monkeys, guantas, and pumas. There are also various types of birds present in this area.

Machalilla National Park, in Manabi, is one of the destinations most visited by adventure travelers and ecotourists. The Park has traditionally drawn travelers from all over the world who come to sun on its virgin beaches and explore Isla de la Plata, commonly known as “the poor man’s Galapagos” due to the abundance of wildlife which abounds just a two-hour ($25) boat ride from the Ecuadorian mainland. During the summer, tourists delight in coming to Machalilla to witness migrating whales from the Antarctic who come to mate in warm waters of Manabí. Tours to see the whales can be made on any given day in Puerto López, a popular tourist destination with a well-developed tourist infrastructure.

In the Manglares-Churute Reserve, in the province of Guayas, the vegetation is characterized by the presence of mangroves. The 50,000-hecatare reserve is home to exotic species such as pelicans, howler monkeys, and sloth. In the Santa Clara Wildlife Reserve, on the island of the same name, located just off the coast from Puerto Bolívar, we find the largest concentration of marine birds in Ecuador. There is a small fishing beach here that is used by tourists who visit the island.

Puerto Hondo is a large expanse of mangrove located 17 km from Guayaquil along the left-hand side of the Guayaquil-Salinas Highway. The area’s crystal waters and its prevailing tranquility make it an excellent place to relax.

Los Esteros is another protected forest located in Guayas. With an overall area of 1,532 hectares, the forest’s mangroves are its principle attraction. Observational stations are available to visitors as is an environmental education center.

The 247-hectare Río Palenque Scientific Research Center protects a tropical rain forest containing an amazing wealth of biodiversity. Within the Center, there are 1,216 species of plants, 360 species of birds, and 350 unique species of butterflies, among others. The Center can comfortably accommodate 26 people and also contains an extensive library.

Located in the province of Los Ríos, the Pedro Franca Davila Biological Research Center is home to 321 hectares of tropical rain forest. Among other natural resources and wonders, this area hosts 723 identified species of vascular plants and 231 epiphytes. There are various facilities available here to visitors. The center is looked after by The University of Guayaquil’s Natural Sciences Department.

Puyango Petrified Forest, South America’s oldest forest, lies 110km from Machala, covering an area of 2,659 hectares. In this small valley, we find an incredible variety of tree, vegetable, and animal fossils that date back to prehistoric times and constitute one of the planet’s most important ecosystems.

Another spectacular area for surfing is the beach of Canoa, in northern Manabí close to San Vicente, especially from December to April. Fishing and sailing are also popular in this part of the country. Punta Blanca, Punta Carnero, and Manglaralto have all gained international fame for their fishing and boating opportunities, as well. The bay of Salinas offers an ideal spot to jet ski, windsurf, and dive. Amateur fishing is also popular here.

In the province of Manabi, San Vicente, San Jacinto, San Clemente, Puerto Cayo, Puerto Rico, Puerto Lopez, Crucita, Canoa, Cojimies, Perdernales, and Jaramijo are all incredible beach destinations surrounded by fishing communities, and in total, comprise some 300 km of Manabí’s coastline. Visited year round, they offer peace, tranquility, and a variety of gastronomic delights.

The surrounding vegetation is primarily composed of mangroves, brush lands, and timber areas. Places such as Puerto López and Pedernales have grown into populated centers that serve as departure points for many other ecological destinations. On the Santa Elena Peninsula, Guayas, 15 km from Salinas, Punta Blanca offers various free-time activities including various water sports. Here you’ll also find Punta Carnero, known internationally for its amateur fishing. On the other hand, the high waves of Montañita provide excellent opportunities for surfing. Water sports are popular in Manglaralto, where you can also find shrimp larva laboratories. The central attraction of El Oro is the archipelago of Jambelí. It is composed of a collection of small islands surrounded by mangroves, with clean, peaceful beaches full of vegetation. It can be accessed from Puerto Bolívar, crossing the ocean by motorboat.

Manta’s main beach, Murciélago, has a modern boardwalk that offers all of the traditional culinary specialties and beverages that the region has to offer. In recent years, it has become a favorite stop for international cruises that travel through the Caribbean and the Pacific of Latin America. Restaurants and discotheques are one of the local attractions that causes Manta to overflow with tourists every weekend. Bahía de Caráquez, another beautiful beach, also offers first-class hotels and many places to relax or have fun. One of its principal tourist attractions is the opportunity to sail up the Chone River by motorboat, all the way to San Vicente. And, in Guayas, a little more that 100 km from Guayaquil, you find Playas. Surrounded by shrimp farms and a variety of palms, Playas boasts rich delicacies based on any seafood imaginable. Further onward, at the end of the Santa Elena Peninsula, 144 km from the principal port, Salinas displays a modern and developed hotel industry. This is an ideal location to partake in water sports and savor the rich foods of the region.

Although the Pacific Coast may not be home to cities as well known for their cultural heritage as the cities of the Andes, the Coast is home to many sites where the history of centuries past lives on. A good example of one of the Coast’s more colorful cultural heritage hot spots would be Guayaquil’s colonial Las Peñas sector. Another great example of the Coast’s rich cultural heritage is Vinces, in the province of Los Ríos.

Known as “Little Paris”, this area is famous for its colonial estates which once belonged to the area’s rich cocoa growers. Another coastal spot of great cultural importance is the is Zaruma, located in the province of El Oro, in southern Ecuador.

One of the nation’s most impressive archeological sites is the island of Tolita, in northern Esmeraldas. This impressive site dates back to pre-Columbian eras and contains artifacts from some of Ecuador’s earliest cultures. Some of the archeological finds Tolita indicate that the aboriginal cultures that inhabited the island worked with platinum centuries before the Europeans did.

Apart from the archeological finds which abound on the island’s beaches, Tolita is also home an archeological museum run by the community. Moreover, arriving in Tolita via motorboat from San Lorenzo, crossing the sea and passing thriving mangroves, is a treat in and of itself.

Another one of the Coast’s more impressive archeological sites can be found along the central Ecuadorian Coast. Here, set amongst the beautiful backdrop of Machalilla National Park, we find Agua Blanca, a site containing vestiges of a settlement of the Manteño period which was home to an estimated 5,000 residents. According to researchers, Agua Blanca was once Salangome, the capital of an area which, in its most prosperous area, was home to more than 600 hundred buildings – remnants of which can still be seen with the help of a local guide. All in all, Machalilla is home to over 500 sites of archeological importance and interest.

Outside of Machalilla, another point of archeological interest is the valley of Julcuy. Among its many historical riches is an artificial ceremonial mound of the Valdivia-Machalilla epoch, almost 5,000 years ago.

Nearby Salango, with an archeological museum dedicated to the area’s marine culture as well as the history of southwestern Manabí and its former societies, is another site of cultural interest.

In the province of Guayas, Valdivia stands out for its archaeological riches. Remains of this culture are found in communities throughout the region.