Three years ago on a drive along the coast of Ecuador we drove through a small town on the beach called Montanita it had sand roads and the buildings were bamboo and grass roofs
After three months of cool weather here in Cuenca I decided it was time for another trip to Montanita to warm up and check out the area. I had a FB friend that just moved to Olon and another friend who was living in Montanita so I sent him a message and he reserved me a room with a balcony looking down on the main street. Being off season the rate was just $10 a night at La Casa Azul.
So I packed up the car and headed out about 10 a.m. on a Thursday morning driving over the Caja mountain pass to Guayaquil and then up the coast to Montanita arriving at 4 p.m.
On the drive through the Caji's I passed many restaurants with their own trout lakes where you can catch your own dinner and the restaurant will cook it up for you. Always drive through a cloud bank which most of the time is pretty thick
And careful to watch out around the curves for Lamas and alpacas on the road
I took about 3 hours to reach Guayaquil and maneuver through the center of the city as directed by my trusty GPS! Can't leave home without it! And another 2 hours to reach Montanita.
My room was equipped with 3 beds and bathroom and wall mounted fan which came in handy even though it was not to hot out. Montanita has no water or sewer lines so it all has to be hauled in and out by truck which is the reason my shower was just a dribble of water and not heated! I later heard about another Hostel down the road with hot water, cable TV and A/C for $20 a night. When January comes it will be high season and even my room will be $50 a night.
My patio where I spent most of my time watching people walk by over and over again. I did meet people from all over the world some broke and sleeping on the beach and some selling any kind of drugs you can think of. I did indulge in a $5 piece of pot cake from the lady seller. Her boyfriend would scout the streets for her looking for police and put the money in his pocket. When the police did approach they would stroll around the corner and return later to continue their business.
On Friday and Saturday's the streets are roped off and there are many vendors selling jewelry, clothes, hats etc.
Me with a NYC tourist and Zane
Carlito a lifetime local that showed us around the area
My neighbors from Quito who were celebrating with a close friend back from the US great guys one was a DA, one an Attorney and the other a Computer Analyst and of course at their insistence I had a couple of beers with them which turned into a late night at Diablo's Bar!
Every night this group from Argentina would play up a storm below my balcony and pass the hat, people were dancing, drinking and having at great time late into the night. If you want some peace and quit this is not the right Hostel.
The beach was full of people, bars and restaurants all day long and at night a few beach Disco's were open all night.
I met the owner of this beach bar who was from Hawaii with my friend Zane he will open in December and I guess it is a wild place right on the beach where noise is no problem.
Second day Zane went with me up the coast about an hour to Puerto Lopez
When I met Zane he had a beer bottle in his hand and everyday and night during my stay Ha! But one would last him a few hours at a time
View of Puerto Lopez
The beach in Puerto Lopez
With the new malecon under construction it was a bit dusty, really not a good time for a visit.
And back to Montanita for another night of loud music and dancing
Next day we took an hour drive north to Salinas for lunch, which is called the mini-Miami, the beach is lined with high rise condos which many are vacation homes for Ecuadorians that use them a couple of months a year. Not my favorite place Salinas, kind of dirty and at times to much traffic.
It has been great to have a car, It is so much more enjoyable for me rather than taking buses and vans around the country!
Until next time I am waiting for more visitors and new expats to come to Cuenca!
The beach in Puerto Lopez
With the new malecon under construction it was a bit dusty, really not a good time for a visit.
And back to Montanita for another night of loud music and dancing
Next day we took an hour drive north to Salinas for lunch, which is called the mini-Miami, the beach is lined with high rise condos which many are vacation homes for Ecuadorians that use them a couple of months a year. Not my favorite place Salinas, kind of dirty and at times to much traffic.
Well after five days of relaxing and sightseeing I headed back up the mountain to Cuenca it was nice to get back to a hot shower and low humidity. Although the best time for a visit to the playa here in EC would be June - October before it really warms up! Next trip I want to check out Manta, Crucita, San Clemente and Canoa.
Until next time I am waiting for more visitors and new expats to come to Cuenca!
