Zone Description

Located in Province of: Manabi
Established: July 26, 1979 Inter-ministerial agreement No. 069
Area: 55,059 hectares - 136,049 acres
Altitude Range: 0 - 850 meters above sea level 0 - 2,788 feet

Description of the Region

The weather and vegetation of the park are determined by the coastal convergence of the cold Humboldt current and the warm Panama current. This phenomenon has created two clearly defined seasons in the park: a rainy season from January to May and a dry season from June to December. The influence of the Chongón - Colonche mountain range which traverses the park also causes small climatic variations.
This rare ecosystem duality enhances the high endemic levels recorded in the area.
Machalilla is a museum in itself of pre-Columbian natural history of Ecuador and South America. Within the region, archaeological evidence of the most important cultures of the Ecuadorian coast have been found. The Valdivia culture, possibly the oldest human settlement in South America, can be located in this sector. These findings have proof leading to the theory that Machalilla was once an important regional marine trading post.

MACHALILLA NATIONAL PARK
Departure: Every day 09:00
Duration: 2 Days / 1 night

Day 1: Departure from Puerto López to Salango Museum and Los Piqueros View point. Lunch and a visit to the beach of Los Frailes, and then to the Agua Blanca Ruins (Machalilla Culture 2000 BC). Return to Puerto López. Overnight at Piedra del Mar Hostal.
Day 2: Breakfast. Departure by Amazing I yacht, after a 1-hour trip we arrive at Isla de la Plata (a continental Galápagos). Walk and trek over 3 hours admiring the flora and fauna of this island, which is similar to the Galápagos Islands. There are blue-footed boobies, frigates, and masked boobies on our trail. After a box lunch, there’s time to snorkel.
Tour includes: Transportation by car and Amazing I yacht, hotel, lunch and breakfast, local guide.
Does not include: Machalilla National Park entrance fee $20, and tips
Specifications: Yacht Amazing I has a capacity of 20 people. Built in year 2000, she’s 32 feet long and 7 feet wide, with 2 Yamaha 115 outboard motors, private bathroom and lavatory, terrace. UHF radio, compass and GPS instruments. Crew: 1 captain and 1 sailor

MACHALILLA NATIONAL PARK
Departure: Every day 09:00
Duration: 3 Days / 2 nights

Day 1: Departure from Puerto López to Salango Museum and Los Piqueros View point. Return to Puerto López and visit the local museum for the Machalilla National Park. Overnihgt at Piedra del Mar Hostal.
Day 2: Breakfast. Departure by Amazing I yacht, after a 1-hour trip we arrive at Isla de la Plata (a continental Galápagos). Walk and trek over 3 hours admiring the flora and fauna of this island, which is similar to the Galápagos Islands. There are blue-footed boobies, frigates, and masked boobies on our trail. After a box lunch, there’s time to snorkel. Humpback whales can be seen from middle of June to middle of September. Return to Puerto López and overnight at Piedra del Mar Hostal.
Day 3: Breakfast and visit the beach of Los Frailes and the Agua Blanca Ruins (Machalilla Culture 2000 BC), where we will walk through the ceremonies in local ruins and La Posa sulfur lake where you can have a free treatment of natural mud. Return to Puerto López.
Tour includes: Transportation by car and Amazing I yacht, hotel, lunch and breakfast, local guide.
Does not include: Machalilla National Park entrance fee $20, and tips
Specifications: Yacht Amazing I has a capacity of 20 people. Built in year 2000, she’s 32 feet long and 7 feet wide, with 2 Yamaha 115 outboard motors, private bathroom and lavatory, terrace. UHF radio, compass and GPS instruments. Crew: 1 captain and 1 sailor.

MACHALILLA NATIONAL PARK
Departure: Every day 09:00
Duration: 4 Days / 3 nights

Day 1: Departure from Puerto López to Salango Museum and Los Piqueros viewpoint. Return to Puerto López and visit the local museum for the Machalilla National Park. Overnight at Piedra del Mar Hostal.
Day 2: Breakfast. Departure by Amazing I yacht, after a 1-hour trip we arrive at Isla de la Plata (a continental Galápagos). Walk and trek over 3 hours admiring the flora and fauna of this island, which is similar to the Galápagos Islands. There are blue-footed boobies, frigates, and masked boobies on our trail. After a box lunch, there’s time to snorkel. Humpback whales can be seen from middle of June to middle of September. Return to Puerto López and overnight at Piedra del Mar Hostal.
Day 3: Breakfast and a visit to the beach of Los Frailes. Visit the beach of Los Frailes where our tour guide will show off this dry forest, which is unique to the Pacific Coast, in a 1-hour walk. Arrive at this beautiful beach. Time to go snorkelling, and then take a short walk to visit La Playita and Tortuga beach. Return to Puerto López and free afternoon in the touristic coastal town. Overnight at Piedra del Mar Hostal.
Day 4: Breakfast and visit the beach of Los Frailes and the Agua Blanca Ruins (Machalilla Culture 2000 BC), where we will walk through the ceremonies in local ruins and La Posa sulfur lake where you can have a free treatment of natural mud. Return to Puerto López.
Tour includes: Transportation by car and Amazing I yacht, hotel, lunch and breakfast, local guide.
Does not include: Machalilla National Park entrance fee $20, and tips
Specifications: Yacht Amazing I has a capacity of 20 people. Built in year 2000, she’s 32 feet long and 7 feet wide, with 2 Yamaha 115 outboard motors, private bathroom and lavatory, terrace. UHF radio, compass and GPS instruments. Crew: 1 captain and 1 sailor.