{"id":3729,"date":"2018-12-26T23:45:57","date_gmt":"2018-12-26T23:45:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wanderbusecuador.com\/blog\/2018\/12\/26\/playa-montanita-ecuadors-surf-party\/"},"modified":"2021-07-19T15:25:21","modified_gmt":"2021-07-19T20:25:21","slug":"playa-montanita-ecuadors-surf-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderbusecuador.com\/es\/playa-montanita-ecuadors-surf-party\/","title":{"rendered":"Playa Monta\u00f1ita: Ecuador’s surf and beach party town"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"montanita-beach-ecuador\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Want to try Monta\u00f1ita Ecuador surfing? A beachtown best known for its surf and nightlife, Monta\u00f1ita, Ecuador, is <\/span>the<\/span><\/i> destination for those of you that want to party, meet other travellers and bask in the equator\u2019s rays. In the following blog, we\u2019ll give you tips on how to get from Quito to Monta\u00f1ita and what you should do while you\u2019re at <\/span>playa Monta\u00f1ita.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

How to get to Monta\u00f1ita<\/h2>\n

You have a few options when it comes to getting to Monta\u00f1ita. The route you choose will depend on the other destinations you may want to see along the way. In terms of transportation, you can get to Monta\u00f1ita by bus or plane.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quito to Monta\u00f1ita by bus:<\/h3>\n

Public transportation:<\/b> To get from Quito to Monta\u00f1ita, you\u2019ll need to make your way to Quito\u2019s southernmost bus terminal, Quitumbe (\u201cTerminal terrestre Quitumbe\u201d). You can either take a taxi ($10-20 trip, depending on the hour ) or the trolley. It\u2019s best to take the trolley by day, and always keep a watchful eye on your belongings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once in Quitumbe, there will be several options to choose from. Trans Esmeraldas or Transportes Ecuador will take you direct to Guayaquil, where you can then get on another bus to Monta\u00f1ita. From Quito to Guayaquil it\u2019s take around 8 hours, and from Guayaquil to Monta\u00f1ita it will take you around 3 hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can also take a bus to Puerto Lopez on the bus line called Reina del Camino. From Puerto Lopez, Monta\u00f1ita is located farther south along the coast. From Quito to Puerto Lopez, the trip will take roughly 8 hours, and from Puerto Lopez to Monta\u00f1ita, the trip will take you about 1 hour.<\/span>
\nDo you want to skip the hassle (and safety issues) of public bus terminals? <\/span>Consider hopping on the Wanderbus!<\/span><\/a>
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

Wanderbus Ecuador:<\/b> If you want to see the best that Ecuador has to offer in a comfortable and convenient way, check out the <\/span>Wander Pass.<\/span><\/a> The Wander Pass takes you to Monta\u00f1ita and stops through Ecuador\u2019s top destinations on a large loop around the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wanderbus provides travelers with a hassle-free experience and the best part is, it\u2019s flexible! You can hop on and hop off the bus at any of the destinations, and if you like a place more than rest, feel free to extend your stay there. You\u2019ll still have a spot on the next Wanderbus.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Monta\u00f1ita\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

Quito to Monta\u00f1ita by plane<\/h3>\n

Given the distance between Quito and Monta\u00f1ita, you might consider taking a domestic flight to Guayaquil and then taking a shorter bus trip for the final leg of your journey. Look for flights on LATAM Airlines (more reliable than TAME) and expect to pay around $80-200, round trip.<\/span><\/p>\n

Guayaquil to Monta\u00f1ita by bus<\/h3>\n

From Guayaquil, getting to Monta\u00f1ita is much faster. <\/span><\/p>\n

You can either hop onto the Wanderbus heading to Monta\u00f1ita on the <\/span>Fregata Pass<\/span><\/a> or you can opt for taking a public bus from Guayaquil\u2019s main bus terminal.<\/span><\/p>\n

From the bus terminal, take a bus belonging to CLP (that\u2019s the name of the company). This is a comfortable bus that will take you directly to Monta\u00f1ita and departs from Guayaquil several times throughout the day, starting at 4:45 am and ending at 4:45 pm. <\/span><\/p>\n

The trip takes around 3 hours and costs $6 per person, but note that <\/span>you won\u2019t be able to reserve in advance!<\/b><\/p>\n

Things to do in Monta\u00f1ita<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Most people go to Monta\u00f1ita for one of two activities: surfing or partying. While Monta\u00f1ita has developed quite the reputation for these activities, you\u2019ll find a variety of things to do in Monta\u00f1ita. Here are some of our favorites, starting with the obvious:<\/span><\/p>\n

Take surfing lessons in Monta\u00f1ita<\/h4>\n

You can\u2019t visit Monta\u00f1ita without taking at least one surf lesson. <\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019ll actually learn to surf or not is another question, especially since Monta\u00f1ita\u2019s surf is notoriously challenging for beginner and advance surfers alike! Its waves range from 1 to 2 meters (3-6.5 ft) in height depending on the season and, because of its location along the Pacific Coast, you can expect decent waves year-round.<\/span><\/p>\n

As its popularity has increased over the years, Monta\u00f1ita has become a hotspot for international surfers and even hosts an international surfing competition in February. <\/span><\/p>\n

Once you\u2019re in Monta\u00f1ita, and if you\u2019re interested in surfing classes, you\u2019ll have no trouble finding a selection of surf shops that provide classes for very reasonable prices. <\/span><\/p>\n

Enjoy Monta\u00f1ita nightlife and party culture!<\/span><\/p>\n

Monta\u00f1ita is Ecuador\u2019s beach party destination. It attracts many travelers, young and old, because of its vibrant nightlife and party scene. People from all walks of life gather here to let loose, dance, sweat and make new friends. <\/span><\/p>\n

That said, if you don\u2019t like beach parties and prefer a quiet beach town, Monta\u00f1ita may not be the place for you! There are many other nearby beaches you might still enjoy, like Ol\u00f3n or Ayamp\u00e9 to the north. <\/span>
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

What are the best places to party in Monta\u00f1ita?<\/b> A few of our favorites include: Ca\u00f1a Grill ($3-5 cover), Nativa Bambu ($5-7 cover), Hola ola ($5 cover), and the Lost Beach Club ($5 cover).<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll need a valid ID to get into most places, so make sure you make a copy of your passport. Don\u2019t carry more than enough cash for covers and drinks, and definitely don\u2019t carry your credit card around. It\u2019s best to leave any valuable belongings at your hostal, just in case.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lounge on the beach in Monta\u00f1ita<\/h4>\n

The best type of vacation is one that involves long hours on a beach, beer and delicious seafood. Enter: Monta\u00f1ita.<\/span><\/p>\n

If there\u2019s any activity you\u2019ll almost certainly do here it\u2019s chill on the beach. Monta\u00f1ita\u2019s beach is welcoming, soft, and there are many places where you can rent lounge chairs and umbrellas to watch comfortably as surfers tear through the waves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grab your book, hat, sunscreen, water, towel, bugspray – this list was supposed to be much shorter – and RELAX, you\u2019re in Monta\u00f1ita.<\/span><\/p>\n

People watch<\/h4>\n

Because Monta\u00f1ita attracts such a diverse crowd, it\u2019s a great place to people watch.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a major beach destination along South America\u2019s Pacific Coast, you\u2019ll find people from all over the continent and the world. Monta\u00f1ita is especially popular among Argentinians, U.S. citizens, Germans and many more nationalities that have chosen to live in or around the town. For the same reason, English is widely used and you\u2019ll hear many other languages and accents while there.<\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone here adds to the laid-back, inviting Monta\u00f1ita vibe. As you walk through town, you can buy some artesanal, handmade jewelry from South American backpackers, or tip the street performer playing funky tunes. <\/span><\/p>\n

Along with the street performers, there are a number of local characters that you\u2019ll get a kick out of watching. It\u2019s very likely they\u2019re getting a kick out of watching you too!<\/span><\/p>\n

Adrenaline sports and outdoor activities<\/h3>\n

If surfing isn\u2019t adrenaline-pumping enough, make sure to check out paragliding, ziplining, windsurfing and scuba diving activities in and around Monta\u00f1ita. You\u2019ll likely see them advertised in town, but a quick search online will result in a few good options. <\/span><\/p>\n

You can also horseback ride and hike in the hills surrounding Monta\u00f1ita, where you\u2019ll be able to spot bird life and take a dip in the Dos Mangas waterfall. <\/span><\/p>\n

Visit the surrounding areas<\/h4>\n

While Monta\u00f1ita may keep you occupied for many days, there are also many nearby places worth visiting while you\u2019re in the area. <\/span><\/p>\n

Just a 30 minute drive away is <\/span>Ayampe<\/b>, a sleepy surf town ideal for those that need a break from the party. While you\u2019re there, check out Jimmy\u2019s, a local seafood restaurant.<\/span><\/p>\n

About an hour\u2019s drive away is <\/span>Puerto L\u00f3pez<\/b>, best known s a whale watching destination between June and October. Puerto L\u00f3pez gives you a much more authentic glimpse into Ecuadorian life on the coast.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just past Puerto L\u00f3pez is <\/span>Machalilla National Park<\/b> where you can access <\/span>Los Frailes<\/b>, one of Ecuador\u2019s most pristine beaches, and the mud baths at Agua Santa. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re visit to Ecuador doesn\u2019t include a trip to the Gal\u00e1pagos, you can always visit la <\/span>Isla de la Plata<\/b>, also known as the \u201cpoor man\u2019s Gal\u00e1pagos\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n

Want to learn more about Puerto L\u00f3pez and its surroundings?<\/span> Read this blog.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Take Spanish lessons<\/strong><\/h4>\n

They say that one of the best ways to learn a new language is by dating a local, but if that doesn\u2019t appeal to you, you can always just <\/a><\/span>take Spanish classes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Around town, you\u2019ll see many places advertising Spanish classes. Most places encourage you to buy a full course (~20 hours), but if you\u2019re not ready for that level of investment, you can take pay as you go at some locations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where to stay in Monta\u00f1ita<\/span><\/h3>\n

Given the influx of tourists in Monta\u00f1ita, there is a wide selection of hostels and accommodations to choose from, but knowing which one offers the best value while still providing a good night\u2019s rest is key.<\/span><\/p>\n

A few of our favorites include:<\/span><\/h3>\n