Humidity, blasts of hot air, heavy traffic... Embark for Guayaquil, the largest city of Ecuador even though Quito is the capital. We're off for a visit of the "Pearl of the Pacific", from its landscaped river promenade (the Malecón 2000) to the cerro Santa Ana, not to mention the city centre!

Guayaquil, pearl of the Pacific

In this article you will find a presentation of Isla de la Plata, nicknamed "the poor-man's Galapagos", which can be reached from Puerto López.

Leaving Puerto López for the little Galapagos

Ecuadorian Amazonia possesses the densest biodiversity in the world. With its 6034 square kilometres, the reserve is an incredible mix of rivers and flooded forests (due to the large quantities of annual rainfall in the Amazon). The result? A part of the Amazon that is unique and which will not leave you unaffected...

Cuyabeno, the jewel of the Amazon in Ecuador

In this article we visit Otavalo, the best market in Ecuador and perhaps the best in the world.

Otavalo and its most wonderful markets

Quito

Otavalo

Amazonia

Riobamba

 Los Frailes is a group of beaches in the Machalilla National Park. The big, white sand beach attracts a fair number of people but is still quite well preserved.

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Punta Los Frailes

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We spent a day at Los Frailes beach during our stay in Ecuador, after a sea excursion to go whale-watching from Puerto Lopez. Regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, we just had to go and find out for ourselves.
And we confirm that its miles of pristine white sand are truly impressive. It's a first for Ecuador and this can be explained by a protection policy that has a cost. At one time, we had to pay an entrance fee of ten dollars per person, but the price also included Macchalilla National Park and an excursion to La Plata island.
You can swim at Los Frailes as long as you don't venture too far offshore due to the Pacific waves, but the best is thing is to walk along the beach to admire the forms that the ocean has chiselled into the rock. As a bonus you got priceless tranquillity, because the entrance fee discouraged more than one.

Los Frailes is a protected beach located a few kilometres from Puerto Lopez. Long preserved by a paid entrance policy, entry has recently become free of charge again. A real cove on the Pacific shoreline, it is one of the few beaches in the country where you can swim.

We hitched to Los Frailes. We like walking, so rather than stopping on the big beach and swimming right away we took the path which led us around the site. For about two hours we explored little creeks and climbed a tower which gave us a great view over the whole site and the neighbouring villages. Finally, we ended up on the famous sandy beach. It is surrounded by two hills, ,which those who love beautiful beaches will appreciate. It was the weekend, so there were a lot of people - quite a lot of families were picnicking, for example. When it was time to go swimming there was a bit of a fresh wind and it wasn't that easy to decide to go in!

Los Frailes is a group of beaches in the Machalilla National Park. The big, white sand beach attracts a fair number of people but is still quite well preserved.

Punta Los Frailes Holidays

Punta Los Frailes: How to get there?

Punta Los Frailes: See when to go?

Punta Los Frailes: For how long?

Punta Los Frailes: What to see nearby?

Ecuador: our articles for your holidays