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Contents
Map of Ecuador’s NaturalHeritage Sites (PANE)
Machalilla National ParkWhere the forest and the sea embrace
Geographic map of the National Park
Faces and tracesFollowing the “Route of the Spondylus”
Tourist map
Not to be missed
Things to do
Getting there
Directory
List of outsanding wildlife species
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This brochure offers a panoramic view of the biological and cultural diversity of Machalilla National Park (MNP), as well as practical information for the visitor: a geographic and a tourist map, sites you do not want to miss, outstanding tourist activities, some useful recommendations for your trip, and a directory of services.
Parrotfishes can change sex several times during their lives, changes which are shown in its psychedelic colors.
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Pacific Ocean
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S
W E
GALÁPAGOS NATIONAL PARK
GALÁPAGOS MARINE RESERVE
GALERA SAN FRANCISCO MARINE RESERVE
MACHALILLA NATIONAL PARK
MANGLARES CHURUTE ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
MACHE CHINDUL ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
SANTA CLARA ISLAND WILDLIFE REFUGE
MUISNE RIVER ESTUARY MANGROVES WILDLIFE REFUGE
EL SALADO MANGROVES FAUNA PRODUCTION RESERVE
SANTA ELENA PENINSULA MARINE FAUNA WILDLIFE REFUGE
EL MORRO MANGROVES WILDLIFE REFUGE
PACOCHE WILDLIFE REFUGE
PARQUE LAGO NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
ARENILLAS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
ISLAS CORAZÓN Y FRAGATAS WILDLIFE REFUGE
CAYAPAS MATAJE ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
ESMERALDAS RIVER ESTUARY MANGROVES WILDLIFE REFUGE
LA CHIQUITA WILDLIFE REFUGE
ISLA SANTAY AND ISLA DEL GALLO NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
PAMBILAR WILDLIFE RESERVE
LOS SAMANES NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
PLAYAS DE VILLAMIL NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
EL PELADO MARINE RESERVE
LOS ILINIZAS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
COTACACHI CAYAPAS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
EL ÁNGEL ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
PULULAHUA GEOBOTANICAL RESERVE
PASOCHOA WILDLIFE RESERVE
ANTISANA ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
EL BOLICHE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK
CHIMBORAZO FAUNA PRODUCTION RESERVE
CAJAS NATIONAL PARK
YACURI NATIONAL PARK
QUIMSACOCHA NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
PODOCARPUS NATIONAL PARK
LLANGANATES NATIONAL PARK
SANGAY NATIONAL PARK
CAYAMBE COCA NATIONAL PARK
CUYABENO FAUNA PRODUCTION RESERVE
LIMONCOCHA BIOLOGICAL RESERVE
YASUNÍ NATIONAL PARK
EL ZARZA WILDLIFE REFUGE
COFÁN BERMEJO ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
SUMACO NAPO-GALERAS NATIONAL PARK
EL CÓNDOR BIOLOGICAL RESERVE
EL QUIMI BIOLOGICAL RESERVE
CERRO PLATEADO BIOLOGICAL RESERVE
GALÁPAGOS
PACIFIC COAST
COAST - ANDES
ANDES
ANDES - AMAZON
AMAZON
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Sto. Domingo
Latacunga
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Riobamba
Macas
Azogues
Guayaquil
Machala
Portoviejo
Santa Elena
Cuenca
Loja Zamora
Guaranda
Babahoyo
Puyo
Tena
100 km
Perú
Colombia
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MAP ofNATURAL HERITAGE SITES
Patrimonio de Áreas Naturales del Estado, PANE
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Machalilla National Park is located in the province of Manabí; its name honors the Machalilla culture (1800
B.C.-1000 B.C.). The Machalilla were one of several cultures that thrived in this area, thanks to the immense biological richness of the location.
Machalilla hosts the last remnants of one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world: the Pacific dry tropical forest. Together with the forests of northeastern Peru, this Manabí forest forms the Tumbes region, a region that is unique for its great number of endemic species, or in other words, species that only ex-ist here. The dry forest is home to endangered animals like the ocelot and the white-tailed deer. Adapted to live in dry conditions for sev-eral months out of the year, the majority of the plants in these forests lose their leaves season-ally. Others, like the towering ceibo tree, have a thick trunk with a hole, where it stores water for when the rains cease to fall.
Not all of the forest in Machalilla is dry; about 20% of its area is covered by cloud for-est and permanently cloaked in green. The clouds coming from the sea collide with the
Chongón Colonche mountains, wrapping them up in a constant fog, which gives life to the forest. Many orchids and bromeliads can be found, plants which manage to survive in the tree branches without ever putting a single root in the ground. In the highest parts of the for-est, toucans and trogons display their colorful feathers. Similar to these birds, howler mon-keys mark their territory with the powerful call which gives them their name, and which can be heard from several kilometers away.
At the boundary between the forest and the sea, Machalilla contains the last beaches in the country that have not been invaded by concrete. This makes them a sanctuary for
MACHALILLA IN BRIEF
Location: Jipijapa, Puerto López and Montecristi counties (Southwest region of Manabí province)Area: 56,200 hectares (41,800 of these are on land, and the other 14,400 are in the ocean)Altitude range: From 0 to 840 maslClimate: average of 23 ºCNearby settlements: Puerto Cayo, Machalilla, Puerto López, Salango, Agua BlancaEstablished in: 1979
The Coast’s only national park is the meeting point of the dry forest and the sea, resulting in a region full of contrasts. For millennia, fishing, trading and agricultural cultures have flourished here.
A hawksbill sea turtle may lay more than 200 eggs in a nest. However, it is estimated that only one of a thousand will survive long enough to reach adulthood. After hatching, the baby turtles have to fend for themselves, as the mother turtles will not return to the nesting beach until years later in order to lay the next set of eggs.
species that require unaltered beaches in order to survive. Such is the case of the sea turtles that ar-rive by night to build their nests. For the hawksbill sea turtle, which was nearly exterminated in the eastern Pacific due to its much sought-after shell, these are the only beaches on the entire South American coast where they make their nests.
Underwater, more secrets await. The marine area of the Park hosts one of the most extensive coral reefs on the coast of continental Ecuador. The reefs have been compared to the tropi-cal rainforest for their diversity. Full of life and color, they are the home, food source and refuge for an infinite number of species. It is common to scuba dive alongside parrotfish, with their
Machalilla National Park
Where the forest and the sea embrace
Sunset in the dry forest. Machalilla is one of the best places in the world for diving alongside manta rays.
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15081
2707
15,306380
1,616
464
75
1%21.3%
16.7%
1.5%
Machalillano. of species
Ecuadorno. of species
% of nationaltotal
Flora
Mammals
Birds
Amphibians
Coral reef fish
Biodiversity in MNP*
Isla de la Plata is the only place outside of the large nesting colony on Isla Española in the Galapagos Islands where the magnificent Galapagos albatross reproduces. These birds’ enormous wings –they may span up to three meters when measured from tip to tip– allow them to spend years flying above the sea without ever touching land.
psychedelic designs and strong beaks, which they use to grab pieces of coral and to feed on the algae that grow there. When they defecate, these fish leave behind traces of completely pulverized coral, which contributes to the formation of white sands beaches.
Twenty-seven kilometers off the coast is Isla de la Plata (Spanish for “Silver Island”). At the heights of its cliffs you can hear the cacophony of thousands of sea birds nesting or looking for a mate: various types of boobies, frigates, tropical birds and albatrosses. The nutrient-rich waters, brought from Antarctica by the cold Humboldt current, provide the birds with the energy they need for reproduction. This current is also the reason that during the winter (from June to November) we can find one of the world’s largest gatherings of manta rays, peaceful gi-ants related to the shark whose bodies can measure up to seven meters across. Other notable migrants in these waters include humpback whales, who travel about eight kilometers to mate and give birth along the coast of Machalilla. From a boat, and even from the cliffs, you can witness their acrobatic jumps, and by submerging your-self under the sea you can listen to the complex songs of the male humpbacks.
* These figures are, of necessity, estimates and subject to change.Source: Iturralde and Josse, 2000.
Cliffs along Isla de la Plata’s shore.
Kapok or Ceiba trees store water
inside their trunks.
Isla de la Plata is the only place in the world, aside from
Isla Española (Hood) in the Galápagos, where the Waved
Albatross nests.
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Machalilla possesses an important archaeological legacy from the cul-tures that lived here thousands of
years ago. They were potters, farmers, fishers and merchants who settled by the bays and along the interior rivers. Among the oldest of these cultures is the Valdivia, who existed more than five thousand years ago. It was one of the first cultures in the Americas to use pottery; its best known piece is the Venus of Valdivia, a tiny, feminine figure made of ceramic and intended to symbolize matriarchy and fertility.
Over time, the Valdivia culture transformed into the Machalilla culture (1800-1200 B.C.),
which buried its dead under ceramic turtle shells. This ultimately led to the Chorreraque culture’s occupation of the region for more than 700 years, beginning in 1200 B.C. Among their remains, many bowls, with representa-tions of animals such as dogs, monkeys, frogs, anteaters and turtles, have been found. Between the years 500 B.C. and 500, the Bahía culture developed, and further south, the Guangala culture. For the Bahía people, Isla de la Plata was an important religious center.
Finally, the Manteño culture preceded the arrival of the Spanish in the middle of
Machalilla is in the area where the Valdivia culture flourished, one of the first places in the Americas where there is evidence of ceramic figures and the cultivation of corn. In archaeological sites and museums it is possible to take a journey into the past by viewing these artifacts. Nowadays, in the market and on the beach, the gastronomical traditions of Manabí make this province’s cuisine the most renowned in Ecuador.
In Machalilla culture it was common to place bandages and other structures on children’s skulls in order to deform the cranium, giving it an elongated appearance. This look was considered a symbol of beauty and an indicator of social status.
Faces and traces
Following the“Route of theSpondylus”
Site museum in Agua Blanca.
The fishing town of Salango offers archaeologic and gastronomical tourism.
12 13
the 16th century. Their trademark elements, uncovered by archaeologists, are U-shaped, stone ceremonial chairs which rest upon bases in the form of human or feline fig-ures. Some of these chairs have been found in the town of Agua Blanca. The Manteños were great navigators, travelling and selling spondylus shells in their rafts as far north as Mexico and as far south as southern Peru.
In 1527, when Bartolomé Ruiz, Francisco Pizarro’s captain, was sailing along the cost of Esmeraldas, he came across a Manteño raft. It was carrying 20 men, silver, textiles and a large quantity of spondylus beads. The spondylus shell was, for pre-Columbian societies, one of the most prized and widely traded commercial goods, to the point that it was considered a form of currency. It was also utilized as food, for accessories, like necklaces and nose rings, and as a religious artifact. Objects made of spondylus shell have been found in graves in the Ecuadorean and Peruvian Andes, as well as in distant places in the Amazon, despite the fact that the shell only grows in this particular region of the Pacific.
The spondylus population was nearly exploited to extinction, and in 2009, a permanent ban was
The spondylus was an important good of exchange that allowed the coastal communities to obtain other materials, such as obsidian and copper from the Andes. Because of its high value and its representation of rain and fertility, spondylus was used in the graves of the nobility in several cultures in Ecuador and Peru, including the Incas.
placed on spondylus fishing. In place of buying handicrafts made from spondylus, the Park of-fers visitors the opportunity to admire ancient spondylus jewelry in museums in both Salango and Agua Blanca.
The present-day towns that surround the Park have continued the longstanding fishing tradition, and seafood is found in many of the region’s typical dishes. You simply cannot miss the opportunity to try ceviche made of fresh fish
or octopus, or to savor a succulent corviche (shredded green plantains stuffed with fish and peanuts). The majority of the restaurants that of-fer dishes a la carta (US$ 5-15) are found along the boardwalks in Puerto López, Machalilla or Salango. For tighter budgets, lunch at Puerto López’s central market is a tasty option (US$ 2).
In this region, the Fiestas de la Virgen (Celebration of the Virgin) are held on December 8, with dancing usually lasting until
dawn. The Festival de las Ballenas (Whale Festival), which takes place in Puerto López from June 23 to 25, includes a big parade of floats and other parades in which the participants dress up as the animals found in Machalilla National Park. On October 12 in Salango, the Festival de la Balsa Manteña (Manteño Raft Festival) is cele-brated. To pay homage to the ancient navigators, the townspeople build a replica of a Manteño raft and sail it to the nearby islet of Salango.
July to September is the season for watching Humpback Whales in the Park’s coastal waters.
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Los Frailes beach
A secluded beach shelteredby a dry forest
Los Frailes is a half moon of white sand, with a backdrop of cacti and sebastian
trees in the dry forest. It is a preferred nest-ing ground of sea turtles, and its reefs are home to starfish, angelfish and octopus. The entrance gate is located 10 kilometers north of Puerto López. A dirt road three kilometers long leads to a short path that ends in the ocean. You can take a bus from Puerto López to the entrance and walk the rest of the way, or rent a moto taxi to the beach (US$ 10 from Puerto López). A nar-row, four-kilometer path through the dry forest begins four hundred meters from the entrance. Among the cordia plants and palo santo trees –the latter is used as incense in churches all over the country– you can see birds and small lizards as they dart across the path. The route offers views of nearby islets and passes by the hidden beaches of Playa Prieta and Tortuguita.
Isla de la Plata
The offshore treasure of Machalilla
Forty two kilometers offshore from Puerto López is Isla de la Plata. The origin of
the island’s name is uncertain, but legend has it that famous buccaneer Francis Drake handed out riches from the Spanish sailboat “Cacafuego” on the island in 1579. It may also be due to the resplendent white bird droppings all over the cliffs! The island was a religious center for the pre-Columbian people who inhabited the coast, especially the Bahía culture. Walking along its paths offers the opportunity to see several species of boobies, frigates and even the mythical albatross performing their mating or nest-ing rituals. The coastline of the island hosts an important population of Green Turtles, a highlight of the great scuba diving you can experience here. Scuba diving excursions (US$ 40-45 per person) can be booked with tour operators in Puerto López.
The Masked Booby lays two to three eggs at a time, but raises just one chick. This species practices fratricide: the oldest chick pushes the smallest one from the nest, and its parents stop feeding it.
Not to be missed
Several footpaths connect Los Frailes and its lovely neighbouring beaches.
18 19
The community of Agua Blanca
Where time stands still
E nclosed within the dry forest is the peaceful town of Agua Blanca, the old
administrative center during the powerful Salangome rule of the Manteño culture. The bases of some buildings and several archaeological items can now be seen in the community museum. There is a di-verse bird population, and it is easy to spot motmots with their colorful green and turquoise feathers. Meanwhile, bathing in the community’s sulfur lake is reputed to have curative effects. Lodging and food are available. The entrance to Agua Blanca is located 4.5 kilometers north of Puerto López, where you must pay US$ 5. The cost includes the service of a local guide. From the entrance, you must travel seven kilometers in order to arrive at the town.
El Rocío Trail
Through the belly of the dry forest
Machalilla Park protects the principal remains of dry tropical forest on the
Ecuadorean coast. This trail offers an oppor-tunity to experience the forest from within, walking among centuries-old cascol and araguaney trees. From the lookout points you
can see the rugged coastal profile, carved by waves and winds. The steep slopes make this a demanding hike. At the end of the four-mile journey, it is possible to camp. The entrance to the trail is 5 kilometers north of the com-munity of Machalilla, which is in charge of tourism here. The US$ 5 entrance fee also includes the service of a local guide.
River Ayampe basin
Source of abundant life
T he Ayampe River is one of the best places in the area to observe birds,
many of which are endemic to the Tumbes region. It is easy to see kingfishers fol-lowing the line of the river or toucans crossing the heights of the canopy. Of particular interest is the Esmeraldas Woodstar, a tiny hummingbird endemic to Ecuador which is in danger of extinc-tion. The river is a source of water for Puerto López and several surrounding communities. Despite the low river flow, its fresh, clear water, invites swimming or wading and exploration of its banks. To get there, catch a southbound bus in Puerto López and get off after travelling 17 kilometers. For the most enjoyable birdwatching experience, it is recom-mended that you hire a specialized guide with one of the tour operators (US$ 45-85).
Sulphureous springs in Agua Blanca.
Tortuguita Beach, next to Los Frailes.
The migratory Summer Tanager.
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Whale-watching
From June to September, humpback whales visit Machalilla Park. They travel from Ant-
arctica in search of warmer waters in which to mate and give birth (for that reason it is common to see them with their offspring). To see these giants, you must take a boat tour. It is recommended that you make reservations one day in advance. The duration of the trip depends on the location of the whales, but it usually lasts between three and four hours. As these months make up the coast’s cold season, a light sweater and windbreaker or rain jacket are recommended. Anyone who is not accustomed to sea travel may prevent seasickness with over-the-counter medica-tion. Avoid any behavior that may harm the whales, such as chasing them, coming within 100 meters of them or travelling in groups of more than three boats.
Scuba diving
Scuba diving relies on the assistance of air tanks that allow you to go un-
derwater for prolonged periods of time. In order to dive, previous training is re-quired. Machalilla is a great place for this sport because it is the southern limit of coral reef distribution in the Pacific Ocean. In addition, because mul-tiple currents come together here, the Park combines the wildlife of both the
north and the south. Several places exist where you can scuba dive among black corals and alongside green sea turtles. The most popular diving spots are on the islet of Salango and in the rocks of Los Ahorcados. On Isla de la Plata between June and September, you can hear the song of the humpback whales underwa-ter and swim next to giant manta rays. Corals are delicate animals which grow very slowly; when scuba diving, avoid sitting or resting upon them. A typical diving tour includes equipment rental and two dives (US$ 90-110). Scuba diving courses are also available.
Snorkeling or surface diving
The Park contains several reefs within its marine zone which are ideal for explora-
tion while snorkeling or surface diving. Some of the best sites are the Parcela Marina on the Salango islet and several spots at Los Frailes beach (Horno de Pan, Playa de Los Frailes and Playa Prieta). To get to Salango and Horno de Pan, a boat is required. Many tour operators include snorkeling in their tours (US$ 20-30 /day). Most fish can be seen close to the rocks, but beware of strong waves and avoid touching places where there are stinging species, such as sea urchins.
Corals are millimeter-sized animals, soft and tentacled, that form colonies composed of thousands of individual corals. The hard shell that we see is calcium carbonate, which the corals secrete so that it may cover and protect them like an exoskeleton. They have a symbiotic relationship (mutually beneficial) with several species, including some algae, which provide the corals with oxygen and nutrients in exchange for a firm substrate to live on.
Things to do
The Park’s beaches are Green Turtles’ nesting grounds.
22 23
Walking or horseback riding in the cloud forest
Mountainous sectors, like San Sebastian, of-fer the opportunity to enter the cloud for-
est and explore its abundant vegetation: brome-liads, orchids and lianas hanging from tall trees. You can see a variety of birds in the dry forest and, with a little luck, howler monkeys. It is rec-ommended that you wear clothing and shoes that are comfortable for walking, as well as pro-tection again the sun and insects. From Decem-ber to May, the rainy season, it is necessary to wear waterproof clothing. The dirt road between
Puerto López and Guale leads to the Río Blanco area, where the trailheads are located. There are ecotourism initiatives underway in the area.
Bicycle journeys
For those travelers who wish to appreciate the landscape while also getting a bit of ex-
ercise, there are several routes you can enjoy on a bicycle. Some of the most popular options are the route from Puerto López toward the north to Los Frailes (13 kilometers) or Agua Blanca (11.5 kilometers) and travelling southward to Salango (5 kilometers). Another, longer route starts in Puerto López, continues toward Guale, crossing the Chongón Colonche mountain range and ends in the Ayampe River basin. From there, the highway will lead you back to Puerto López, crossing the rainforest by Cinco Cerros, at the western tip of the mountains, on the way (the en-tire circuit is 50 killometers). Tour operators offer bike rentals for independent trips (US$ 7-10 / day) or guided tours (US$ 35 per person).
Visit Salango
Salango is a tranquil fishing town situated 5 kilometers south of Puerto López. During
the Salangome rule of the Manteño culture, it was a major center for processing shells into beads and charms. Once in Salango, tours are available to the islet of Salango which include snorkeling (US$ 20). Restaurants and com-munity dining halls offer dishes a la carta. The outlook point at the south end of the town provides views of the Salango and Los Ahorcados islets; from June to September it is possible to observe whales from this view-point. An excellent place to learn more about Machalilla’s history is Salango’s town muse-um, operated by members of the community (9:00 am - 5:00 pm; US$ 2.50 per person). Contact: (05) 258 9304 / 098 557 8096 / www.salango.com.ec / [email protected]
Bicycle touring in River Ayampe’s basin.
In Salango and other points along the coast there are plenty
of excellent snorkeling sites.
24 25
Transportation
The best way to access Machalilla Park is from Puerto López, the town with the larg-est selection of hotels and tour operators in the area. Puerto López is found on the so-called Route of the Spondylus, on the coastal highway, 100 kilometers south of Manta.
Daily flights between Quito and Manta, depart approximately every 40 minutes (US$ 45-70 round trip).
Several bus companies in Quito offer regular service to Manta
(US$ 7-8) from the Quitumbe bus terminal. Contact: (02) 381 4810
• Quito: Reina del Camino (02) 382 4875• Quito: Carlos Alberto Aray (02) 238 3080• Quito: Coactur (02) 382 4832• Quito: Panamericana (02) 382 4751• Manta: Reales Tamarindo (05) 298 8259
Once in Manta, you can travel to Puerto López by taxi (one hour and 40 minutes;
US$ 40) or by bus (2-3 hours; US$ 3). Manglaralto and Costanera are two bus com-panies that leave regularly from the bus terminal in Manta and stop in Puerto López.
Two bus cooperatives have direct routes between Quito and Puerto López: • Reina del Camino (executive service, 7 days a week at 8:30 pm; US$ 13, eight hours, (02) 321 6633)• Carlos Alberto Aray, (7 days a week, US$ 11, eight hours)
From the bus terminal in Guayaquil, several bus cooperatives offer service to the terminal in Jipijapa; from there, take the Manglarito cooperative’s bus to Puerto López. The bus company Trans-Jipijapa offers direct service several times a day from the bus terminal in Guayaquil to Puerto López (four hours, US$ 4).
Safety and health
• Many irregular tour operators exist that may offer more economical rates. These op-erations do not follow security standards, and therefore, put both Machalilla Park and its visitors at risk. • Cases of dengue fever and malaria have occurred in the region. These tropical illness-es can be prevented by avoiding insect bites with the use of proper clothing, repellent and mosquito nets when sleeping.• Puerto López is a peaceful place. However, walking in desolate areas of the beach at night is not recommended.• At high tide, the ocean currents can be strong. If you are going to participate in water
sports, pay attention to sea conditions. Avoid swimming or kayaking when conditions appear unfavorable.
Money matters
In Puerto López there are banks, and at least one ATM is open 24 hours a day.
When to visit
The Park’s wildlife and climate vary depending on the ocean currents. From June to November, the cold Humboldt current comes from Antarctica, bringing cloudy days and mist. Although it may not be the best time to enjoy the sun on the beach, these months are ideal for whale-watching or bik-ing and hiking due to the cooler weather. During this period the average temperature is 22.8°C (73°F). From December to May, the warm El Niño current gains strength, causing more precipitation and hot, sunny days with an average temperature of 25.6°C (78.1°F).
Sustainable tourism tips
• It is important to respect the trails by picking up garbage and avoiding the temptation to collect small animals like starfish or crabs. Also, you must not touch or feed the animals.• Buying souvenirs or handicrafts made from species such as the seahorse, coral or spondylus is harmful to these threatened populations.• Many tours offer recreational fishing; remember that in protected areas, such the Salango islet or Isla de la Plata, these activities are not permitted.• Fishing bans and regulations are conservation methods meant to protect endangered species, so it is important
to respect them. Observe the following calendar, which indicates when the fishing and sale of certain species is prohibited:
Lobster (mid-January to mid-June). Minimum size for consumption, only on dates outside of the seasonal ban: 26 centimeters (about 10.25 inches).
Mahi-mahi (early May to early October).
- Shrimp (60 days, usually at the beginning of the year).
- Species like the spondylus, seahorse, and sea cucumber are permanently banned from commercialization.
*These dates are subject to change, as are the species included on the list. For up-to-date information, visit www.subpesca.gob.ec
Important contact information
- 1 800 TURISMO (1 800 887 476)
- Machalilla National Park: (05) 230 0170
- Ministry of Tourism, Manta: (05) 262 2944
- Ministry of the Environment, Portoviejo: (05) 265 527
- Municipality of Puerto López: (05) 230 0102
- Bus terminal, Portoviejo: (05) 293 0632
- Bus terminal, Manta: (05) 262 0344
- Hospital, Portoviejo: (05) 263 0766
- Hospital, Manta: (05) 262 0595
- Police, Puerto López: 099 488 5386
- Police, Machalilla: 098 501 7864
Monday - Friday
Tame
departure return departure return
Aerogal
6:15 am6:15 pm
6:35 am12:45 pm6:30 pm
7:50 am2:00 pm7:45 pm
7:15 am7:15 pm
8:00 am5:15 pm
1:45 pm5:15 pm
3:00 pm6:35 pm
8:45 am7:45 am 9:15 am
6:15 pm 7:15 am
Saturday
Sunday
Getting there
If travelling during weekends or holidays, it is best to purchase tickets in advance.
Entrance to all PANE continental protected areas is free for residents and foreigners.
26 27
Hostería PiquerosRío Chico42(05) 258 9302
second
Hostería MantarrayaPuerto López-Salango road46 - 56(02) 336 0887 / 099 404 4050
first
Hostería Mesón del Quijote Puerto López80 - 290(04) 213 6123 / 098 721 4708
first
El Campito LogdeAyampe85 - 146098 501 6931
first
Hostería AtamariOutskirts of Ayampe122 - 146 (per cabin, depending
on the season)099 190 1300
first
Hostal MaximaPuerto López14 (breakfast not included)099 953 4282
second
Hostal TuzcoPuerto López13 - 15 (depending on the season)(05) 230 0120 / 230 0132
Hostería La BarquitaPuerto Rico-Las Tunas20 - 67 (breakfast not included)(05) 278 0051
second
Hostería La TortugaRoad to Ayampe, km 8624 - 30 (breakfast not included)099 433 0052
second
Hostería AlándaluzPuerto Rico24 - 63(05) 234 7009 / (02) 244 0790
second
Hostería Luz de LunaOn the way to Boca de Cantagallo25 - 31 (depending on the season,
breakfast not included)099 708 8613
second
Hostería MandalaPuerto López’s northern seafront25 - 38 (depending on the season)(05) 230 0181 / 099 950 0880
first
Hostería AzulunaLas Tunas27 - 43(05) 278 0693
first
Hostería La Terraza Puerto López30 (breakfast not included)(05) 230 0235
second
Hostería IslamarSalango’s viewdeck, road to Riochico35 (breakfast not included)(04) 220 2346
third
1. Bicycles (rental) 2. Bicycles (tours) 3. Scuba diving 4. Horseback tours 5. El Pital / Bola de Oro
6. Snorkeling (equipment rental) 7. Isla de la Plata 8. Kayaking 9. Los Frailes and Agua Blanca
10. Birdwatching 11. Whale-watching 12. El Rocío footpath 13. Coastal tourism
Lodging
Tour operators
Activities
Directory
Advantage Travel (Mantarraya)(02) 336 0887 / 099 404 [email protected] 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 1 13
Aventuras de la Plata(05) 230 0105 / 099 731 [email protected] 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Bosquemarino(05) 230 0004 / 099 707 [email protected] 5 7 9 10 11 13
Cercapez(05) 230 0173 / 098 545 [email protected] 11 13
Cirial Sur(05) 258 9125 / 099 713 [email protected] 13
Parcela Marina (Salango)099 116 188811 13
Ecuador Amazing(02) 230 0227 / 099 984 [email protected] 5 7 9 11
Exploradiving(05) 230 0123 / (02) 256 [email protected] 7 11 13
Isla Tours(05) 230 0201 / 099 196 [email protected] 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13
La Plata Tour(05) 230 [email protected] 7 9 11 13
Machalilla Tours(05) 230 0234 / 099 492 [email protected] 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13
Mares Dive Center(05) 230 0137 / 099 866 [email protected] 7 11 13
Naturis(05) 230 0218 / 099 798 [email protected] 5 6 7 9 10 11 13
Operfragata099 360 7338 / 098 060 [email protected] 5 9 10 11 12 13
Orcados Aventuras(05) 230 0106 / 099 199 [email protected] 2 4 5 6 9 10 11 12 13
Palo Santo(05) 230 0252 / 099 230 [email protected] 5 6 7 9 10 11 13
address categoryreference price contact
Prices are per guest and include breakfast and taxes unless otherwise indicated.
Series direction: Andrés VallejoEditorial design and edition: Nadesha Montalvo R.Texts: Gabriela AnhalzerDesign: Esteban GarcésPhotographic research: Alegría Acosta and Martina AvilésMap coordination: Ximena Cordovez; Maps: Susana Crespo and Pablo CabreraEnglish translation: Jill FisherText revision: David Padgham
Photo credits: Jonathan Green (contents); Sebastián Crespo (4, 11:Pto. López; 22, 22); Felipe Vallejo / Equilibrio Azul (5, 13, 21); Gabriela Anhalzer (6, 6, 16:bathers, 16:Tortuguita beach); Pete Oxford and Reneé Bish (7, 16:tanager); Patricio Mena (11:museum); Valentí Zapater (14)
Coordination, Ministry of Tourism: Mónica Burbano and Liliam FigueroaRevision, Ministry of Tourism: Undersecretaryship of Tourism Management, Undersecretaryship of Tourism Promotion and Undersecretaryship of Information and CommunicationRevision, Ministry of the Environment: National Biodiversity Directorate and Machalilla management office
References
• Birdlife International, 2012. Parque Nacional Machalilla y alrededores: Important Bird Areas factsheet. www.birdlife.org• Cisneros Heredia, Diego, 2005. Avifauna de la isla de la Plata, Parque Nacional Machalilla, Ecuador. Cotinga 24:22-27• ECOLAP and MAE, 2007 . Guía del Patrimonio de Áreas Naturales Protegidas del Ecuador. ECOFUND / FAN / DarwinNet / IGM, Quito• Ecuador Terra Incognita, 2010. Ecuador: Turismo en Áreas Protegidas. Ministerio de Turismo, Quito• Hernández, Consuelo and Carmen Josse, 1999. Plantas Silvestres Comestibles del Parque Nacional Machalilla. Abya Yala, Quito• Iturralde, Macarena and Carmen Josse (eds.), 2000. Compendio de Investigaciones en el Parque Nacional Machalilla. Centro de Datos para la Conservación / Fundación Natura, Quito• Iturralde, Macarena and Carmen Josse, 1998. Machalilla: Guía Natural y Cultural. Fundación Natura / Centro de Datos para la Conservación, Quito• Martin, Alexander J., 2010. Trade and social complexity in coastal Ecuador from formative times to European contact. Journal of Field Archaeology 35(1):40-57• Pillsbury, Joanne, 1996. The thorny oyster and the origins of empire: implications of recently uncovered Spondylus imagery from Chan Chan, Peru. Latin American Antiquity 7(4):313-340• Ridgely, Robert S. and Greenfield, Paul J. 2001. The Birds of Ecuador. Cornell University Press, Ithaca• Zambrano, Carlos and Víctor Hugo Vargas, 1998. Parque Nacional Machalilla: Ecología, Cultura y Turismo. Ministerio del Ambiente, Quito
This document may be cited as:Ecuador Terra Incognita, 2012. Informative brochure for sustainable tourism in Machalilla National Park. Ministry of Tourism / Ministry of the Environment, Quito
© Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador, 2012
Produced by:
Fish / invertebrates
Angelfish •Holacanthus passer
Puffer FishSphoeroides tichocephalus and S. lobatus
Manta Ray •Manta birostris
Ember Parrotfish •Scarus rubroviolaceus
Spiny Lobster •Panilurus penicillatus and P. gracilis
Black Coral •Antipates spp.
Octopus •several species
Spondylus •Spondylus princeps and S. calcifer
Starfish •several species
Common Dolphinfish •Coryphaena hippurus
Seahorse•Hippocampus ingens
Land birds
Esmeraldas Woodstar •Chaetocercus berlepschi
Blue-crowned Motmot •Momotus momota
Gray-backed HawkLeucopternis occidentalis
Rufous-headed ChachalacaOrtalis erythroptera
Ornate Hawk-EagleSpizaetus ornatus
Great CurassowCrax rubra
Guayaquil WoodpeckerCampephilus gayaquilensis
Pacific Royal FlycatcherOnychorhynchus occidentalis
Red-masked ParakeetAratinga erythrogenys
Pale-legged HorneroFurnarius leucopus
Variable HawkButeo polyosoma
Ecuadorean TrogonTrogon mesurus
Sea- and coastal-birds
Magnificent Frigatebird •Fregata magnificens
Blue-footed Booby •Sula nebouxii
Nazca Booby •Sula granti
Red-footed Booby •Sula sula
Wabed Albatross •Phoebastria irrorata
Red-billed Tropicbird •Phaethon aethereus
Mammals Mantled Howler Monkey •Alouatta palliata
White-fronted CapuchinCebus albifrons
Tigrillo or Oncilla •Leopardus tigrinus
Humpback Whale •Megaptera novaengliae
Northern Tamandua Anteater • Tamandua mexicana
Guayaquil SquirrelSciurus stramineus
Short-beaked Common DolphinDelphinus delphis
White-tailed Deer •Odocoileus peruvianus
Amphibians and reptiles
Green Sea TurtleChelonia mydas
Hawksbill Sea Turtle •Eretmochelys imbricata
Green IguanaIguana iguana
Pacific Horned FrogCeratophrys stolzmanni
Machalilla Poison-arrow Frog*Colostethus machalillae
Plants
Yellow Geiger or Muyuyo •Cordia lutea
Algarrobo or MesquiteProsopis juliflora
Palosanto (holly wood) •Bursera graveolens
Ceiba or Kapok Tree •Ceiba trichystandra
Guayacán •Tabebuia chrysantha
Huevo de tigre (tiger egg)Clavija eggersiana
Tagua or Ivory PalmPhytelephas aequatorialis
Rompeollas (pot breaker)Maytenus octogona
Cascol or Charán •Caesalpinia paipai
Below is a short list of some outstanding wildlife found in Machalilla. Given the extraordinary diversity in this area, it is, of necessity, an incomplete list. Enjoy filling it in!
* species endemic to Ecuador • species mentioned in the text
CONSCIOUS TOURISMIs Love for Life
Conscious tourism is a life-transforming experience that leads to personal growth, making us better human beings.
This new concept is based on principles of sustainability and ethics, and promotes peace, friendship, respect, and love for life as the essence of tourism.
It is a pact to live together in a responsible, mutually respectful fashion, in communion with tour agents from sending and receiving communities, the tourist, and the natural and cultural heritage.
Conscious tourism is a living, dynamic concept in constant development. It is an experience in giving and receiving.
Distributed
free of charge
El Telégrafo E7-58 and Av. de los ShyrisAv. 6 de Diciembre N59-161 and Manuel Zambrano
Quito-EcuadorTelephone: (02) 399 9333
