Isla de la Plata

Isla de la Plata is one of the main attractions in Machalilla National Park. With native and migratory marine birds, sea lions, whale watching (between June and September), and stunning natural beauty, this paradise is ideal for an unforgettable ecotourism experience.

Furthermore, Isla de la Plata has a grand cultural and historic past, having been utilized as a refuge by the famous pirate Sir Francis Drake to hide his booty robbed from Spanish galleons (hence, the name of the island), and also as a ceremonial grounds by the Manteña civilization. To visit Isla de la Plata, there are various tour companies in Puerto López that offer trips year-round.

Comuna Agua Blanca

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Agua Blanca, a small town located 15 minutes to the north of Puerto López, safeguards an archaeological treasure in Machalilla National Park, where scientific excavations revealed the remains of funeral urns, elaborate ceramics, and more then 600 stone temples, plazas.
Houses from the Manteña people, a pre-Columbian culture that ruled from 3500 BCE to 800 AD along .

After visiting the historical museum, you can join a tour with a local guide to enjoy a pleasant walk through Algarobo tree Dry Forest by the Buenavista ("Good View") River, which ends with a relaxing swim in a warm sulphur-spring pool. A short walk from Agua Blanca takes you alongside the river to the main road.

Salango Island

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Located 7 km to the south of Puerto López, Salango is a village with a rich pre-Columbian history and a nearby island called La Isla de Salango ("Salango Island").

In addition to observing the variety of seabirds such as frigates, pelicans, and the famous blue-footed boobies, snorkelling alongside the island reveals a white coral reef, rock fish, and the famous Spondylus, an endangered shellfish endemic to the coast of Salango.

A group of local divers also work as qualified tour guides, and they will share with you their knowledge and experience about the protection and preservation of the unique marine wildlife in this area.

El Rocio Nature Trail

To explore a unique part of Machalilla National Park, take a trip 15 minutes north to the nature trail El Rocio (Sendero El Rocio). This well-maintained path leads through tropical dry forest, an ecosystem only found in Ecuador, with native and endemic tree species including 300-year-old Barbasco trees.
The local landowners, who designed the 4 km trail as a means of community livelihood, will lead you up to the Punta Canoe and Punta Palo Santo lookouts for excellent views of the coast, and you might even catch a glimpse of a whale (between June and September).

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Isla de la Plata

Comuna Agua Blanca

Salango Island

El Rocio Nature Trail

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