Before you go

Your trip to Puerto López.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Puerto López – Manabí Destination Guayaquil and the coast

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional Eloy Alfaro (MEC) Manta · 110 km
Aeropuerto Internacional José Joaquín de Olmedo (GYE) Guayaquil · 220 km
Terminal Terrestre de Puerto López 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before buying. The nearest airports are Manta and Guayaquil. From Guayaquil, buses reach Puerto López in about four hours; from Manta, in about two hours. From Montañita it's around 50 km via the coastal road.

How many days

Two or three days: one for Isla de la Plata, which takes a full day, and one for Los Frailes and Agua Blanca. In whale season, also allow time for the whale-watching excursion.

When to go

From June to September humpback whales are usually near the coast, and the weather tends to be cooler and cloudier. From December to May is the warm season, with rains, warmer sea and more sun on the beaches. Isla de la Plata can be visited year-round, depending on sea conditions.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. Tours to Isla de la Plata depart from the town pier, and coastal buses, taxis and moto-taxis provide access to Los Frailes and Agua Blanca. Having a car makes it easier to combine the park's beaches in one day.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Puerto López

Morning
Isla de la Plata
Leave early from the pier for Isla de la Plata, with a guided trail among blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds.
Afternoon
Snorkel and return
Snorkel near the island, with sea turtles and fish, before returning to Puerto López. In season, the boat often stops to look for whales.
Late afternoon
Seafront
Walk along the seafront of Puerto López and watch the fishing boats coming onto the sand.
Evening
Fish on the seafront
Dine on fish or shrimp at the restaurants facing the bay.

2 days in Puerto López

Day 1

Morning
Isla de la Plata
Boat trip and guided hike on the island.
Afternoon
Snorkeling
Snorkel and return to the pier.
Late afternoon
Seafront
Late afternoon on the town's beach.
Evening
Dinner
Seafood on the seafront.

Day 2

Morning
Los Frailes
Go to the beach of Los Frailes and hike the trail through Playita Negra, La Tortuguita and the viewpoint.
Afternoon
Agua Blanca
Visit the community of Agua Blanca, with its archaeological museum and the sulfur lagoon.
Late afternoon
Return to town
Return to Puerto López for sunset over the bay.
Evening
Puerto López
Last night in town.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

When is whale season in Puerto López?

Humpback whales usually come to the coast from June to September. Whale-watching trips depart from Puerto López pier, some combined with Isla de la Plata.

What is the tour to Isla de la Plata like?

About an hour by boat to the island, a guided walk among the bird colonies and generally snorkeling before returning. It's a full-day excursion.

Is a guide required on Isla de la Plata?

Yes, the visit to the island is conducted with a park-accredited guide, along the marked trails.

What to eat in Puerto López?

Fish, shrimp and ceviche, with seafood brought in by the town's boats.

Is Puerto López near Montañita?

Yes, about 50 km via the coastal road. You can combine both in the same itinerary.

Back to Puerto López