Montañita, Ecuador: travel guide
A bohemian Pacific surf town on the Santa Elena coast, known for consistent point-break waves, a lively backpacker nightlife, beach bars and a laid-back party atmosphere.
- Country
- Ecuador
- Currency
- USD
- Time zone
- America/Guayaquil
Top places to visit in Montañita
Montañita Beach
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 3 h
The main surf beach of Montañita with a famous right-hand point break, golden sand and a buzzing beach-bar scene; good for surfing and learning to surf.
La Punta (Surf Point)
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 2 h
The rocky northern point of Montañita producing the area's best, longest right-hander — the focus for experienced surfers, especially at high tide.
Calle de los Cócteles (Cocktail Alley)
Nightlife · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h
Montañita's legendary nightlife street lined with cocktail stalls and bars that fill nightly — the epicentre of the town's party reputation.
Playa Olón
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h
A long, broad, quieter beach just north of Montañita with calmer water, good for families and sunset walks, plus a hilltop chapel viewpoint (Santuario Blanca Estrella).
Playa Ayampe
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h
A tranquil, undeveloped beach south of Montañita popular for longboard surfing, yoga retreats and whale-watching trips in season (Jun–Sep).
Things to do
- Montañita Surf Lesson Surfing · 2 h · from USD 30 per person
- Whale-Watching Tour (Jun–Sep) Boat · 5 h · from USD 60 per person
- Isla de la Plata (Machalilla) Day Tour Boat · 8 h · from USD 75 per person
Day trips and tours
- Montañita Surf & Coast Day 6 h · from USD 55
Where to stay in Montañita
- Montañita Centro about USD 55 per night
In the heart of the action near the beach and nightlife — lively but noisy.
- La Punta about USD 70 per night
Quieter beachfront end of town, better for sleep and surfing, short walk from the centre.
Hotels
- Balsa Surf Camp 3-star · USD 70 to USD 140 per night
- Hotel Kundalini 3-star · USD 60 to USD 120 per night
- Hostal Esperanto 2-star · USD 18 to USD 45 per night
- Selina Montañita 3-star · USD 13 to USD 65 per night
Where to eat
- Tiki Limbo International, Asian · about USD 14 per person
- Marea Restaurant Seafood, Ecuadorian · about USD 15 per person
- Hola Ola International, Cafe · about USD 8 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Drink spiking in nightlife
Cocktail Alley, beach bars
Drinks are spiked (escopolamina/burundanga) to rob or assault victims.
How to avoid it: Never leave your drink unattended, accept drinks only from the bartender, and stay with friends.