 THE ECUADORIAN COAST
A GENTLE ECOSYSTEM.
The Ecuadorian coast, from its northern most stretch which borders Colombia to its southern limit with Peru, contains various protected areas.
The Cayapas-Mataje Ecological Reserve, in the province of Esmeraldas, is noteworthy for its exuberant vegetation. The Majagual Forest is the Reserve's principle attraction and is home to the tallest mangroves in the world, some of which reach over 60 meters in height. It has five trails that can hiked with ease. Giant crabs, parrots, and herons, among other species, all dwell in the area. The climate is humid and tropical. Another zone in the same provincial area is the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve, which shares its territories with the province of Imbabura. At over 204,420 hectares in size, the Reserve's coastal Pacific region enjoys a tropical climate. Some of its attractions include the beaches of El Salto de Bravo, very close to the junction of the Lachas and Santiago Rivers. The vegetation includes various species of ferns, trees, lianas, and herbs. In Mache-Chindul, another reserve located between Esmeraldas and Manabi, has a variety of microclimates within its borders. In some sectors there is constant moderate rainfall. This territory constitutes one of the last remnants of humid tropical forest in western Ecuador. The most frequently spotted animal species here are monkeys, guantas, and pumas. There are also various types of birds present in this area.
 Machalilla National Park, in Manabi, is one of the destinations most visited by adventure travelers and ecotourists. The Park has traditionally drawn travelers from all over the world who come to sun on its virgin beaches and explore Isla de la Plata, commonly known as “the poor man's Galapagos” due to the abundance of wildlife which abounds just a two-hour ($25) boat ride from the Ecuadorian mainland. During the summer, tourists delight in coming to Machalilla to witness migrating whales from the Antarctic who come to mate in warm waters of Manabí. Tours to see the whales can be made on any given day in Puerto López, a popular tourist destination with a well-developed tourist infrastructure.
In the Manglares-Churute Reserve, in the province of Guayas, the vegetation is characterized by the presence of mangroves. The 50,000-hecatare reserve is home to exotic species such as pelicans, howler monkeys, and sloth. In the Santa Clara Wildlife Reserve, on the island of the same name, located just off the coast from Puerto Bolívar, we find the largest concentration of marine birds in Ecuador. There is a small fishing beach here that is used by tourists who visit the island.
Text : Ministry of Tourism Ecuador |
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