Puerto López
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| Puerto López | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| Country |  Ecuador |
| Province | Manabí |
| Canton | Puerto López |
| Time zone | ECT (UTC-5) |
Puerto López (16,000 inhabitants) is a small fishing village set in an arched bay on the Pacific coast in the Ecuadorian Manabí Province. Puerto Lopéz is the Machalilla National Park headquarters. The main industries include fishing and ecotourism. The street closest to the beach has many restaurants, cabanas that provide drinks, and some nightclubs.
A few kilometres offshore is La Isla de la Plata (named from its history as a pirate hideout, the Island of the Silver), also referred to as “The Poor Man's Galapagos ”. There some species that also inhabit the Galapagos like the blue and red-footed boobie, frigatebirds, albatross, pelican and other seabirds that are nesting in colonies can be found. The island is surrounded by coral reef and snorkeling is a popular activity. On the boat ride from Puerto Lopez to the island pods of dolphins can often be seen.
Fishing in Puerto Lopéz in the Maximum. There are Amberjack, dolphin, wahoo, marlin, and tuna of many different species. They have been known to be caught on artificial bait or on live bait. Just make sure not to fish withing 2 nautical miles of the Isla de la Plata because it is illegal.
Whale watching is popular from mid-June to October and tours can be booked in town. At this time of year the huge humpback whales mate and the odds of spotting whales are very good.
Just north of Puerto Lopez is the beach of Los Frailes, which is part of the National Park of Machalilla. There is an approximately 2 hour hike in this area that goes first to Playita Negra, a black sand beach, then to La Tortuguita beach, to a lookout point over the beaches (Mirador), and ends at Los Frailes.
Also north of Puerto Lopez is the indigenous village and archaeological site of Agua Blanca. There is a museum in the small town, and a guide is included in the $3 cost to enter the area. There is a hike around the site which ends at a sulfur lagoon, where guests can swim and cover themselves in mud from the bottom of the lagoon. There is also a lookout point and 2 small restaurants there.
Coordinates: 1°34′S 80°49′W / 1.567°S 80.817°W
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