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Town in Santa Elena, Ecuador
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Montañita is a village in Manglaralto Parish on the south coast of Ecuador. The region is known for its combination of small tourist-friendly villages and towns, magnificent unspoiled beaches, world-class surfing and both island and mountain natural reserves. Over the years, a relaxed and multicultural atmosphere has evolved.
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The school is also present in Quito, Manta, Cuenca.
In Montañita, this school is the perfect place to study for the discerning traveller. This school, run by an expert experienced teacher who taught in Quito, offers private lessons, which is proven to be the best way to learn Spanish quickly. Rather than being taught from a book, this school focuses on practical Spanish, depending on the interests of the students. Steps from the beach, 30 m away from the constant noise and distraction of the town, this is the place to go if you really want to learn the language. Programs include book materials free and variety of options for extra activities: surf, yoga, medical Spanish, volunteer work, etc. The owner, Gaby, is incredibly friendly, and the size of this school makes it extremely accommodating, without many of the policies and rules that make the other schools difficult to deal with.
Up a series of steps from the main road. There is a variety of courses on offer, from traveller's survival Spanish to intensive Spanish, medical Spanish (interning at the local hospital), Spanish and volunteering, Spanish and surfing, and Spanish and diving.
Wonderful restaurant with an odd name. They offer a wide variety of cuisine. The pastas and grills are the most popular. The coffee served is excellent as well. Happy Donkey House has been featured on nationally televised shows which have helped the restaurant gain a lot of recognition.
Vegetarian restaurant with the most relaxed atmosphere in the village lots of cushions and sofas, books for sale and exchange, low prices for quality homemade healthy food, caters to special diets, oatmeal cookies and brownies, carrot cake.
This bar is half indoor and half outdoor and frequently hosts concerts. The stage faces the outdoor portion, which is completely covered in sand.
Restaurant, bakery, bar, club, Net café, surf shop, etc. Good food and drinks. A huge courtyard sits behind the restaurant with a stage and hosts live bands on the weekends. No cover.
The gringo (visitor) location in town. Real coffee, espresso based drinks from an espresso machine from Italy, great fast snacks, full bar and NFL football.
This is a bar and a good Ecuadorian and French restaurant. The flaming shots are the best here.
Great restaurant. Sopapilla is the best in town; the owner also owns a hotel in town. Marthita, the owner's daughter, speaks perfect English and is more than happy to show you around.
A fantastic, hand-crafted hotel owned by a well-known surf board shaper. Rooms are nice and clean, and come with balconies and private baths. Free Internet, and great food including breakfast. Speaks English, Spanish, and French.
At a walking distance to town (300 m from bus stop), but far enough from the noise and chaos. Lovely, clean, big rooms and bungalows surrounded by a massive garden. Each room is different and unique. Also bungalows with small kitchen ideal for longer stays. Many relaxing areas with hammocks and board games. Good breakfast, all day bar/restaurant with view of the beach. Friendly staff. Private parking, 24-hr security.
A comfortable place to stay in Montañita. Rooms have private baths, mosquito net, fan, and hammocks. Some rooms offer ocean views.
The premier hotel in the center of Montañita. On the boardwalk, Charo's offers first-class accommodations at competitive prices. Swimming pool and restaurant. Upstairs rooms often lack decent water pressure. The rooms are not very spacious. You get a better price, service, and accommodations at La Barranca on the other side of town if you are looking for high end in Montañita. However, if you want to be in the center of town and directly in front of the beach, then this place is it.
Very good value for the price. Simple but clean and modern rooms, some with balcony. In the heart of town, but just outside of the club's blast zone to be fairly quiet at night. No hot water, however.
Right across from the beach, this basic but tidy place offers both single and double rooms at about $8 per person, or you can sleep on one of the mattresses in the loft space for $4 a night. To find it, just walk along the beach (near the center of town). At times the water doesn't work, and if you are scared of "cricket roaches" you probably don't want to stay here.
Rooms with ocean view, a bit away from all the commotion of the centre of the town. Low season $10.
Hostel and restaurant is in the center of the village. It has nice balconies, good food, and laundry service. TV room with armchairs.
Beautiful hostel in front of the beach just in the right spot for surfing competitions.
Lots of covered camping spots for $3 per person ($4 if you don't bring your own tent) with showers, bathrooms, and a community kitchen.
Two words: friendly and relaxed. Nice and simple hostel with the motto "Enjoy Montañita". Clean rooms, private baths with hot water; a few meters from the sand, 5-7 min walk to the town. Enjoy the beach, party at night, and come back to sleep in the quiet and relaxed part of town. Surf lessons, board rental, surf trips within Ecuador, tours and excursions. Very friendly and relaxed environment.
Yoga and surf. Rustic hotel in front of the point break. Breakfast, Wi-Fi, hot water sometimes, and air-con. Owned-operated by Americans. Rooms are OK, but old and not the best in this part of the beach for the money you pay. Taco bar $1.50.
Rooms with private and shared baths. Bar, restaurant, common area with satellite TV and pool table.
The biggest hotel in town, on the beach with 36 rooms with private baths, swimming pool, parking, and restaurant.
Small relaxing hotel at the bottom of the beach. Private bath. Hot water. Rustic cottage with ample garden in front of the sea.
In the quieter setting of Manglaralto, the hotel offers some of the most comfortable rooms in the area, some with air conditioner, each with large private bath and hot-water shower, independent entrance and multi-coloured hammock on portal. There is a café and bar in the hostel, 24-hr reception, travel info, lounge, and free parking. MasterCard and Visa accepted.
Eco-friendly hostel in quiet area bordering the farmland, but a 2-minute easy stroll to the beach and 3 minutes to centre of town. Beautiful huge cabanas, large swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and hang out hammock areas. Private bathrooms. Communal kitchen and some cabanas have private kitchens and air-con.
Good hotel away from the downtown crowd and noise. Great rates. Groups welcomed. Speak English/Spanish/French/Portuguese.
Wooden and bamboo houses with kitchen. Also offerings comfortable rooms for days or month with shared clean kitchen, laundry, and TV.
Modern hotel, in front of the beach. All rooms have private baths, air-con, and satellite TV. This place is cheaper than Charo's and also in the middle of town and right in front of the beach. The rooms are small.
The coolest, most popular hostel for surfers. They have a clothing shop, rent surfboards, and equipment, give lessons, have a tattoo parlor, and tour desk for setting up cool trips. The hippest, most fun hostel in town at the heart of nightlife and activity, with a super relaxed atmosphere.
Victor Garcia, surfboard maker, is a local legend. If you are looking to buy a balsa or foam board while in Montañita, or if you want to become an apprentice in learning how to make boards, you can now visit him at his new website at where you can find his mobile number. As an alternative, ask locals in town or walk through the local neighborhood of Kamala between Montañita and Manglaralto asking where Victor lives.
Walking is the best way to get around town as Montañita is a very small village and the streets can get too crowded for cars.
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Salinas/La Libertad · International · SNC
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