Mantaraya Lodge - Beach Break in Ecuador

Get ready for a beach holiday with a difference! The Mantaraya lodge experience combines the natural beauty of Ecuador’s Pacific coastline with beautiful Mediterranean style accommodation and, of course, a chance to enjoy some serious beach time!.

It may be the second smallest country in South America, but what Ecuador lacks in size it more than makes up for in natural and cultural diversity! Straddling the equator on the northwest coast of the continent, Ecuador is a land of ancient cities, lush cloud forest, volcanic highlands and palm-fringed coastline. In a single day it’s possible to travel through all these landscapes and more, making Ecuador (pound-for-pound) the most diverse nation on Earth! One of 17 megadiverse countries, with 15% of the world’s known bird species as well as 250 endemic reptiles and amphibians, the “Republic of the Equator” is also home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including its capital, Quito, and the Galapagos archipelago, the lost world that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. Small wonder, then, that Ecuador is a traveller’s dream!

Ecuador’s Pacific coast is one of most beautiful in South America, with mangroves, beaches, sheer cliffs and a smattering of islands combining to spectacular effect! Half-way down this western coastline is the Mantaraya lodge. This three-day tour offers eco-activities galore, from snorkelling and diving to whale-spotting (June - September) and bird-watching! There’s also ample opportunity for hiking and swimming in the sea with a trip to Isla de la Plata, where many Galapagos bird species (and great beaches) can be found! There's also a chance to visit the Archaeological museum at Agua Blanca, which lends a fascinating insight into the lives of the Mantena people who inhabited the region around 1000AD. Finally, you will also have the chance to bury your toes in the white sand of Los Frailes Beach, which some travellers have claimed to be the best beach in Ecuador!

This beach break is a far cry from your standard beach holiday! You’ll get most from this tour if you have a genuine interest in the natural and cultural wonders of the region, as most of the activities on offer – hiking, snorkelling, wildlife watching and museum visiting – have a naturalist emphasis. Having said all of that, this is not a boot camp! There is plenty of time to sit back, relax in your hammock and swim in the pool and take things at your own pace.