The Spondylus Route by car: the best beaches in Manabí and Santa Elena

Where to start the trip

There are two convenient starting points with a Budget office:

• From Manta, picking up your car at Manta airport, and driving south along the coast.
• From Guayaquil, picking up at the Guayaquil office or at airport, and heading north through Santa Elena.

Must-see stops from north to south

• Manta and Montecristi: Murciélago beach, good seafood and, a few minutes away, Montecristi, birthplace of the toquilla straw hat.
• Puerto Cayo and Machalilla: wide, quiet beaches, ideal for a long stop.
• Puerto López: base for whale watching (June to September) and for visiting Isla de la Plata by boat.
• Los Frailes: inside Machalilla National Park, one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Respect the park’s opening hours and rules.
• Ayampe and Olón: small towns between forest and sea, with quiet places to stay.
• Montañita: the best-known surf town, with nightlife.
• Salinas: a seafront promenade, beachfront buildings and the Santa Elena point.

Approximate distances and times

From Manta to Puerto López it’s about 2 hours’ drive, and from Puerto López to Montañita about an hour. From Montañita to Salinas, another hour. From Salinas, Guayaquil is about 2 hours away. With stops, ideally you should set aside 3 to 5 days for the whole route. Use a navigation app to calculate the exact times for your itinerary.

Which car to choose

The main road is paved, so a sedan works well. If you plan to reach beaches on dirt roads or travel with surfboards and gear, a Chevrolet D-Max pickup or an SUV will give you more space and height. Compare categories in our fleet.

Tips for driving on the coast

• Respect the speed limits when passing through towns: there are pedestrians, bicycles and animals on the road.
• Avoid driving at night on unlit stretches.
• Carry water, sunscreen and cash; small towns don’t always have ATMs.
• Check that the air conditioning works when you pick up the car.
• In the rainy season (December to April) there may be stretches with water on the road; drive carefully.

When to go

From June to September is whale season and the weather is cooler and cloudier. From December to April it’s hotter and sunnier, with occasional rain; it’s the high beach season.

Plan your trip with our guide to road trips across Ecuador and check the rental requirements before booking.

Suggested 4-day itinerary

Day 1 – Manta and Montecristi: pick up your car at Manta airport, visit Montecristi and end the day at Murciélago beach.

Day 2 – To Puerto López: drive south along the coast, stopping at Puerto Cayo and Machalilla. Spend the night in Puerto López.

Day 3 – Los Frailes and Ayampe: in the morning, Los Frailes beach; in the afternoon, continue to Ayampe or Olón.

Day 4 – Montañita and Salinas: explore Montañita, continue to Salinas and, if you are going to return the car in Guayaquil, ask about returning at another office when you book.

What to eat along the route

• Viche de pescado: a traditional Manabí fish soup with peanuts and green plantain.
• Tonga: chicken and rice wrapped in a banana leaf, a Manabí classic.
• Ceviche and encocado: in almost every town on the coast.
• Corviche: green plantain dough filled with fish, perfect for a quick stop.

Where to stay

Puerto López is the best base for whale watching and for Los Frailes. Olón and Ayampe are ideal if you are looking for peace and quiet, and Montañita if you prefer a lively atmosphere. In Salinas you will find hotels on the seafront. In high season and on public holidays, book in advance.

Responsibility on beaches and in parks

Follow the signs in Machalilla National Park, don’t leave litter on the beach and keep your distance from wildlife. If you go whale watching, choose authorized operators.

Variations depending on the days you have

2-day getaway: pick up the car in Manta, sleep in Puerto López and spend the second day at Los Frailes and the Agua Blanca community, inside Machalilla National Park, with its archaeological museum and sulfur-water lagoon. Return to Manta in the afternoon.

Full 7-day route: add to the 4-day itinerary a boat trip to Isla de la Plata from Puerto López, a quiet night in Olón or Ayampe and a day in Salinas before returning the car in Guayaquil. That way you drive short stretches each day and have plenty of time for the beach.

Road conditions and fuel

The Spondylus Route is a two-lane paved road, well signposted for most of the way. Between Puerto López and Ayampe there are winding stretches along the cliffs: slow down and don’t overtake on curves. Fill the tank in the larger towns, such as Manta, Puerto López or Santa Elena, because small towns have few gas stations.

Traveling with children

• Ask for the child seats you need when booking, according to each child’s age and weight.
• Plan stops every one or two hours: almost every town on the route has a beach and places to eat.
• Protect children from the sun between noon and three in the afternoon, and always carry water in the car.
• Choose beaches with lifeguards and respect the flags: in some areas the surf is strong.

To calculate driving times between stops, use Google Maps or your favorite navigation app.