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Mantaraya Lodge

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Mantaraya Lodge is located at the Machalilla National Park in the Province of Manabi, a 15-minute drive from Puerto Lopez. Its construction is in the Mediterranean style, with airy hallways, warm colors and terra cotta roofs.

Accommodation

The hotel's 15 lovely rooms can accommodate 42 guests, with the following options:

• Single
• Double
• Triple
• Quadruple

Rooms are very ample and have either a balcony or terrace with a hammock, fan (no air conditioning is needed), and private bath with hot water.

Facilities and Services

Passengers can enjoy the swiming pool and savor Ecuadorian and international food at the restaurant.

There is also a living room with television and cable.

Activities • Diving • Biking • Kayaks • Bird Watching • Fishing • Museums • Hand Crafts

 

Machalilla National Park

The Machalilla National Park is one of the most outstanding examples of tropical dry forest that exists on the Ecuadorian central coast. Established in 1979 and occupying more than 35,000 hectares, this special forest of Cretaceous origin (~100 million years ago) is distinguished by the abundant number of species that have adapted to the high temperatures and low precipitation. Cactus, ceibos, carob and a species of terrestrial bromeliad are found along the seemingly dry, narrow river valleys. Their growth is enabled by the area's high humidity level, attracting a great number of birds and giving it a truly oasis appearance amidst arid surroundings.

Transition forests are also found in this rare woodland, characterized by large quantities of bromeliads that have colonized the branches and trunks of trees like beautiful hanging gardens. Quenching their thirst from the enveloping mist of moisture are palms, bamboo, “heliconias,” lichen mosses and many more species whose existence depends on the precipitation provided by the collision of the clouds with the vegetation.

The Machalilla National Park also encompasses the nearby La Plata and Salango Islands, where myriad sea birds nest and make colonies alongside the sea lions, reminding one of the unique ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands.

All these natural conditions have encouraged the establishment of abundant fauna, principally of birds whose list has grown to almost 300 species. These include the tree species of boobies coexisting on La Plata Island, the “trogons,” hawks, motmots, flycatchers, doves and curassow that live on the mainland. Special mention should be made of the Humpback Whales that pass trough the waters of the Machalilla National Park on their journey to Antarctica from June to September for mating. These majestic creatures can be seen when visiting La Plata Island from June to September.

Apart from the outstanding flora and fauna found here, and as a perfect complement to the Machalilla National Park, is its possession of one of the most significant archaeological sites in Ecuador. Here the remains of an ancient habitation--dating back more than 26,000 years--have been found and restored. Years of extensive and persistent scientific activity have brought about the excavation of many monuments and artifacts, such as the discovery of the balsa rafts the coastal people used for trading along the great distances of the Pacific coast. These ancestors have left their fingerprints in the present populations of La Pila and Montecristi in the form of beautifully-worked weavings with vegetable fibers and ceramics which are exhibited in two local museums.

Ultimately, Machalilla National Park encompasses a lovely and unique environment which offers a great many activities for the eco-conscious traveler, such as birding, trekking, biking, snorkeling and camping. In addition, it offers the opportunity for scientific expeditions and environmetal studies for students interested in the unusual ecosystem found in this unique corner of Ecuador.

 

Isla de la Plata

Isla de la Plata is physically and biologically very similar to the Galapagos. It is the only place in the world--besides the Galapagos--where waved albatrosses nest (April to November). Many other bird species can be found here, such as the red-billed tropic bird and a large colony of frigate birds. In addition, the waters around the Isla de la Plata are a playground for more than eleven different species of marine mammals, including a small colony of sea lions.

From June to October, humpback whales from Antarctica congregate here to bear their young and court, with spectacular displays of breaching and spy-hopping, while competing for the females' attention. Several species of resident porpoises can also be observed year-round.

The coral reef around the Isla de la Plata and on the adjacent coast is the only coral reef off mainland Ecuador. This coral reef can be explored with scuba or snorkel gear. A spectacular diversity of underwater marine life exists because here the Humboldt current flowing from the south meets the warm El Niño current. Big game fishing is popular in this area, which holds world records for the number of marlins and other coastal species caught.

Ecuador Articles & Information :
Longline Fishing Threatens Galapagos Islands | Sierra Negra Erupts in the Galapagos | This Isn't Your Traditional Galapagos Tour | Family Travel in Ecuador | A Father and Son Odyssey | Dave & Val’s Ecuadorian Adventures, 2008 | ECUADOR: An Adventure with Diversity | Betty Ann's Story | People, Mountains and Spirits in the Andes | Cabañas Quilatoa | Pintores de Tigua: Indigenous Artists of Ecuador | Quito School of Art - Clashing Tides of Indigenous and European Culture | Two National Parks Declared Off Limits to Drilling, Mining | South American Packing Essentials | Las Fiestas Patrias | Morgan Volunteers in Ecuador | Andean Music and Dance | To Weave for the Sun: Andean Weaving | Ecuador Rainforest Adventure | Health Tips for Going to the Jungle | Activities and Weather | Jungle Packing Tips | Sacha Lodge Information | Delay of Pipeline Construction | Advice for High Altitude | About Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve | Galapagos Travel Journal - Betty Wittels