Just arrived?
Take a tip from an old hand!
Take a tip from an old hand!
Just arrived?
Take a tip from an old hand!
Take a tip from an old hand!
- Taxis are really cheap, and 99% of drivers are fair and won’t take advantage of travelers. A short trip around Montañita should cost a dollar or less. A trip to Manglaralto or Olón is just $1.50.
- Hotels charge per person, not per room, which may surprise you. For the price of a double room for a couple sharing, you can often get two rooms of the same kind if traveling together but staying in separate rooms.
- Montañita, Olón, and all coastal villages within a 50-mile radius are SAFE, with Olón being the safest (see page [X] for the Olón report) and Montañita the least safe, especially when crowded.
- Cash is king, and if you don’t have an Ecuadorian bank account, you should withdraw money from Pichincha or Guayaquil ATMs in Montañita, or the Pacifico ATM in Olón. You can also easily exchange crypto and withdraw cash from an ATM without an Ecuadorian bank account. See the last page for an ad for a trusted crypto-to-cash service.
- The supermarkets here are Tía and Tuti, both in Montañita. Tía accepts all bank cards; Tuti doesn’t.
- Those learning to surf should head to Olón, while Montañita’s La Punta is the spot for pros.
- If you need to buy something that’s not available in our coastal area, shop at a trusted store in Guayaquil or Quito and have it shipped to the Servientrega post office in Montañita. For urgent needs, arrange shipping by bus (a common service).
- Ayangue, Salinas, and Puerto López, although popular with local tourists, lack attractions and are best for vacations with small kids—in other words, boring and not worth it (just our editorial opinion).
- Don’t forget to buy mosquito spray for nighttime. This area is home to the amazing Palo Santo tree, whose oil produces a pleasant aroma. While marketed as a repellent, it doesn’t work against mosquitoes. Instead, try buying Palo Santo sticks and burning them in your yard or on the beach after sunset for a delightful experience.
- There are very few venomous snakes in our coastal area, but you might encounter a scorpion. Locals say they’re mildly venomous, but no one’s tested that theory. Feel free to send us your trip report if you get bitten! You’ll find our contact email and social media on the last page. We’d love to hear your feedback!
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