Manta, Ecuador: Top 5 Art & Culture Spots You Can’t Miss

Manta, Ecuador, maybe it’s almost best known for its beaches and tuna industry, is that it also offers some cool glimpses into Ecuadorian art and culture. From interesting museums to local crafts, there’s very more than meets the eye. Here, we will check out the top five spots in Manta where one can really soak in the local artistic vibes.

1. Manta Archaeological Museum: A Window to the Past

If one wants to, maybe one actually might get a grip on the deep history of the region, the Manta Archaeological Museum is almost the place to begin. Arguably, what makes it pretty amazing is that, usually, it is packed full of artifacts from pre-Columbian cultures that definitely once called this area home. Anyway, one will come face to face with pottery, tools, and ornaments which tell old stories about what life once used to be way back when. It’s, sort of, almost a captivating place that brings what happened before vividly to life.

The museum usually puts an emphasis on the Manteño civilization. This is almost an original society that greatly thrived in this coastal zone before the arrival of the Spanish. Pretty much, their unique artworks and architectural style usually display the cleverness and ingenuity of these very old people. When walking through the rooms, so just picture all the stories, basically the people, and just the ingenuity of the Manteño’s themselves, pretty much it’s super very remarkable how people have advanced.

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2. Centro Cultural Palacio Municipal: A Hub of Creativity

The Centro Cultural Palacio Municipal, which, in a way, used to be the City Hall. Anyway, now it just so happens to stands really very right at the center of Manta’s cultural heartbeat. Just a little, this center is more or less constantly hosting exhibitions, which showcase what current artists and also different art forms they’re so passionate about. Of course it includes everything from great artwork to interesting sculptures plus photography too.

When one is inside, sometimes the beauty comes alive. Usually there are very artistic expressions to wonder about. I mean one might very often find themselves captivated by paintings. Or even perhaps just the meaning of just local photographers. If one loves all kinds of things such as theater to literature to just cool events. At the end of the day one will always just find something very special.

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3. Artisan Markets: A Shopper’s Paradise

One arguably cannot say you’ve really been to Manta actually without visiting a handful of artisan markets. And maybe the main place to do so happens in the district of Tarqui. Usually, this popular neighborhood is definitely almost packed with so many stalls. Also some little shops displaying every thing from really lovely crafts to maybe very one-off keepsakes. As a matter of fact, in this district one can find every single thing they are looking for. Anyway I’d say it’s pretty much a cool way to check out a part of the Ecuadorian Culture itself.

From vividly designed textiles and to almost just complexly woven baskets. The possibilities are endless as to what one could take home. But not only that it really just also becomes something memorable. It could be said that it will just have great stories of being in this place.

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4. Malecon Escenico: Murals and Street Art

If one likes to see some artwork and cool urban culture? Sometimes there is some cool public art spaces and the Malecon Escenico might just satisfy ones needs. Of course, there’s a whole series of pretty vivid murals plus graffiti showing all types of styles, very. If one is cruising here they should think about their favorite mural in particular.

There are loads of cool styles which definitely gives all sorts of insights to what art means. It could be that many talented artists display everything that they know of culture here. Even some messages or what happens on the ground with day-to-day lives. It’s all very awesome!

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5. Local Festivals and Events: Experiencing Culture Firsthand

Of course it’s amazing to enjoy the city culture from just simply strolling around. Yet the fun never ends from celebrations to events too. Anyway, there’s plenty to see with traditions that actually shows some deep love for its past. One also would discover some new talents while one visits the art exhibitions here too.

From street events to dancing. Oh my! Every visitor will no doubt fall more in love with the country culture here.

Read our full review: Local Festivals and Events Full Review and Details
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