Puerto López Adventure: Top 5 Must-Do Tours

So, you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path kind of adventure? Then Puerto López, this little coastal town in Ecuador, might be just it. More or less, Puerto López sits snugly within the Machalilla National Park, plus that means a super easy doorway to really beautiful beaches, seriously amazing wildlife encounters, plus a surprisingly charming local vibe, that really draws people in, I think. That is why, in fact, I put together this sort of rundown of what I think are the five must-do adventure tours here. Right then, get packing!

1. Isla de la Plata Tour: The Poor Man’s Galapagos?

Now, Isla de la Plata, so-called “Silver Island”, it often gets called a mini-Galapagos, that, too it’s because of the wildlife you find there. Very often, this tour is probably top of anyone’s list visiting Puerto López, I think. Basically, the main attraction there has got to be the blue-footed boobies—yes, it’s kind of a funny name, right?–but also, there are frigates, albatrosses and, actually, if you are lucky, you could spot whales. Seemingly, whale season hits usually from June to September, for example.

Then, pretty much, you get a boat trip, often it’s around one to two hours, from the mainland to the island, plus once you are there, local guides, it is almost as if they know everything, will lead you on hikes to see the birds and the other animals in their like, habitat. So, too, many tours include snorkeling, plus that means you get the chance to see the super cool underwater world surrounding the island. More or less, just prepare for a full day kind of experience, plus pack sun protection because you really do need it there, it is almost as if the sun beats down strong.

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2. Whale Watching Tour: Humpbacks Galore!

Talking of whales, then, arguably, if you are visiting between June and September, I was just saying that, very, very whale watching should be really high up on your priority list. In some respects, these incredible humpback whales travel all this way from Antarctica basically to mate in these warmer Ecuadorian waters. Clearly, seeing them breach is a seriously stunning sight to behold, that, is it not?

Actually, there are many tours that are just whale watching, that you could consider in Puerto López. Seemingly, these tours often only take a few hours, and that means you could fit them easily into your trip. It might be nice to think that local guides they are actually super experienced at spotting whale activity, plus that usually, more or less, guarantees a really rewarding experience, you might agree. Also, it might be helpful to bring binoculars for a much better view plus, arguably, a camera, to grab all of the magical moments as you go.

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3. Machalilla National Park Hike: Beaches, Forest, and History!

Right, the Machalilla National Park is one seriously massive protected area, and it is almost a paradise basically for people that, just a little, adore nature. Anyway, there are diverse ecosystems that, in short, include cloud forest, dry forest, plus beautiful coastlines that really gives a nice varied backdrop for outdoor expeditions.

Typically, a popular choice is actually to hike parts of the park to see the famous Los Frailes Beach. Very often, this is considered one of Ecuador’s absolute most picture-perfect beaches, honestly. The path there, yet, offers a chance really to see lots of flora plus fauna along the route. By the way, if you enjoy history a lot, for instance, very near there, too, lies Agua Blanca, yet, an archaeological site boasting ancient ruins and, in fact, a really interesting sulfur lagoon with like, purported medicinal stuff too.

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4. Horseback Riding Tour: Galloping along the Coast!

Then, arguably, what about something completely different, what about horseback riding, it is almost if something really lets you connect differently with nature in some ways, I think? Very often, many local tour guides offer rides that, just a little, let you explore the coastline or the nearby countryside in a really slow, plus I would have to say it’s such a relaxed pace.

Meanwhile, some of these tours, very, very, they could take you along the beaches and that lets you feel like you are starring in a movie plus you can see the landscapes surrounding it. What is more, it tends to be actually suitable for a variety of skill levels. First, it is just for seasoned riders; in fact, maybe if you have not ever been on a horse before, some stables usually offer gentle horses with clear directions so everybody can enjoy it too. That is why make sure to sort out which option fits right for you and how confident you may feel around animals beforehand. In some respects, you would also have to think about taking long trousers, closed-toe shoes, as that usually provides you with added comfort plus, just a little, more safety, really.

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5. Salango Island Snorkeling Tour: Underwater Exploration!

Salango Island, that is situated, really, not too far away from Puerto López, is such a top spot so you could have, what I would say is seriously fun, snorkeling activities. First, its nearby reefs, actually, are bubbling over with a variety of aquatic creatures plus plant life, right. Sometimes, just grab yourself a snorkeling kit plus jump straight in to witness angelfish swimming about, watch sea urchins bob around, even search for octopi that, you would hope, would swim in amongst rocky cracks, that sort of thing.

Next, too, you can think about hiring yourself one of those local boats to get over, plus some come with the equipment bundled together. Often, the visibility can change depending on what is happening with that day’s currents, or depending on like, time of year. Right then, for a better plus a completely fulfilling time it’s almost better really, to check on conditions with residents right before you go ahead there.

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