Montanita

Where to stay

Most hostels cluster within a few blocks of Calle Principal and the main beach break near the Punta. Staying on or just off the main strip puts you close to the surf and the late-night scene, but expect noise until 3 or 4 a.m. on weekends. The quieter and slightly cheaper option is walking 10 minutes north toward Olón, where a handful of guesthouses sit back from the action.

Getting around

• Rates double or triple for Carnaval (usually February) and New Year's week. Book those periods at least a month out or skip them entirely if you want a bed at a low price.
• The bus from Guayaquil's Terminal Terrestre Metropolitano to Montañita takes about 3 hours and costs just a few dollars. Taxis from the terminal will quote you ten times that.
• Ceviche and fresh fish are cheapest at the street stalls along Calle Principal in the late morning before the lunch rush. The same plate at a beachfront restaurant costs twice as much.

When to go

Hostels are cheapest and emptiest from May through November, when overcast skies keep beach tourists away. December through April fills up fast, especially on weekends, when Ecuadorian surfers and Guayaquil day-trippers arrive in force.