Puerto López

Where to stay

Budget beds cluster along the main coastal road and the blocks immediately inland from the pier, where tour agencies line the street. Staying here keeps you within a short walk of the bus terminal and the morning fish market. For a quieter, surf-focused vibe, the nearby village of Ayampe is a short bus or taxi ride south, though it means relying on transport for town errands.

Getting around

• The bus terminal sits about a mile north of the town center on the coastal highway. Tuc-tucs (mototaxis) are the standard way to bridge that gap and cost a modest flat fee, so have small bills ready when you arrive from Quito or Guayaquil.
• Isla de la Plata is the main draw, often called the 'Poor Man's Galapagos.' Tours depart from the pier and are heavily regulated, so book through any of the clustered agencies in town rather than trying to hire a private fisherman. Combine it with whale watching if visiting between June and September.
• Machalilla National Park offers two distinct free or low-cost day trips: the Frailes beach trail, which is free and involves a hike from the road, and the Agua Blanca community, which charges a small entrance fee for access to archaeological ruins and sulfur springs.

When to go

Hostels are cheapest and quietest during the rainy season from December through May, though showers can disrupt boat tours. Prices spike and beds fill fast from June through September, the dry season, which coincides with the peak humpback whale migration and offers the most reliable weather for island hopping.