Top Things to do in Montanita
The 10 Best Things to Do in Montanita, Ecuador
Discover the best top things to do in Montanita, Ecuador including Montanita Spanish School - Day Classes, Playa Montanita, Santuario Blanca Estrella del Mar, Playa Montanita, Otra Ola, Go Montanita S.A., Outdoor Ecuador Spanish & Surf, Playa de Olon, Opeturmo, Cascadas de Dos Mangas.
Restaurants in Montanita
1. Montanita Spanish School - Day Classes
Overall Ratings
5 based on 215 reviews
Reviewed By nicholas m - Honolulu, Hawaii
My wife and I took conversation classes here for two weeks while on vacation. Instructors were top notch and the staff were organized, helpful, and friendly. Totally recommended!
2. Playa Montanita
Overall Ratings
4 based on 334 reviews
Reviewed By Tanis E - Quito, Ecuador
Despite it's long-time reputation for being a hot Surfing and party location on Ecuador's coast, Montanita offers something for the whole family. For years, our children have enjoyed having their hair braided and getting their temporary tattoos, we have discovered numerous souvenirs and unique gifts among the street vendors, and all our family members loved eating the Thai Fusion Food at El Tiburon Restaurant! My husband and I have enjoyed having a cocktail with an ocean view while watching the surfers. We have always felt safe and welcomed and go back year after year! Include Montanita in your visit to the Southern Coast of Ecuador.
3. Santuario Blanca Estrella del Mar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
4. Playa Montanita
Overall Ratings
4 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By Arloredrock - Sedona, Arizona
We came from the US and stayed with Some friends in the next city over named Olon (which you must check out if your in Montinita) we took a $1.50 can ride to Montinita-
This eclectic ocean town has the vibe of gnarly hippies & young travelers from around South America & the world-dominated by street crafts, restaurants & surfers enjoying perfect weather on the beach by day turning into a huge party at nite til 3am! It's not x-rated but certainly more appropriate for adults-watch your belongings & shop wisely as everything is negotiable - a fun place to spend day & nite -
**travel advisory**
As a senior contributor I believe it's my responsibility to give this advisory! Although Ecuador is a naturally beautiful country it is a 3rd world developing country- poverty is pervasive and cleanliness not close to standards that you may expect in developed
Countries - you must plan accordingly in all regards
5. Otra Ola
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Otra Ola is a casual, relaxed school for travelers interested in getting closer to the authentic way of life in Ecuador. We offer the opportunity to learn Spanish, practice Yoga and surf in an idyllic setting that both enjoys and respects the vast ocean and the lush environment here in the southern coastal area of Ecuador.Otra Ola not only offers Spanish, Surf and Yoga, we now have an Organic Café. All of our food is made with fresh locally grown produce. Ecuador is known not only internationally for its irresistible roasted coffee beans but also for its cocoa. All of our chocolate delights are made with this mouth watering treat. We serve only the best Organic Coffee to our clients. If you are in the mood for a Chai, Latte, Expresso, iced Coffee, Tea whatever you need to fill your caffeine fix you can find it here. We also serve fresh Hummus made daily. Our menu may be small but it is always changing; don't hesitate to stop by everyday and see what we are creating. At Otra Ola we believe you are what you eat!!
Reviewed By A TripAdvisor Member
My partner and I visited Ayampe in late October. Being the off season, we did not know what to expect as Ayampe is a tiny town off the coast of Ecuador with limited resources. We were pleasantly surprised when we stumbled across Oltra Ola. Not only were the staff and owners genuine, friendly and helpful but they offered us everything we could need to stay occupied for our 5 day stay. The owners of Oltra Ola are Canadians who have lived in Ayampe for 10 years now and started a family there. They are welcoming, warm and involved in their business and community.
Every morning at 9AM they have a yoga class that runs for 1.5 hours and is $10/class or 5 for $45. The classes are either run by a volunteer or by Vanessa, one of the owners. We had our classes taught to us by Lucille, a European volunteer and absolutely LOVED them. Next we would do surf lessons taught by Mike (I believe there are many surf instructors) and were delighted by his patience, kindness and expertise. Surf lessons were $50 for 2 days including rash guard and board rental, after the two days you are able to rent a board on your own. After surf lessons we would head back to Oltra Ola for Spanish lessons for 2 hours. These are taught by Ecuadorean locals who are professional, patient and thorough. Oltra Ola serves coffee, tea and snacks but does not serve full meals as to not take business away from the local restaurants. I suggest to try the Chai Tea Latte and the granola bar, all homemade and delicious and lounge in one of the many hammocks set up around the perimeter of the cafe.
After travelling around Ecuador for one month this has been the most legitimate and enjoyable South American experience yet. If you miss out of Ayampe and Oltra Ola, you are missing out on a lot.
6. Go Montanita S.A.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
GoMontanita brings all the action for your travels in and around Montanita. We take you too top destinations Like Cusco and Galapagos. our Offices we do Daily Aquatic and Nature tours that involve Snorkeling, Scuba Diving and Kayaking, trekking, biking, horse backriding, bird watching,Dos Mangas Waterfall, and In the June through August you can come out with us on boat to whale watch. We also do Package tours too Cusco(Machu Picchu)and Galapagos Islands, so contact us about all and any info about these 2 top destinations.Besides tours we also rent Bikes, Surf boards, boogie boards, fins, goggles, boats, life vests. If you need lodging and transportation we book and reserve air and bus for individuals, couples, and groups. finally if you are not an experienced swimmer or surfer, Montanita is a great place to learn, and GoMontanita has excellent multi-lingual teachers for a daily class, school, or road trips we specially design to catch the current break.
Reviewed By Sarah K - Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Booked onto Go Montanita's whale watching tour (inc. lunch & snorkelling) through Kiwi Hostel. Unfortunately we were used as Guinea pigs for a "new tour" they were offering out of Ayange Beach instead of the usual Puerto Lopez. It was an absolute disaster.
Seven of us were picked up in Montanita and driven by taxi to the starting point of the tour. When we arrived at the dive shop it was as if no one was expecting us - none of the snorkelling kit was ready and it took forever for them to dig out flippers & life vests and start fitting us. The snorkel masks we were given were in terrible condition and covered in mould, they clearly hadn't been cleaned (possibly ever). The mouthpieces were so disgusting there was no way we could use them. A few of us complained and asked for new masks and we were shrugged at, then ignored as they loaded the dirty masks onto the boat anyway so we would have no choice but to use them.
Finally, at around midday, our 10.30am tour was ready to begin. The two men who were apparently taking us out didn't even speak to us or introduce themselves, just pointed at us all to wade out into the sea knee deep and jump onto the boat. I started to feel a bit nervous at this point as the boat was WAY smaller than I had expected to be going to far out into the Pacific. It was also beginning to be apparent this this was in no way a professional organisation. But against better judgement, we headed off, out of the bay and into the ocean. The second we reached open water another boat started speeding towards us - it was the Coast Guard. One officer jumped aboard and there was a lot of arguing & taking in Spanish that we didn't fully understand. After 10 mins or so we realised what was going on - the guys didn't have a licence for the boat, so the Coast Guard had us turn around and head back to shore.
By this point we were done with the complete lack of professionalism or safety that the company had displayed, so four of us refused to go back out. The staff at the dive shop didn't even seem to care and there was no apology for the Coast Guard situation at all. No effort to reassure us that it was safe or licensed / legal either.
When we returned to our hostel the owner phoned Go Montana for us straight away to relay our story. We were given an apology, an explanation that this was the first time they had used that particular company, and our money back (obviously). They also offered to take all four of us out the following day for free on another (safer) whale watching tour, from Puerto Lopez, as further compensation for our time. I thought this was an amazing way to apologise and happily took them up on the offer...only to be told at 10pm later that night that they couldn't do it anymore. Apparently it was an empty offer that they hoped we wouldn't actually agree to. We left Montanita really disappointed in this company and without seeing any whales.
7. Outdoor Ecuador Spanish & Surf
Overall Ratings
5 based on 36 reviews
Our location, culture, and programs are all designed to maximize your opportunity to learn the language, meet people from around the world, create lifelong memories, and capitalize on your overall experience here in Ecuador.
Reviewed By Louise D - Montreal, Canada
My husband and I spent 5 weeks learning Spanish at Outdoor Ecuador and we had a wonderful experience! First of all we were looking for a good school in a relax atmosphere and that's exactly what we found at Outdoor Ecuador Spanish school!
Ivonne and Luis are professionnal and easygoing! Thus they could adjust to our different levels of Spanish. Consequently we highly recommend their school and would gladly return in the future.
Thank you again Ivonne, Luis and Carolina!
Louise and André from Canada
8. Playa de Olon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By Richard L
Playa Olon, one of the main tourist places to enjoy the sun, sea and sand, in this paradisiacal place where you can enjoy beautiful sunsets, in addition to a varied gastronomy, typical dishes where the seafood is exquisite.
It has large infrastructure at the service of tourists. It has a food court, green areas, walkways, sanitary batteries with showers and dressing rooms, plus a large parking area for private vehicles and buses.
I recommend you to visit this tourist place with beautiful landscapes that you can enjoy with family, friends and spend a spectacular afternoon the drawback is that this is a little far and you need to have your own car to move, anyway it’s an excellent place.
9. Opeturmo
Overall Ratings
5 based on 25 reviews
Paragliding - Parapente Ecuador: Quito, Ibarra, Banos, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Montanita, Puerto Lopez, Canoa, Crucita. Adventure Tours in Ecuador
Reviewed By AKflyboy
I fly every day because it's my job. While I'm grateful for a job that I enjoy, flying plane loads of passengers several hours from one city to another....well, it's a different kind of flying. THIS....is flying because it's fun to be in the sky,...MoreThank you very much for sharing your experience with us. We are glad we were able to be the most fun thing you did in Ecuador. We work hard to give a friendly, safe and professional service.
10. Cascadas de Dos Mangas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Elly24 - UK
Just got back from the day trip. Really nice day out and not far from Montanita. I'm sure you can organize it yourself cheaper but we went through a tour operator in town and paid USD $35 each which included return transport, basic lunch, hire of the horses for the day and a tour guide. I'd highly recommend a horse as its a long way and muddy, I wouldn't a want to walk it, but you need to reserve the horses 1 day in advance. The guide spoke in slow Spanish but you need a basic level to understand the tour. He was really knowledgable and has been doing the tour for 20 years! At the end of the hike is a small pool of 'natural' running water that is super cold and refreshing and you can swim in. You'll get super hot and there are a lot of bugs, so wear tons of sun cream and bug repellant. At the end we visited the small gift shop which has some lovely handmade pieces at very very reasonable prices. A fun day out and chance to step away from the beach and see something else.
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