We will start our excursion leaving the port on a comfortable coach heading to Agua Blanca, a small community situated approximately 10 km from Puerto López in Machalilla National Park.
When we reach Agua Blanca, we will visit the small archaeological museum that holds some artefacts from ancient pre-Columbian civilisations that settled in this area. The ruins there form a sort of solar calendar once used to hold ceremonies on the summer and winter solstice. The museum also holds cremation urns from the Manteña culture, the last pre-Columbian civilisation to settle in Ecuador near the city of Manta (hence the name Manteña).
After visiting the museum, we will explore Machalilla National Park, which spans 55,000 hectares in the Manabí province. This park is truly unique because it is home to the only dry tropical forest in the world. As we pass through the park, we will notice mangroves, cactus and cotton plants, as well as unique local fauna. In the marine part of the park, it is also possible to see whales that return to the coast of Ecuador every year from the Antarctic.
Inside the park, we will also visit a small village inhabited by the descendants of the Manteña culture, who still live as their ancestors did, thanks to the proceeds from the community-based tourism project. The inhabitants of the village are proud to show us their lifestyle and customs, which also include shared use of the land.
After visiting the village, we will head to Mantaraya Lodge for lunch in the restaurant and, before we leave, we can relax for a while at the pool there.
After lunch, we will travel to Puerto López, a small fishing village on the coast of Ecuador and part of Machalilla National Park where we will stop for a double visit.
First of all, we will head to Pacha Chocolates, where we can buy all kinds of chocolate treats carefully prepared by the owners.
After shopping in the store, we will go to the wild animal rescue centre where, if we are lucky, we may be able to see the moment that a turtle is put back into its natural habitat.
After visiting the wild animal rescue centre, we will get back on the coach and return to the port and the ship.