Galacruises Expeditions:

Going south, we will find one of Ecuador's most important national parks, the Machalilla National Park, in the province of Manabí. This is one of the most unique corners of our land where fauna, flora and scenery converge to offer both natives and foreigners the fulfillment of their dreams. Here we will visit the beautiful beaches of Puerto Cayo, De los Frailes and Puerto López, the port where we can hire a boat to visit the Isla de la Plata. On this island a large number of animals and marine birds similar to the fauna of Galapagos can be seen. For example, blue-footed and red-footed boobies, sea lions, pelicans and frigate birds live here. Whales appear between July and October, and the rest of the year dolphins are present. This is an ideal spot for diving tours or snorkeling (consult our programs). In the National Park you can also visit the archeological site of Agua Blanca where the remains of the prehistoric Manteña-Machalilla culture are displayed, and you can visit the Museum of Natural History in Salango and the tropical rainforest in San Sebastián.

This province also has very important beaches and resorts prepared to accommodate tourists with restaurants, hotels, bars and other places for relaxation as well as places of natural beauty such as Pedernales, San Vicente, Bahía de Caráquez, San Clemente, San Jacinto, Crucita, Jaramijó, Punta Blanca and Manta and the surrounding countryside. In this province, it is worthwhile noting the wonderful variety of Manabí cuisine in which typical dishes and seafood predominate in most of the cooking. People here are very clever craftsmen in the use of palmetto fiber, the straw used for making the well-known Panama hats tourists are keen on buying here..

Now we will continue on south to the province of Guayas to find one of the best tourist resorts in Ecuador, Salinas, with its tall buildings, excellent hotels, bars, discotheques and modern entertainment centers. Here you can sail, fish, go motor boating or surfing, enjoy other water sports or take a beautiful yacht trip along the bay. Nightlife is very exciting and the city is full of tourists year round. Close by, some of the places you can visit are Olón, Montañita, Playas, La Puntilla de Santa Elena, Ballenita, Punta Carnero and Punta Blanca. This province is known for its happy, extroverted people who provide color and hospitality for the tourist. One of the most important cities in the country, Guayaquil, is in this province. Guayaquil is the most important commercial port in Ecuador and the base of its economy. There are many interesting places to visit in the city such as the Cerro del Carmen, the Botanic Gardens, La Rotonda, the Barrio de las Peñas, Bella Vista, Malecón 2000 (the breakwater), museums and galleries. There are luxury first-class international hotel chains, bars, restaurants and interesting discotheques where you can spend a nice evening.

Beaches

The Pacific Coast