Ecuador’s Party Town for Surfers

Jack had been itching to go on a surf trip ever since he got back from Ericeira, Portugal last October. While we were mapping out our next adventure, we kept hearing one name over and over again on other traveler blogs, Montañita, Ecuador. A sleepy surf town turned backpacker magnet on Ecuador’s Pacific coast, known for its excellent waves for beginner surfers.

We flew from Boston to Guayaquil, Ecuador, with a layover in New York. After arriving in Guayaquil around 9:00 PM, we hired a taxi to take us two and a half hours up the coast to Montañita. We arrived at our Airbnb around midnight and were starving. So, we ventured up the road in the rain toward the main town of Montañita. Little did we know how busy it would be so late at night, and in the rain. People crowded the streets, bars, and restaurants. We looked very out of place in our long pants, rain gear, and hiking boots, but locals and tourists didn’t bat an eye at the downpour.

Montañita is small, you can walk from one end to the other in under 15 minutes. But somehow, it packs in everything, surf schools, street tacos, hostels with rooftop hammocks, cocktail carts, vendors selling handmade jewelry, and of course the clubs. The people of Montañita are late to bed and late to rise.

The beach is one long stretch lined with palm trees, beach bars, and restaurants. The surf break isn’t huge, but it’s very consistent, making it ideal for beginner surfers like me. Jack rented a board for the week, while I took my first surf lesson at a local surf school. $20 USD for a 90-minute session. And yes, I did successfully stand up on my board!

When the sun goes down, the town shifts into party mode. Although we didn’t go out to the clubs, we enjoyed incredible Ecuadorian food and cocktails. We had the largest and tastiest empanadas at Tiburón, and delicious brick oven pizza at Ezzio’s Pizzeria.

One morning, we decided to check out Olon, a little town located about a 10-minute taxi ride from Montañita. It has great coffee shops, restaurants, and relaxed beach spots. And if you're working remotely, the Wi-Fi can be hit or miss, but for the most part, we had a relatively good connection.

If you want to learn to surf on a budget, relax on the beach by day, and party through the night, Montañita might be the town for you.