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Horseback Riding – Las Tunas to Ayampe, Ecuador
Want to go horseback riding on Ecuador’s coast? I found the perfect spot in Las Tunas, Manabí, a few minutes south of Puerto López. During our two hour ride, we galloped on a beach, crossed a river, watched butterflies on a forest trail, and rode along the top of a hill with a spectacular ocean view. Finding horses to ride in coastal Ecuador Finding horses to ride in Ecuador is not difficult. Finding good, healthy, well trained horses to ride in Ecuador is not easy. I rely on Tsafiki Resort to find good horses. They scout area horses and guides so they are always up to date regarding who…
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Visitor Center, Machalilla National Park, Puerto Lopez, Ecuador #AtoZChallenge
Machalilla National Park surrounds Puerto Lopez, Ecuador. Two monkey species and more than 270 bird species, including the endangered Waved Albatross live in the park. Whales mate and birth just off the coast and turtles hatch on the beaches. If you like active outdoor vacations, this is the place for you! Activities in Machalilla National Park Hike, bike and horseback ride Dry forests – from sea level to midway up the hills, the dry desert-like flora is brown for about half the year, waiting for water Cloud forests – always green hills where monkeys, orchids and a wide variety of birds live Hike beaches – Playa Los Frailes is often referred…
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Lights Reflecting Off the Ocean, Puerto Lopez, Ecuador #AtoZChallenge
Stand at the end of the Puerto Lopez pier after dark. Street, building, and beach cabana lights dance to create a symphony of color reflecting off the water. The photo for E (see Emily in Puerto Lopez here) is a daytime picture from the spot above. Next, walk to the south end of the malecon to see the pier lights reflecting like in the photo above. The pier has all white lights. In this photo, many are turned off because it is after 11:00 PM, when about half of the lights go dark. Purple and red lights from the nearest beach cabana are the only cabana lights visible from this vantage…
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Emily in Puerto Lopez #AtoZChallenge
Popular spot – we waited while others photographed each other. Photo at the end of the pier, open since 2013. The hills, buildings and boats add color. ________________________________________________________ Around Puerto Lopez in 26 words. A look back Last year, I wrote Earthquake – The Night a 7.8 shook Ecuador
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Underwater Endangered Testudines (a.k.a. Sea Turtles) #AtoZChallenge
The beach is in our blood. Everyone in our family returns to the beach instinctively, just like the sea turtles. — Sandy Archibald Four sea turtles species live off the coast of Ecuador. Green Turtles, Leatherbacks, and Olive-Ridley are endangered and Hawksbills are critically endangered. People are working to improve their numbers and chances of species survival. Sea Turtle Isla de la Plata, Manabí, Ecuador Sea turtles live the majority of their lives in the ocean but are born on beaches. Female sea turtles return to the beach where they were born to lay eggs. Each egg nest is marked to prevent human damage. Each nest is marked with caution…
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Tide Pools in Puerto Lopez #AtoZChallenge
“Despite the sea being wild and the waves rolling away from the shore, the tide always returns.” ― Katherine McIntyre, By the Sea The Puerto Lopez tide pools are a popular family weekend destination. Kids can swim in the ocean without worrying about being swept out to sea. Puerto Lopez, Manabí, Ecuador (Click on photo to increase size) During low tide, the pools are naturally protected from waves by large rocks and a curved southern shore. Puerto Lopez, Manabí, Ecuador Crystal clear water warms while the tide is out. Tiny fish enjoy a temporary reprieve from larger prey. Puerto Lopez, Manabí, Ecuador As the tide starts coming in, everyone packs…
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Sunsets near the equator #AtoZChallenge
“Are you dreaming? Stop dreaming; come and watch the sunset, it is better than all the dreams!” — Mehmet Murat ildan Sunsets near the equator come and go quickly. A few minutes after the sun begins coloring the ocean and sky, it has set. Dusk lasts a few moments, then it is dark. November 9 The sun sets almost perpendicular to the horizon instead of diagonally as seen closer to the north and south poles. The further north or south you go from the equator, the longer a sunset will last. March 12 The north and south movement of the sun throughout the year is quite evident near the equator.…
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Humpback Whales #AtoZChallenge
June through September is Humpback Whale season in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador. They migrate from Antarctica, 16,000 kilometers (almost 10,000 miles) away. While in the warm equatorial waters, the whales fast, focused on mating and birthing. Whales are seen breaching in the distance from shore. For a closer view, take a whale watching boat from Puerto Lopez. A whale might breach near your boat. Breaching Humpback Whale Puerto Lopez, Ecuador Most likely, you will see some tail slapping. Tail about to slap the water, creating a big splash Puerto Lopez, Ecuador It is incredible to watch a 16 meter (52 foot) whale swim under your boat. I am completely in awe…
