Montañita, Ecuador: travel guide
Pacific surf village with point breaks, beach bars and late nights
A bohemian Pacific surf town on the Santa Elena coast, known for consistent point-break waves, a lively backpacker nightlife, beach bars and a laid-back party atmosphere.
About Montañita
Montañita is a small surf village on the Santa Elena coast, where the Pacific rolls in with some of Ecuador's most consistent waves. The mood is bohemian, with hostels, hammocks, beach bars and a nightlife scene that carries on well after dark.
Surfers head for La Punta, the main point break, and lessons are easy to find for beginners on the gentler beaches. Between sessions you can walk the sand, browse the stalls and try the cocktails of the so-called Cocktail Alley. Quieter beaches such as Olón and Ayampe are a short ride away for those who want space and calm.
Montañita suits surfers, backpackers and a younger crowd. The beach season is warm and sunny from roughly December to April, while the cooler months bring larger swells.
- Country
- Ecuador
- Currency
- USD
- Time zone
- America/Guayaquil
Last updated
Top places to visit in Montañita
Montañita Beach
surf_beach · 4.4 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The main surf beach of Montañita with a famous right-hand point break, golden sand and a buzzing beach-bar scene; good for surfing and learning to surf.
La Punta (Surf Point)
surf_break · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The rocky northern point of Montañita producing the area's best, longest right-hander — the focus for experienced surfers, especially at high tide.
Calle de los Cócteles (Cocktail Alley)
bar_street · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Montañita's legendary nightlife street lined with cocktail stalls and bars that fill nightly — the epicentre of the town's party reputation.
Playa Olón
beach · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A long, broad, quieter beach just north of Montañita with calmer water, good for families and sunset walks, plus a hilltop chapel viewpoint (Santuario Blanca Estrella).
Playa Ayampe
beach · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A tranquil, undeveloped beach south of Montañita popular for longboard surfing, yoga retreats and whale-watching trips in season (Jun–Sep).
Things to do
- Montañita Surf Lesson Surfing · 2 h · from USD 30 per person
- Whale-Watching Tour (Jun–Sep) Boat · 5 h · from USD 60 per person
- Isla de la Plata (Machalilla) Day Tour Boat · 8 h · from USD 75 per person
Day trips and tours
- Montañita Surf & Coast Day 6 h · from USD 55
Where to stay in Montañita
- Montañita Centro about USD 55 per night
In the heart of the action near the beach and nightlife — lively but noisy.
- La Punta about USD 70 per night
Quieter beachfront end of town, better for sleep and surfing, short walk from the centre.
Hotels
- Balsa Surf Camp 3-star · USD 70 to USD 140 per night
- Hotel Kundalini 3-star · USD 60 to USD 120 per night
- Hostal Esperanto 2-star · USD 18 to USD 45 per night
- Selina Montañita 3-star · USD 13 to USD 65 per night
Where to eat
- Tiki Limbo International, Asian · about USD 14 per person
- Marea Restaurant Seafood, Ecuadorian · about USD 15 per person
- Hola Ola International, Cafe · about USD 8 per person
Getting to Montañita
Nearest airport: Guayaquil (GYE), about 103 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Montañita
- Direct bus from Guayaquil By road from Guayaquil · common · unconfirmed
Direct buses run to Montañita and Olón from Guayaquil in high season, about January to April. Source: roughguides.com
- Coast-road bus from La Libertad By road from La Libertad · common · unconfirmed
Frequent buses run year-round up the coast road, stopping at villages including Montañita. Source: roughguides.com
Getting around
- Bus
Buses link Montañita with Guayaquil, with CLP running direct services, and with Santa Elena through the Citup bus.
- Taxi
Taxis and buses are available in Montañita, though the village is small and walking is the usual way to get around town.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Drink spiking in nightlife
Cocktail Alley, beach bars
Drinks are spiked (escopolamina/burundanga) to rob or assault victims.
How to avoid it: Never leave your drink unattended, accept drinks only from the bartender, and stay with friends.
Best time to visit Montañita
- Jan 30°C
- Feb 30°C
- Mar 29°C
- Apr 30°C
- May 30°C
- Jun 29°C
- Jul 29°C
- Aug 29°C
- Sep 29°C
- Oct 29°C
- Nov 29°C
- Dec 30°C
More in Ecuador
Frequently asked questions about Montañita
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Montañita?
- The highest-rated places in our Montañita guide are La Punta (Surf Point), Playa Olón, Playa Ayampe, Montañita Beach, Calle de los Cócteles (Cocktail Alley).
- Where should I stay in Montañita?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Montañita: Montañita Centro, La Punta.
- How do I get around Montañita?
- Ways to get around Montañita covered in our guide: City bus, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Montañita?
- Scams reported to us for Montañita include Drink spiking in nightlife. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Montañita?
- Average daytime highs in Montañita run from 29°C in Jul to 30°C in Jan.