Destination Overview

Mantaraya Lodge is a cozy Mediterranean-style hotel located 3km away from the beach (5 minutes by car), in the heart ofMachalilla National Park, a perfect place to relax and enjoy activities like diving, snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding, cycling tours, excursions to la Isla de la Plata (Silver Islands), community visits to Salango, Agua Blanca or just enjoy the nearby magnificent beaches like Salango, Puerto Lopez and Los Frailes.

Machalilla National Park

The Machalilla National Park lies alongside the Ecuadorian Pacific coast.  Its area contains beaches, fog forests, dry forests, small islands and two larger islands, Salango and Isla de la Plata. In 1990, the park was named an “internationally important wetland” under the Ramsar Convention. Native wildlife includes armadillos, two species of monkeys, and more than 270 bird species. Many of the large mammals in Machalilla National Park are regionally and locally endangered.

Machalilla National Park is the only habitat, outside of the Galapagos Islands, for the waved albatross. The park’s ocean region also provides an ideal breeding ground for humpback whales. Vegetation includes opuntia cactus, palosanto trees, kapok trees and the algaroba tree. Most of the tropical scrub desert and forest of western Ecuador can be found within this Park.

Isla de la Plata

Also known as Silver Island, was named after the legend of Francis Drake, a pirate from the XIV century who stole treasures from the Spanish ships and hid them on the island. According to the legend, much of this treasure was never claimed and is still hidden here. As in Galapagos, because the Humboldt Current flows from the south and meets the northbound warm current El Niño in this area, a spectacular biodiversity of underwater marine life is found around the spectacular Coral Reefs surrounding the Island.

Also, more than eleven different species of marine mammals can be found, including a small colony of sea lions!  Another important highlight worth mentioning is that la Isla de la Plata is the only place in the world, besides the Galapagos Islands, where Waved Albatrosses nest (April to November).  Other bird species also nest here, such as the red billed tropic bird and frigate birds.

Accommodations

Each of the 15 rooms is spacious and well-equipped with private bathroom, air conditioning and balcony, or large outside windows.

Lodge Facilities

Passengers may enjoy the spacious pool, Jacuzzi, game room, TV room and our unique Bar Restaurant that offers the unique flavors of Ecuadorian cuisine.

Special Activities

Enjoy Los Frailes Beach, Scuba diving certifications and expeditions, snorkeling, kayaking and bird watching at La Isla de la Plata, whale watching (June to October), community visits, hiking, biking and horseback riding.

Dining

All of our guests may enjoy the best flavors of the Ecuadorian pacific coast in our restaurant. Our “a la carte” restaurant offers seafood specialties that are specially prepared with the traditional flavors of Ecuador’s sea coast cuisine.

Location

Mantaraya Lodge is located in the Machalilla National Park in the province of Manabí, which is hour and thirty minutes from Manta’s national airport. Manta has 6 daily flights from Quito, Ecuador’s capital.  The flights are thirty-minutes long.