DiveTheGalapagos
Contributor
In more Ecuador aviation news, beginning July 2nd, Avianca offers new non-stop flights from Manta, Manabi Ecuador (MEC) to Baltra (GPS) on Sundays and Wednesdays. Manta is probably the fastest growing city in Ecuador for expats. The coast is full of incredible options for a pre-Galapagos cruise as high season on the coast for marine life coincides with high season for diving in Galapagos.
Puerto Lopez (2 hrs from Manta) revolves around the Humpback whales that migrate to the coast June - Sept. You depart from there for Isla de la Plata (aka Poor Man's Galapagos) which is also one of the 2 hotspots for diving with the world's largest immigration of the world's largest oceanic Manta Rays (Mobulae birostris) July-Sept with peak season in August. Given how many are close to the surface, you can even snorkel instead of diving. Puerto Lopez is just north of the capital of surfing on the Ecuador coast.
4 species of sea turtles nest in Manabi - Green, Leatherback, Olive Ridley and the highly endangered Hawksbill. It's pretty amazing to assist scientist with moving nests or assisting hatchlings. 2 Ecuador bird watching hotspots are in Manabi.
Just south of Manta, you can go kite surfing or visit a rainforest with monkeys, blue morpho butterflies, toucans and more. Chocolate originated from the province of Manabi as did the Panama hat. Manabi is renown for its gastronomy. Lots to do on the coast and unlike Galapagos, there are inexpensive options.
Quick flight from Quito to Manta or, beginning June 27th, Copa Airlines will have direct flights to Manta via Panama and has many flights from US airports to Panama.
Puerto Lopez (2 hrs from Manta) revolves around the Humpback whales that migrate to the coast June - Sept. You depart from there for Isla de la Plata (aka Poor Man's Galapagos) which is also one of the 2 hotspots for diving with the world's largest immigration of the world's largest oceanic Manta Rays (Mobulae birostris) July-Sept with peak season in August. Given how many are close to the surface, you can even snorkel instead of diving. Puerto Lopez is just north of the capital of surfing on the Ecuador coast.
4 species of sea turtles nest in Manabi - Green, Leatherback, Olive Ridley and the highly endangered Hawksbill. It's pretty amazing to assist scientist with moving nests or assisting hatchlings. 2 Ecuador bird watching hotspots are in Manabi.
Just south of Manta, you can go kite surfing or visit a rainforest with monkeys, blue morpho butterflies, toucans and more. Chocolate originated from the province of Manabi as did the Panama hat. Manabi is renown for its gastronomy. Lots to do on the coast and unlike Galapagos, there are inexpensive options.
Quick flight from Quito to Manta or, beginning June 27th, Copa Airlines will have direct flights to Manta via Panama and has many flights from US airports to Panama.
