In short
Montañita is a village on the Ecuadorian coast turned surf and party destination. It occupies a few sandy streets between the road and the ocean, and its nightlife reputation far exceeds its size.
The village has two faces depending on the street: the "Calle de los Cocteles" and its bars, and the end of the beach towards La Punta, where the main wave and the quieter accommodation are. Olón, three kilometres north, is the refuge for those who want the beach without the noise.
Arriving and getting around
Guayaquil is the nearest airport, about three hours away by bus; Manta is an alternative. Long-distance buses regularly serve the Ruta del Sol, the coastal road.
Everything is done on foot in the village. A bicycle or a moto-taxi is enough to reach Olón.
What it really costs
Montañita is cheap, including for long stays: one of the reasons for its popularity.
Ecuador has used the US dollar since 2000. Small notes are essential: change for a large note is often impossible.
When to come
December–April is the warm, humid season, with the best water for swimming and often clear skies.
June–September is cooler, grey and misty on this coast — but it is the whale season.
What nobody tells you
Humpback whales come up this coast from June to September to calve. The trips leave from Puerto López, an hour north, not from Montañita. It is one of the most reliable sightings in the south-east Pacific.
Machalilla National Park and Isla de la Plata, sometimes called "the poor man's Galápagos" for its blue-footed boobies, leave from the same port.
The currents are strong off Montañita and the beach is not permanently patrolled. The main wave, at La Punta, is for experienced surfers only.
The village is noisy until late: choosing accommodation by which street it is on entirely changes the night.