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Malecón Escénico de Manta and around
A day in Manta · 9:30–12:45 · 3 stops
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mapvivid.com/manta/itineraries/malecon-escenico-de-manta-and-aroundA walking day around Malecón Escénico de Manta and Playa Murciélago, with a lunch break nearby and Playa Barbasquillo to end the day.
Every stop on Google Maps: open the list
Morning
9:301Malecón Escénico de Manta ↗1 hAt night
Seaside promenade with ocean views.
- Best for an evening walk
- Cafes and food stalls nearby
↓ 12 min walk
10:452Playa Murciélago ↗1 hLate afternoon · Sunset
Manta's main city beach with surf and restaurants.
- Beachfront restaurants serve fresh ceviche
- Watch the sunset
↓ 26 min walk
12:153Playa Barbasquillo ↗30 minSunset
Quiet beach just outside the city.
- Quieter than Murciélago
- Bring water
Lunch
12:45Lunch break nearby · Find restaurants nearby on Google Maps ↗
Good to know. Times are a guide for an unhurried pace. Check opening days before you go.
Manta tips
Transportation
- Fly in from Quito: Manta's airport has flights to Quito, the quickest way in; otherwise long-distance buses link Manta with Guayaquil and other cities.
- Use registered taxis or apps: Take registered yellow taxis or ride apps and agree the fare first if there is no meter.
- Day trip by bus: Local buses reach nearby towns like Montecristi and coastal villages cheaply; ask locals for the right stop and route.
Local Hacks
- Go whale watching: From roughly June to September humpback whales come to this coast; tours leave from Manta and nearby Puerto López.
- Try kitesurfing: Santa Marianita beach, south of Manta, has steady winds and kitesurfing schools for beginners.
- Watch the fishing fleet: Early mornings at the beach near the port show fishermen unloading the catch, a lively scene of local life.
Saving
- Pay in US dollars: Ecuador uses the US dollar; carry small bills, as larger notes can be hard to change in small shops.
- Eat almuerzos: Set lunches, or almuerzos, with soup, a main and juice are a filling, budget-friendly way to eat local food.
- Buy seafood fresh: Manta is a major fishing port; local markets and simple seafood stalls serve fresh fish for much less than tourist restaurants.
Security
- Check current advice: Crime has risen along parts of Ecuador's coast; read up-to-date travel advice and ask your hotel which areas to avoid.
- Keep valuables low-key: Avoid showing phones, jewellery or cash in public, and carry only what you need for the day.
- Avoid walking at night: After dark, use a taxi instead of walking, especially in quiet streets and around the port.
Cultural
- Try manabí cuisine: Taste viche, a hearty seafood and peanut soup, ceviche with peanut and encebollado, the beloved Ecuadorian fish soup.
- Greet with a handshake: Ecuadorians are polite and friendly; greet people warmly with buenos días or buenas tardes before asking for help.
- Visit Montecristi for hats: Nearby Montecristi is the home of the toquilla straw hat, often called the Panama hat; buy from local weavers and shops.
Weather/Clothing
- Know the two seasons: The warmer, wetter season runs roughly December to May, while June to November is drier, cooler and often overcast.
- Pack sun protection: Even on cloudy days the equatorial sun is strong; bring high-SPF sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- Bring a light layer: Evenings in the cooler season can be breezy; a light jacket or long sleeves help after sunset.
Planned with MapVivid. Opening hours change, so check each place before you go. This day, with the map: mapvivid.com/manta/itineraries/malecon-escenico-de-manta-and-around
Day 2 of 29:30–12:453 stops
Malecón Escénico de Manta and around
A walking day around Malecón Escénico de Manta and Playa Murciélago, with a lunch break nearby and Playa Barbasquillo to end the day.
Opens Google Maps with every stop of the day, ready to save to your own list.
Morning
109:30 · 1 hSeaside promenade with ocean views.
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Best for an evening walk
- Cafes and food stalls nearby
- Bring a hat
📷 Photos
12 min walk
210:45 · 1 hManta's main city beach with surf and restaurants.
- Tip: Late afternoon
- Tip: Sunset
2 tips
- Beachfront restaurants serve fresh ceviche
- Watch the sunset
📷 Photos
26 min walk
312:15 · 30 minQuiet beach just outside the city.
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Quieter than Murciélago
- Bring water
- Great for sunset
📷 Photos
Lunch
Lunch break nearby · 12:45
Find restaurants nearby on Google Maps
Take this day with you
Add the stops to your calendar
Times are local time in Manta. Apple Calendar adds every stop at once (Outlook too). Google Calendar adds one event per link.
Times are a guide for an unhurried pace. Check opening days before you go.