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The best 10 things to do in Montañita
Welcome to the surf town Montañita! In this blog we would like to answer the question that everyone is thinking, is it Montañita really a party town? Is it worth visiting this tourist spot in Ecuador? What are the best 10 things to do in Montañita ? Here, you will find some ideas to make up your own mind.
Many people fear that coming to Montañita will be too much noise and party around, others think that if you are not an expert surfer, it will not be possible to enjoy this sport here... but the truth is that these are just myths! In this blog we want to tell you more about our small town “Montañita”, famous known for its surfing and its nightlife; however, its much more than that. This coastal little town located on the Pacific of Ecuador has much more to offer, and here in this blog, I am glad to share with you the best 10 things to do in Montañita.
What are the best 10 things to do in Montañita?
A bit of history, long before being a touristic town, Montañita was the settlement of the Valdivia culture (3500 BC), very characteristic for its sculpture "Venus of Valdivia", later on throughout history has been recognized as a fishing village and now a town focused on tourism.
This small town of less than 5,000 inhabitants, has been considered a "hidden paradise", it has undergone a rapid development that has changed its infrastructure in recent years but not its essence.
Among the people who live and/or work in Montañita, tourism has been of great help to the economy of our families but has also represented a great challenge, because for us Montañita is more than a wave to surf, or a disco to dance. Its our home, our paradise where there anything can happen.
Is it really more than party in Montañita?
Of course, the party and surfing are famous here, but in the last 10 years it has also become a very known spot to study spanish in Montañita, because its facilities and relax environment around; but to be honest the most important thing here, is “the people”, the locals and natives in this little town will welcome you with a big smile. This multicultural town has attracted people from all over the world for more than 30 years, people looking for an adventure or a place to call home, found in Montañita that destination where you can be free and yet accepted. There is no discrimination of race or language, tourists merge with the people who made the decision to settle in Montañita.
I see Montañita as a small community a complex family that works towards provide a good toursim experience, and that is why I would like to tell you about these 10 things to do in Montañita, these experiences will make your trip a special experience:
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Taste the Gastronomy in Montañita
Let's start this journey with the main streets of Montañita and its food, in these narrow and colorful streets you will find a variety of cuisine, there are restaurants of typical Ecuadorian and also international food. Traditional food is everywhere, as soon as you enter the town! You will see some colorful carts of Ecuadorian ceviche that you must try!
Throughout the center of town you will find a variety of gastronomic offerings from all over the world, it would be impossible to talk about each one of them, but we can definitely give you a glimpse of the best. There are another options and gourmet experiences just minutes a few minutes away from the center, in the neighborhood called "La Punta", where you will also find the best restaurants by the sea with a nice view. We know that eating is an art and a pleasure. Definitely, the main element of the food in Ecuador, is that everything is made with fresh ingredients.
Here a list of my favorite options for restaurants in Montañita:
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Alternative holistic therapies (Temazcal, Cacao ceremony, Cuencos Tibetanos, terapias de Gongs).
For some Montañita has a healing energy, personally my favorite word to describe it is "freedom" because in various ways each person can choose what they want, because Montañita has everything you want. Holistic Therapies are a type of treatment that deals with the health of the individual, using healing plants or ceremonies that help you manage emotions in a healthy way. A very important thing when you decide to do one of these therapies, is to do it with a professional and in a place that offers guarantees for your health and safety. You can check the extra activities that Balsa Surf Camp offers daily. We are always willing to give you advice and verify the centers for you.
Our favorite healing centers are:
What I love most about Montañita is the smile of the people, and their willinest to help everyone, even thought they cant speak spanish like me, there are not barriers"
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Sports activities that you can do in Montañita
Although surfing is the main sport in the region, within the best 10 things to do in Montañita, it is important to mention that you can also find several sports options for all tastes such as recreational kickboxing, functional training, boxing, Thai Chi, Capoeira, etc.
- Arena Gym, our favorite training spot in the center of town, this place completely suitable for lovers of body building, CrossFit, fitness with weight, has a large space and all the necessary materials, open Monday through Saturday, almost all day.
- Private and professional trainers, you will find information all around town, in your hostel and in the extra activities of Balsa Surf Camp or cultural centers.
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Let's go shopping (of course shopping must be included in those 10 best things to do in Montañita)
One of my favorite activities is shopping, and I am very happy to say that in Montañita there are several places to find different and original styles of clothing and accessories with affordable prices.
My favorites places to shop in Montañita:
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Study Spanish in Montañita
Obviously, the best way to make the most of your time while visiting Montañita is to study Spanish, our school offers affordable packages tailored to your needs and schedule. In just two or three days studying an intensive program you will be able to communicate with the locals, ask questions and ask for the things you need with ease. Imagine all the advantages of learning Spanish during your vacation, this way you can create deeper and more interesting relationships with the locals. We really appreciate the effort tourists make to speak our language, we are patient and very friendly to help you practice. If you do a one-week course, you will easily be able to communicate with people and have simple conversations. Ecuador is the perfect place to learn the language, since together with Peru they are considered the countries with the simplest accents and with less idiomatic expressions compared to the other countries of the continent.
In Montañita there are two options, a large Spanish school, part of a chain of international schools and us at La Escuelita, we offer personalized courses with flexible schedules, native teachers, we assure you a fun but professional learning.
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Surfing or learning how to surf
Of course, we must talk about surfing, the waves in Montañita are considered the best in the world for surfing, the water temperature remains pleasant all year round, there are waves up to 3 meters in the first months of the year, but there are several surf spots for all levels. The question everyone asks: is it one class enough? For some it is, for others it is perseverance, patience, and passion. What we can guarantee is that you will have the most fun, and if you like the adventure, wait to feel the rush and the power of the wave in this beautiful ocean. For intermediate and advanced levels, the surf point at “La Punta”, is the right spot to have fun and take your surf to the next level.
Ask for our surfing lessons here!
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Live music, street art in Montañita
There is no doubt that the touristic towns attract street artists, and professional artists as well, music is part of the trip, right? Music is life and it sets the tone for the atmosphere in the streets and restaurants of Montañita, you either listen a good cover or an original song, there are great musical talents worth listening to, rhythms connected with Latin America, vibrations that go straight to your heart. For me the best ones are:
- Los Secos with the beautiful voice of Isabelita.
- Wildemente, with their tropical rhythms.
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Tradicional Handicrafts from Ecuador and Montañita
There are various options, walking around town, you will find many artisans offering informally hand made work but few minutes from here there are also small towns full of artisans where you can find many typical handicrafts of Ecuador, just 15 minutes away is Libertador Bolivar, where locals produce handmade handicrafts made of fabrics, others in straw and shells, the offer is great and starts from hats to furniture, mirrors, and everyone's favorite hammocks! A souvenir that you can take back to your country, place in your garden and enjoy those summer nights with the memories of this adventure.
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Relax and breath with Yoga in Montañita
Being in front of the sea, generates the feeling of relaxation and rest, why not increase this feeling of connection with your body by practicing yoga. It is very important to emphasize that yoga does not require flexibility or a certain body type. Yoga is a philosophy that connects body postures, mind, and breath in order to create deep connection, relaxation and peace. It is a practice that tones the body and helps to keep it healthy.
In Montañita you can practice yoga in several studios, our favorites are:
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Enjoying the Party in Montañita
Party, yes, we have to talk about the party, as we mentioned before, Montañita is known for its vibrant nightlife, that of course it is not for everyone ... some prefer to enjoy the beach and the tranquility of Barrio La Punta, where there is no noise and you can rest without interruptions, we and the Balsa Surf Camp are located there, but for those who want to try this experience, we recommend visiting the famous “cocktail alley”, where the locals offer more than 50 types of cocktails with fresh fruits accompanied with latin music where you can feel the Latin vibe.
How does Montañita look like? is it easy to do the best 10 things to do in Montañita?
Montañita is divided in three parts, the center of town which is very touristy, many restaurants and bars; at the south is mostly local area where the natives live, this area is not as commercial as the center but as it is very close to it, it is usually very busy. To the north, is located the neighborhood called La Punta, this sector is different from the center and south for its tropical green area, because there are no tall buildings and although it is touristy, it is more exclusive, its constructions are more tropical style with materials from the area. You can study spanish here with us, our school is located in La Punta, inside the wonderful Balsa Surf Camp which is probably the most beautiful hotel in Montañita, because of its art, nature and original constructions.
Did you like the list of the best 10 things to do in Montañita?
As you can see, we have a little bit of everything, you simply can enjoy the beach and the sun, but there are not enough words to describe the positive experience that you can get, doing what you prefer! Options for different tastes and budgets, we would love that if you are thinking of visiting Montañita, do not hesitate more!
The best part is that you will always find the warmth and friendly smiles of the people who welcomes you!
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