Parque Nacional Machalilla

We did a 5 hour hike at the forest and it was wonderful. It was January so it was getting really hot and really humid and it was exhausting but it was awesome: so much nature, so much beauty and witnessing the change of weather between the dry and wet forest was really cool!

The best beach between Manta and Santa Elena. Strict rules on food is keeping garbage to a minimum. Park entrance is free and showers and bathroom cost a small fee and the attendant keeps it very clean. You can rent an umbrella.

Beautiful park! From the entrance station we took the main road to the hiking trail along the coast which takes you to 3 beaches - Playa Prieta, Playa La Tortuguita and Playa Los Frailes. Along the way there are also 2 viewpoints - Islote Sucre and Las Fragatas - from which you have amazing views of the area. Be aware that the park closes at 4pm. Rangers come around the beaches asking people to leave and you won't be allowed to return via the coastal trail. Worth a visit!

Beautiful park with a nice trail along different beaches and views. The entry is free. At the end you can relax at the long Los Frailes Beach.

What a beautiful beach. It's worth the 40 minute walk. You show your passport at the entrance to the national park, and you can walk in or take a taxi (But they rip you off. Don't pay more than $1.50 one way.) When you walk there, you can spend the day at the beach until they kick you out at sunset. To use showers or bathrooms you have to pay. You can take a tuktuk back to the entrance. You can also hike back out. Great day trip to the beach.

A incredible 5000 years also town in the hard of the National Park.
Beautiful beaches and very good food.
The La Plata island is very similar to Galapagos.
And animal rescue center at Villa Machalilla guest hous.
Machalilla town the real deal, fisherman's town, beautiful!

Amazing place, if you are lucky you can see snakes or deer on the path to the Los Frailes beach

Beautiful park! No foods allowed but that’s okay. Loved chilling and playing with the waves here!

Gorgeous, pristine beaches. Parks service does a commendable job ensuring it stays that way.

Beautiful calm beach. Very popular on the weekends. One of the nicest beach we have been to in Ecuador.

🇪🇨 Los Frailes the best beach ever...

A peaceful national park that is home to undisturbed nature. Whether you're just driving through to another town or planning to visit the beaches here, take time to appreciate this preserve's natural beauty.

The locals call this place "Los Frailes" I truly enjoyed this park and beach a lot. Nice place to play with the waves and swim. There is a path that leads you toward the North where there is another smaller beach that I personally like better. Note that they charge you for using the bathrooms. Fortunatelly, it is not expensive at all. There are not showers so you will be taking some sand wherever you are lodged. Plastic balls to play are OK, others are not permitted. There is a control by the entrance and they will check your bags to make sure you don't bring some of the items posted Inca list. You can rent big umbrellas or bring your own. I recommend you to use one if you are not use to the Ecuadorian sun.

Excellent park, and one of the best beach I have ever been to. My only complaint is not about the park but rather the tuk tuk drivers seem to think they can charge 3 dollars a person to drive them from the entrance to the main beach at only 4 km distance. I suggest walking it since it is a very pretty park.

IT is a great opportunity to see some of the sea life and sea birds also known at the Galapagos , the best time to visit the Island is between February until May , however you can visit it at any time (off season rains and views might not be the as nice as this picture )
Take the longer hike then you will se much more... there are many tour operators in Puerto Lopez that you can contact and arrange this tour. There is no way to visit without an organized tour!!! ENJOY

Wonderful place to see nature

We went in December 2017,the entrance is free and you absolutely cannot camp there. The main beach, Las frailles, closes at 4pm however and you have someone that comes to let you know. The other beaches close at 3pm...so get there early

Beautiful beaches and trails. Clomate is very hot. You also have possibility of visiting the indigenous village and museum. It is quite interesting

A very charming park, and apparently the only beach on a national park. I hiked the scenic trail from near the entrance to the Los Friales beach, but if you want you can just take the main road directly there. When I visited the undercurrent was quite strong so I didn't go in too far, but it was quite relaxing to sit on the beach after the hike and very beautiful. The park also includes Agua Blanca and the Isla de Plata, which I did not have time to visit.

Really beautiful and tranquil national parque with lots of history. Definitely recommend going up to Aguas Blanca to bathe in the sacred Laguna. Sulphur water rich with lots of benefits, entrance to the park with guide is 5$. Eat chivo for lunch!