Map of Ecuador

We were on our way to Cuenca and decided to make a short trip over to the Ecuadorian beaches that we had heard so much about.

Instead of trying out the more affluent Salinas Beach, we decided to go for the more hippie/eclectic Montañita, because we had the kids in tow and my husband loves to surf.

It was supposed to be a surfer’s paradise.

It was not what I was expecting, as I had read that

So here I am, expecting a “hidden treasure” with “perfect waves” and “golden sand” and a “tropical paradise”. OK, I don’t know who writes for this wiki stuff, but we have different ideas about what paradise is!!

Once you are in Montañita there are plenty of things to do on the beach. They have quite an array of surf schools to pedicabs, and beach vendors with food carts to para sailing.

It is an eclectic beach and town with handmade jewelry to street performers.

The streets of Montañita are filled with bars, restaurants, and cafés, as well as banners of peace symbols and portraits of Che Guevara, John Lennon and Bob Marley! So don’t be surprised if you smell a wiff or two of that substance that hippies like to smoke.

Also, at night, while returning back to our bungalow, there were some unusual characters that washed up on shore.