This beautiful place is located 20 minutes south of Puerto Lopez, is part of the protective buffer of the Machalilla National Park and represents a strategic area for the observation and admiration of beautiful birds. It is also a RAMSAR site.

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It has a wide diversity of flora due to the high local humidity and 328 species of birds have been registered here: some of them are endemic to Ecuador and the Tumbesian region. The Ayampe River is an important nesting site for the Esmeraldas Woodstar  (Chaetocercus berlepschi) from December to March.

BIRDWATCHING AROUND AYAMPE RIVER

6 km south of Puerto Lopez is located the small village of Río Chico. It is here that you will find the  2km long "Elegant Moon Route". Along this route, you will observe a large quantity of local bird species of the Tumbesian Region. A total of 200 endemic and non-endemic species have been registered, including:

Fasciaed wren (Campylorhynchus fasciatus), Elegant Crescentchest (Melanopareia elegans), Collared Antshrike (Thamnophilus bernardi), Amazilia Hummingbird (Amamzilia amazilia), Superciliated Wren (Cantorchilus superciliaris), Red Masked Parakeet (Aratinga erythrogenys), Pacific Parrotlet (Forpus coelestis).

This wonderful experience is to be between the  transitional forest and humid forest in higher elevations.

CHARM OF WEALTH WILD ON THE COAST OF THE PACIFIC

10 Km south of Puerto Lopez is the community El Pital, in which you can visit various ecological trails in a humid forest in the heart of the Machalilla National Park, with dense vegetation and elevations that reach 800 m.a.s.l. It is home to more than 270 species of birds, many of them endemic to the area, and mammals such as anteaters, howler monkeys, three-toed sloth and Perro de Monte (Eira barbara).

It´s a great place for camping and bird watching. Bird species most seen are the Guayaquil Woodpecker (Campephilus guayaquilensis), Ecuadorian trogon (Trogon mesurus), different hummingbirds like the Baron´s Hermit (Phaethornis baroni), different types of birds of prey for example, the King Vulture (Sarcorramphus papa) and it is the habitat of the Ornate Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus ornatus) because of the presence of their primary food supply: howler monkeys.

BIRD WATCHING THE COMMUNITY PITAL

Agua Blanca is the archaeological icon Machalilla National Park that contains the remains of pre-Columbian cultures that inhabited the territory for more than 5000 years. You can observe funerary urns, ceramics and more than 600 stone wall structures protected and managed by the community. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails through the tropical dry forest by Buena Vista Valley and the sulphurous lagoon. You can see the West Peruvian Screech Owl, Crane Hawk, Whooping Momot, Vermilion Flycatcher, Fascieted Wren, White Edged Oriole, Yellow Rumped Cacique, etc. The community also offers lodging, food, camping, and horse rental. Each solstice and equinox, visitors can enjoy the Temazcal and 12 October Festival Balsa Manteña.

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Los Frailes beach is located 12 km north of Canton Puerto Lopez, is a set of lush beaches (Black Playita, Tortuguita, Friars, Balms 1 and 2),and has been described as the most beautiful and clean beach in all Ecuador. The scenic beauty of the tropical dry forest combines with the natural scent of lignum and sea. It is also an ideal place to relax by swimming, snorkeling, bird watching and hiking in nature and it has amazing views of the Pacific Ocean

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CHARM OF WEALTH WILD ON THE COAST OF THE PACIFIC

Isla de la Plata is a unique island habitat located off the coast of continental Ecuador that is influenced by the El Niño, Humboldt and Equatorial ocean currents. It provides ideal conditions to produce rich ocean nutrients in the waters surrounding the island.

The island´s desert vegetation creates a perfect habitat for seabirds such as blue footed boobies, red footed boobies, nazca boobies, red billed tropic birds, frigate birds and albatrosses to reproduce. From June to September, it serves as a nursery for humpback whales. It is also a special site for manta rays and sea turtles.

Isla de la Plata is ideal for bird watching, snorkeling and exploring beautiful coral reefs.

CHARM OF WEALTH WILD ON THE COAST OF THE PACIFIC