A port city on Ecuador's central coast known for its tuna fishing industry, fresh seafood restaurants, and wide beaches where surfers catch waves year-round.
Manta stretches along Ecuador's Pacific coast, where you'll find fishermen hauling in fresh tuna at dawn, surfers riding waves at El Murciélago Beach, and kite surfers soaring above Santa Marianita Beach. Between June and September, you can dive with oceanic manta rays near Isla de la Plata, where these 8-meter-wide creatures gather by the hundreds. Walk along the waterfront Malecón to watch fishing boats return with their catch, or stop at a local restaurant for ceviche made from fish caught that morning.
Beaches and Water Activities
El Murciélago Beach in northern Manta has waves reaching 2-3 meters throughout the year, making it suitable for both new and experienced surfers. At Santa Marianita Beach, 20 minutes from the city center, steady 15-25 knot winds blow across a 4km stretch of beach where you can take kitesurfing lessons or watch riders perform jumps and tricks. San Lorenzo Beach attracts surfers with its 2-meter waves and 300-meter breaks, while Barbasquillo Beach has calmer waters for swimming and families.
Marine Life and Diving
Scientists have identified over 2,800 individual oceanic manta rays in the waters around Manta. From June to September, these rays gather near Isla de la Plata in Machalilla National Park, where smaller fish clean their bodies at underwater stations. Daily diving tours leave from Manta's port during the season, giving you a chance to swim near these rays, which reach up to 8 meters from fin to fin.
Climate and When to Visit
Temperatures in Manta range from mid-70s°F (24°C) in July through October to low-80s°F (28°C) during the rest of the year. Most tourists visit from January through March, when Pacific breezes reduce humidity. December to May brings occasional rain showers, while April to November stays drier with clear skies and lower humidity.
Getting Around and Transportation
Eloy Alfaro International Airport connects Manta with multiple daily flights to Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca. Buses leave every 30 minutes from the main terminal to Portoviejo and Jipijapa, and the coastal route to Puerto Cayo takes about two hours. Yellow taxis in Manta charge standard rates between major areas, and local buses connect the beaches, downtown, and commercial districts.
Local Crafts and Markets
In Montecristi, you can watch artisans weave Panama hats (sombreros de paja toquilla) using centuries-old techniques. Visit Chorrillo to see the remaining craftspeople who create coffee bags and ropes from cabuya fibers - a tradition now practiced by fewer than ten artisans. The Cancebi Museum, housed in a 1918 building in downtown Manta, displays fishing tools, nets, and black-and-white photographs documenting the port's early 20th-century fishing communities.
