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Montañita Beach

Пляж Монтанита
Ecuador · Beach · Montañita
moderate
Best month: December

Best for

Ideal for surfers and young people wanting to enjoy excellent waves, lively nightlife and bohemian atmosphere. Not suitable for those seeking quiet and solitude.

Best month

December

Water
+25.0°C
Length
1 000 m
The world-famous Montañita Beach, Ecuador's surf capital with a vibrant nightlife. It features powerful waves up to 2.5 metres and a bohemian atmosphere, popular with surfers and young people.
Surface
sand
Waves
moderate
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
The world-famous Montañita Beach, Ecuador's surf capital with a vibrant nightlife. It features powerful waves up to 2.5 metres and a bohemian atmosphere, popular with surfers and young people.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Ecuador-s world surfing capital
  • Famous point break
  • Lively nightlife
  • Restaurants and bars
  • Surf schools
  • Yoga and Spanish
  • Bohemian atmosphere

Cons

  • Very crowded in high season
  • Noisy due to nightlife
  • Litter on the beach
  • Water can be rough for swimming
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for surfers and young people wanting to enjoy excellent waves, lively nightlife and bohemian atmosphere. Not suitable for those seeking quiet and solitude.
Features
What makes this beach unique
The famous point break that made Montañita an international surfing capital. World surfing championships have been held here.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
golden
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
100 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
1 000 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
moderate
Average Water Temp
+25.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+27.0 °C
Wave Type
moderate
Wave Height
1.5 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
December January
Season end
April
Best month
December
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
moderate
Water Quality
Water purity rating
moderate
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
caution
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
5.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
Caution: theft is possible in crowded areas. Do not leave valuables unattended.
Dangerous creatures
Stray dogs
Mosquitoes
Insurance & Connectivity
Get travel insurance and mobile internet before your trip
Travel insurance
EKTA — international coverage
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Visitor insurance
VisitorsCoverage — for travelers
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Flight compensation
AirHelp — claim for delayed flights
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Flight compensation
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
Yes
First Aid
Yes
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
Yes
Restaurants Nearby
30 pcs
Best restaurants

Beachfront Restaurants

Ecuadorian

Numerous restaurants, bars and street stalls with local cuisine and seafood

Nearby cuisines

Ecuadorian

Local cuisine and seafood

Must try: Ceviche, encocado, arroz marinero

International

International cuisine in tourist restaurants

Must try: Pizza, pasta, burgers
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
vibrant
Crowd Level
overcrowded
Silence Level
noisy
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
little
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
No
Diving
No
Surfing
Yes
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Hat Towel Swimsuit Cash Water Surfboard
Best Time to Swim
Best time for surfing is December to April when waves are most consistent. Morning has fewer people.
Local Rules
Do not leave trash. Swim only in the designated area. Respect other visitors.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
Flights
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Local car rental
Localrent — direct from local providers
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Montañita Point Break

Famous surfing wave, one of the best in South America

Olón Beach

Neighbouring beach with calmer atmosphere, 5 km away

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Montañita Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity moderate, average temperature +25.0°C, warms up to +27.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Montañita Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — moderate. Average wave height — 1.5 m.
Montañita Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 100 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Montañita Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — golden. Texture — fine. Beach length — 1 000 metres.
Montañita Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in December, January. It ends in April. The best month for a holiday is December. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Montañita Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as moderate. Rip currents are likely — swim only in designated areas. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Montañita Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: Stray dogs, Mosquitoes. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Montañita Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking, Wi-Fi, sports ground. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Montañita Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
Lifeguards are on duty on the beach — an important safety factor. A first aid station is available.
Montañita Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Beachfront Restaurants. Cuisines available: Ecuadorian, International. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Montañita Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Hat, Towel, Swimsuit, Cash, Water, Surfboard.
Montañita Beach: when is the best time to swim?
Best time for surfing is December to April when waves are most consistent. Morning has fewer people.
Montañita Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Do not leave trash. Swim only in the designated area. Respect other visitors.
Montañita Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: surfing, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Montañita Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for surfers and young people wanting to enjoy excellent waves, lively nightlife and bohemian atmosphere. Not suitable for those seeking quiet and solitude.
Montañita Beach: what makes this beach unique?
The famous point break that made Montañita an international surfing capital. World surfing championships have been held here.
Montañita Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Ecuador-s world surfing capital, Famous point break, Lively nightlife, Restaurants and bars, Surf schools, Yoga and Spanish, Bohemian atmosphere. Cons: Very crowded in high season, Noisy due to nightlife, Litter on the beach, Water can be rough for swimming.
Montañita Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Montañita Point Break, Olón Beach. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Montañita Beach: how do I get to the city of Montañita?
The beach is located near the city of Montañita. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Montañita.

City

Montañita

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.

Best month

December

Useful information

Country: Ecuador
Type: Beach
Coordinates: -1.833300, -80.750000

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