Machalilla National Park
The Machalilla National Park offers a fascinating variety of flora and fauna and covers an area of 55,000 ha including Salango and La Plata Island. The bays, small islands, beautiful beaches and forests, are all protected and are therefore a haven for wildlife.
While in the park you can find tropical dry forest which is home to some fascinating pre Colombian archaeology. There are also areas of cloud forest, a particularly great area for birdwatching. The coast is a mix of fascinating fishing villages and long beautiful, natural beaches, particularly Los Frailes. The ocean is home to beautiful coral reefs as well as birds, mammals and marine reptiles, Humpback Whales can be found off the coast (June-September) and the sea turtle (October-December).