Estero de Platano

The coastal road slightly less traveled, takes you away from the crowds of Atacames or Montanita to visit small working fishing communities which even though slightly unfamiliar to tourists, will welcome visitors with open arms and show you around. The description below gives a recommended trip around the small peninsula between Muisne and Atacames stopping at the very special village of Estero de Platano.

The small fishing village of around 500 inhabitants, is surrounded by steep rocky cliffs where the forest breaks off to meet the sea and exposes an idyllic beach. A secret spot to spend a couple of days. The journey takes you through some stunning scenery, most of which you will be looking at from the back of a pick up.

The thing to do here is to talk to the localsand join in the everyday life. Your potential host, Luis or Fulton Moreno (see below) are great sources of information and can arrangevisits, included in your cost of accommodation, to local farms which will leave your arms loaded with fresh fruit and avocadoes. At low tide the rocky, but flat coast line is exposed and families scour the rock pools for small octopus and various shell fish. Theriver provides a fantastic route through the dense and relatively untouched forest as well as a great spot to wash the salt from your ears. Two lanchas (motorized boats) set off early to catch the larger fish but you may be able to arrange for a trip to explore the coastline by asking for Thomas Gonzalez.