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 Manta
is the major port along the central Ecuadorian coast in the Manabi
province and an important local tourist resort, located in a dry
tropical forest area with an average annual temperature of 25 degrees
Celsius (77° F). It also serves as the primary industrial port of
Ecuador's tuna industry.
In Manta are located the beaches of Tarqui and El Murcielago. Some
places near to Manta are Jaramijo, Punta Blanca, San Mateo and
Montecristi.
Its main beach, Murcielago, has a modern boardwalk with a variety of
restaurants offering local culinary specialties and the region's most
delicious drinks. In recent years, it has become a popular stop for
international cruise liners sailing from the Caribbean to Latin
America. The city has several bars and discotheques, which are often
frequented by tourists, especially on the weekends. In October, Manta
welcomes dozens of performers who come to the Chusig Theater for the
International Theater Festival.
The delicious gastronomy is also one of the main attractions of Manta.
A variety of traditional tasty tropical dishes prepared with fresh
seafood are served at the main hotels and restaurants in appetizing
presentations. Don't miss the "ceviches" of several sea foods, or the
exquisite "viche de pescado", which consists of albacore or tuna fish
with peanuts, yucca, corn, and sweet potato.
Ecuador Manta shows evident signs of growth, development and progress.
It has become a major commercial and holiday resort center.
Its modern infrastructure, including five-star hotels is attracting
investment and tourism.
Since 1999 Manta has been used as a military location for U.S. Air
forces in unison with Ecuador's in strategic warfare against Colombian
drug traffic cartels through surveillance flights as well as being
used as a geographical look out point for the U.S.A for any war crafts
heading north from the Middle East and Asia.
Montecristi
 Nearby
is the small town of Montecristi, founded in the early 1600`s. With
its colonial architecture, this small town is best known for its
wickerwork weaving, and as the birth place of the Panama hat which,
although historically produced in Ecuador, hats were first widely
distributed from Panama. Montecristi is a great place for shopping for
local crafts at a number of shops across from the main plaza,
featuring ceramics, wickerwork and of course, Panama hats in a variety
of shapes and colors. continues...
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