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Jed · Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 2

My husband and I are spending 1 month in Ecuador and Peru in April/May 2007 and will be staying in Montanita for 5 days (hubbie is a surfer).

1. What is the best way to travel to/from Guayaquil? If buses are the best way, what is the schedule and where does the bus leave from in Guayaquil? Can you buy your tickets at the time of departure? We will be flying in from Lima and won't be able to purchase in advance, unless we can do so online.

2. Has anyone stayed at Casa del Sol and what did you think of it? How far a walk is it from town, and is that a safe walk at night? Is it on a nice part of the beach? How is the food there? We are looking for a place that is not in the middle of the scene, but close enough to walk to.

3. Is there Malaria in Montanita. The health sites show that any lowland areas in Ecuador have risk. We don't have any issue with taking malaria meds, but just want to know what the risk is.

4. Will the water be warn enough for swimming at this time of year?

Thanks

eldelfinfeliz · Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2006 11:29 am Post subject: re: questions about montanita

Hello..I own a beachfront guesthouse located 6 km north of Montanita so may be able to answer a few questions. There are buses you can take from Guayaquil to Montanita. The main bus terminal is located just north of the airport so if you fly you can take a taxi there for very little. There are direct buses three times a day...8am, 1:30 and 4:30pm. At other times you would get a bus that you will need to transsfer from in Libertad. The bus terminal will people and the bus drivers themselves will be glad to help you out and give you directions on what you need to do and where to go once you get to the terminal. They have color codes at the terminal for different destinations so look up Montanita's and find a bus ticket office that matches that code. Tickets are bought on the spot so no advance is necessary. Tickets run about $6 per person one way to Montanita.

I havent stayed at Casa del Sol...looks fine though. My place is avaialble too for those wanting to be close to Montanita (6 kms north) with a little peace and quiet too.

The water is warmer during the time you plan to come...surifng is best from dec-may but there are surfers here after that as well.

I wouldn't worry about malaria. Most places serve bottled water as does my place and I know all of the food prepared at the cafe at my house is fresh and cooked properly. There aren't alot of mosquitoes around my house so that is nice too. You can check out my place at eldelfinfeliz.blogspot.com and if interested, email me directly. Enjoy your visit!