Montañita

Montañita is a small coastal town in Ecuador located in the Parrish of Manglaralto in the province of Santa Elena about 180 kilometers northwest of Guayaquil. Translated as "little hill", it became famous very slowly, decades ago, as a place only for surfing, with only a few rustic fishermen houses and one or two surfers tent on summer time. In 1960, Montañita was the place where many foreign people linked with the hippie movement became enamored and decided to settle permanently. A popular destination for surfers from around the world and considered one of the best beaches in Ecuador's south coast, Montañita is a town located on the Peninsula of Santa Elena.CharacteristicsThe layout town of Montañita is a grid of small streets crowded with shops and restaurants. Most of the east/west roads have beach access. North of Montañita's little town is a small mountain often called the Point that separates its beach from Olon, Montañita's neighboring town. The two surfer's tents mentioned were Gringo Jack and James, who later built the first cement beach house near the cliffs.ClimateMontañita's climate is consistent with that of a tropical, coastal city. Its average temperature is 28°C (82°F), and it undergoes a rainy season December to May. However, rainfall is low and typically in the evening and overnight. Water temperatures range from 13-20°C (56-68°F). The warm weather and rideable waves draw swimmers and surfers despite drizzly weather.EconomyMontañita's economy is based in tourism, mainly with respect to food service, surfing, and craft sales. High season for tourism peaks in January and hits its low in June. Each February Carnival is held in Montañita. Water sports that draw tourists and locals to Montañita include bodyboarding, scuba diving, and windsurfing.