Town in Manabí, Ecuador
Puerto López
Small Manabí fishing town and base for humpback whale watching and Isla de la Plata. Cheap and laid-back, with a limited beach and few facilities; whale season is short and sea conditions rule the schedule.
At a glance
- Monthly budget$1,000–1,600Comfortable, one person · $1,000–1,600Details
- Best time to goJun–SepWarmest: Dec, 30°CDetails
- Internet219 MbpsFixed broadband, Ecuador medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDo not drink tap water.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$20–50Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundMototaxiWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashDollars are the currency.Details
Where to stay in Puerto López
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Puerto López centre and malecón | Tour offices, hostels, restaurants and the waterfront |
| Playa Los Frailes and Machalilla side | Wild beaches in the national park, tours or taxi needed |
| Salango and Las Tunas | Quieter stays south along the coast |
Apps that work in Puerto López
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- ECU 911: Emergency calls and panic button
- Taxis: No ride apps operate here. Use mototaxis or taxis and agree the fare first; book Los Frailes and boat tours through licensed operators.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Ecuador.
- Mostly cash Dollars are the currency. Carry small notes for mototaxis, markets and small shops; cards work only in some hotels and tour offices, and ATMs are few.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs take foreign cards but charge a fee and have modest limits. Use machines inside banks or malls.
- Tipping: Sit-down restaurants usually add a 10% service charge; extra is optional. Tip guides, drivers and Galápagos boat crews.
- Paying by phone: Contactless cards and phone wallets work in chains; local QR apps like DeUna need an Ecuadorian bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Arriving overland from Colombia or Peru, bring an apostilled criminal record certificate or accept a database check; air arrivals are exempt.
- Galápagos: get the USD 20 Transit Control Card online before the flight and pay the USD 200 park fee in cash on arrival.
- Galápagos visitors must show a hotel booking or host letter, a return flight and travel health insurance.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Claro or Tigo stores in malls sell prepaid SIMs with passport registration; Claro has the widest coverage. Tigo also sells eSIMs. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Ecuador
Going to Puerto López solo?
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Sources
- Ministry of Environment (Machalilla National Park)
- Primicias: whale season and tour prices 2026
- El Universo: bus fare increase 2026
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.