Puerto López facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Puerto López
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Town
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The beach at Puerto Lopez
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 Puerto López
Location in Ecuador
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| Country |  Ecuador |
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| Province | Manabí | |
| Canton | Puerto López | |
| Area | ||
| • Town | 4.7 km2 (1.8 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2022 census)
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| • Town | 12,598 | |
| • Density | 2,680/km2 (6,940/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (ECT) | |
| Climate | BWh | |
Puerto López is a lively fishing village in Ecuador. It sits on the Pacific coast in the Manabí Province. About 12,598 people live here.
This village is the main office for Machalilla National Park. Its biggest jobs are fishing and ecotourism. The street closest to the beach has many restaurants. You can also find places to get drinks and some nightclubs there.
Fishing is very important in Puerto López. The local waters are full of different fish. You can find amberjack, dolphin, wahoo, marlin, and many kinds of tuna.
Contents
Explore Puerto López: Fun Things to Do
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Whale Watching Adventures
If you visit between mid-June and October, you can go Whale watching. This is a very popular activity. During these months, huge Humpback whales come to mate. You have a great chance of seeing them. These whales mate near Salango Island.
Isla de la Plata: The Poor Man's Galapagos
About 40 kilometers offshore is Isla de la Plata. People call it "The Poor Man's Galapagos". It got its name because pirates used to hide silver there.
You can find some of the same animals here as in the Galapagos. These include blue-footed and red-footed boobies. You might also see nazca boobies, frigatebirds, albatross, and pelicans. Many seabirds nest in large groups on the island.
The island is surrounded by a coral reef. Snorkeling is a fun activity here. On the boat ride to the island, you can often see groups of dolphins swimming.
Los Frailes Beach: A Coastal Hike
Just north of Puerto López is the beautiful beach of Los Frailes. This beach is part of the Machalilla National Park.
There's a hike here that takes about two hours. It first leads to Playita Negra, a beach with black sand. Then you go to La Tortuguita beach. After that, you reach a viewpoint (Mirador) overlooking the beaches. The hike ends at Los Frailes beach.
Agua Blanca: An Ancient Village and Sulfur Lagoon
North of Puerto López, you'll find the old village of Agua Blanca. It's also an archaeological site. There's a museum in the small town. A guide is included in the small entry fee.
You can take a hike around the site. It ends at a sulfur lagoon. Visitors can swim in the lagoon and put mud from the bottom on their skin. There's also a lookout point and two small restaurants.
Salango: History and Nature
The Salango community has a very long history. It goes back about 5000 years. Salango is on the Pacific coast, south of Manabí Province. It's close to Machalilla National Park.
The community wants to grow through ecotourism. They use their natural beauty and old culture to attract visitors. The island of Salango is one of its natural wonders. It's home to many seabirds. You can see blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and pelicans.
Near the island's beach is a marine sanctuary. This place is perfect for diving. You can see many tropical fish and coral reefs there.
In the heart of Salango is the Research Center and Museum Salango (CIMS). It protects and shows an amazing collection of 245 old artifacts. These items are over 4500 years old. The center also has labs for studying archaeology, animals, fish, and shells. Part of the center is an old hacienda house. It works as a history museum, telling the story of Salango's last 100 years.
See also
In Spanish: Puerto López (Ecuador) para niños
