Top Things to do in Puerto Lopez
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What to do and see in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador including Aventuras La Plata, Isla de la Plata, Native Diving, Palo Santo Travel Ecuador, Fondo Azul, Clara Luna, Manta Divers Ecuador, Morning Fish Market, Parque Nacional Machalilla, Exploramar Diving.
Restaurants in Puerto Lopez
1. Aventuras La Plata
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 176 reviews
Reviewed By 123macycat - Homosassa, Florida
We had a fabulous day touring Isla de la Plata near Puerto Lopez with Aventuras la Plata. We booked one day in advance in the office. The island is beautiful, and the agency was very good. The boat was clean and safe. Our guides were excellent. Galo provided a superb tour of the island in English (helpful as our Spanish is limited). We saw many blue footed boobies- including nesting young and eggs- and other birds. We were lucky to see whales, sea lions, multiple sea turtles, and beautiful tropical fish on the snorkel tour. William guided us in the water, and because of him we got to see a huge sea turtle and many beautiful fish. Lunch was good- even accommodating for me as a vegetarian (sandwiches, fruit, beverage, sweet bread). Bring shoes for the island tour, and wear your swimsuit for the snorkel later. I would recommend Aventuras la Plata without hesitation (and they were actually recommended to us by our guides in Quito). Thanks to Galo and William for one of the best days ever!
2. Isla de la Plata
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By Jeffrey Y - Boynton Beach, Florida
Two sheltered coves but only one had any beach. I went to dive inn the shelter of the island. Not visit the island.
3. Native Diving
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 201 reviews
Reviewed By Simon P
We were bevor the Main season, because of that we dived in small groups. It was a really good dive. Cool Crew. Instructor was great. Weather was not so good.Thanks Aude
4. Palo Santo Travel Ecuador
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
Tour Operator from Puerto Lopez, Ecuador. Machalilla National Park. Whale watching, from june to october. Tour Isla de la Plata, The tour is full day, included encounter with marine turtles , snorkel on the reef corals, visit to la Plata Island or small Galapagos. Tour Los Frailes beach. Sport fishing. We speak english. We accepted credit cards. Somos Operadores directos con yates de turismo. Tour avistamiento de ballenas, snorkel, playa Los Frailes, Transfer desde Montañita, Manta, Cuenca, Salinas, Quito o Guayaquil.
Reviewed By Erik S
We took the whole-day trip. It starts around 10:15 from the tourist peer at the center of Puerto Lopez beach. We returned at 16:30. We saw whales, sea turtles and the blue footed boobies. The guide gave us an excellent tour on the island but we missed more stories about the life of the whales and turtles. There was a researcher on board as others have mentioned but she did not contribute in any way and is not a part of the tour.
During the snorkeling 6 of the participants were injured from scratches on the reef due to shallow water an waves. No warning was given regarding this, we were only instructed to stay away from the coast rocks. When the injured people came back to the boat the crew declined to help despite repeated requests because they were concerned that they had lost a snorkeling mask. It turned out that all masks were in fact returned but this clearly states the priorities of the crew.
5. Fondo Azul
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
We offer scuba diving day tours and scuba diving lessons inside Machalilla National Park. We are the only diving school who Works with native guides certified by PADI. We offfer more tan 20 different places for scuba diving, inside this marine reserve. It's fun and safe!
Reviewed By Erick Z - Quito, Ecuador
My friends and I decided to go diving in Puerto Lopez and it was an incredible experience for us, not only for the place that is amazing, but for all our tour, we were on a Tour with Fondo Azul, and everything was perfect, the service, the guide, the equipment, and all the experience, I totally recommend this company, thanks Fondo Azul for showing us the beauty of the sea bottom.
6. Clara Luna
Overall Ratings
5 based on 28 reviews
A non-profit organization sharing its pasion for children, youth, and Puerto López. Volunteer Opportunities We offer a wide range of programming, both within our house and through our many community connections. From after-school programs, English classes and environmental initiatives to volunteer work with people living with disabilities, we are sure that there is a program fit for you. Spanish Classes Whether your schedule allows you time to volunteer with us or not, we offer Spanish language classes with native Spanish speakers and a FREE Language Exchange night on Wednesdays to practice what you have learned! Donate Clara Luna programs are made possible only through the generous support of those willing to share their time, talent and treasure. If you are able to assist from afar with a specific skill or if you are interested in making monetary or supply donation, we are grateful for your support!
Reviewed By Lucy R - Berlin, Germany
The kids and teenagers coming to Clara Luna for "Club de niños" and English classes are such happy spirits, they really thought me how to be more playful and creative and of course I learned loads of Spanish with them. It was a real intercambio! Your ideas are always welcome, there's a lot of freedom to try out things in class. I liked the challenge of organising my own lessons and learning by doing!
I also loved the physiotherapy project and I really hope that it's still running.
The Clara Luna community felt like home immediately. The other volunteers were all so lovely, caring people and Paula is an amazing, hard-working woman with such a big heart!! I'm very thankful I got to know her and could be part of this project. Also Paulas two sons are pretty fun!
The location of the school is great, 5 minutes from the beautiful beach and the market is just across the street, so you can fill up with fresh delicious fruit and veggies even if you are on a thight schedule. Locals are so friendly and easy-going, which really enhances life quality! The only thing that made sleeping and doing yoga quite challenging at the beginning is the traffic noise. You should definitely get some ear plugs for the first week, but soon you won't need them anymore. I also recommend to stay at least two months to let yourself time to get used to Clara Luna life, get to know the kids and really have an impact.
7. Manta Divers Ecuador
Overall Ratings
5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By Helen T - Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
Pablo and Cristina were really helpful and friendly when booking our dive and giving information on other things to do locally.
Pablo was our dive guide to Isla de la Plata. I was impressed with his English, he gave a comprehensive dive plan, and provided tasty fruit, juice, water and sandwiches after the dive.
The equipment was all new or near-new. No concerns about our safety at all.
A great day of diving with Manta rays and beautiful coral at Aquario.
8. Morning Fish Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By John P - Kampala, Uganda
Puerto Lopez's fish market operates as one of the local markets for people in the area and doesn't cater to tourists as this is where most people buy their meat for the day. However, it's a spectacle to see and if you are in Puerto Lopez, you should definitely take an early morning stroll (5-6 a.m.) through the stalls as you will see a large array of different types of sea-life.
9. Parque Nacional Machalilla
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By BrittB611 - Tucson, Arizona
We took a short bus ride to the beach entrance. After filling out the forms (bring passport), you can walk for ca 45 minutes or take a motorcar. I choose the latter. They have restrooms and a handicraft shop, which helps to support the Park. I took a long walk on the beach and returned back via a motorcar to my hotel.
It was a beautiful day on the beach.
10. Exploramar Diving
Overall Ratings
4 based on 64 reviews
Only 5 Star PADI IDC Dive Center in Ecuador, with more than 20 years experience, our main office in in Quito and Operation Office in Puerto López Manabi Ecuador. Legal Operators of the Machalilla National Park We offer: Diving Tours Costal Area of Ecuador Tours Isla de la Plata Tours Galapagos Islands
Reviewed By Angela P - Florida
We booked them for the Isla de la Plata dive. First, they don't have a dive boat. It's a generic tour boat, so no way to secure the tanks, and we were tripping over each other trying to set up the gear. Entry from a higher level than normal for diving. Overall, not particularly safe because gear couldn't be properly secured. Boat was suitable for about six divers due to the configuration, although it could carry three times that as a tour boat (and they pack it with divers).
We sat around for more than an hour while they tried to get organized that morning, so not particularly well organized. Instead of preloading tanks and gear, they waited until all the passengers were at the shop before starting to load a truck.
First dive, we dropped in and swam directly into a current, then basically clung to a rock until we ran out of air because of the current. It would have been fine as a drift dive with a different entry point, but that's not what they did, and although we did get a manta ray sighting, overall, the dive was a disappointment.
The second dive was closer to the shore and better. Beware of the thermoclines--plan for a colder dive than ambient conditions. Still, not a bad dive.
Gear was...OK. It was worn but still serviceable.
They offer lunch, but it's a cold Sandwich. You set up your own gear for the first dive, but they set it up for the second. No shower or rinse hose. Only a small bucket for rinsing masks. No designated area for rinsing or storing cameras. For what they're charging ($140), I'd expect a 5* operation--this was more like 2*. Not good value.
Overall, between the lack of organization, the inappropriate boat and the fact that the dive master didn't seem to know about the conditions in the water and set up an unsuitable dive, I can't recommend these people for diving. I'm an experienced enough diver that I was safe despite them, but I'm not sure that they're really a very safe operation.
As far as the diving in general...they do have manta rays. It's not a reef, and the water's cold, but they do have some colorful fish life. They also have rough seas and murky water (at least in August). The value is poor. I'm not sure if I'd recommend diving here for the prices they're charging, but if you do decide to do it, try one of the other operators (everyone charges the same price, but the boats and gear are different).
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