home base

[GARY MARTIN]

my wife and i are planning to visit equator in early 2014 to see what all hoopla is about

we are planning to stay a minimum of 6 weeks to explore the coastline

do you have any suggestions for a home base

 

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Since the coastline is over 1200 miles long, I’d suggest breaking it up into segments. In the south you could stay in Salinas; middle, somewhere in or around Manta; for the north coast, Pedernales.

[COUNTRY EXPERT- SUZAN HASKINS]

I don’t think you will like Pedernales. I’d suggest Salinas and either Manta or Bahia de Caraquez and then maybe a trip to Atacames/Tonsupa.

[GRETCHEN SOLDAT]

Suzan,

Curious, why not Pedernales? I read all I could on this site about the North Coast beach towns but there was only a passing reference to it. Canoa sounded like my kind of place according to the I.L. info…laid-back surfer type town, except apparently when competitions are going on. I currently live in a very remote tiny town 40 min. from any services so don’t need big-city stuff…though walking to farmers markets, cafe’s etc, does appeal. Any opinion on Canoa? Cost, of course, is a big factor….thanks!

[COUNTRY EXPERT- SUZAN HASKINS]

Canoa is nice — surfer town with a wide beach. Pedernales is concrete buildings, dirty streets, but not much beach activity. Nothing remarkable at all.

[GARY MARTIN]

should one try to book accommodations in advance  ? if so are there any suggestions i can research especially in the north ,it sounds like that area is what  we are looking for ( green & sand )

[COUNTRY EXPERT- SUZAN HASKINS]

Gary, how far north? If you can be more specific, I can be more helpful. And you’ve looked at the itineraries write-up in the travel section, right? There are some accommodation suggestions there. Also, I use TripAdvisor when I travel — usually works well for suggestions.

Suzan

 

[GARY MARTIN]

for sure as far as esmeraldas maybe further depending on the road conditions

muchas gracias

[GARY MARTIN]

Hola Susan are you familiar to Punta Leona in Costa Rica ?

[COUNTRY EXPERT- SUZAN HASKINS]

Hi Gary, I am not familiar with Punta Leona, although I have drive through that area, am familiar with Jaco area and I have stayed at the Marriott near there.

You may want to give the city of Esmeraldas a miss — but I assume, instead, you are referring to the province of Esmeraldas. There, you should probably concentrate your search on the towns of Atacames and Tonsupa. The former has more hotels and entertainment-type venues and the latter has more condos and apartment living.

There is also another little hippie/surfer town that might be worth a look. It’s Mompiche, and it’s the third stop on the Montanita/Canoa surfer circuit.

 

 

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