Manta Ecuador
Manta is the major port along the central Ecuadorian coast in the province of Manabi. It has a population of approximately 200,000. It is located about four hours north of Guayaquil and nine hours southwest of Quito by bus. Also more modern shopping centers are being built as tourism and the city’s population grow.
Manta is a charming city by the beach. Until recently, it was only known for its important tuna fishing fleet, the production and bottling of vegetable oil, and the commercialization of "paja toquilla" (straw) hats. The "paja toquilla" hats, commonly known as Panama hats because they were originally sold through the Panama Channel, are made in the nearby town of Montecristi among other towns of the province, and are very well known internationally.
Today the visit of cruise ships full of tourists, the aerial base rented to the US Air Force by the Ecuadorian government for the antinarcotics operations, and the construction of modern hotels like Oro Verde and Howard Johnson have improved Manta’ s economy and transformed the city into an important international tourist destination.
Manta is a modern city, but some antique bamboo and ooden houses still remain as a remainder of the old village. Located at the Pacific coast and with an average temperature of 25 degrees Centigrade all year long, dry weather and dry tropical forest in its surroundings.
The delicious gastronomy is also one of the main attractions of Manta. A variety of traditional tasty tropical dishes prepared with fresh seafood are served at the main hotels and restaurants in appetizing presentations. Don't miss the "ceviches" of several sea foods, or the exquisite "viche de pescado", which consists of albacore or tuna fish with peanuts, yucca, corn, and sweet potato.
The city of Manta is decorated by a wide variety of tree species: ceibos, jasmines, almonds, rubber plants, acacias, mango trees, beautiful palm trees on the beaches, etc. Colorful flowers like that of the "Buganvilla" plant are also found. The balsa tree (ochroma logopus) is native to this province. Its light wood allowed the first inhabitants of the region to navigate large distances easily and rapidly. The floor of the balsas was built with balsa wood and the walls were built with bamboo (guadua augustifolia).
A visit to the Central Bank Museum is a must in the city of Manta. The museum includes a permanent exhibit room of the archeology of the seven cultures that inhabited the province of Manabi from 4.200 BC to 1.530 AC: Valdivia, Machalilla, Chorrera, Guangala, Bahia, Jama-Coaque and Manteño-Huancavilca.
Its main beach, Murcielago, has a modern boardwalk with a variety of restaurants offering local culinary specialties and the region's most delicious drinks. In recent years, it has become a popular stop for international cruise liners sailing from the Caribbean to Latin America. The city has several bars and discotheques, which are often frequented by tourists, especially on the weekends. In October, Manta welcomes dozens of performers who come to the Chusig Theater for the International Theater Festival.
