NATIONAL PARKS AND RESERVES

Here you can find important information about some of the most beautiful National Parks and Reserves of Ecuador.travel

Machalilla National Park - Cotopaxi National Park - Chimborazo Forest Reserve - Cajas National Park - Petrified Forest of Puyango - Podocarpus National Park - Yasuni National Park - Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve - Galapagos National Park

MACHALILLA NATIONAL PARK

MACHALILLA NATIONAL PARK
	Zoom

Situated in the province of: Manabí
Created: July 26th, 1979
Size: 55059 ha - 136049 acres
Altitudinal Rank: 0-850 meters
Admission fee: around US $25, depending on the season

Description of the zone

The Machalilla National Park is located in the province Manabí, about 15 kilometres from Puerto Lopez. The climate and, therefore, the vegetation of the park are determined by the convergence of the Humboldt’s Cold Current and the Panama’s Warm Current at the Ecuadorian coast. This phenomenon produces two clearly defined seasons within the year: the rainy (from January to May), and the dry (from June to December).

The name "Machalilla" comes from the names of a couple; the husband’s name was MACHA and the wife was called LILLA. This couple stayed in the region to do fishing and later on agriculture.

Machalilla distinguishes itself by the importance and dimension of its fascinating marine and land wildlife. Also, there is at the park a natural museum of Ecuador’s and South America’s pre-Columbian history, where tourists can learn more about the most important cultures of the Ecuadorian coast, like the Valdivian culture, that is probably the oldest of all South America!

Machalilla is one of the most visited national park in Ecuador. It protects the “Isla Salango” and the “Isla de la Plata” (Silver island), as well as many little islands and islets. On this islands subsist a large number of animals, commonly found in the Galapagos Islands including blue footed boobies, pelicans, and gulls. During June and October, visitors can observe dolphins and whales. In addition, over 200 animal species have been identified including coastal parrots, seabirds, deer, monkeys, iguanas, snakes, and blue-footed booby.

The island area has an abundance of bird life including seabirds, blue and red footed bobbies, pelicans and frigate birds as well as albatrosses from mid April to October. Snorkeling is also permitted, so it is possible to enjoy the coral reefs as well as swim surrounded by the local dolphins who appeared frequently around this area. There are also some very nice 3-4 hour walks on the island as well as pre-Colombian sites housing various pottery finds.

TOP