National park · Ecuador
Machalilla National ParkParque Nacional Machalilla
Enter Machalilla National Park for a day: take the 2‑hour Monkey Trail early (entry $5‑$10) or the longer Isla de la Plata hike (6 km (3.7 mi), 3 h) in the dry season; avoid the turtle‑nesting beach in July‑Oct.Enter Machalilla National Park for a day: take the 2‑hour Monkey Trail early (entry $5‑$10) or the longer Isla de la Plata hike (3.7 mi (6 km), 3 h) in the dry season; avoid the turtle‑nesting beach in July‑Oct.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
750 km² (290 sq mi)290 sq mi (750 km²)
approximate
Established
1979
Best months
Apr–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Ecuador ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an Ecuadorian consulate.
- Ecuador ↗The Galápagos has its own entry controls: a transit control card bought at the airport before departure, a national park entrance fee, and inspections for food and plants. Check official Galápagos rules before booking.
- Ecuador ↗Several coastal provinces (including Guayas, where Guayaquil is) are under official warnings and periodic states of emergency; read your government's advice before routing through them.
- Coastal Lowlands ↗Ecuador uses the US dollar; small notes and coins are useful for buses and beach vendors.
- Coastal Lowlands ↗The coast sits near the equator: sun is strong year-round, and the sea is warmest Dec–May.
At a glance
- Country
- Ecuador
- Area
- 750 km² (290 sq mi)290 sq mi (750 km²)
- Park covers over 75,000 ha (≈750 km²) of coastal forest, beaches and offshore islands.
- Established
- 1979
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Guayaquil
Machalilla National Park protects dry coastal forest, fog‑forest and marine habitats on Ecuador's Pacific lowlands, offering birdwatching, turtle‑nesting beaches and snorkelling around Isla de la Plata.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetland · 1990International wetland of importance.
Size and age
750 km² (290 sq mi)290 sq mi (750 km²) · national park since 1979
Park covers over 75,000 ha (≈750 km²) of coastal forest, beaches and offshore islands.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Guayaquil.
Why go
- Dry coastal forest and fog‑forest contrast on a single day trip.
- Birdwatching hotspot with ~270 species, including toucans and the waved albatross.
- Snorkelling around Isla de la Plata’s rich marine life.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, warm.
- FebDry, warm.
- MarDry, start of bird season.
- AprDry, clear skies.
- MayDry, good for hiking.
- JunHeat rises, turtle nesting begins.
- JulTurtle nesting; beach closures.
- AugTurtle nesting; beach closures.
- SepTurtle nesting; beach closures.
- OctTurtle nesting; beach closures.
- NovDry, cooler.
- DecDry, cooler.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waved albatross (rare on mainland)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Toucans, macaws, golden olive woodpecker, whooping motmotAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Blue‑footed, red‑footed, Nazca boobies on Isla de la PlataAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Guayaquil
Direct bus from Terminal Terestre; 2.5 h, US$15 per person.
2.5 h
Open the page →
From Portoviejo
Local bus or taxi; about 1 h.
1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance | Ticket office, visitor information, trailheads. | Open daily; entry fee required. |
| Los Frailes beach | Coastal beach, turtle‑nesting zone (seasonal closure). | Partial access; some sections closed during nesting. |
| Isla de la Plata | Off‑shore island with snorkelling sites and bird colonies. | Boat trips from park entrance; trail loop. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate central points; exact trailheads may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | US$5–10 | person | Check at gate; fee varies for foreign vs. Ecuadorian visitors. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use designated grills where available.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are scarce.
- Turtle nesting
- Beach sections closed July‑Oct; respect signage.
- Guides
- Not required for short trails, but recommended for Isla de la Plata boat trips.
- Drone use
- Not allowed without park permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Puerto López
Hostels and small hotels 30 km (19 mi) south of the park entrance.Hostels and small hotels 19 mi (30 km) south of the park entrance.
In the park
Machalilla Eco‑Lodge
Basic cabins inside the park near Los Frailes.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Snake bites low
Ocean currents medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main entrance reachable by car and bus; short, level paths to visitor centre.
- Trails involve uneven ground and stairs; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Support lodges that use solar power and recycle water.
- Choose tour operators that follow the park’s turtle‑nesting protection guidelines.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Machalilla National Park?
Entry is US$5‑$10 per person; exact price depends on residency and season (check at the gate).
What are the best hikes in Machalilla National Park?
Monkey Trail (5 km, 2 h, easy), Frigate Trail (2.7 km, 1.5 h, easy), and the Isla de la Plata loop (6.4 km, 3 h, moderate).
When is the best time to visit Machalilla National Park?
The dry season, May‑June and November‑December, offers clear trails and good birdwatching; avoid July‑Oct if you want beach access due to turtle‑nesting closures.
Can I snorkel at Isla de la Plata?
Yes, boat trips from the park entrance include snorkelling at the island’s reefs; bring your own gear or rent locally.
Is a guide required for the short trails?
No, short trails are self‑guided; a guide is recommended for the Isla de la Plata boat trip and for deeper forest hikes.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Machalilla National Park
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