Spondylus Route

Spondylus Route

• Coastal cities: Salinas, La Libertad, Santa Elena, Puerto López and Jipijapa
• Gulfs and bays: Gulf of Guayaquil
• Gulf: Gulf of Guayaquil
• Protected area: Machalilla National Park

The crossing of the Spondylus Route begins by knowing the various elements that are part of the culture of our country, especially the Ecuadorian coast. You will be completely captivated by the beautiful beaches that you will see on the tour. Come to the Spondilus Route and capture unforgettable moments, come to Ecuador.

The Spondylus Route is a route along the Coast of Ecuador that combines many of the elements that comprise the culture of the country. Named in honor of the Spondylus shell, a red shell of capital importance for the natives of the Valdivia culture, this tour can start from the north, in the beautiful green Esmeraldas province, and then head south towards other cities, towns, small villages, preserved areas and beaches of the Pacific coast. The Spondylus Route continues down the south and continues to the border with Peru.

Tourist places spondylus route During the tour of the Spondylus Route you can find museums with great culture and archeological sites where they transmit the knowledge of the cultures that populated the coast of Ecuador. In Guayaquil’s Casa de la Cultura (House of Culture) museum and in Manta’s Archaeological Museum where pieces of cultures such as Las Vegas,, Manteño, Valdivia La Tolita among others are displayed. In addition, there are several museums on site, where you can see archaeological remains and that will allow you to learn about the following cultures, such as Sumpa and Valdivia, in Santa Elena, and Chirije, Cerro Jaboncillo and Agua Blanca, in Manabí.

Along the Spondylus Route, in addition of  knowing about pre-Columbian cultures, you can visit several towns and places that are a true cultural treasure of the Ecuadorian Coast. For example, in Montecristi you will be able to know about toquilla straw that is recognized as intangible cultural heritage. It will also be possible to get to know quiet fishing villages along the coast and enjoy the delicious cuisine of this region, characterized by seafood, fish, cassava and green plantain.

And if this were not enough, the landscapes and beaches that you will find along the Spondylus Route will leave you amazed. Within this route there are several natural reserves, such as the Machalilla National Park, where Isla de la Plata is located. You will also find attractive beaches like Olón, 3 kilometers away, and whose main attraction is the Sanctuary of the Virgin, located in a cove, from where the landscapes are impressive. Montañita beach will also be attractive, as it is a favorite destination for surfers.

The spondylus tour route is a tour of some of the most attractive landscapes in Ecuador. An itinerary of multi-sensations and experiences in the different tourism options ranging from the sun and the beach, to cultural-archaeological tourism, crafts, gastronomy, ecotourism and nature tourism, sports and adventure, agrotourism, etc.

It follows the line of the Pacific coast of Ecuador and can be integrated into an even bigger small town, following the Peruvian coast. This route gives us the possibility, for example, to discover the first American culture “Las Vegas”, which prospered on the Ecuadorian coast more than 11,000 years ago. You can also know one of the first that used the clay for his sculptures and utensils: the Valdivia (4000 BC). Pizarro first touched South American land on these coasts and from there he began his journey towards the encounter with the Inca Empire.

The Spondylus Route runs through the marine paradises of Ecuador, from the cloud forests northwest of Quito to Guayaquil along the coasts of Esmeraldas, Manabí and Guayas.

The Sun route is part of the Spondylus route.

Spondylus Route history

The Spondylus Route is a route along the coast of Ecuador that combines many of the elements that comprise the culture of the country. Much more than just a “Ruta del Sol”, a trip along the Spondylus Route shows the history and archeology of the pre-Columbian cultures of Ecuador, the flora and fauna originating in their natural reserves, the adventure in their local mountains, relaxation in its sandy beaches, and enjoy its excellent cuisine.
Named in honor of the shell of the Spondylus, a red shell of capital importance for the natives of the Valdivia culture, this tour can begin in the north, in the province of Esmeraldas, and go down south through important cities, towns small, preserved areas and beaches of the Pacific coast.

When is the best time of the year to travel on the Spondylus route

The weather varies along the coast. The general rule is that in Guayaquil and to the south, from January to May it is the hot and rainy season, while the rest of the year is drier and cooler. The months from June to September are especially attractive for being the mating period of humpback whales, although this usually attracts large crowds, which causes prices to increase. Our recommendation is that you plan your trip for inter-stationary periods that correspond to months like September, a month whose weather is pleasant and in which fewer people travel.