Road along the Pacific Ocean on the coast of Ecuador and that runs parallel to the Pan American Highway but on the coast. It means "Route of the sun"

It's from Santa Elena City (south) and Puerto Cayo(north).

Fishermen area over the years has become a tourist attraction for its beauty and wilderness areas.

Libertad is the most important southern city that contains shopping malls and banks. Near it's located Santa Elena where we can find the museum Lovers of Sumpa  ("Amantes de Sumpa") and Real Alto, also you can visit the Baths of San Vicente that contain hot springs and volcanic mud.

On the tip of the Peninsula of Santa Elena (new province of Ecuador) is located Salinas: main tourist center of Guayaquil people, a tourist resort with several shopping centers, major hotels and restaurants.

These three cities (Libertad, Salinas and Santa Elena) are very close.

To the north it's Valdivia, a former Indian settlement, currently a fishing village where you can visit the archaeological museum - traditional, where you can find pottery and clay pieces and the well-known "Venus of Valdivia": a female figure made in ceramics.

Near this village you will find the municipality of San Pedro where you will find one of the most important towns of Fishing. It's nice to go to the beach and see how many boats and small craft, and tosee fishermen and helpers download the day's catch.

Following the "Ruta del Sol" it's located the quiet village of Manglaralto: It's 20 minutes walk south of Montanita (0.25 ctvs bus from Montanita). It has all basic services: hospital, police, pharmacies, etc..


To the north following Montanita town where "time does not exist" and where "anything can happen", passing the Surf Point of Montanita, you can see Olon: nice little native village which includes hotels and hostels, as well as several basic services. It is a quiet town with a nice beach and beautiful cabins made in cane and straw on the beach that we used to be in the days when the sun burns the ground.

It is recommended to see Oloncito, it is the first part of the village from the south. This sector has many hostels  also pretty nice homes. And a basketball field for those who like the sport.

Traveling from Olon and some others towns to the north, you can find the Chongón-Colonche, a subtropical forest, known as the "five hills". The route climbs slopes where you can admire one of the most beautiful landscapes of the coast. There is room for paragliding and bird watching (Atamaría). This mark the ends of Peninsula Santa Elena Province, and starts "Manabi" state.

After going down by this range it's Las Tunas: surfer beach  with a tubular wave. After that Ayampe: beautiful lodges, surfer beach and incredible surroundings. Puerto Rico: contains the only church built entirely of reed of Ecuador.

Puerto López is town where we can take a tour to whale watching (July to November) and / or tours to the Isla de la Plata in the Pacific Ocean, where you can see fauna and flora similar to that of the Galapagos.

After Puerto Lopez (30 minutes) you can visit the "National Park Machalilla" and its beach "Los Frailes", crystal clear waters and white sand. Very recommend option. You dont have to miss it.