Bahia de Caraques and Canoa

Just a couple of hours up North from Manta is the quiet and beautiful Bahia de Caraquez.

The road trip goes passed by the unique forest of Ceibo trees, there are green all over with cotton also and are a symbol of Manabi's landscape.
You will know you have arrived when you'll see the nice seaside apartments,the houses and sail boats right where the river meet the ocean, with the views of the heart's island of mangroves and white cliffs with sandy beaches. Here is a town where people still say hello to each other and really just stroll down the streets. The roads almost have no traffic and are great for cycling and walking. Many sail boats are ankled here and they have access to Puerto amor for any needs. There is a good tennis club and nice restaurants near the Hotel La Piedra right on the ocean.
From here is the ferry to go across to Canoa a beach town that is becoming the next Montanita in its own way.
But soon this year there will be a bridge to bring together the two coasts..

Canoa has all its bars on the sandy beaches and has quite a lot of partying the weekends, its has beautiful hostels like Bamboo and Coco Loco.
Bamboo is owned by a Dutch who started this hostel almost 20 years ago and its has a more private atmosphere right at the end of the beach, very nice decoration too and the food is delicious. Coco Loco is more in the middle of it all and also has a good American breakfast, the owner is an American lady who has the place really nice too. Both places are right on the beach...
You can also surf here, go horse back riding on the long sandy beach and inquire about gliding.

Close by is Rio Muchacho a small local community more inland where many people go to help out in volunteer projects and there is a nice tree house to stay the night.
From Canoa you are only a couple of hours away from Esmeraldas a very interesting province of Ecuador for its natural diversity and people.
That will be my next post...
Cheers,
Annia L.