MONTAÑITA
CITY
Montañita is a coastal community in Ecuador, located in the parish of Manglaralto, province of Santa Elena, on the famous "Ruta del Sol" (Route of the Sun), about 200 km from Guayaquil, the nearest international airport.
The spot was discovered in the late 1970s by foreign surfers who identified a powerful wave breaking near a rocky point. From the mid-1980s onwards, international championships began to be held there, which for more than a decade projected Montañita nationally and internationally, transforming it into one of the main surfing destinations in South America.
In 1988 it hosted the first Ecuador International Surfing Championship, becoming a regular venue for the Latin American circuit (ALAS) ever since, with events such as the Reef Classic Ecuador, and in 2013 it hosted the ISA Master World Championship. These events have consolidated Montañita as the capital of Ecuadorian surfing and a global reference.
Montañita beach is today a surfing icon in the country, recognized for the consistency of its waves throughout the year, its coastal characteristics, and its privileged location facing the Pacific. This setting has spurred the growth of surf schools, shapers , tour operators, and specialized shops, creating a true local industry around the sea.
Many prominent surfers have come from Montañita and neighboring towns, going on to represent Ecuador in world and Olympic championships.
The strong tourist flow associated with surfing has boosted the local economy, generating investment in hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies, creating jobs and benefiting not only Montañita but also neighboring communities. Today, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Montañita is considered one of the most important tourist destinations in the country, combining surfing, culture, nightlife, and hospitality, making it a meeting point for national and international visitors throughout the year.
