'''Bahia de Caraquez''' is a resort town in Ecuador and situated on a pointy peninsula by the Chone River and the Pacific Ocean. While during the weekends most people head off to Canoa for their partying, around Bahia you can find many activities such as bird-watching in the Isla Corazon, Paragliding near the Cliffs of Canoa, surfing, and many volunteer experiences also abound.

About a 5 mile beach walk outside of Bahia de Caraquez is Punta Gorda Reserve where volunteers can work on the last bit of the Tropical Dry Forest while getting away from the gringo trail, busy bus lines, always on the go travel style. The Cabin Tortuguita _gSmall Turtle_h is perched high on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean to the west. In the reserve you can discover many old pottery laden fields from thousands of years ago, hike, maintain the trails, fish with the only subsistence fishing family for miles, try out some surfing on the board provided, and just relax on the hammocks with the cool breeze.

Get in

You can get to Bahia de Caraquez by bus from Quito (eight hours) or Guayaquil (six hours). Coming from Guayaquil there is a five-hour ride offered by at least two bus companies (Reina del Camino and Coactur included) that stops in Jipijapa (a good point to get on/off to go to Puerto Lopez) and Portoviejo, the capital of the Manabi state.

Bahia can also be reached by boat - there is a cheap passenger ferry (it's $0.30 for a ten minute ride) from San Vicente, or you can ride the vehicle ferry for free.

To get to Bahia from Quito: The only company that travels Quito- Bahia is called Reina del Camino. There are two kinds of buses; the executive and regular. The executive service is more comfortable and safer than the regular services. It costs only $1-2 more and is well worth it. Security is very high on these buses and you will be frisked before getting on. You are not usually allowed to take day packs on the bus for security reasons. Remember to take a sweater with you on the bus as the air conditioning can get very cold.

From Quito It is 7-8 hours to Bahia. You can do it during the day or night, by regular or executive service. There are two executive services per day. The executives leave Quito at 12.50 pm and 11.45 pm, the regular services are at 10.30 am and 11.30 pm. In Quito Reina del Camino has 2 offices: 1. Terminal Terrestre (the main Quito bus station in the old town) 2. 18 de Septiembre and Av. Patria in the new town in the Mariscal area. (very close to the junction of Av. Patria and 10 de Agosto.) You can buy tickets for all services at 18 de Septiembre but the only service that actually leaves from there is the executive night bus at 11.pm (this is the 11.45pm service mentioned earlier, but it leaves from here at 11.pm then travels to the main bus station, picks up passengers and leaves from there at 11.45 pm). It is recommended that you get tickets at the 18 de Septiembre station as it is much safer and easier. Be careful with your belongings in the main bus station _c don_ft be distracted! If you come from Quito on the day bus make sure you get a seat on the right hand side for great views.

Get around

As a small beach-side town, there are few places in Bahia that cannot be reached in under 15 minutes on foot. The hospital is an exception, but may be reached by cab or the local bus.

As an "eco-friendly city," Bahia has numerous bicycle taxis that will ferry you from the bus station to the beaches or to the downtown area ($0.50). Normal taxis are also common and typically will charge $1 to get across town (this may have changed). There is one major bus route inside the town; it charges $0.18 no matter where you get off. It can be boarded near the bus station - ask when you arrive.

See

There is a great little museum in the old Banco Central building. A number of interesting artifacts from indigenous societies are on display and have been well documented. Entrance fee is $1 and a multi-lingual guide will accompany you at no additional cost.

Do

Isla Corazon Tours

Isla Corazon (Heart Island) is a naturally heart-shaped mangrove island in the Chone River estuary. It is a nesting site for one of the Pacific's largest frigatebird colonies. During mating season, male frigatebirds inflate a red sac on their throats and make loud, clicking calls. Local fishermen expanded the island through their mangrove restoration efforts and have since begun to offer canoe-led tours of the mangrove ecosystem. The island is now recognized as a National Wildlife Refuge and National Heritage Site.

Tours are offered directly through the local fishermen or can be arranged through E Ceibos Tours (in Bahia) or Guacamayo Tours, with offices in Bahia and Canoa. Tours depart from Puerto Portovelo, a small village on the north side of the Chone River. To arrive from Bahia de Caraquez, take a boat taxi across the estuary to San Vicente. Then, catch a bus or taxi on the "via Chone" (route to Chone). Puerto Portovelo is just 7km up the road. Bus rates average about 30 cents.

Take a trip to Rio Muchacho Organic Farm. They offer 1-3 day tours with activities including horse treck to howler monkey forest and waterfall, making chocolate and coffee from the bean, making necklaces, bowls, and rings from natural materials, and lots more. They also offer volunteer programs for the farm and ecoschools. You can get more information on Rio Muchacho or other tours in Ecuador at their office in Bahia which also sells fair trade items.

Buy

Eat

  • '''Arena Bar Pizzeria''' - More than just pizza, on Avenue Bolivar near Hotel Italia. The pizza is good, and is popular for take out. There are many other things on the menu. The shrimp in fresh sauce is fantastic at US$ 4.79. The fish in asparagus sauce is also excellent at about the same price. One may dine inside, or sit on the sidewalk and watch the passing people. The owner, Elizabeth, is very friendly and takes great pride in the quality of the food.
  • '''D`Camaron''' - Delightful al fresco restaurant. D`Camaron is located at the end of Avenue Bolivar, where it intersects the Malacon at the tip of the peninsula. As the name implies, there are many shrimp dishes on the menu, along with some fish and chicken as well. Most menu items are between $3 and $4.
  • Four barbeques adjacent to the ferry landing: Restaurant Row. There are four, almost identical, barbeque restaurants next to the ferry landing. Each features charcoal broiled beef or chicken and fried fish or shrimp. Meals cost between US$ 4 and US$ 6.
  • Drink

    Sleep

  • '''La Piedra'''. La Piedra is a modern hotel directly on the ocean at the tip of the peninsula. The two-story hotel is in a "U" shape which is open on the sea side. There is a swimming pool in the center of the "U". The restaurant balcony is over the ocean. The hotel looks extremely clean and convenient, although it occasionally runs out of hot water. The most expensive, although not a bad value at $48 without breakfast.
  • '''Hotel Italia'''. The rooms are clean, the beds are comfortable, and the air conditioning works well. The Italia is located in the center, and none of the rooms has a view. There is no elevator, and all rooms are at least one flight above the lobby, if you like hiking take one of the upper floors the stairways are so steep you feel like you are in the mountains. Rooms US$ 25 per night with AC, or US$ 20 without AC.
  • '''Hostel Coco Bongo'''. Very friendly hostel. The ground floor is devoted to a bar and breakfast room in a garden setting. Up one flight, there is one very nice room with private bath and AC for US$ 30.00. There are several communal rooms with bunk beds and shared bath that cost much less. A very nice balcony overlooks the park. There is a TV in the sitting room. The owner, Susy, is from Australia.
  • '''Ecohostal Bahia'''. Actualy a bed and breakfast, this place is a slightly upscale little hostal with an enviromental decore. A cool mural is painted on the front of the building as well as in each of the rooms. Prices range from $20 single to $25-35 a couple and includes a gourmet breakfast. Only hostal to include free internet as well as cocktail service in the evenings. Great location next to La Herradura.
  • Get out

    In Bahia de Caraquez El Bucanero Hotel no longer exists!