I took this sunset photo from in front of our beachfront hotel in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador

Over the last decade, we’ve explored much of Ecuador’s Pacific Coast—and one place we always enjoy revisiting is Puerto Lopez. It’s about halfway down the coast, midway between the larger cities of Salinas to the south and Manta to the north, right off the Ruta del Sol highway.

Puerto Lopez is a small fishing village on a crescent-shaped bay that reminds us of what Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, must have looked like about 70 years ago—long before the rest of the world discovered it and turned it into the jet-setting beach resort it is today.

Just like Puerto Vallarta, the bay where Puerto Lopez is located is rimmed by tall jungle-covered cliffs and ridges. From the top of one of these hillsides, the view of the little town—especially at sunset—is breathtaking.

The beach view isn’t bad either. Above is a sunset photo I took from in front of our beachfront hotel, the Hosteria Mandala (private cabins start at $44/double).

Puerto Lopez has lots of attributes that make it special (although glitz, glamor, and a raging nightlife aren’t among them).

Just north of Puerto Lopez is Los Frailes beach, part of Ecuador’s Machalilla National Park. You can enjoy a laid back day on the beach or do a bit of hiking if you like. (Be sure to bring supplies, as there are no bars, restaurants, or tourist vendors here.) Go first to Playita Negra—a black-sand beach—then on to La Tortuguita beach and a mirador (lookout point) over the beaches and back to Los Frailes.

Just a few miles offshore from Puerto Lopez is Isla de la Plata—also part of Machalilla Park and often referred to as the “poor man’s Galapagos” since it doesn’t cost much at all to get here and on the island you have an opportunity to see a diversity of wildlife, including several species of boobies (the Blue-footed, Red-footed, and Nazca) in particular.

In the coral-reefed waters surrounding the island you can snorkel and often spy sea lions, dolphins and other marine life. Migrating humpback whales can also be spotted here from June to September. You’ll find plenty of tour operators in Puerto Lopez who will take you on a day-trip to the island for $30 or $40.

My favorite thing to do in Puerto Lopez, though, is to watch the fishermen unloading the catch of the day each morning and matching wits with the frigates who want a little piece of the action.

Editor’s note: For 2 days only you can get $200 off the Fast-Track Ecuador Package. If you want to salvage your retirement dreams or just live a more luxurious life in Ecuador than you ever thought possible…this covers everything. This is the lowest price you’ll ever pay for this program.