Guest House Machalilla

A good part of the room payment goes straight toward coral preservation, which made staying here feel meaningful. The room is basic, but it has what you need, and the beach is only about 300 meters away. There's a kitchen guests can use, including a nice Bialetti cafetera. Juan Carlos is the heart of Villa Machalilla, along with his five friendly dogs. He's deeply committed to wildlife on land and at sea, including caring for local corals. I've seen him be the first to step in when an animal is in distress. Muchas gracias Juan Carlos 🙏

The highway is right beside the place, so pack earplugs. Otherwise, the host is lovely and very helpful, the bed is cozy, and there's hot water and WiFi. You can walk to Machalilla National Park.

Machalilla is pretty much a ghost town, so I wouldn't suggest staying long. The place itself is cute and simple, just meters from the path to Los frailes. Buses run from Puerto lopez to the entrance from early morning until late evening, and the fare is only a dollar.

We planned on spending just two nights in our room, but enjoyed both the Airbnb and our time with Carlos enough to extend our stay. He's warm, looks after his guests, and shares useful ideas for things to do nearby. A big reason we stayed is that much of the hostel's income goes toward rebuilding and protecting the coral reefs on the beach about 150 meters away. You can paddle with Carlos' SUBs around a beautiful bay and look at the reefs with a mask and snorkel. If you want an affordable room and to support local environmental work, Carlos and his lovely rooms are a great fit. He'll be glad to explain more himself.