MANTA, ECUADOR – PLAYA SAN LORENZO (4 OF 6)

Playa San Lorenzo is an idyllic beach in Manabi, about 30 minutes South of Manta. The spot we visited was a quiet fishing village with one small store/restaurant and fishing boats lining the shore. One of our bus mates bought a package of Ecuadorian cookies, Maria Cookies, in the store and passed them around. They were delicious (of course we were also getting a bit hungry since we’d boarded the bus at 8:30 at it was now after Noon). They were a thin, very light shortbread cookie, not too sweet.

There was a lifeguard stand and beach cabanas to rent. The day we were there, the Red Warning Flags were flying. It didn’t keep the surfers away – they were expecting big waves later that day. They were just beginning to roll in as we left. We later learned those same waves affected the Zuiderdam. Our tour guide, David, said although the beach is beautiful, it’s not one he visits when he wants to get in the water – the riptides are strong, and the water was often dangerous.

Colorfully painted boats lined the beach. Obviously fishing boats, they had no motor! David said the fishermen remove the motors every time they come to shore and take them with them to keep anyone for stealing the motors.