Is Montanita expensive to visit?
In Montanita, budget travelers spend $51 per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $117 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $223 per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Montanita.
Montanita is a small yet inviting destination that captivates travelers with a mix of travel preferences, spending habits, and budgetary ranges. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
If you choose to make it so, Montanita can be very pricey, but you can reduce your expenses by looking for discounts and coupons.
Within South America, Montanita is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in South America for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Montanita is generally more expensive than most.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Montanita Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Montanita?
The average Montanita trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Montanita travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Montanita cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
When planning your trip to Montanita, it's important to be realistic about your travel budget. While some people assume they can travel very cheaply, most people aren't comfortable on an extreme shoestring budget. Consider what you enjoy most on vacation and how you like to travel. Do you perfer to stay in resorts, hotels, or hostels? Do you enjoy sightseeing and dining out? These factors will affect your overall budget and travel plans.
Who are Budget Travelers?
You might think you're a budget traveler, but unless you're willing to sacrifice many comforts, expect to spend a lot more than the average of $51 per day that backpackers typically manage.
Younger budget travelers sometimes stick to a shoestring budget, which usually means staying in hostel dorms, eating at budget restaurants or fast food, relying on public transportation or walking, and limiting activities to free attractions.
Montanita is packed with plenty of hostels, including My Little House Surf&backpacker Hostel, ESPERANTO B&B Surf & Backpacker hostel, and Hidden House Hostel Montañita. At hostels like these, you can enjoy affordable dorm accommodation and a lively social scene, but amenities might be quite minimal.
Could You Be an Average Traveler?
If you're a family or couple enjoying a vacation, you'll most likely want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at trendy restaurants, and check out the main museums and attractions that charge for entry. A significant number of visitors to Montanita will want to tour the main attractions, museums, and landmarks. Keep in mind that most activities have costs associated with them. Hence, you should realistically expect your daily budget to hover around $117 per person, per day.
Looking to Travel in Luxury?
If you're looking for a high-end escape with every amenity and high-quality service, be prepared for daily expenses around $223. Staying in upscale hotels, enjoying meals at award-winning restaurants, indulging in lavish excursions, and utilizing taxis or private drivers in the destination will entail a more premium price tag.
Accommodation Budget in Montanita
Prices for hotels in Montanita vary widely, with luxury hotels charging more due to higher amenities. In the off-season, expect to pay around $50, but during peak season, average prices climb to $93. With options ranging from $45 to $101, there's something for every budget. Hostels are usually cheaper, especially dorm rooms. To save, book during the off-season or keep an eye out for special deals.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Montanita for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $83. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $41 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Montanita? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Montanita include:
- Puerta Sol Inn starting at $54
By avoiding the peak season and traveling during the low or shoulder seasons, you will be able to save on accommodation and avoid heavy tourist crowds.
Transportation Budget in Montanita
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $39 per person, per day, on local transportation in Montanita. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Montanita is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$39
The usual way to reach Montanita and the other villages in Manglaralto Parish is overland via the Ruta del Sol, a beautiful coastal highway running along the Ecuadorian coast. Direct lines from Guayaquil to Montanita costs USD$6 and lasts about 3 hours. You can also very easily take a CLP bus to Santa Elena or Libertad and transfer to the Citup bus which will take you to Montanita. CLP buses to Santa Elena and Libertad start operating around 3am and once you are at Santa Elena or Libertad, it is extremely easy to transfer, just look for the blue and white bus called Citup that goes to Montanita. From Cuenca, Machala, Loja or other cities in the southwestern and southern part of Ecuador, you can take a bus directly to Guayaquil and then follow the same directions above. From Quito, Esmeraldas or other north and northeastern cities of Ecuador, you can also take a direct bus to Guayaquil or transfer at Jipijapa or Portoviejo. From there you can get a bus directly to Montanita, or by changing in Puerto Lopez. From Peru, you can cross into Ecuador at the International Bridge over the Zarumilla river, near Huaquillas. From Huaquillas you can get a bus to Guayaquil and then follow the directions above to Montanita. From Guayaquil or Santa Elena, you can also take a taxi to Montanita, either for greater comfort or when the busses aren't running, generally after 21h00. Walking is the best way to get around town in Montanita, as it is a very small village and the streets are typically too crowded for cars. It only takes about 10 minutes to walk from one end of the town to the other along the beach. However, taxis and buses are available and make it possible to consider staying also in the less crowded, more serene and safe villages of Manglaralto and Olon only 5 minutes away, south and north respectively from downtown Montanita.
How much does it cost to go to Montanita? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Montanita will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Montanita
Food is a major reason many people explore new destinations, so don't skip the chance to try local delicacies.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Montanita can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Montanita is $48 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$48
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Montanita is around $48 ($48) per person, with previous travelers spending from $21 to $92. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Montanita are as follows:
- Breakfast: $5 to $14
- Lunch: $7 to $19
- Dinner: $14 to $34
- Coffee: $4
- Fast Food or Street Food: $7
The food selection in Montanita is actually very good. If you enjoy good food there are lots of great restaurants, although it is a bit on the expensive side. If you are on a budget, try to prioritize the street vendors selling USD$1.50 hamburgers and empanadas. Ecuador may be a tiny country, but the regional cuisine is impressively diverse. You have to take advantage of your time on the coast for ceviche straight from the sea.
Lots of hotels throw breakfast into the room rate, but some will charge for it. The quality and price can differ by hotel. Understanding this in advance can help you figure out if you'll need to spend extra money. It may be worth splurging on the hotel buffet, or you could find a less expensive option at a nearby bakery or cafe.
Bring a reusable water bottle instead of purchasing drinks all the time. It's also a great way to help the environment.
Before booking a tour, make a point of knowing which meals are part of the package. You may be responsible for some of your food costs, which can increase your overall budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Montanita
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Montanita typically cost an average of $31 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$31
Go whale watching from May until September during the whale watching season in Ecuador. You can organize a boat trip in Montanita or another good place to go whale watching is Puerto Lopez. If you are lucky you can even see them leap into the air. Some tours also offer lunch on the boats and the possibility to go snorkeling. You can also head to Valdivia, a village 20 minutes south of Montanita and check out its famous aquarium. It is a great place to visit and see animals like blue footed boobies, penguins and sea turtles. The name of the town comes from the population that lived there more than 3000 years ago and you will find a lot of their artifacts in Valdivia. On the main square, there is a statue of a woman, made in the style as their artifacts. You can also find a little museum in town where you can see some of these objects. On the way from Montanita to Valdivia you will also pass by a town called Libertad, where you can find a lot of souvenirs here from artisans, usually cheaper than in touristy Montanita.
It goes without saying that people come to Montanita for the beach. However, if you're looking for more of an adventure you can find that here as well. Montanita has a couple of really good surfing spots. The beginners will find a nice easy beach break along the entire beach. Those looking for a longer more exciting wave will head to the north end of the beach. If you want to rent a board the going rate is about USD$5 an hour or USD$20 for a full day. You can also rent a bodyboard for USD$3. There are a number of places in town offering lessons as well. You can also go surfing in Ayampe, a small town about 40 minutes by bus from Montanita. The town is just some dirt roads with some hotels and a small supermarket next to a nature reserve. The beach is really quiet and the waves are really great. Because the town is so small there are usually only a few surfers in the water and some pelicans diving in the water next to you on their search for fish. A few other towns in that area with good waves are Las Tunas and Rio Chico. Just outside of town there is a zipline, where you can organise canopy tours through your hotel. The going rate is about USD$20 per person. A couple companies in town also offer tours on ATVs out in the countryside. They are valued at about USD$45-60 depending on the tour you would like to do. Horseback riding around the town of Montanita is also available. There are a couple of different rides, including one to a beautiful waterfall, which costs about USD$15. Paragliding can be done in a town just south of Montanita where there is a cliff and some thermals for a coastal ride. If the winds are in your favour, the paragliding here is supposed to be excellent and will only cost you about USD$30 for a 15 minutes ride.
Outside of Montanita, you can also venture to Isla de la Plata. This island is called the poor man's Galapagos because it is a lot cheaper to visit than the Galapagos but you can also find birds in the wild that are common in the Galapagos as well; the blue-footed boobies, red-footed booby, Nazca booby, frigatebird, and occasionally albatross. Around the island you can find a coral reef which inhabits Manta-rays, tropical fish and sea turtles. The island itself is beautiful and you will find a lot of animals in their natural habitat. The island is part of the Machalilla national park and to protect the area you are obligated to take a guided tour, so you don't just wander around the island and disturb the birds and their nests. You can combine visiting the island with whale watching tours. Another beautiful place to visit in the Machalilla national park is the beach of Los Frailes. It is a crescent shaped beach with rocks on both sides protecting it from the wind and it is often considered "the most beautiful beach of Ecuador". The water is a beautiful shade of blue-ish green and the sand is white. It is a tranquil place where you can sunbathe and go snorkeling or diving. There is a fun hiking trail to the top of the northern cliff to several look out spots where you see the whales during whale watching season. Agua Blanca is a small village just north of Puerto Lopez, where you can find a sulfur pool, get an overview of the forest and find pre-Columbian art in a nicely done museum. You will see impressive flora and fauna, especially birds, ruins, remains of temples, burial sites and local farms if you decide to take a tour in Agua Blanca. If you want to know more about local communities, visit Dos Mangas, located in a peaceful forest close to Montanita. This is a community of 950 inhabitants who live of cultivating the land and making artifacts. You can either go hiking here or take a horse riding tour into the forest. You can find numerous species of birds and plants and even some howler monkeys. In the commune you can hire a guide who will tell you all about the flora and fauna found in the forest.
Montanita, Ecuador
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.