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Huaquillas to Machala, Ecuador - This Is Where They Grow Bananas

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Map location: Machala, Ecuador
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Ecuador travel blog by Mark Berman - June 2009 October 2018   » View Photoset (20 Photos)

Mark Berman, South America backpacker for over 12yrs!

2hrs by Bus to Machala

From Huaquillas I took a bus and spent 2 or more hours traveling north through banana plantations for miles and miles. One of the most enjoyable things to see on bus journeys in Ecuador are the traffic islands, they all have amazing monuments in the middle of them, not statues. I made a point of sitting on the left on buses from then on.

A Night in Machala

Once in Machala I found something to eat and a budget hotel in the market area just off the main plaza. I walked to the plaza where there is a white cathedral and water feature and took a few photos. On one side of the plaza is a big ice-cream parlour that I visited a couple of times while there. There is also an ATM and a huge internet cafe.

Around the Markets

I enjoyed walking through the markets on my way back to the hotel, the locals were quite friendly and the man at the meat market wanted me to take his photo. I stopped at a street stall on wheels where they had icey cold coconut juice in tubs for sale, the weather was rather hot! You could also buy barbarqued bananas, ice cream, fruit 'n' vegetables, meat, shoes, yellow Ecuador soccer shirts and all kinds of goods there.

Crab Soup

Next to my hotel was a little restaurant that served only crab soup. They provided a wooden board and hammer to help retrieve the crab meat although this was rather messy and fiddly and I didn't get that much meat off it. The locals at the next table were having a great meal with their crab soup while watching and laughing at me bash mine to pieces. Machala is a good place to spend a night to rest on your travels.

Bus To Guayaquil & Zaruma

My 2nd time in Machala I arrived from Guayaquil (3hrs 15mins) after being on the coast. I spent the night in Machala and continued by bus to Zaruma (2hrs 30mins) towards the east.



     

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My Hostel & Hotel Reviews for Huaquillas to Machala, Ecuador:

Hotel Perla del Pacifico, Machala, Ecuador - Large Photo
Hotel Perla del Pacifico, Machala, Ecuador (October 2018 - 1 night) - Comfortable room on the top 4th floor for 2 people for $22 per night. Private bathroom, wifi and tv. Located a few blocks from the main plaza. Window that opened and views of the city. One of the more economical accommodation options in central Machala. Recommended.
Hotel Majestic, Machala, Ecuador - Large Photo
Hotel Majestic, Machala, Ecuador (Jun 2009 - 1 night) - Smallish room with a window, in the market area, some computers in the reception for free use, nice owners, not expensive. A restaurant is in the foyer, there is a restaurant 3 doors away that make only crab soup.

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Huaquillas to Machala, Ecuador - This Is Where They Grow Bananas. This is where they grow bananas, between the border and first city northward - Machala.