Bahia de Caraquez in Ecuador

The city of Bahia has been declared an Ecological City with organic gardens, eco-clubs and recycling projects and has been the first city in the world with a certified organic shrimp farm.

Pre-Colombian pottery can be seen in the archaeological museum of the Central Bank.

Bahia de Caraquez Ecuador is located in the province of Manabi in a sandy peninsula in the western coast of Ecuador. It has shown an important tourist development during the last 15 to 20 years, since it has become one of the country's most attractive resort areas due to its beauty and relative closeness to the cities of Quito and Guayaquil.

It will take you around five to six hours to reach Bahia by car from Quito and four hours from Guayaquil.

Bahia de Caraquez suffered two natural disasters in 1997 and 1998, the "El Niño" phenomenon and an earthquake in august of the later year.

Mudslides and floods devastated much of the town and the surrounding agricultural hinterland. During the reconstruction, local residents with the support of foreign NGOs aimed their efforts towards more sustainable development.

As a result Bahia was declared an Eco-City on February 23, 1999, for which development activities are being carried out with the purpose of a better use of its resources, and for the conservation of the ecosystems.

Bahia de Caraquez is creating a community culture of recycling and sustainable living that has attracted worldwide attention. This combined with the safety and cleanliness of the town has made it a very desirable and pleasant destination, plus the food is great with organic farms near the town.

Bahia de Caraquez Attractions

The Museum

It also includes an art gallery featuring local artists and exhibits which change monthly, museum shop, library, restoration and research area.

Corazon Island

This small Island has bird colonies located at the end of it, but may be seen only by boat.

Fragata Island

It is located 15 minutes by boat from Bahia de Caraquez with a myriad of bird types. Between August and January a large colony of frigate birds can be seen very closely showing their inflated red sacks during the mating ritual season.

Other interesting places to visit around the area are: Punta Bellaca, a beautiful beach on the way to Chirije close to the Cerro de las Orquídeas hill.

The archaeological site of Chirije is located 45 minutes south of Bahia de Caraquez and it is surrounded by tropical forest and nice beaches.

Chirije used to be a seaport of the Indian Bahia Culture (500 BC-500 AD). This is a perfect place to relax, as well as for other activities in the area as birdwatching and horse riding.

Saiananda

It is located 5 km from the city of Bahia and is a very interesting private park with accommodations and restaurants.

It has a very unusual combination of native and domestic animals and birds such as: Chuchuchos, sloths, ostriches, macaws, deer, geese, rabbits, peacocks, donkeys, and cows.

Canoa Beach

This is another attractive Ecuadorian beach especially for surfers. The Río Muchacho organic farm ten kilometers north of Canoa offer horse riding trips in the farm, with rustic but comfortable accommodation.

Sosote

Is a local source for inexpensive tagua nut jewelry and decorative items. You will find loose beads as well as finished items. Shops arrayed on both sides of the road from Bahia de Caraquez to Puerto Viejo town.

Montecristi

At this town you can see the famous Panama Hats (originally from Ecuador) being made by the few remaining artisans. A wide range of qualities and prices are offered.

Bahia de Caraquez in Ecuador offers first class hotels and many places to relax or have fun. One of its main tourist attractions is the opportunity to sail up the Chone River by motorboat, all the way to San Vicente.

You will be able to visit the lookout point of the Cross, and experience the unique display of nature with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, the bay, beaches and mountains.

Bahia peninsula is elongated to the N-NW direction and its coastal line has suffered important changes during the last 50 years. Those lands have been used later for developing the modern part of the city.

Bahia de Caraquez Ecuador is a city that combines the remains of ancient history with modern activities of the 21st Century

Ecuador Recommended Reading:

Footprint Ecuador and Galapagos
From the Galapagos Islands that inspired the theory of evolution, to a valley where people live forever, from the center of the earth to the Avenue of the Volcanoes, Ecuador excites and amazes at every turn. This highly acclaimed guide is essential for all free-spirited travelers. (One of the best books I ever read about Ecuador)

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