Surf and Beach - in the Andes? (04/09/2006 14:33)

In stead of just writing about partners and official business, I thought I could take a shot recommending a slightly exotic resort for those of you who like to travel a bit. So why not try something in the Andes?

The west coast of South America has had an unjust reputation for bad weather and desert.
"Everything attractive is at 10 000 feet."
This is  absolutely untrue:

In Ecuador there are stretches of beautiful, untouched coastal wilderness and even right under the Equator the climate is exceedingly agreeable. On the coast of Ecuador's Manabí province I found my paradise.

True, it's not the palm sprinkled picture postcard, just mile after mile of sandy beaches where people live simple lives. Tourism has hardly touched the fishing village of San Lorenzo under the majestic cape marking the westernmost tip of equatorial America.  

Here, my uncle and his Ecuadorian partner Napoleón Martínez have built a small, intimate luxury bed and breakfast hotel called El Faro Escandinavo (The Scandinavian Light House). If they cannot offer discos and fancy restaurants, they certainly can offer perfect relaxation and total privacy:

- Home away from home is a well used hotel cliché which we have attempted to make a reality. On the hotel premises you will only meet people you already have been introduced to. Art and furniture are brought from Europe and every one of our eight double rooms is located in separate bungalows.



What is there to do?

- The idea is that as our guest you don't need to do very much at all! Just relax on the beach, by the pool. Read and listen to music. There are, however, attractive walks in the vicinity, such as going up to our local waterfall or look for monkeys in the cloud forest in the hills just behind the village. If you get restless, we can arrange both deep sea fishing, excursions to the Machalilla national park, riding in the cloud forest, a sensational private botanical garden and several other activities.

- From December through mid May we enjoy warmth and brilliant sun, but never crushing heat.  From June to November it's cooler, windier and often overcast thanks to the cold Humboldt current that runs from the Antarctica up to Equator. The change of climate actually brings whales such as humpbacks, orcas and minkies from Antarctica to our part of the world, and during the season you can actually whale-watch from our dining room! There is a fantastic variety of birds around San Lorenzo - Ecuador is one of the most bio diverse countries on this planet!



How can one get there?

- Quite easily if you're in Ecuador or Perú. We're just 3 hours by road from Guayaquil's international airport and several flights a day take you from Quito to Manta, 30 minutes away from San Lorenzo. So if you are going to Machu Picchu or the Galapagos or to the Andes, come and relax on our lovely beach before you go back to your own country. It is much cheaper than the Caribbean - besides, everybody's been there by now. We're different!

One last thing I have to mention is the cooking: I guarantee the best steak west of the Andes and the cheapest bar prices!

For further info & booking, visit
www.elfaroescandinavo.com

Just my 2 cents! And do say hi to my uncle if you happen to pop by!