The Parque Nacional Machalilla it the only national park situated on the coastline, protecting a small part of what is rapidly being eaten up by real estate. It includes 50km of beach, 40,000 hectares of land and 20,000 hectares of ocean, including several islands. The park contains dry and cloud forest. It is home to a sulphur lake which smells strongly of rotten eggs. The water and the underlying mud are extremely good for the skin because of the sulphur deposits. Around the lake one frequently sees humming birds feeding at the flowers overhanging the water. The park contains a number of archaeological sites dated from around 500AD. There is a large variety of animals and birds found with this park, including coastal parrots, parakeets, pelicans, howler monkeys, anteaters, snakes and iguanas.

Sightseeing
Visit the Isla de la Plata and do some snorkelling in the surrounding waters. You may also be lucky enough to spot a humpback whale or two if you're here between June and October.

Getting there
Buses running between Jipijapa and Puerto López can drop you off at the park entrance. You will have to pay an entrance fee at the park headquarters in Puerto López and keep your ticket with you inside the park.