Spondylus Route & Ecuadorian Andes

The best way to enjoy our beaches on the Ecuadorian Coast is riding on motorcycle along Spondylus Route.

This ride along the “Ruta del Spondylus” is part of the Ecuadorian pacific coastline highway, and it has much more to offer than just sun and sand. This route runs from north to south and offers beautiful beaches and offshore islands like “Isla de la Plata” that is located of the costs of the province of Manabí, this Island is covered with unique flora and fauna. During the month of June to September hump back whales visit this area as part of there annual mating ritual, if your ride with us is in these months we will most certainly visit la Isla de la Plata!

The route got its name from the Spondylus, a sacred shell that used to be a symbol of prosperity in the cultures that inhabited South America during pre-Columbian times. The red/purple colored shell was also presented as an offering in ceremonies. It represents fertility and agricultural success. The Spondylus became so important during the time that it was even used as currency in the continent. It stretches out across 748 km, specifically from Mataje in the province of Esmeraldas on the border with Colombia to Salinas in Santa Elena along the E15 Ecuador state road. This route include more than a dozen ecological reserves, including the Cayapas-Mataje reserve in the San Lorenzo, with moist tropical forests and mangroves, and Machalilla National Park along the southern coast of the province of Manabí. This is the only island-continental reserve in Ecuador and it is home to many of the nation’s best beaches as well as rare animal species such as jaguars, ocelots, bush dogs, lowland pacas, agoutis, and colored squirrels.

The route ends in Salinas, the best place for a few days of rest. Located in the Santa Elena Peninsula on the western end of the country, it’s the most popular city for tourism in Ecuador.

During the summer season between December and May, travelers and locals from Guayaquil (only 1.5 hours away) come here to enjoy the climate—which ranges from 21 °C to 33 °C (70 °F to 91 °F) with minimal rainfall—as well as the beaches surrounded by saltwater lagoons that are perfect for recreational fishing, sailing, surfing and scuba diving. Visitors come here for the sports scene as well as the exciting nightlife. The perfect plan? Going out for dinner to enjoy traditional dishes, seafood or bolones (fried green plantain dumplings) stuffed with cheese and chicharrones at Playa Chipipe, the largest and liveliest and also where the Salinas Yacht Club is located, and dancing until dawn. Have the best adventure tour on motorcycle with us!