Spondylus Route at the Ecuador's Pacific Coast was formerly known as the Ruta del Sol or Route of the Sun.
It is the road that borders the Pacific Ocean from northern Peru to northern Ecuador.
The route has countless attractions and multiple beaches.
The name of the route comes from the spondylus seashell, or red spiny oyster, that was very important for pre-Columbian cultures of Ecuador and even used as currency.
What Spondylus Route has to offer
The small towns with hotels, restaurants, museums and other attractions, together with bigger towns and gorgeous beaches sprinkled throughout the route make it irresistible and a must for a traveler.
There are possibilities and facilities aquatic sports like surfing, snorkeling, fishing and scuba diving among others.
Other attractions included paragliding, horseback riding, local cuisine and culture, the wonderful sunny weather and friendly people.
Every town has its distinct way of life,
culture, and culinary riches.
The beaches, food and opportunities for relax and partying varies from town to town.
History of Spondylus Route
The Spondylus
Route on the coast of Ecuador displays the cultures that thrived from 8000
BC.
Some of these
cultures as Bahia and Manteña were among the most experienced sailors.
They were known as the "Phoenicians
of the Americas" and aboard of their wooden boats of the Ecuadorian balsa
traveled all the way from Mexico to the north and to the southern Chile.
One of the most important objects of the
trade was the sacred "the Spondylus shell".
It was also known as "Mullu"
in Quechua (native language of the Incas).
The shell was one of the most sacred and
sought out items in ancient times.
It was marketed and highly valued by the
chiefdom of Ecuadorian and Peruvian Andes.
The shells or their remains have been
found in almost all major archeological discoveries of the west coast of South
America, such as the tomb of the Lord of Sipan in northern Peru.
In the small town of Valdivia is a museum that is
dedicated to the different cultures that habited the Ecuadorian Pacific Coast.
Where
to go
The beaches and towns stretch from Huaquillas at the
El Oro Province in the Peruvian border till San Lorenzo in Esmeraldas Province
right next to Colombia.
The Spondylus Route runs through a total
of five provinces, all with different kinds of culture, traditions, nature,
cuisine, animals, attractions, and beaches.
Montañita is the party central and the
capital of surf, popular with both national and international tourists.
Los Frailes beach located in the
Machalilla Natural Park is famous for its beauty and a quiet place to enjoy the
sun, sand and water together with the nature.
Salinas, la Ciudad Blanca, or
the white city has five-star accommodations and all the luxuries a demanding
tourist might want, including shopping opportunities.
Puerto Lopez is famous for the opportunity to go whale watching and also for the fun loving lifestyle that has attracted many international tourists.
Playas has the charm of an old time balneary and
there are opportunities to go dolphin and bird watching in the mangroves from
the nearby town of El Morro.
There are numerous small towns with quiet and slow rhythm of life.
And other bigger ones bustling with tourists, music, and fun.
If you are planning a vacation keep Ecuador's Spondylus Route in your mind.
Spondylus Route is sure to offer something special for everyone!
