Mompiche is a small fishing village on Ecuador's northern coast, tucked into a sheltered bay south of the Ensenada de Mompiche in Esmeraldas province. For years it was known mainly to surfers chasing the long left-hand point break, but a growing number of beach bungalows and simple restaurants have turned it into a low-key backpacker stop as well.
The village itself is basic — sandy streets, a handful of tiendas, and not much nightlife beyond a beer on the beach. That is the appeal. The surf break works best from December to April, and the nearby island of Portete has a quieter beach accessible by boat. Mompiche is reached by bus from Esmeraldas (about 2.5 hours) or from Muisne to the south.