Montañita is a small surf village on the south coast of Ecuador's Santa Elena Peninsula, and it punches well above its weight. Two sandy streets, a cluster of cafes and surf shops, and a beach that pulls in long, consistent waves — that is essentially the whole town, and for many travelers it is more than enough. La Punta, the headland at the southern end, produces the best left-hand surf break on this stretch of coast.
During the week the pace is slow: surfers drift between the water and the cafes, and the village feels genuinely laid-back. Weekends are a different story. Ecuadorians pour in from Guayaquil and Quito, the bars fill up, and the streets stay noisy into the small hours. The monthly full moon party, held at a beach a short distance south of town, draws a mixed crowd of backpackers and locals and is worth timing a visit around if you can. Nativa Bambu is the biggest bar in town and the centre of the nightlife.
Montañita is firmly on the backpacker circuit, which means cheap food, a friendly crowd, and a ready supply of surfboard rentals. It is also on the equatorial coast, which means the sky is often overcast, especially from June to November when the Humboldt Current keeps temperatures mild but the sun elusive. Come between December and May for the best combination of surf and sunshine. One practical warning: the town's ATM runs out of cash regularly on busy weekends. Bring enough from Guayaquil or Salinas to cover your stay.