Puerto López sits on Ecuador's Ruta del Spondylus, the coastal road linking Santa Elena, Montañita, Puerto López, Manta, and Portoviejo. Buses from Montañita take about an hour. From Guayaquil, expect roughly four hours by bus, usually via Jipijapa. From Quito, overnight and long daytime buses run to the coast, though many travellers break the trip in Guayaquil or Manta.
The bus terminal is north of the town centre on the main highway. Mototaxis cover the short ride into town and are also useful for reaching the malecón with luggage.