Ruta del Sol Cycling Tour Manta to Pedernales
Cycling from Big City to Small Beach Village along Ecuador's Coast
Apr 6, 2009
The Ruta del Sol route travels about 600 km along paved and dirt roads and beach. The route starts about 2 hours southwest of the international airport in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and can be broken into three separate stretches:
- Salinas to Manta,
- Manta to Pedernales,
- and Pedernales to Same, and takes cyclists through three of Ecuador's coastal provinces: Guayas, Manabí and Esmeraldas.
Ruta del Sol is one of the most beautiful cycling tours in Ecuador. From pristine beaches to small towns where Panama hats are woven, there is a lot to see along this route. Taking the time to swim on some of Manabí's lovely beaches or sample the local seafood dishes is highly recommended.
Preparation for Cycling Along Ecuadorian Coast
Aside from the more obvious precautions needed for a long-distance tour, it is important to take into account the following:
- The equatorial sun is very strong. Cyclists should protect themselves by using plenty of sunscreen and wearing sunglasses.
- Because of the high temperatures and humidity, keeping hydrated is a must. Be sure to stock enough water, as well as energy-rich foods.
- The best time to take this tour is from July to November, due to cooler temperatures. It is also recommended that the route be traveled from south to north, since during this time of the year the winds blow south to north and will not create unnecessary resistance.
From Fishing Villages to Extreme Sports: Manta-Crucita Stretch (24.5 km)
About 7.5 km north of Manta, cyclists will come upon the small fishing village of Jaramijó. From Jaramijó, cyclists should take the detour to Crucita, a stretch of approximately 17 km more. This road is a secondary paved highway leading to the Military Base. It is not advisable to take this stretch along the beach.
In Crucita extreme sports such as paragliding, hang gliding and kitesurfing are offered.
Cycling at Low Tide: Crucita to Bahía de Caráquez (35 km)
From Crucita to San Jacinto it is once again possible to take up the route along the beach. Nevertheless, this should only be attempted at low tide, or it will be impossible later to cross the mouth of the Portoviejo River.
The stretch from San Jacinto to Bahía de Caráquez (locally known as Bahía) can be taken along the beach during low tide, also.
At the end of this stretch is one of Ecuador's major beach resorts, Bahía. This small city has well-preserved, clean beaches. There is also an archaeological museum in the Casa de la Cultura where Pre-Colombian pottery is on display.
Taking the Ferry: From Bahía to Canoa (18 km)
The only way to cross the river to get to San Vicente from Bahía is by taking a small ferry. San Vicente is a quaint coastal town with a beautiful church, Santa Rosa. Once in San Vicente, the route continues along the beach (at low tide) and along the paved highway (at high tide), for about 18 km. Here some of Ecuador's most pristine and well-preserved beaches can be found.
Biking Along Popular Beaches: Canoa Beach to Jama (49 km)
Canoa is another small village along the Pacific that is popular with tourists but not noisy or crowded. The beach at Canoa is long and wide, sandwiched at both end by high cliffs. It is a very laid-back town, perfect for taking a short swim and enjoying the ocean view.
From Canoa, the route continues along an asphalted highway, venturing into the interior of the region. There are many small hills along the way, making this stretch difficult to manage on very hot or very sunny days.
Natural Rock Formations: Jama to Pedernales (45 km)
The last leg of the route also follows a paved highway. There are various hills along this stretch, with breathtaking views from high cliffs. About halfway to Pedernales in Tasaste Beach, an interesting side trip is to visit el Arco del Amor (the Arch of Love), a natural rock formation along the beach.
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