TRAVEL AND TOURS

Tan bodies for the hot fury of sun frolic in the burning sand of a beach under the loving gaze of picturesque palms. Peace and tranquility in front of an indefatigable sea whose impetuous waves extinguish in the shore.

The North Coast of Ecuador's Sea is full of sea fragrance. The beauty of its warm beaches is blinding. In this corner of the Pacific, you only have to look at the horizon to feel that life is permanently renewing itself and that the waves are easily taking away your tensions, problems and stress.

But the waters of the Pacific are not the only attractions. Visitors of the North Coast (which goes from San Lorenzo, in the frontier with Colombia, to the county of the Guayas) will be able to imbue themselves in the culture of its cities and towns, inhabited by people of all bloods and races.

History says that men coming from Africa and the Caribbean sea arrived to this land to be slaves. But with the coming of years, they blended their blood with that of natives and Spaniards. The same thing happened with their way of life.

Emeralds, Portoviejo and Blankets, are some of the places that the travellers can visit if they have the privilege to be among those tan bodies that frolic in the burning sand.

CITIES

Emeraldas: In this place the first Spanish conquerors disembarked in Ecuador. Proud of its history, the city has become the port of biggest importance in the North Coast and the centre of Black Culture of Ecuador.

When in Emeralds, you will enjoy visiting the Archaeological Museum (it shows pre-Hispanic utensils found in the region) or the House of the Ecuadorian Culture, where you can appreciate a collection of colonial and contemporary art.

Blanket: Here is where the pre-Hispanic culture of Jocay was developed. It was one of the most important in Ecuador. They rendered cult to fertility with coca leaves. Francisco Pacheco founded the Spanish city March 2 1535.

The attractive City Museum, shows utensils of the Jocay culture.

Montecristi City: Its artisans keep alive the centuries old of knitting the leaves of the Carludovica palmatas and turn them into panama hats. This part of the coast shows a look characterized by narrow streets, churches with miraculous images and a handful of wonderful colonial houses.

Portoviejo: Founded in March 12 1535 by Francisco Pacheco and the capital of the county of Manabi, it shows very few prints of its colonial past. The House of the Ecuadorian Culture, with its collection of musical instruments, will be a pleasant place to visit.