Several national sanctuaries and ecological reserves near the city of Machala maintain sunny beaches and lush mangrove forests. Pelicans, Frigatebirds, and Egrets nest nearby as Blue-footed Boobies dive for fish in the sea. Whales and Dolphins may also appear offshore. Machala is also known as the "Capital of the Banana," due to the fruit's cultural importance and prominence in local cuisine.

Language: Spanish

Currency: US dollar (US$)