Agua Blanca

Agua Blanca is a very calm village close to Puerto Lopez and part of the Parque Nacional Machilalla. It is a catholic community and they manage the little tourism they get communally. The main attraction is a pre-incan 70% sulphur bath and the archeological sites of the Mantena people.

The entrance fee is 5$ and includes a local guide who will show you around the village for about 3 hours.

You can get a direct motortaxi for $4 from Puerto Lopez or take a bus (0.25$), drop off at the entrance of Agua Blanca, and start walking. It's 5km, but the few cars on this road usually stop and take you if you put up your thumb.

• There is a nicely maintained pool called "Aqua Blanca" which consists of 70% sulphur. Bring your bathing suit and don't worry you will not smell like rotten eggs, the baths do not leave a smell on your skin. Fantastic for anyone suffering from skin irritations. There are freshwater showers and toilets at the laguna.

• The small local museum shows artifacts and bits of the history of the "Manta" people who inhabited this area before the Incas.

• There are many archeological sites of the Manta times.

All this is usually included in the little tour with your guide.

Longer treks into the mountains and rainforest are possible.

There is a little shop near the museum, where prices are not too inflated.

Food is a bit overpriced ($5 for a meal). First negotiate or bring your own if you can.

You can rent a cabaña for $10 a night or camp at the dedicated campground for $2 (no water at the campsite, but freshwater showers and toilets are available at the lagoon).

Same as get in. Pay too much for a mototaxi or start walking and hitch a ride.