Created on July 26, 1979 and located 80 kilometers south of Portoviejo city, in the Province of Manabi, this Park has an extension of 55,092 hectares distributed in the continental zone (32,000 hectares), and the marine zone (18,000 hectares).

This park takes its name, according to a legend, after the names of two indian spouses who settled down here, Macha the husband and Lilla the wife.

Machalilla National Park occupies a great part of the western hydrographic system of the Chongon-Colonche mountain range which produces micro climatic changes unique to this place, without mentioning the spectacular cliffs on the coast line.

La Plata Island, Salango Island, and the small islands of Pedernales, Sombrerito, Sucre, and Horno de Pan all are also part of this Park, sheltering beautiful bird and mammal species.

The importance of this Park lies on the variety of flora and fauna found in this wonderful place along with the discovery of remains of several pre-Columbian cultures making this Park a natural museum itself.

The convergence of two sea currents (Humboldt and Panama) has a determining effect on the weather of the Park creating two distinctive seasons in the zone: the rainy season (January-May) and the dry season (June-December).

This makes possible the development of several ecosystems that offer visitors the chance to admire different species of birds and mammals coexisting harmoniously and contributing to the beauty of the area.

Albatrosses, pelicans, frigates, blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca boobies are some of the bird species you will find on La Plata Island, and on several beaches like Los Frailes, Los Piqueros and Playa Dorada.

Dolphins, sea lions, the graceful and majestic hump-back whales, and other species similar to those of the Galapagos Islands also delight visitors. Divers will find La Plata Island waters perfect for admiring coral reefs and their unique and interesting sea life.

For some investigators, Machalilla’s dry forest is one of the most interesting forests of the world due to its high degree of endemism containing up to twenty percent of endemic species. More in-depth study has to be done in this forest, however.

Carobs, balsa trees, ceibos, guayacan, laurel, several orchids, and bromelias are among the most representative flora of the forest, whereas deer, howling monkeys, and micos (endemic of the southwestern forests of the country) are among the representatives of the fauna.

Agua Blanca is another important part of Machalilla National Park where visitors can observe, in a small museum, the archeological remains of several of the most ancient cultures that inhabited South America (1500-1300 B.C.). The Valdivia Culture, for instance, left an invaluable trace of their marine activities proving that this zone was an important maritime commercial center.

Hiking Agua Blanca area, you will find birds with unique nests like those of the “Horneros”, the beautiful Motmot, iguanas, a very clear stream, archeological sites, a sulphuric lagoon, and a viewing point that will leave you breathless with the view you have from here.

Tourists will be able to see urn-like coffins containing human bones and skeletons dressed up with ceremonial clothes, and jewelry revealing how ancient people buried their loved ones. Surrounding the place, visitors can observe ruins of ceremonial temples, houses, and plazas which were used by “shamanes” or leaders of the tribe.