Los Frailes Beach

Los Frailes is a bay inside Machalilla national park, a curve of pale sand between rocky headlands, and it is the beach people mean when they say the Ecuadorian coast still has an undeveloped one: no hotels, no bars, no vendors, no buildings at all, because it sits inside the park and none are permitted. A trail loops from the gate over the headland past two smaller coves and a viewpoint before dropping to the main beach, about an hour on foot through dry forest, and there is a shuttle for those who skip the walk. Numbers are capped and the gate closes in the afternoon. Swimming is good, with clear water and a shore break.

What you actually see

• A completely undeveloped beach - no buildings inside the park boundary.
• The headland loop trail - dry forest, coves and the viewpoint.
• Clear water and pale sand - the swimming the bay is known for.
• Capped visitor numbers - the limits that keep it quiet.

When to go

June to September, though the coast is often overcast; December to April is sunnier and hotter. Half a day. The gate closes mid-afternoon, so arrive by late morning.

Honest expectations

There is nothing there by design: no food, no drink, no shade beyond the trees, no facilities beyond basic toilets at the gate. Bring water. The walk is hot. Weekends and holidays fill the daily quota early.

Nearby

Puerto Lopez is south; Agua Blanca lies inland.