Manta Travel Guide

 
by grandmaR
 
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      Bart Simpson?
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      Bank sign at the top of the building
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      Black musical instrument
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Explore Manta

Things to Do  

Central Bank Museum

Central Bank Museum, Manta

 grandmaR Says:  Bahía de Caráquez (The Central Bank Museum) includes an important collection of Manta's Pre-Columbian craft. By the first millennium, South America’s vast rainforests, mountains, plains, and coasts were the home of tens of millions of people. Some groups formed permanent... 

Beautiful Beaches of San Lorenzo

Beautiful Beaches of San Lorenzo, Manta

 osiekhan Says:  Off the beaten path, the beach of San Lorenzo is a nice getaway. Check out the cafe/inn (Cabanas) on the beach and ask about the rain forest tours nearby. Depending on the time of the year, you can do whale watching as well. 

Learn Spanish in Manta - Apprenez l'espagnol ici

Learn Spanish in Manta - Apprenez l'espagnol ici, Manta

 Maillekeul Says:  We had great time with the Buchelis and we lerarned a more than basic spanish thanks to the lovely teachers of this school... A good address to learn this language next to the ocean...On s'est beaucoup amuses en compagnie des Bucheli, directeurs de l'ecole, et on a appris un... 

Hotels  

Howard Johnson Manta

 30 Opinions

Oro Verde Hotel

 1 Review and 18 Opinions  Muy buen hotel por sus habitaciones, comida y atención a los turistas. Me sirvió para organizar... 

Hotels  

San Antonio Hosteria Hacienda: Odd but Cool Hotel Experience Just Outside Manta

San Antonio Hosteria Hacienda: Odd but Cool Hotel Experience Just Outside Manta, Manta

 namastedc Says:  The San Antonio is an alternative to staying right in Manta. It is about 15 minutes outside the city in the hills. This hacienda has a large zoo attached to it, as well as a giant pool area with an in-pool bar. The food is great, and the staff is friendly. The rooms are well... 

Nightlife  

Cadillac Bar: Great Mixed and Frozen Drinks
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

namastedc 72 reviews

The Cadillac Bar seems to be a popular hangout for Expats. This place, despite being made out of materials like sugar cane and bamboo, has a GREAT atmosphere! There are pool tables, fooz, great music, and a lot of room. THe menu is professional and contains just about every drink you can imagine.

Dress Code: Casual

Written Mar 16, 2005

Address: Close to the Oro Verde - just ask around

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Transportation  

Bussed Off the Pier
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grandmaR 6477 reviews
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Everyone on the cruise ship has to take a bus off the pier - either a tour bus which goes from the pier to the destination, or a shuttle bus to the entrance of the port or to a nearby shopping center

When we took the shuttle to the entrance, on the way back the van had a drawing on it that reminded me of the Trix rabbit. The name of the van is Trans Rabbit

There are also city buses within the city. The long distance bus station is behind the Central Bank. Frequent bus service to Guayaquil (4 1/2 hours), ticket value around US$5.00. To Quito (about 10 hours), ticket value around US$7.00. To Portoviejo (1 hour), ticket value around US$1.00. To Jipijapa (1 hour), ticket value around US$1.30. To Bahía de Caráquez (about 3 1/2 hours), ticket value around US$2.50. To Esmeraldas (8 1/2 hours), ticket value around US$7.20. To Santo Domingo (5 hours), ticket value around US$6.20.

Locals of course often use the two wheeled transportation, and you can rent cars, but taxis are cheap

Updated Feb 25, 2009

Related to:
 Seniors
 Road Trip
 Cruise

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Local Customs  

Pre-Columbian Burial Customs
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

grandmaR 6477 reviews
First stage
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I took a picture of an explanation of the exhibits and this is the translation of it.

Ceramics and Custom of offering food to the Dead

MILESTONE
Valdivia, one of the oldest pottery traditions of the New World

Valdivia ceramics was 6000 years ago, one of the oldest pottery traditions and highlights of the continent incorporating religious concepts which were later used by other societies in the Americas

Since then, the use of social, ceremonial and utilitarian ceramics has been an outstanding dimension in Native American culture, it is the expression for ceremonial meals, which even today, is part of events central to the social and religious life of indigenous groups

The habit of giving food and drink in special pots aims to communicate the affection felt for the community of the ancestors and the guardian spirits of plants and animals which mean fertility and abundance

Updated Feb 25, 2009

Related to:
 Archeology
 Historical Travel
 Budget Travel

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Warnings and Dangers  

Hard Hat Area

Hard Hat Area, Manta

 grandmaR Says:  The commercial pier where the cruise ships dock is not for tourists. It is a dangerous commercial area with cranes and heavy equipment. It isn't for walking.In addition during the time we were there, an ammonia refrigeration plant on one of the tuna boats exploded, killing... 

not safe in non tourist areas

not safe in non tourist areas, Manta

 nvschick Says:  You have to be careful at night. don't want to scare nobody but do not walk alone in the streets. groups are good. don't wear flashy jewlery it will be snatched. try to stay in tourist areas. be safe when venturing in unknown areas. take a taxi it is safe and they only... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Tuna Boats

Tuna Boats, Manta

 grandmaR Says:  The main thing to see in the Manta harbor area is tuna boats coming in and unloading their catches. This is very interesting, but can only be seen from the deck of a cruise ship, since access to the pier is restricted to those with business there. Also this activity is... 

San Lorenzo Beach

San Lorenzo Beach, Manta

 namastedc Says:  This is a beautifil beach about 30 minutes South of Manta on the Via a la Costa. It is next to a tiny village, but there is never anyone on the beach. You can just drive your car right up to where you will be sunbathing!Beware of the strong undercurrent and strong waves -... 

Favorites  

Street Scenes around the Port

Street Scenes around the Port, Manta

 grandmaR Says:  This visit we got outside the port gates, and I was able to take pictures of local scenery. The picture of Bob waiting for me was really so that I could take a picture of the chess players in the background.I also have pictures of the ceramic for sale on the museum steps,... 

Information

Information, Manta

 grandmaR Says:  There is an information place just about a block away from the port. They were able to tell us where the museum we were looking for was (across the street) and they had A/C in there. I don't know what other information they have. 

City from Afar

City from Afar, Manta

 grandmaR Says:  We didn't really see much of the city of Manta aside from the port area. It is a commercial city and does not have much in the way of tourist facilities.Although I understand that in the Province of Manabí are 300 kilometers of some of South America's most breathtaking... 

Manta Harbor

Manta Harbor, Manta

 grandmaR Says:  The Manta Harbor is a commercial port first of all. It is a big port and easy to get into for the cruise ships, but you can't walk on the pier because of all the commercial port activity. But I had a good time standing on the deck and watching all the activity. 

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Map of Manta