The Machalilla National Park is one of the most outstanding examples of Tropical Dry Forest that exists on the Ecuadorian central coast. Established in 1979 and occupying more than 55.000 hectares, this special forest of Cretaceous origin (100 million years) is distinguished by the abundant number of species that have adapted to the high temperatures and low precipitation. Cactus, Cockspur Coral Tree, carob and a type of terrestrial bromeliad are found along the seemingly dry, narrow river valleys. Their growth enabled by its high humidity level, attracting a great number of birds and giving it a truly oasis appearance amidst arid surroundings.
"Machalilla" takes its name from one of the pre-Columbian cultures that inhabited this area. The Valdivia, Chorrera and Manteña Cultures also inhabited this land of a template climate and extraordinary landscape where arqueological remains are still found within the park, and can be admired in situ especially at Agua Blanca and Salango. The park occupies 136,000 acres, and it has an average temperature of 75 ̊ F due to the Humboldt Current influence in the Pacific Ocean. It conserves the amazing tropical humid and tropical dry forests.
A transition forest is also found in this rare woodland and its characterized by large quantities of bromeliads, colonizing the branches and trunks of trees like beautiful hanging gardens and quenching their thirst from the enveloping mist of moisture, which is reflected in the appearance of palms, bamboo, “heliconias”, lichen mosses and many more species.
The Machalilla National Park supports insular ecosystems that can also be found on La Plata and Salango Islands. The first of the sea birds that nested and made colonies here along with sea lions, proceeded from the Galapagos Islands. They found favorable conditions similar to the ones in Galapagos, and have made these places their homes.
All these natural conditions have encouraged the establishment of abundant fauna, specially of birds, which list has grown to almost 300 species. A clear example are boobies, of which you can find 3 subspecies coexisting on the island, but that also harmoniously share the island with mainland species, such as “trogons”, hawks, motmots, flycatchers, doves and curassow that visit the island. Special mention should be made to the Humpback Whales that pass through the waters of the Machalilla National Park on their journey to Antarctica. They can be spotted from June to September for their mating season in La Plata Island and its surroundings.
In addition to the outstanding flora and fauna on this site, and as a perfect complement to the Machalilla National Park, one of the most significant archaeological sites can be found here. The remains of an ancient occupation of more than 26.000 years ago have been found and restored. This extensive and persistent scientific activity has brought about the excavation of many monuments and artifacts, such as “Balsa” rafts that the coastal people used for trading along the great distances of the Pacific coast. These ancestors have left their fingerprints in the present populations of La Pila and Montecristi in the form of beautiful worked weavings with vegetable fibers and ceramics which are exhibited in two interesting local museums.